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While the helicopter was essential for the US war effort the Vietnam experience also proved the validity of the gunship concept. This illustrated new history explores one of the hardest-worked and most effective of the helicopter types in-theater.Often described as the US Army's aerial jeep the UH-1 Iroquois ("Huey") was the general-purpose vehicle that provided mobility in a hostile jungle environment which made rapid troop movement extremely challenging by any other means. Hueys airlifted troops, evacuated casualties, rescued downed pilots, transported cargo externally, and enabled rapid transit of commanders in the field. Although "vertical aviation" had only become a practical reality during the Korean War helicopters evolved rapidly in the decade before Vietnam and by 1965 the US Army and US Marines relied on them as primary combat tools. This was principally because North Vietnam's armed forces had long experience of jungle operations, camouflage and evasion. Generally avoiding set-piece pitched battles they relied on rapid, frequent strikes and withdrew using routes that were generally inaccessible to US vehicles. They commonly relied on darkness and bad weather to make their moves, often rendering them immune to conventional air attack. Gunship helicopters, sometimes equipped with Firefly searchlights and early night vision light intensifiers, were more able to track and attack the enemy. Innovative tactics were required for this unfamiliar combat scenario and for a US Army that was more prepared for conventional operations in a European-type setting. One of the most valuable new initiatives was the UH-1C "Huey Hog" or "Frog" gunship, conceived in 1960 and offering more power and agility than the UH-1B that pioneered gunship use in combat. Heavily armed with guns and rockets and easily transportable by air these helicopters became available in large numbers and they became a major problem for the insurgent forces throughout the war.
Covering fascinating details of the innovations in tactics and combat introduced by gunship helicopters, this book offers an analysis of their adaptability and usefulness in a variety of operations, while exploring the insurgent forces' responses to the advent of "vertical aviation."
Sommario
Introduction
Chronology
Design and Development
Technical Specifications
The Strategic Situation
The Combatants
Combat
Statistics and Analysis
Aftermath
Further Reading
Index
Info autore
Peter E. Davies has specialized in the aircraft of the Vietnam and Cold War periods, analyzing tactics, background politics and technologies in combat situations. His books are always enriched by original first-hand interviews and unpublished illustrative material. Peter has also been a contributor to publications such as Aeroplane Monthly, Aviation News and Aircraft Illustrated. He lives in Bristol, UK.Jim Laurier is a native of New England and lives in New Hampshire. He attended Paier School of Art in Hamden, Connecticut, from 1974–78, and since graduating with Honours, he has been working professionally in the field of Fine Art and Illustration. He has been commissioned to paint for the US Air Force and has aviation paintings on permanent display at the Pentagon.Gareth Hector is a digital artist of international standing and has also enjoyed a successful career in computer animation. He is an aviation history enthusiast and has contributed to numerous Osprey titles such as B-52 Stratofortress Units in Combat 1992–2025
and RAF Lightning Units of the Cold War. He lives in Perthshire, Scotland.
Riassunto
While the helicopter was essential for the US war effort the Vietnam experience also proved the validity of the gunship concept. This illustrated new history explores one of the hardest-worked and most effective of the helicopter types in-theatre.
Prefazione
While the helicopter was essential for the US war effort the Vietnam experience also proved the validity of the gunship concept. This illustrated new history explores one of the hardest-worked and most effective of the helicopter types in-theatre.
