UH-1C Huey "Frog" Ace of Spades, Sharks Gun Platoon, 174th AHC, Vietnam (1:72)

There were 766 Bell UH-1C helicopters built in several equipment modified variants. One was the �Frog� equipped with side-mounted XM-158 twin rocket pods each holding seven 2.75 inch rockets. The "M-5" fitted the gunship with a nose turret mounting an M-75 40 mm automatic anti-personnel grenade launcher that held 300 anti-personnel grenades. The crews referred to these as �Chunkers� because of the sound when the grenades were fired. The infamous �Shark� gunships were created in 1966 when permission was granted to use the fearsome looking �Tiger Mouth� on the front of the Hueys.

In 1971 the 174th AHC was part of the disastrous Operation Lam Son 719 in Laos. On Wednesday March 3, 1971 UH-1C #64-14170 �Ace Of Spades� was crewed by pilot Gary Harter, co-pilot Morgan Mills, door gunner Pat Wade and crew-chief Bob Jansen. UH-1C #170 and another UH-1C were flying escort for some news people as well as supporting an assault on LZ Lolo. During the action both �Frogs� were brought down by fire from multiple guns in the area. #170 landed beside QL9 (Highway 9 � a dirt road) and the crew were safely picked up.

Specifications - Bell Huey UH-1C �Frog�

Purpose
Strictly for use as a gunship.
A Huey gunship with an M-5 load out was called a "Frog"; one with the XM-3 was called a "Hog"; and one with both was called a "Heavy Hog".

Dimensions
Length - 45 ft 10 in
Rotor - 44 ft diameter

Improvements
The new "Model 540" rotor system eliminated Bell's distinctive �teetering bar" and replaced it with an electromechanical stabilization that reduced vibration and increased maneuverability.
Larger tail boom than the UH-1B
Larger elevators than the UH-1B
The "C" was given a dual hydraulic control system for redundancy in battle and an improved inlet filter system for the dusty conditions found in southeast Asia.

Engine - T53-L-11 with 1100 hp
Fuel - increased from 165 gallons to 242 US gallons

Performance
Speed - 131 kts
Range - 314 miles

Weight
Nominal useful load of 4673 lbs, maximum 9,530 lbs

Armament
2 X M -60 7.62mm machine guns
2 X side-mounted XM-158 rocket pods each holding seven 2.75 inch rockets
The "M-5" fitted the gunship with a nose turret mounting an M-75 40 millimeter automatic grenade launcher, with a rate of fire of about 220 rounds per minute.