How many men could a UH-1D carry in Vietnam?

Short answer

Up to 12 soldiers plus two crew members: that was how the UH-1D was redesigned, and it reached Vietnam in 1963. Seating capacity rose to 15 places, crew included. That version, Bell's model 205, had a longer fuselage than the earlier models.

Published: November 1, 2026 · Updated: November 1, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

How many men could a UH-1D carry in Vietnam?

Infantry 1-9 US Cavalry exiting UH-1D

The Huey that carried the infantry

The Bell UH-1 Iroquois series, better known as the "Huey", began arriving in Vietnam in 1963. The UH-1D, redesigned to carry up to 12 soldiers with a crew of two, reached the theatre that same year. It corresponded to Bell's Model 205 and had a longer fuselage than earlier models. The fuselage was stretched 41 inches, seating rose to fifteen including the crew, and the rotor grew to 48 ft. Seating capacity increased to 15 places, with the crew included in that figure.

An engine with room to grow

The UH-1D received a more powerful Lycoming T53-L-11 of 1,100 shp, with growth potential to the 1,400 shp Lycoming T53-L-13. On some aircraft that T53-L-13 was actually installed, capable of 1,400 shaft horsepower (1,000 kW).

Thousands of aircraft in Southeast Asia

Before the end of the conflict, more than 5,000 UH-1 series Hueys were introduced into Southeast Asia. More UH-1Hs were built than any other model of the family. Altogether, more than 9,000 aircraft have been produced since the 1950s.