New Release: VIETNAM HUEY! (1 Viewer)

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NEW RELEASE! HUEY HELICOPTER (UH-1)​


TCS is proud to announce our Bell UH-1 Iroquois! This prolific helicopter is the iconic symbol of the Vietnam war. Initially fulfilling the requirement for a medical evacuation and utility helicopter, it quickly developed into something much more. With its first turbine-powered engine it quickly shuttled troops in and out of the Vietnam jungle. You just can’t call yourself a TCS Vietnam collector without picking up one of these beauties.

Our UH-1 comes in three flavors, and includes both pilot figures: Medivac, Slick and a Hog. Each one kitted out perfectly. We’ve got a door gunner you can add and we’ve even created a bandaged casualty that can occupy one or both cots on the Medivac version. Its a perfect compliment to newly release M113A.

This is just one of many vital additions that we’ll add to our catalog in February. So keep those eyes peeled for more juicy intel coming up. Hey, if you haven’t signed up for the free four color catalog, do so! Go to our site to join the legion: www.thecollectorsshowcase.com

Tally Hooo!

Brian

HD1MAINTT.jpgCS01006 MedevacTT.jpgCS01008 HOGFAIRTT.jpgCS01007 SLICKFAIRTT.jpg
 
Looks great Brian.

Is there any chance of some Aussie figures or vehicles being released in this series?
 
this is really cool...I'm tempted to buy this and I collect nothing older than WWI...

Our UH-1 comes in three flavors, and includes both pilot figures: Medivac, Slick and a Hog...

I'm embarrassed to show my ignorance...

but what is a Medivac, Slick and a Hog?
 
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I'm in for the Medivac as soon as there is a Purchase Link.
 
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mikemiller1955 said:
this is really cool...I'm tempted to buy this and I collect nothing older than WWI...

Our UH-1 comes in three flavors, and includes both pilot figures: Medivac, Slick and a Hog...

I'm embarrassed to show my ignorance...

but what is a Medivac, Slick and a Hog?
Click to expand...

A medivac was a Huey equipped with stowage for stretchers/wounded. A slick (see US Army version) was a Huey designed for troop movement and only armed with two M-60 machine guns manned by hte crew chief and the door gunner. It was not fitted with any external weapons to save on weight. A Huey hog (see the USMC version) was fitted with external weapons in addition to the two door guns. Usually two rocket pods on either side, or two "gatling guns", and some had also a nose mounted 40 mm grenade launcher.

I was an M-60 machine gunner in the USMC and was asked if I wanted to volunteer to be a door gunner in a Huey . . . er, NO THANKS!

:smile2: Mike
 
The Aussie's mounted a Saladin Turret on an M113 that was very effective for fire support. Tamiya produced a 1/35 model of it many years ago. Given the excellent TCS M113 this version would be an easy expansion of the line with a really neat piece of armor.


OzDigger said:
Looks great Brian.

Is there any chance of some Aussie figures or vehicles being released in this series?
Click to expand...
 
katana said:
The Aussie's mounted a Saladin Turret on an M113 that was very effective for fire support. Tamiya produced a 1/35 model of it many years ago. Given the excellent TCS M113 this version would be an easy expansion of the line with a really neat piece of armor.
Click to expand...
Yes I have suggested that vehicle in the past but would be happy with some Aussies markings on existing models...and of course Aussies troops etc would make the range more popular globally.
 
Outstanding Brian, you really hit the moon with these. I don't do vehicles and aircraft, but I may have to think about this one.{sm2}

Joe
 
mestell said:
A medivac was a Huey equipped with stowage for stretchers/wounded. A slick (see US Army version) was a Huey designed for troop movement and only armed with two M-60 machine guns manned by hte crew chief and the door gunner. It was not fitted with any external weapons to save on weight. A Huey hog (see the USMC version) was fitted with external weapons in addition to the two door guns. Usually two rocket pods on either side, or two "gatling guns", and some had also a nose mounted 40 mm grenade launcher.

I was an M-60 machine gunner in the USMC and was asked if I wanted to volunteer to be a door gunner in a Huey . . . er, NO THANKS!

:smile2: Mike
Click to expand...

Lost an uncle in Vietnam. He was a door gunner on a Huey. My other uncle who also served was his twin and he is still devastated to this day. I had 3 uncles go to Vietnam and only 2 came back. The things I collect from this era are strictly limited to the US side of the conflict. I never get much out of my uncles when I talk to them. Neither one of them really want to talk about the subject matter so I leave the discussion open to them on what they would like to talk about out of respect for them. Mike, I didn't know you served. Thank you for your service.
 
The Medivac version with wounded soldier lying on stretcher could be used to represent an Australian medivac in Vietnam. More Australian wounded would probably have been medivac'd by US Hueys than Aussie ones.

Australia had about 16 Hueys in Vietnam and initially there were issues with how they were deployed as they were very cautious due to their limited numbers. This was not the fault of the crews but the operating guidelines. The Americans had nearly 12,000 Hueys and could respond quickly to requests for help much quicker. As a result the majority of Australians who served in Vietnam would have experienced more engagement with American rather than Australian Hueys.

About 17 years ago I commissioned an artist, himself a Vietnam infantry veteran, to paint a Dustoff painting. Naturally the Huey was in the markings of 9 Squadron RAAF. When it was finished we took it to an Infantry Association gathering. The first Vietnam Veteran who came up to look at it straight away said "wrong markings". I asked what he meant. He described an incident where one of his platoon was wounded and needed a RAAF evacuation which was declined due to the proximity of the enemy. As the radio debate was going on an American pilot nearby said he would step in and carried out the medivac. The infantry guy said his experience was that he never saw an Australian Huey operationally and as such the painting did not represent what he saw. This was a bit of a surprise to the artist and myself but backed up by further conversations with quite a few veterans.

Soon after we went to Canberra and visited the Vietnam Memorial. There is a very large image of a Huey as part of a collage on the memorial. It is an American Huey^&confuse. This is the cause of some angst for 9 Squadron veterans and it does seem odd not to have chosen an Australian image. However some of the iconic Australian Vietnam images show American Hueys and the memorial image is taken from one of them.

Having said that 9 Squadron did good work with the SAS and particularly dropping ammo under fire during the battle at Long Tan.

Have met a Veteran who lost both legs in Vietnam and he said the best sound he ever heard was the Huey coming in to medivac him. In his case it was a 9 Squadron Huey but the image he had in his office showed a bunch of American Huey's with his battalion (the iconic 7th Battalion image used on the memorial).
 
The Figarti HUEY ones were about $350. I am hoping that TCS will be under 300. Then I would consider buying one. Regards, Larry.
 
katana said:
The Figarti Huey was 1/32 scale.
Click to expand...

Thanks Katana. If The Figarti was 1:32 what will The TCS one be? I may have missed it. I am interested in getting one as I spent three years there with SF and have a ton of hours in them, however, none in a MEDIVAC. Thanks, Larry.
 
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