UH-1C Gunship Question

Did UH-1C Gunships typically not have door gunners because they're loaded up with gun pods? Or were they still crewed with door gunners? I can't find much on this online and most pics I've seen of gunships in action, seem sans the door gunner.

The Osprey book "Bell UH-1 Huey "Slicks: 1962-75 says that the IC was specifically designed as a gunship model. I have seen the occasional photo of a guy in the back holding a weapon, but you probably wouldn't want to be sticking your head out the door while the rockets etc. are firing.

I came across this.....



Rocket pods AND a mini-gun??? Yeeeehaw!!!

And another pic showing an M60 on pintle mount. I guess for more arc of fire options having a door gunner would make sense. Maybe not common place, but still smart.

I'm guessing these were field modifications...

Oh I'm sure those weren't standard!

BravoSix wrote:I came across this.....



Rocket pods AND a mini-gun??? Yeeeehaw!!!  

The look on this guy's face is priceless.

Since the cobra's had remote firing mini-guns as an option, in the nose, maybe that minigun is exactly that, remote firing so it didn't need someone holding the trigger while the rockets were firing??

It's not on a fixed mount though - there would need to be someone holding it.

Found these hope they help.

You weren't in any danger from the rockets firing, the most you could expect was getting whacked in the shins by the cap that is discarded when it fires.
My understanding is that the vast majority of gunships, even the smoke ships and the A models back in '63, had gunners. Rare occasion maybe an ARA ship might not, as they were meant for stand-off saturation, but mos did have door gunners. Many units preferred pintle mounts, elite units preferred "free" gunners. Check out pictures of the 334th AHC to see some wild shit.

Reason gunships had door guns: 1st ship rolls in and fires, as it pulls up the 2nd ship comes in firing to cover 1st ship exit and keep target pinned. As 2nd ship rolls out 1st ship is coming around and fires door guns to cover 2nd ship exit, keeping enemy occupied.

Pintle mounts only give gunners certain firing arcs, but mostly keep them from hitting the rotors above, very limiting, cannot fire behind. Units like the 334th would have the gunners doing crazy stuff like stand on the skid and fire across the nose, or lean over the side to shoot under and across, or even stand on the rocket mounts to fire beneath and behind. Their M60s would be E models, shortened and with a buttplate and pistol grip and faster firing than the grunt model.

Anyhoo, if in doubt put the gunners in, it's just cooler that way.

the crew would be 2 pilots and either one or 2 crewmen one of which the aircraft crew chief ..

Holy crap guys that's awesome! Thanks so much.

@Ken: thanks for those pics. I really should get that book. It's one of the few Squadron-Signal titles I DON'T have.

@Darby: excellent detailed info as always.

todd just sent you couple pdfs

Excellent. Thanks Thomas.

Darby wrote: Many units preferred pintle mounts, elite units preferred "free" gunners.

Yes, these are the guys I was thinking of when I mentioned them above.