Snakes Alive

Contenders jostle to tame the Tiger

As US military engagement in Vietnam soared, new capabilities emerged, among them the concept of a heavily armed helicopter to support the vast fleet of Bell UH-1D Huey helicopters as they offloaded troops or evacuated the wounded, often encountering strong enemy resistance.

The versatile Huey was upgunned with bolt-on rocket pods and machine guns but it remained essentially what it was – a utility helicopter of modest speed and agility.