Built in 1966 (first 2 digits in the tail number) as a UH-1C and purchased by the United States Army in 1967, she first saw service in April 1969 with the 220th Recon Airco and later with the 331st Aviation Company in Pleiku. After a month spent with Conus Niteops at Ft. Belvoir, VA, she returned to Vietnam and then Thailand, where she was assigned to the Headquarters Headquarter Detachment 44th Engineer Group.
In 1969, she returned to Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth, TX, and for an upgrade to a Mike Model, with a more powerful engine also providing engine commonality between the attack and transport helicopters in use in Vietnam at that time.
She returned to Vietnam in September 1969 and was assigned to the 134th Assault Helicopter Company stationed in Phu Hiep, and in 1970 moved with the company to Tuy Hoa. She flew over 1300 missions. Her roles included armed aerial escort, reconnaissance, and aerial fire support. During her restoration, 10 patches were found on the belly, most likely covering bullet holes. Her gunship role ended in December 1971 when the 134th AHC stood down. When she returned to the US she was assigned to the US Army Transportation School at Ft. Eustis, VA.
Today she rests peacefully at the Glenn L. Martin Aviation Museum in Essex, Maryland. She can be boarded and viewed here during open cockpit days. Check museum schedule at (410) 682-6122.
The photo shows 238 in the UH-1M version. Due to an electrical problem with the aircraft, she was not fitted with the M134 mini-gun. The color scheme is specific to the platoon to which she was assigned.
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