Description
ICM UH-1C Huey Gunship U.S. Attack Helicopter 1/48 Model Kit
The ICM UH-1C Huey Gunship (48293) is a 1/48 scale plastic model kit depicting the U.S. Army’s dedicated fire-support helicopter from the Vietnam War. This 186-part kit includes multiple weapons loadout options, a 3D instrument panel decal and markings for three helicopters that served with American aviation units in Vietnam.
The UH-1C was developed specifically for the gunship role, providing armed support for troops on the ground and protection during helicopter operations. ICM’s model represents this combat version of the well-known Huey, with a completed length of 335 mm and width of 86 mm.
The UH-1C Huey in Vietnam
The Bell UH-1 Iroquois originated from a U.S. Army requirement for a new multipurpose helicopter following the Korean War. Bell’s Model 204 prototype first flew on 20 October 1956, with the production helicopter initially designated HU-1A. This designation gave rise to the familiar nickname “Huey”, which remained in use after the aircraft was redesignated UH-1 in 1962.
Hueys first arrived in Vietnam in 1962, undertaking troop transport, cargo movement, medical evacuation and fire-support missions. As the need for dedicated armed helicopters increased, Bell developed the UH-1C with a more powerful engine and wider main rotor blades to improve performance and manoeuvrability.
Entering U.S. Army service in June 1965, the UH-1C became an important fire-support aircraft. Its armament configurations included the XM21 system, combining two six-barrel 7.62 mm M134 Miniguns with pods carrying 70 mm unguided rockets. UH-1C gunships supported ground forces, protected landing zones and participated in night operations. Approximately 750 were produced.
Kit Features and Weapons Options
This release is ICM’s first model in its Huey/Iroquois family. The kit provides multiple weapons loadout options for representing the UH-1C in its armed configuration, together with detailed assembly instructions and full-colour painting guides.
- 1/48 scale U.S. Army UH-1C Huey gunship
- 186 plastic parts
- Completed length: 335 mm
- Completed width: 86 mm
- Multiple weapons loadout options
- 3D instrument panel decal
- Decals for three Vietnam War helicopters
- Full-colour painting guides
- Detailed assembly instructions
Three Vietnam War Marking Options
The decal sheet provides markings for three U.S. Army UH-1C helicopters, covering different units and periods of the Vietnam War:
- UH-1C 66-15213 – 189th Assault Helicopter Company, “Avengers” Platoon, Pleiku, February 1968
- UH-1C 65-9438 – 334th Assault Helicopter Company, “Playboys” Platoon, Bien Hoa, late 1960s
- UH-1C 65-9533 – 176th Assault Helicopter Company, Chu Lai, 1971
Each marking option represents a helicopter from an operational U.S. Army aviation unit. The combination of unit-specific decals, weapons configurations and full-colour painting guides allows the finished 1/48 scale model to depict a UH-1C gunship serving during the Vietnam War.
