The first delivery of Iroquois to the RNZAF was five UH-1D in 1966 followed in 1970 by nine UH-1H and one more UH-1H in 1976. All of the UH-1D aircraft were upgraded to ‘H’ specification during the 1970s. Two ex-US Army UH-1H attrition airframes were purchased in 1996, one of which is currently in service. Three aircraft have been lost in accidents.
Typical roles of the aircraft are troop, VIP and equipment transport and search and rescue Aircraft capacity is nine passengers or five troops with full packs or seven troops in light order. Equipment includes a rescue winch, nightsun searchlight and night vision goggle capability. Armament is 2 x MAG58 7.62mm machine guns.
At the time of publication the Air Force is in the process of retiring the Iroquois and replacing it with the NH Industries NH90.
Cache is small so BYOP.