Collector’s Edition, Limited Release
There is no more iconic military helicopter than the Bell UH-1 Iroquois.
That truth is etched in stone – literally – in the Vietnam Memorial on Anzac Parade, Canberra, where the image of three Iroquois helicopters landing to extract troops in Phước Tuy Province in August 1967 captures their enduring legacy.
Flown by Australians of all three Services between 1962 and 2007, the Iroquois served the nation in peace and war — from Malaysia and Vietnam to the Middle East and the South Pacific. It saved lives in search-and-rescue missions – from those stranded on rooftops during devastating floods to those plucked from stormy seas. It was the Iroquois’ job to deliver water, food, fodder, and fuel to stranded outposts. It became the Iroquois’ job to help keep the peace.
It was also the ubiquitous training helicopter for pilots, loadmasters and crewmen destined for more advanced types like the Chinook, Seahawk and Black Hawk.
Sixty-six were purchased over an 11-year period. Today, 33 remain — displayed in museums, RSL clubs, or standing guard as gate guardians at bases around the country — a lasting tribute to the Iroquois, an Australian aviation legend.
This stunning full-colour hardback celebrates its enduring legacy.
Tom Lewis – military historian –
This is a work of considerable scholarship: there are substantial endnotes for each chapter; a bibliography, and an index.
The author is certainly the best man for the book. He is a retired air commodore of over 50 years service in the Royal Australian Air Force. He has completed a Masters degree and a doctorate in military history. So far Dr Mark Lax is the author or editor of 15 books, including the editing of a WWI airman’s diary – One Airman’s War; and the substantive recording of the F-111 bomber’s story in its time in the RAAF.
This is the definitive story of a very interesting helicopter in Australian service, and highly recommended.
Neville Taylor – RUSI Victoria –
This overreaching publication is a fine testament to an aircraft that is so well known and fondly remembered by generations of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the wider Australian and international communities.
Mark Lax has gone to incredible lengths to ensure that no stone has been left unturned. The detail in words, tables and photographs (many depicting the various aircraft livery) has been more than generous. Four most important Indices have been included: A Roll of Honour of those who died in Vietnam on Iroquois Operations, ADF Helicopter Orders, ADF Iroquois Serials and 26 write-offs. Eleven pages of Endnotes, five pages of Bibliography and an Index round out this excellent production.
A must-read for those who served in the four decades that saw our skies filled with Hueys and their well-known sound on approach or departure.