Bell 205 A-1
Date Updated:
Friday August 18, 2006
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The Bell Model 205A-1 operated by the PAF is the export version of the UH-1 Huey. It’s US military equivalent is the UH-1H (i.e. like the S-70 is the export version of the UH-60). It was produced by Bell in the US, not in Italy by Agusta. Though Agusta did produce it’s own copy of the UH-1, those acquired by the Philippines were produced by Bell.
As noted previously, The major external physical difference between the military version and commercial/export B-205 is that the latter has it’s tail rotor on the starboard side while the former has it on the port side. Engines and other details like crew armored seating are generally the same. See the UH-1 page for further details.
It has generally been painted in two color schemes – olive drab/green or overall white with day-glo orange panels and large "Rescue" lettering on the fuselage sides.
Service History new
First delivered in 1984 and operated by the 210th Helicopter Training Squadron as well as the 505th Air Rescue Squadron. Survivors have now as far as is known, been consolidated into the 505th Air Rescue Group which maintains squadrons at the three major airbases in the Philippines (Villamor, Ebuen, and Rajah Buayan).
Current Status new
Reflecting the deterioration of the rest of the PAF, B.205A availability has come down consistently over the years.
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|
inventory |
supportable |
operationally ready |
|
1991 (CY-91) |
13 |
7 |
6 |
|
1992 (CY-92) |
13 |
7 |
6 |
|
1993 (CY-93) |
13 |
7 |
6 |
|
1994 (1st semester CY-94) |
8 |
7 |
5 |
|
2002 (Speculative) |
7? |
|
5? |
PAF s/n |
c/n |
d/d |
last noted, fate |
notes |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fifteen Bell 205A-1s were acquired by the PAF. These are Bell helicopters for the civil market and not from Agusta license-production, in spite of often being referred to as AB.205s (those have c/ns in the 4000-range). Note that the Bell 205 has its tail rotor on the starboard side, while that of the UH-1H is on the port side. It is thought that all Bell 205s were used in the SAR role, regardless of whether they were in standard or white „Rescue“ colors. |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
310 |
30310 |
|
sold and r/d as RP-C1541 04.98 |
|
|
|
319 |
30319 |
|
05.98 |
|
|
|
320 |
30320 |
|
05.98 |
|
|
|
321 |
30321 |
|
11.97 |
|
|
|
322 |
30322 |
|
02.02 |
|
|
|
323 |
30323 |
|
w/o 13.04.01 |
|
|
|
324 |
30324 |
|
01.97 |
|
|
|
325 |
30325 |
|
sold and r/d as RP-C1542 04.98 |
|
|
|
326 |
30326 |
|
01.97 |
|
|
|
327 |
30327 |
|
sold and r/d as RP-C1543 04.98 |
|
|
|
328 |
30328 |
|
|
There is/was a UH-1H s/n 328 = 66-16328. |
|
|
329 |
30329 |
|
sold and r/d as RP-C1544 04.98 |
|
|
|
330 |
30330 |
|
sold and r/d as RP-C1545 04.98 |
|
|
|
331 |
30331 |
|
03.85 |
|
|
|
332 |
30332 |
|
03.95 |
|
|
Write-Offsnew
|
date |
s/n |
event, location, fate of crew |
|
13.04.01 |
323 |
Destroyed in crash on a thickly forested slope of 8,750ft Mt. Pulag at Bgy. Ekip, Bokod, Benguet, near Ambuklao Lake. The helicopter apparently hit a downdraught whilst flying in poor visibility en route from its base at Villamor to Bgy. Batad, Asipulo, Ifugao. Seven of the eleven members of the Presidential Management Staff and Presidential Security Group on board were injured, some seriously. |