For the first time in 17 years, the Historic Aircraft Restoration Society’s (HARS) Bell UH-1H 703 is back in the air after restoration by volunteers at QinetiQ Air Affairs at HMAS Albatross, Nowra, NSW. Now civil registered as VH-X9S, the Huey — or Iroquois — honors those who first flew her with RAAF 9 Sqn in South Vietnam in 1970 and over its subsequent career in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and then the Australian Army until 2007. The larger Huey now joins the group’s long-operational ex-RAN UH-1B Huey 898 and one more to restore for a fleet of three helicopters at HARS.
The story of UH-1H 703 began in July 1970 in South Vietnam when the helicopter was purchased by the RAAF’s 9 Squadron from the US military after the loss of another. Unhappy with its refurbished engine, so the legend goes, they quickly got a brand-new one for a couple cartons of “Liquid Gold”: Aussie Beer! She was immediately configured into a helicopter gunship of Australian design, nicknamed the Bushranger, and served in combat until 9 Sqn’s withdrawal from Vietnam in 1971.
Back in normal configuration, 703 flew with the RAAF in many roles, most notably air survey work in Irian Jaya, until 1990 and then into Australian Army Aviation use until its retirement in September 2007. Still in Army livery, 703 was displayed at the RAAF Museum at Point Cook, VIC until its donation to HARS in May 2023, after which it was transported to Air Affairs at Nowra, NSW for airworthy restoration. Today, Huey 703’s Australian Civil Registration VH-X9S pays homage to its origin & years with the RAAF’s legendary 9 Squadron in the Vietnam War.
HARS and the Shoalhaven Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia (VVAA) are seeking donations, big & small, to help get Huey 703 back in the air — and to keep the HARS Museum’s long-operational Huey 898 in the air and bring its sister 893 back to flying status — for this year’s Vietnam Veterans Day on August 18, 2024. For more on the project and to donate visit the Huey Project website HERE.
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Zac, born and raised in New Zealand, grew up immersed in aviation, with his father working as a helicopter crewman and living at Wanganui Airport. His passion for aviation started in childhood, building scale model kits and following the global warbird scene. He later trained as a journalist but found mainstream media unfulfilling, leading him to pursue a career as an aircraft maintenance engineer.
Now residing in Blenheim, near the historic Omaka Aerodrome, Zac studies at RNZAF Base Woodbourne and aspires to become a private and warbird pilot. Known as "Handbag" in aviation circles, he shares his love for aviation through photography and writing, connecting with enthusiasts worldwide.
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