The 204 is the civilian version of the UH-1 Iroquois “Huey”. In 1955 the U.S. Army’s need
for a utility helicopter brought about the creation of the 204. This helicopter was
revolutionary because it was the first ever helicopter to use a turbo-shaft. The 204B was
first delivered in 1961 with more than 60 civilian models were delivered by 1967 with
production continuing until 1973.

Operation Frequent Wind took place in Saigon, South Vietnam on April 29-30, 1975. It
was the code name for the helicopter evacuation of American civilians and “at-risk”
Vietnamese from the city just before it fell to the North Vietnamese. Air America, operated
by the CIA, supplied 24 helicopters and 31 volunteer pilots to assist in the evacuation. Of
the more than 7,000 people airlifted Air America had removed over 1,000. The people
were picked up from roof tops around the city and taken to a central compound and then
flown out to awaiting aircraft carriers. N8514F was one of the 204B helicopters to
participate in the operation. N8514F was one of 5 helicopters sold after the war to a
Danish company and after several years it was sold to an American firm. In 1994 N8514F
was severely damaged while fighting a brush fire.

Specifications for the AB-204B

Weight
Maximum take off weight - 8510 lb   (3860 kg)
Empty weight - 4850 lb   (2200 kg)
Weight with crew (3 men) - 5379 lb   (2440 kg)
and full tank (625 l) 6504 lb   (2950 kg)
Maximum additional load with 3 men Crew and full tank - 2061 lb   (935 kg)

Range with full tanks + maximum take-off weight - 179 miles   (288 km)

Maximum speed - 134.2 mph   (216 km/h)
Cruising speed - 89.48 mph   (144 km/h)

Tail rotor
Diameter - 8.5 ft   (2.59 m)
Flapping axis - +/- 8°
Tail rotor number of revolutions - 1650 RPM
Blade tip speed - 501.7 mph   (807.4 km/h)

Dimensions
Main rotor diameter - 48 ft   (14.63 m)
Length - 57.05 ft   (17.39 m)
Height - 12.37 ft   (3.77 m)
Clearance - 1.11 ft   (0.34 m)
Skid track width - 8.37 ft   (2.55 m)
Skid length -10.93 ft   (3.33 m)

Carrying capacities
Troop seats - 8
Stretchers and seats - 3+4

Rescue hoist traction power - 595.2 lb   (270 kg)
Loading hook max. - 3968 lb   (1800 kg)

GNOMES H-1200 MK-610 engine (2 wheel turbine)
Reduction Gearboxshaft output:
- max. (1 hour limit)   1215 HP
- max. continuous   1020 HP

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