A17 Bell Kiowa
Throughout the 1960s Bell helicopters had dominated the rotary-wing elements of the RAAF and Army. Sixty-five Bell 47G Sioux had been delivered to the Army over 1960–69, and 64 Bell UH-1 Iroquois were delivered to the RAAF over 1962–73. A further seven Iroquois served with the Royal Australian Navy. In the early 1970s the Army had a requirement for a light observation helicopter. Over the second half of 1971, No 161 Flight leased eight Bell OH-58A Kiowas for service in Vietnam. These aircraft retained their US Army serials, 70-15236 to 70-15243.
The Kiowa was subsequently selected over the French SA.341 Gazelle in 1971 as the Army light observation helicopter. The model chosen was the 206B-1 version, a military variant of the 206A Jet Ranger with an uprated engine and lengthened rotor blades. To aid operating in unprepared areas, the 206B-1 also incorporated higher skids.
Some 75 were ordered as part of a plan for the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) to build a total of 191 Kiowas for the military and civil markets. Originally the program had been for 200 aircraft, but the military requirement had been reduced by nine to 75 in total. The first 12 206s were built by Bell at Fort Worth, Texas, USA. These aircraft were serialled A17-001 to A17-012. The first, A17-001, was officially handed over to the Army at Brisbane Airport on 22 November 1971. In May 1972, No 171 Air Cavalry Flight became the first unit equipped with the Kiowas and deployed to Holsworthy, NSW.
In 1974 the government cut the Army order back to 56 aircraft; the remainder of this order, A17-013 to A17-056, were built by CAC as the CA-32. The first was rolled out in April 1973, and was delivered to the RAN as a Westland Scout replacement serialled N17-013. The last Army Kiowa was received from CAC in 1977. The Kiowa was briefly re-named in Army service as the Kalkadoon. The Kalkadoon tribe of Aborigines, known for their warrior skills, were from the Cloncurry region of Queensland. This name, however, did not stick.
Further modifications later incorporated into the Kiowa fleet were to overcome the hazards of nap-of-the-earth flying. Windscreen central frames were strengthened and cable cutters fitted. In Army service, the Kiowa served with No 171 (Command and Liaison) Squadron at Oakey, Queensland, until replaced by ex-RAAF UH-1H Iroquois in 1989. Currently, both Nos 161 and 162 (Reconnaissance) Squadrons at Holsworthy, NSW, and Townsville, Queensland, fly the Kiowa, and the School of Army Aviation at Oakey is responsible for Kiowa training.
The RAN also received three Kiowas direct from CAC. These aircraft were serialled N17-013, N17-025 and N17-049. After the loss of N17-025 in 1977, A17-005 was borrowed from the Army. After its return, the RAN briefly flew A17-056 and in 1988, acquired A17-006.
TECHNICAL DATA: Bell 206B Kiowa
DESCRIPTION:
Light reconnaissance helicopter.
POWER PLANT:
One 400shp Allison 250-C20B turboshaft.
DIMENSIONS:
Diameter of main rotor 10.78 m (35 ft 4 in); length 11.80 m (38 ft 8 in); height 2.87 m (9 ft 5 in).
WEIGHTS:
Empty 664kg (1464lb); loaded 1451kg (3200lb).
PERFORMANCE:
Max speed 222 km/h (120 kt); cruising speed 160 km/h (86 kt); range 500 km (300 nm).
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