Some things are just built and designed right from the start and endure the test of time- the M1911 pistol, the Big Mac, Ford Mustangs, and the Huey.
The Air Force just started taking delivery of completely refurbed zero time TH-1H Huey's. These aircraft will be used for AF helo track training - and are UH-1H airframes with zero timed airframes, dynamics from the UH-1N (new), all glass cockpit (nothing but the best for our AF brethren), upgraded new production engine, etc.
Not a bad looking bird:
The AF thinks they can get 10 years out of this new airframe. I think it's utterly amazing. Long live the Huey!
US Helicopter Delivers First TH-1H Helicopter to USAF
Bell Helicopter Textron
Mon, 14 Nov 2005, 04:50
OZARK: US Helicopter, a division of Bell Aerospace Services Inc., announced the delivery of the first TH-1H training helicopter to the U.S. Air Force. Bell Aero is a subsidiary of Bell Helicopter, a Textron company.
The official rollout ceremony was held at Randolph AFB, Texas, on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2005. This is the first of twenty-four TH-1H aircraft expected to be fielded over the next four years for the Air Education and Training Command (AETC). AETC is the center for USAF helicopter training, located at Fort Rucker, Ozark, Alabama.
Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems is the prime contractor under the USAF FAST program and is responsible for systems integration and program management. US Helicopter, as a subcontractor, performed the aircraft refurbishment, modification, and flight test at its Ozark, Alabama, facility.
The TH-1H starts with the proven, highly regarded Bell UH-1H helicopter, widely known as the "Huey." The primary upgrade is the Bell Huey II kit, which encompasses a more powerful engine, along with new dynamic components, nose and tail boom. The cockpit and mission equipment upgrades include changing from analog to a digital cockpit (round dials to flat screens), crashworthy seats, and total rewiring.
The TH-1H Team also includes TCS Design and Management Services; Bell Helicopter; McTurbine, Inc.; Astronautics Corp of America; and Simula. These modifications literally transform a legacy aircraft into a state-of-the-art training platform compatible with future operational aircraft. This undergraduate training platform develops multiple pilot skills and transitions those skills faster across multiple aircraft.
This is just another example of how the proud legacy of the Huey continues to live on. Over the last fifteen years, US Helicopter has refurbished over four hundred UH-1 helicopters and installed over one hundred Huey II upgrade kits. In June 2005, US Helicopter was acquired by Bell Aerospace Services Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Bell Helicopter. Bell Aerospace Services provides turnkey aviation maintenance and support services throughout the world.
Bell Helicopter is a leading producer of commercial and military helicopters and the pioneer of the revolutionary tilt rotor aircraft. Globally recognized for customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce of over 9,000 employees serves customers flying Bell aircraft in over 120 countries.
The Air Force just started taking delivery of completely refurbed zero time TH-1H Huey's. These aircraft will be used for AF helo track training - and are UH-1H airframes with zero timed airframes, dynamics from the UH-1N (new), all glass cockpit (nothing but the best for our AF brethren), upgraded new production engine, etc.
Not a bad looking bird:

The AF thinks they can get 10 years out of this new airframe. I think it's utterly amazing. Long live the Huey!
US Helicopter Delivers First TH-1H Helicopter to USAF
Bell Helicopter Textron
Mon, 14 Nov 2005, 04:50
OZARK: US Helicopter, a division of Bell Aerospace Services Inc., announced the delivery of the first TH-1H training helicopter to the U.S. Air Force. Bell Aero is a subsidiary of Bell Helicopter, a Textron company.
The official rollout ceremony was held at Randolph AFB, Texas, on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2005. This is the first of twenty-four TH-1H aircraft expected to be fielded over the next four years for the Air Education and Training Command (AETC). AETC is the center for USAF helicopter training, located at Fort Rucker, Ozark, Alabama.
Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems is the prime contractor under the USAF FAST program and is responsible for systems integration and program management. US Helicopter, as a subcontractor, performed the aircraft refurbishment, modification, and flight test at its Ozark, Alabama, facility.
The TH-1H starts with the proven, highly regarded Bell UH-1H helicopter, widely known as the "Huey." The primary upgrade is the Bell Huey II kit, which encompasses a more powerful engine, along with new dynamic components, nose and tail boom. The cockpit and mission equipment upgrades include changing from analog to a digital cockpit (round dials to flat screens), crashworthy seats, and total rewiring.
The TH-1H Team also includes TCS Design and Management Services; Bell Helicopter; McTurbine, Inc.; Astronautics Corp of America; and Simula. These modifications literally transform a legacy aircraft into a state-of-the-art training platform compatible with future operational aircraft. This undergraduate training platform develops multiple pilot skills and transitions those skills faster across multiple aircraft.
This is just another example of how the proud legacy of the Huey continues to live on. Over the last fifteen years, US Helicopter has refurbished over four hundred UH-1 helicopters and installed over one hundred Huey II upgrade kits. In June 2005, US Helicopter was acquired by Bell Aerospace Services Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Bell Helicopter. Bell Aerospace Services provides turnkey aviation maintenance and support services throughout the world.
Bell Helicopter is a leading producer of commercial and military helicopters and the pioneer of the revolutionary tilt rotor aircraft. Globally recognized for customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce of over 9,000 employees serves customers flying Bell aircraft in over 120 countries.