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Beechcraft |
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U-21
Ute
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U-21A
Photo: Robert Deering 1969
Idlewild AAF (A805)
Taegu, Korea |
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The U-21 Ute is a military version of the Beechcraft King Air aircraft
that was deployed in a variety of configurations, including the U-21A/D/G, U-21F, and U-21J.
The U-21 Ute twin turbine,
propeller driven utility aircraft has a normal cruise
speed of 210 knots and an endurance of over 5 hours
flying time. This low-wing utility aircraft has
reversing propellers and retractable tricycle landing
gear. In emergency situations, these aircraft can be
configured to evacuate litter and ambulatory patients.
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VARIANTS
The U-21A,B,C,D,H was a mixture of King Air and Queen Air with PT6A-20
power plants and had a ramp weight of 10,500.
It is an eight-place
aircraft used for troop and
command transport, medevac,
reconnaissance, and cargo.
The U-21F was a Beechcraft A-90 with Pratt and Whitney PT6A-28. It was the only U-21 series with a ramp weight of 11,500 due to its VIP configuration.
The US Army procured the first
three King Air 200s, designated the RU-21J, in 1971 for
use in the Cefly Lancer program. The U-21J was the first
C-12 Huron and it was configured with Pratt and Whitney PT6A-42
power plants with a ramp weight of 14,500.
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U-21A
Photo: Robert Deering 1969
Idlewild AAF (A805)
Taegu, Korea |
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U-21F
Photo: Robert Deering 1988
Wright AAF (LHW)
Fort Stewart, Georgia |
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SPECIFICATIONS:
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PERFORMANCE: |
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45.11 ft. |
Maximum speed:
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Length:
39.11 ft. |
Cruising speed:
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Height:
15.5 ft. |
Range:
1,384 miles |
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Empty Weight:
9,200
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Service ceiling:
24,850
feet |
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Gross Weight:
10,500 (U-21A,B,C,D,H); 11,500
(U-21F); 14,500 (U-21J) |
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Crew:
Pilot and up to seven passengers |
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Engines:
P&W PT6A-20 (U-21A,B,C,D,H); P&W
PT6A-28 680 SHP (U-21F); P&W PT6A-42
(U-21J)
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Armament:
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SOURCE:
Global Security |
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Idlewild Tower
in 1969 |
I was a
control operator at Idlewild Army
Airfield (A805) in Taegu, Korea in
1969. The US Army had one U-21A Ute,
three
U-6 Beavers,
and two
OH-23 Raven
helicopters based there.There were a few
O-1
Birddogs on the Republic of
Korea Army (ROKA) side.
The
American ramp was on the north side
of the runway and the ROKA ramp was
south of the runway. The
airfield had no taxiways. Aircraft
had to enter and exit the runway at
mid-field directly from the ramp
areas. This created some interesting
problem solving techniques during
busy arrival and departure periods.
The U-21 was a real
workhorse. The US Army had eight
U-21's in South Korea while I was
there and they were flying every
weekday and sometimes on weekends.
The U-21 at A805 (R18092) was used for
unscheduled medical evacuation
flights to Japan when needed. This
was frequently in the middle of the
night or on weekends when the tower
was normally closed. I would open
the tower, secure the instrument
(IFR) ATC
clearance, issue departure
instructions, and clear the flight
for takeoff. I usually waited in the
tower for the
flight to return
instead of going back to bed only to
get up again in a couple of hours.
Today, high rise buildings
and urban growth
in the area have rendered the
airfield unusable and it is closed. All that remains
is a helipad designated H805. I very much enjoyed my
experience at A805, the pilots I
worked with, and the Korean people.
This was the last assignment
of my short Army career. In 1970 I
was hired by the FAA and worked at
Fort Worth Air Route Traffic Control
Center (Fort Worth Center) for thirty-one years. This
was followed by eleven years at
American Airlines before retiring
for good. It was a great career and I
would do it all again!
See additional ATC
experiences under the
T-41 Mescalero.
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