Lycoming T53-L-13B
Lycoming T53-L-13B is the exact historical two-shaft free-turbine turboshaft variant documented for the UH-1H branch of the Bell UH-1 Iroquois / Huey family. Smithsonian records the L-13 series as qualified in June 1966 with first production delivered in August 1966 and lists 1,044 kW (1,400 shp) at 1,250 rpm, a five-stage axial plus one-stage centrifugal compressor, annular combustor, and single-stage axial gas-generator and free-power turbines. Honeywell identifies the broader T53 family as a legacy Lycoming design still supported in service; that family-level evidence does not establish current production of this exact -13B variant. The existing installation remains limited to the exact UH-1H branch and does not generalize to other Huey, AH-1, or export configurations. Lycoming Engines remains the canonical historical manufacturer, and lifecycle remains unknown.
Identity
- Aliases
- T53-L-13BLycoming T53-L-13B turboshaft
- Domains
- aviation
- Identity Level
- variant
- Kind
- turboshaft
- Name
- Lycoming T53-L-13B
- Status
- unknown
Details
- Air Breathing Specs
- Shaft Power Kw
- 1,044
- Spool Count
- 2
- Description
- Lycoming T53-L-13B is the exact historical two-shaft free-turbine turboshaft variant documented for the UH-1H branch of the Bell UH-1 Iroquois / Huey family. Smithsonian records the L-13 series as qualified in June 1966 with first production delivered in August 1966 and lists 1,044 kW (1,400 shp) at 1,250 rpm, a five-stage axial plus one-stage centrifugal compressor, annular combustor, and single-stage axial gas-generator and free-power turbines. Honeywell identifies the broader T53 family as a legacy Lycoming design still supported in service; that family-level evidence does not establish current production of this exact -13B variant. The existing installation remains limited to the exact UH-1H branch and does not generalize to other Huey, AH-1, or export configurations. Lycoming Engines remains the canonical historical manufacturer, and lifecycle remains unknown.
- Developers
- Family
- Manufacturers
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 5, 2026 at 00:05:43 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 23, 2026 at 05:28:47 UTC
Other
- Sources
- Accessed Date
- 2026-08-04
- Note
- The museum identifies the UH-1H as equipped with a 1,400 hp T53-L-13B engine and distinguishes the H model from the D model.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
- Title
- Bell UH-1H Iroquois Huey Smokey III
- Accessed Date
- 2026-08-04
- Note
- The museum identifies the T53-L-13 series as a two-shaft free-turbine turboshaft; development began in 1959, first ran in 1960, qualified in June 1966, first production was delivered in August 1966, and object data lists 1,044 kW (1,400 shp) at 1,250 rpm plus the compressor, combustor, and turbine architecture.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
- Title
- Lycoming T53-L-13 (LTC1K-4) Turboshaft Engine
- Accessed Date
- 2026-08-04
- Note
- The Army safety publication explicitly refers to UH-1 aircraft with T53-L-13B engines installed.
- Publisher
- U.S. Army Safety Center
- Title
- UH-1 Users: T53-L-13B Engine Restrictions
- Accessed Date
- 2026-08-20
- Note
- U.S. Army historical aviation reference identifies the Lycoming T53-L-13B as a 1,400 shp engine; used to corroborate the exact power rating without adding an AH-1 installation to this UH-1H-scoped record.
- Publisher
- U.S. Army Redstone Arsenal Historical Information
- Title
- Aviation Systems — AH-1 Cobra and UH-1 Huey
- Accessed Date
- 2026-08-21
- Note
- Honeywell identifies the broader T53 family as a legacy Lycoming design still supported in service and cites more than 50 years of service; this does not establish current production or universal in-service status for exact T53-L-13B.
- Publisher
- Honeywell Aerospace
- Title
- T53 Turboshaft Engine