But even that armament combined with the Cobra escort couldnt keep them safe. Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. The US Army charged Hughes for 714 units with the serial production contract formally announced in May of 1965. 10 Types of Helicopters in Vietnam (Vietnam Era Helicopters) - Aero Corner Date: 03/25/1970 [19][20][21], In December 1967, the first OH-6As arrived in Vietnam. Despite Being Prone to Crashing, the Loach Helicopter Was Favored By In photo #2 you can see the nice graphics. | The following text is exclusive to this site. Vietnam Helicopters Museum - OH-6A "Cayuse" Helicopter s/n 66-07841 In air mobile teams, a pilot would fly low while an observer would scan the ground for signs of the enemy force. [4] The prototypes were delivered to the U.S. Army at Fort Rucker, Alabama, where they competed against the other ten prototype aircraft produced by Bell and Fairchild-Hiller. AH/MH-6J: US Army Special Operations variant derived from the MD-530MG. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft were returned to the U.S., where they were dismantled and converted back to a standard configuration; they continued to be operated as such for a time. In the event of a crash the tailboom and engine separate from the egg-like . The light observation helicopter OH-6 Cayuse, or Loach (based on the LOH acronym), was a Vietnam-era helicopter designed with speed and maneuverability in mind. When Chuck Gross left for Vietnam in 1970, he was a nineteen-year-old army helicopter pilot fresh out of flight school. The OH-6 Cayuse, by this point known as the Loach helicopter, made its way to Vietnam in December 1967. Krausz was ordered to Vietnam in April 1971, and today teaches Army students how to fly the Eurocopter UH-72 Lakota, a twin-engine trainer. Its first overseas deployment, as well as into frontline combat, was the Vietnam War. Optional and variable (attack and special forces versions only). The Cayuse was publicly introduced in 1966 and set several records, including record for endurance, speed and rate of climb. During the Vietnam war, the HH-43 Huskie was used for more rescue missions than all other aircraft combined. Flight Hours in Vietnam: 1,400. https://warandlifediscussions.weebly.com/Any veteran who served in any combat zone in any capacity is invited to contact Preston Jones: pjones@jbu.edu / (479) 524-7488 During 1964, the U.S. Department of Defense issued a memorandum directing that all U.S. Army fixed-wing aircraft be transferred to the U.S. Air Force, while the U.S. Army transitioned to solely operating rotor-wing aircraft. These rotorcraft were operated by several different organisations, the majority of which were based in Japan. With all these benefits, several variations were developed. . Her research focused on Victorian, medical, and epidemiological history with a focus on childhood diseases. Built by Hughes Tool Company, it was designed to be a scout helicopter during the Vietnam war. Nate Shaffer and Bruce Campbell at their assigned positions. The U.S. Marine Corps still flies AH-1 SuperCobras as its main attack helicopter, with the latest versionthe AH-1Z Viper so upgraded and modernized that a Vietnam-era pilot might be hard-pressed to recognize it. In support of the Helicopter Flight Mechanics syllabus, the USNTPS operates surplus Army OH-6B Helicopters which were refurbished by the Army National Guard, Gulfport, Mississippi in 1991. History. The helicopter Continued Flight. They would then call in scouts on the ground or infantrymen to hunt for the enemy in the brush while attack helicopters protected everyone. In contrast, of the nearly 1,100 Cobras delivered to the Army, 300 were lost. An Army article written after Johns seventh crash credited it with surviving 61 hits from enemy fire and seven crashes without losing a single crew member. Read the harrowing story of what happened on that tragic mission. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse was a revolutionary rotorcraft operated during the Vietnam War. I spent more time with them.. Light Attack Helicopters 3. The unrefueled range of the AH-6 is 250 nautical miles. [27], During the early 1970s, Soviet-supplied SA-7 Grail shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles emerged amongst North Vietnamese troops; one hit could down a Loach, potentially dealing fatal damage before its crew were aware that they were under fire. The Cayuse . The Cayuse (white) was used alongside the AH-1 Cobra (red) attack helicopters, forming (pink) hunter killer teams. The OH-6 Cayuse was built with a rugged structure covered in light aluminum. Jim was unconscious when I helped pull him out of the burning aircraft.. 29 of the best politically incorrect Vietnam War slang terms Terms of Use The Cayuse could absorb an extensive amount of small arms fire and still bring the crew home safely. We operated from fixed bases that were islands, if you will, of allied control, says Hugh Mills, who flew both Loaches and Cobras in Vietnam from 1968 to 1972, and went on to fly helicopters for the Kansas City Police Department. Book A Flight | The following two-week mission was to Yuma for night operation training. 2 Stinger AAM. This chopper is mostly known for having been used to spot enemy artillery. After around 10 hours at the controls of a Loach, the pilots were deemed worthy of flying in combat. Its four-bladed full-articulated main rotor made it particularly agile, and it was suitable for personnel transport, escort and attack missions, and observation. City of Walnut Creek Special Recreation Museum Tour October 26, 2019, United Airlines Family Day Fly-in October 13, 2019, Napa County Airport Day September 7, 2019, Virginia Rose II Cobra transferred to Vietnam Helicopters Museum August 14, 2019, Memorial Day 2019 Ceremonies at Oak Hill Memorial Park & Cemetery. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. It gained impetus with the advent of the Vietnam War, and was aided by advances in helicopter technology, specifically the development of the turboshaft engine. If you would like This. Each could be equipped with any number of armaments, including grenade launchers, 7.62 mm miniguns, Hydra 70 mm unguided rockets, and TOW and Hellfire anti-tank guided missiles. Some crews argued that the Kiowa was nowhere near as nimble as the OH-6, however, the transition proceeded while scouting doctrine was changed to emphasis operations from greater distances. Two (2) Crew: one Pilot, one Observer/Doorgunner. The OH-6A made its first flight in 1963. The small "egg-shaped" design and simplified rotorhead incorporated four rotor blades of constant chord, made of bonded light alloy. Home | Has a mouth full of pointy teeth and a pair of eyes. Books/Magazines The first Loach arrived in Vietnam in 1966, and a total of 1,434 of the primary . 13456, "History of Rotorcraft World Records, List of records established by the 'YOH-6A'. This story is a selection from the September issue of Air & Space magazine, Donald Porter His three tours to Vietnam included death-defying scouting missions piloting his Hughes OH-6 light observation helicopter (or Loach) as well as gunship runs inside his AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter.. Cozzalio was also involved in nine aircraft mishaps; he was shot down six times and suffered three hard landings. Reportedly, 964 out of the 1,422 OH-6As produced for the US Army were destroyed in the Vietnam theatre, the majority of these losses being a result of hostile action, typically ground fire. These would be used to replace its fleet of Bell H-13 Sioux, a compact first generation rotorcraft. In the hunter-killer teams, the Loach would fly low over the jungle, drawing fire and then calling for the Cobra to kill the teams on the ground. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Cobras and Loaches, two vastly different aircraft, relied on each other to fight the enemy. It was also the right size to fit the necessary avionics and fuel stores, all while keeping the structure nimble and agile. It was used for transporting personnel, escorting other aircraft and naval vessels, attacking enemy units, and acting as an observation post. Although many were still teenagers, their survival depended on well-honed instincts and razor-sharp reflexes, along with plenty of luck. The prototype first flew in early 1963, and production began two years later. contact us here and we will remove the This simple design made maintenance easy, while the choppers 26-foot rotor made it much easier to maneuver in tight landing zones. Warrant officer John Shafer was 21 when he arrived on October 16, 1970, to fly Loaches. Upon encountering enemy fire, Loaches were to leave immediately, dropping smoke grenades to mark the target so that within seconds, the Cobra could roll in. Fortunate son intensifies : r/memes - reddit The CH-53 Tarhe was another heavy-lift helicopter designed to transport and recover downed aircraft. 60th Assault Helicopter Company: Mar 72 Jun 72, Information on U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A tail number 67-16304 [23][22] Such a team would have normally comprised a single OH-6 that would fly relatively slow and at a low altitude while attempting to spot the presence of enemies. The Army purchased this helicopter 0968 The US military primarily used the OH-6 for observational and reconnaissance purposes. The four-passenger teardrop shaped "Flying egg" (six-passenger with rear seats folded-down) was a small, light, sturdy, maneuverable helicopter, with very low drag. Troop C, 1st squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Oct 68 Jan 69 A sobering statistic: Out of 1,419 Loaches built, 842 were destroyed in Vietnam, most shot down and many others succumbing to crashes resulting from low-level flying. [6], During May 1965, the U.S. Army awarded a production contract to Hughes; this initial order for 714 rotorcraft was subsequently increased to 1,300 along with an option for another 114. The guidance systems on newer attack helicoptersoften working with or even controlling the cameras of reconnaissance droneshave relegated to history the hunter role in the hunter-killer missions. Almost as soon as production began, however, it was replaced by a competitors model. The Hughes 369 was redesignated the OH-6A "Cayuse" by the U.S. Army. MD-530MG/Defender: Has a mast-mounted sight, and incorporated upgrades of all previous variants. In the event of a crash the tailboom and engine separate from the egg-like cabin, improving the survival chances of the crew and passengers. We thought they were ARVNs [Army of the Republic of Vietnam] until they started running. All Rights Reserved. The small-arms protection aircrewmen armor that was introduced in 1966 was a vest with pockets containing composite laminated plates commonly called chicken plates. Moore served as an Army OH-6A "Loach" scout in IV Corps, South Vietnam, 1968-1969: Fort Apache, Vihn Long Province. I could tell how old a footprint was by how it looked. Reportedly, 964 out of the 1,422 OH-6As produced for the U.S. Army were destroyed in Vietnam alone. During the Vietnam War, it was mostly deployed for aerial combat and for conducting rescue operations in areas close to US Air bases. Samantha Franco is a Freelance Content Writer who received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Guelph, and her Master of Arts degree in history from the University of Western Ontario. Cobras, nicknamed Snakes, flew circles 1,500 feet above the scouts, waiting to pounce on whatever the Loach found. The Bell Model 206 is a line of both single and twin-engined helicopters with two primary rotor blades. Although most combat aircraft in Vietnam aimed for altitudes and speeds that helped them avoid anti-aircraft weapons, U.S. Army crews flying Hughes OH-6A Cayuse helicopters flew low and drew fireto set up the shots for the Bell AH-1G Cobras circling above. The AH-6 Little Bird Gun, a light attack helicopter, has been tested and proven in combat. OA-6A 'Loach' Scout platoon. It was used to look for and find the VC/NVA troops in Vietnam. Casualties = 01 WIA . It was deemed, based on Hughes' estimates, his units would be most cost effective in the long run. Shaffer, 63, rode in the military helicopter as a door gunner with Charlie Troop 1/9th, 1st Air Cavalry while . Following the Second World War, significant advancements were made in the field of rotary-wing flight. South Vietnam Here are the 24 helicopters used in Vietnam. It is 1/6th scale and very large, has to be at least 3 feet from rotor tip to rotor tip. and Images on this page are gathered from various sources. Select the first letter of the last name of the person you want to find: Can include a combination of the following across two fuselage wingstubs (though some weapons operated from cabin doors): (Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above), Hardpoint Mountings: 2 (if wingstub equipped). The Marine Corp used it for the sea-based interdiction of the Ho Chi Minh Trail in 1972. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Its cockpit teems with electronics and sensors, and its stub wings are heavy with heat-seeking Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, laser-guided Hellfires, rockets (like those used in Vietnam), and even fuel-filled drop tanks. An author of aviation books, his latest is Howards Whirlybirds. Vietnam OH-6A "Cayuse" Helicopter The OH-6A made its first flight in 1963. US Army Loach OH-6 Helicopter Vietnam War Era Steve1958OR 242 subscribers 14K views 9 years ago A friend came by today with his Vietnam war era Hughs OH-6 Loach helicopter. So I engaged the enemy, but didnt make it out of that one. Even when this helicopter was shot down, it refused to crack. A recontoured nose allowed for greater leg and head room. Accordingly, this tactic had resulted in substantial losses being incurred on the contract with the U.S. Army; the company had allegedly anticipated that an extended production cycle would eventually make the rotorcraft financially viable. The NVA [North Vietnamese army] was everywhere. In Vietnam, These Helicopter Scouts Saw Combat Up Close Tough Mission LOACH Chopper Vietnam - YouTube [22][23] Prior to the arrival of the AH-1, "hunter-killer" teams often relied on the firepower from armed models of the Bell UH-1 Iroquois utility helicopter. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. Heavy Attack Helicopters 2. Served in Vietnam War during 1968 through 1970. I was used to getting up close and personal with the enemy.. 2023 Smithsonian Magazine Hughes developed the Model 369 as a prototype for the U.S. Army in the early 1960s. Joint Services Incident Damage Report. Date: 02/08/1969 Flight Hours in Vietnam: 1,318 History | A Troop, 7th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Aug 70 Feb 72 When the opposing forces exposed themselves, the crew would call upon an accompanying Bell AH-1 Cobra to attack. Operation Honey Badger was canceled after the hostages were released on 20 January 1981, and for a short while, it looked as if the task force would be disbanded and the personnel returned to their former units. This aspect was further bolstered by the use of self-sealing fuel tanks that lowered the likelihood of a post-impact fire breaking out. Provision for packaged armament on port side, including an XM-27 7.62mm (0.300in) machine-gun with 2,000 - 4,000 rounds of ammunition; or an XM-75 grenade launcher, Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and Task Force 160, List of military aircraft of the United States, Hearings on military posture and H.R. The Aircraft Division of Hughes Tool Company came up with the Model 369, which became one of three finalists, alongside designs from Bell Helicopter Company and Fairchild Hiller. US Army Loach OH-6 Helicopter Vietnam War Era - YouTube It was mostly used to transport troops and cargo during the Vietnam war. On top of this, Fairchild Hiller lodged a formal complaint over Hughes Tool Companys deceitful tactics to earn the original contract. We flew down along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, he says of the supply route that wound through Vietnam and neighboring Laos and Cambodia. In August 1967, the AH-1G Cobra arrived in Vietnam. The hunter-killer tactic worked well for a few years, but by the time the United States left Vietnam, it was obsolete, says Mills. Unknown as to mission impact. Front left side view of the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse helicopter; color, Right side view of the Hughes OH-6 Loach in flight; color. While Enroute this helicopter was at Level Flight at 0020 feet and 050 knots. article/image or apply full credit information. Infantrymen would also launch an assault from the ground. ", FAI Record ID #11656 Absolute Rotorcraft World Record, Distance over a closed circuit without landing, FAI Record ID #11655 Absolute Rotorcraft World Record, Distance without landing, Obituary: Robert G. Ferry; Air Force veteran was record-setting test pilot, "In Vietnam, These Helicopter Scouts Saw Combat Up Close", "Jane's Aircraft Upgrades, MD Helicopters (Hughes) Model 500 (Military Versions)", "Dominican Republic Air Force Unit History", "Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force OH-6J", "Breda Nardi Hughes NH.500M in Armed Forces of Malta service", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hughes_OH-6_Cayuse&oldid=1133333304, This page was last edited on 13 January 2023, at 07:46. We got into another aircraft and went back out. The campaign included the first major use in the war of Soviet-built, shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles. It had a distinct teardrop-shaped fuselage, which made it instantly recognizable, and a cockpit for two crew members, along with two removable seats in the passenger cabin. [13][3] Beginning in 2001, the JGSDF OH-6s were supplemented by the indigenously-developed Kawasaki OH-1, a more advanced observation helicopter. Loach and Cobra crews lived together, and schedulers generally paired the teams with the partners they requested, though given the high turnover rate, that wasnt always possible. The Mil Mi-4 was a Soviet transport chopper used both for civilian and military purposes. Despite Being Prone to Crashing, the Loach Helicopter Was Favored By Towards the end of the conflict, the replacement of the OH-6 by the Bell OH-58 Kiowa was imminent across nearly all US Army units. During 1966, the OH-6 entered service with the U.S. Army, it promptly arrived into active combat in the Vietnam War. The Mojave is a large heavy-lift helicopter that was deployed in the Vietnam War in 1965 to assist in recovery of downed US aircraft, but it proved ineffective. Light Observation Helicopter - Wikipedia The OH-6A "Cayuse" is a small tactical helicopter flown by units of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment [SOAR]. Rattler One-Seven puts you in the helicopter seat, to see the war in Vietnam through the eyes of an inexperienced pilot as he transforms himself into a seasoned combat veteran. The Bell UH-1 Huey & the Hughes OH-6 Loach Anthony comes from a military family and has served his country proudly in the military as a pilot. 2 .50 cal MG pods If the OH-6 came under fire, the nearby Cobra would then strike at the revealed enemy. Pilot sold separately. The high-low hunter-killer combination gave way to uniform-altitude missions, with all helicopters flying nap of the earth. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods. The Mil Mi-8 is a Soviet medium twin-turbine helicopter. It was powered by a 285-hp engine but the helicopter weighed less than a Volkswagen. The OH-6A could be armed with the M27 armament subsystem, the port (left) side mounting M134 six-barrel 7.62mm minigun or a 40mm grenade launcher on the XM8 armament subsystem. Anthony is our resident military expert who uses his experience to write about all aspects of flying in the military, including what it takes to become a pilot and serve your country. RMF3TG12 - Warren Motts, who started the Motts Military Museum, walks with a small child, past helicopters that where used in the Vietnam War. Table of Contents 1. The AH/MH Little Birds were lifted by a single C-5 Galaxy, and two C-130 Hercules, along with all support kits for the battalion. During 1967, following price escalations for the OH-6, the U.S. Army reopened the programme to bids for as many as 2,700 additional airframes beyond the 1,300 OH-6s already contracted. See Also: How Much Does a Huey Helicopter Cost? The OH-6A Cayuse fulfilled this role and became known as the Little Bird. The pilots tasked with operating the choppers were selected from the 229th Attack Helicopter Battalion.
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