Unit: DIR SUP / TRAN Over time, the effectiveness of this pairing was such that enemies would often decide against firing on the relatively vulnerable OH-1 in fear of the response that would be unleased by the AH-1. Modifications were also made to the rotor assembly by way of a five blade main rotor which increased stability. Moore served as an Army OH-6A "Loach" scout in IV Corps, South Vietnam, 1968-1969: Fort Apache, Vihn Long Province. Another such gunner was 19-year-old Joel Boucher, drafted and sent to Vietnam from 1967 to 1969. [18] Subsequently, on 6 April 1966, Robert Ferry set the long distance world record for helicopters by flying from Culver City, California, with over a ton of fuel to Ormond Beach, Florida, covering a total of 1,923.08 nm (2,213.04mi, 3,561.55km) in 15 hours, and near the finish at up to 24,000 feet (7,300m) altitude. To this day I am closer to those guys I flew with in Vietnam than my own brothers, says Mills. The Model 369 had a distinctive teardrop-shaped fuselage that had strong crashworthiness properties and provided excellent external visibility. Furthermore, the helicopter was also developed into a civilian helicopter, the Model 500, which was still in production into the twenty-first century under MD Helicopters as the MD 500. It was nicknamed the Jolly Green Giant during the war. Despite having been designed for anti-submarine combat, the Gyrodyne QH-50 was mostly used for conducting reconnaissance of enemy vessels in the Vietnam war, instead of actual combat. The US military primarily used the OH-6 for observational and reconnaissance purposes. Your email address will not be published. Donald Porter September 2017 Pilot Clyde. You were killed, shot down, or got scared and quit. I was flying wing and just dropped into the AO [Area of Operations]. Cobras and Loaches, two vastly different aircraft, relied on each other to fight the enemy. 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. The unrefueled range of the AH-6 is 250 nautical miles. 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 small-arms protection aircrewmen armor that was introduced in 1966 was a vest with pockets containing composite laminated plates commonly called chicken plates. In 1966 it entered military service with the US Army. The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. Following the lead, we got peppered with rounds. The Loach had a bad vibration, but he made it about half a mile before he had to land. [2] Originally designated as the YHO-6A according to the Army's designation system, the aircraft was redesignated as the YOH-6A in 1962 when the Department of Defense created a joint designation system for all aircraft. [5] Accordingly, the bidding for the LOH contract came down to Fairchild-Hiller and Hughes. The US Army charged Hughes for 714 units with the serial production contract formally announced in May of 1965. Light Attack Helicopters 3. Another flight competition was held, this time without a submission from Fairchild Hiller. Hughes bid $56,550 per airframe, while Bell bid $54,200. It was used for transporting personnel, escorting other aircraft and naval vessels, attacking enemy units, and acting as an observation post. [24][25] As to indicate the position of concealed enemy ground forces, the observer in the OH-6 would mark the spot using a smoke grenade, assisting other units in effectively firing upon them. Its formal name is derived from the Cayuse people while its "Loach" nickname comes from the acronym for the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) programme that it was procured under. [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 Mil Mi-4 was a Soviet transport chopper used both for civilian and military purposes. Upon landing, an inspection revealed a damaged pitch link, a rotor head component so critical that had it failed, they too would have crashed. The Cobra is a single-engine attack helicopter produced by Bell Helicopter as a primary attack helicopter in the Vietnam War for aerial assaults or as air cavalry. The Hughes (Model 500M) international military version was sold in ten countries and built under license in Italy and Japan. The Model 369 was submitted by Hughes, and competed against the two finalists, Fairchild-Hiller and Bell, for a production contract. 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. In one particular clandestine incident in 1972, known as the Vinh wiretap, a pair of OH-6As were heavily modified and used by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) via Air America was used to infiltrate Vietnamese high level communications, providing valuable intelligence. Under enemy fire this nimble machine had to fly low to the ground, just above the jungle canopy. The Raven was used as a scouting helicopter during the early phases of the war, before it was eventually replaced by the Cayuse in early 1986. Although many were still teenagers, their survival depended on well-honed instincts and razor-sharp reflexes, along with plenty of luck. to voice a complaint about any articles or image on this website, please Setting 23 world records for speed, distance, and altitude, the Hughes Tool Company OH-6 entered service in September of 1966. [3], On 27 February 1963, the first Model 369 prototype performed its maiden flight. Both Loach and Cobra have been in production, on and off, in one form or another ever since. The United States deployed all types of helicopter, ranging from massive troop transport choppers, to smaller multipurpose and attack helicopters, and even helicopter drones. During the course of the competition, the Bell submission, the YOH-4, was eliminated as being underpowered (it was powered by the 250shp (186kW) T63-A-5). article/image or apply full credit information. Stepping away from her academic career, Samantha previously worked as a Heritage Researcher and now writes content for multiple sites covering an array of historical topics. [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. Shaffer, 63, rode in the military helicopter as a door gunner with Charlie Troop 1/9th, 1st Air Cavalry while . The small "egg-shaped" design and simplified rotorhead incorporated four rotor blades of constant chord, made of bonded light alloy. One of the most dangerous helicopter assignments was a tiny scout helicopter known as the Loach. Officially designated the OH-6 Cayuse, these things were made of thin plexiglass and metal but were expected to fly low over the jungles and grass, looking for enemy forces hiding in the foliage. I had a wingman shot down, pilot John Shafer says. 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. If the OH-6 came under fire, the nearby Cobra would then strike at the revealed enemy. We thought they were ARVNs [Army of the Republic of Vietnam] until they started running. [28][29], The pilots selected to fly the OH-6A helicopters came from the 229th Attack Helicopter Battalion and were sent to the Mississippi Army National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) at Gulfport, Mississippi, for two weeks of qualification training in the rotorcraft. "Pink teams" of scout and attack helicopters, such as OH-6 "Loach" or OH-58 Kiowa scout helicopters and the AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter during the Vietnam War; In anti-submarine warfare an Maritime patrol aircraft may be employed as "hunter", with surface ships such as destroyers as killers. The US Army subsequently reopened the LOH program to engineering companies, offering a new contract for 2,700 additional airframes. They were operated by a number of military organizations, including the Japanese Army, Navy and Coast Guard. The OH-6A helicopters used for transporting personnel became the MH-6 aircraft of the Light Assault Company and the armed OH-6As became the AH-6 aircraft of the Light Attack Company. 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. Built by Hughes Tool Company, it was designed to be a scout helicopter during the Vietnam war. The "loach" was the LOH (Light Observation Helicopter) or OH-6A. Las mejores ofertas para Cartas de Lee: La historia de un hombre de Vietnam por Larayne M. Topp (ingls) Paperb estn en eBay Compara precios y caractersticas de productos nuevos y usados Muchos artculos con envo gratis! He shares memories of his service and reflects on what the war meant to. It never flew again. Improved versions were issued through the war and included pockets on the chest and back in which large additional plates could be inserted. Disclaimer Photographs 2 MK19 40-mm grenade launcher The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is a tandem rotor chopper that was developed by Vetrol and built by Boeing Vertol. [22] The remaining H-13s were promptly withdrawn in favour of the OH-6s. The CH-34 Choctaw was developed by Sikorsky Aircraft for transport purposes to carry personnel and deliver supplies. I could tell how old a footprint was by how it looked. It was used for transporting personnel, escorting other aircraft and naval vessels, attacking enemy units, and acting as an observation post. The U.S. Army began to use Bell OH-13 Sioux and Hiller OH-23 Raven helicopters, once artillery spotters, to scout ahead of UH-1D Huey formations in the moments before air assaults to gather information about landing zones and enemy locations. During the Vietnam War Era, different types of helicopters were crucial for providing support for ground forces, scouting locations, and deploying or retrieving soldiers. He is proud of his service, which involved a great deal of combat, but has concluded that U.S. involvement in Vietnam was a mistake. Some of them were able to tell how large a force was and how recently it had passed. Each time we went out, we got shot at. The armed OH-6s from Fort Rucker joined the training program in the fall of 1980.[30]. While Loachs were vulnerable to enemy fire, they were famous for surviving crashes like John did. Loaches, usually with a pilot and observer and sometimes a door gunner aboard, flew as little as 10 feet above the treetops at between about 45 and 60 mph, scouting for signs of the enemy. The flames covered my boots and lower legs. Hughes developed the Model 369 as a prototype for the U.S. Army in the early 1960s. When the opposing forces exposed themselves, the crew would call upon an accompanying Bell AH-1 Cobra to attack. [26], During 1972, a pair of heavily modified OH-6As were utilized by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) via Air America for a covert wire-tapping mission. Instead of disbanding Task Force 158, the military opted to turn it into the 160th Aviation Battalion. This simple design made maintenance easy, while the choppers 26-foot rotor made it much easier to maneuver in tight landing zones. Kane was dispatched to the crash site in another Cobra with copilot Jim Casher. [14][15], During 1966, the OH-1 entered service with the U.S. Army. The Model 206 was mostly employed as a general utility helicopter, but at times it was also used for transporting troops and high command, in addition to serving observational and reconnaissance roles during the Vietnam war. You were right in the enemys face with a helicopter and had to know what you were doing, recalls warrant officer Clyde Romero of his 1,100 hours flying scout missions over South Vietnam in 1971. They underwent two weeks of qualification training and an additional two weeks of mission training. The Vietnam War saw the extensive use of helicopters, though were mostly by the United States military. [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. Armed with guns, Hellfire missiles, and 2.75-inch FFAR, it provides armed helicopter support to both ground and air special operations. Home | The Hughes OH-6A Cayuse, was designed for use as a Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) nicknamed LOACH, military scout during the Vietnam war to meet the U.S. Armys need for an extremely maneuverable observation helicopter. 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. The Bell AH-1J was also used for various subsequent assaults and military operations conducted by the US Marine Corps. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (nicknamed "Loach", after the requirement acronym LOHLight Observation Helicopter) is a single-engine light helicopter with a four-bladed main rotor used for personnel transport, escort and attack missions, and observation. These hunter-killer missions, among the most hazardous of the Vietnam War, tested the resolve of the OH-6 pilots and the aerial observers sitting beside them. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 45-4703737We Fly for Our Veterans!. The Cobra was fast and deadly. Even when this helicopter was shot down, it refused to crack. [22], It became common for OH-6s to operate in teams with other rotorcraft, particularly the Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter. 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. During the testing phase, it became clear the Bell prototype was underpowered, so it was dropped. FAQ | Contact | As the H-13s were phased out, Loaches were paired with Cobra gunships. The 1-245 modified infantry night vision goggles and worked to develop the necessary skills for rapid deployment with Little Birds and C-130s.[31]. Almost as soon as production began, however, it was replaced by a competitors model. Kane and Casher were pulled aboard and returned to Khe Sanh, but the Huey barely made it back; slicing trees had left its blades shredded, and the tail section had almost separated. I was just out of flight school when I went to Vietnam. He flew Loaches for the next 11 months, and today is an accountant in Seattle. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods. 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. I was wounded three times and shot down nine times, Romero reports. Stanley Hiller complained to the U.S. Army that Hughes had used unethical procedures; therefore, the Army opened the contract for rebidding by all parties. It was used prolifically because of its unique hovering abilities. The Seasprite was an anti-submarine and anti-surface helicopter that had over-the-horizon targeting facilities. Adopted after the company behind its design deceived the US Army, the Loach helicopter, as it was better known, fast became the primary chopper flown in Vietnam. The Sea Stallion is a line of heavy-lift transport helicopters. The Bell H-13 Sioux were used for multiple roles, ranging from transporting troops, conducting medical evacuations, and performing reconnaissance and observational activities. 2 M75 40-mm grenade launchers In photo #2 you can see the nice graphics. Infantrymen would also launch an assault from the ground. The OH-6A replaced the Korean era OH-13 Sioux and OH-23 Raven light observation helicopters. A.J. Joint Services Incident Damage Report. It was powered by a 285-hp engine but the helicopter weighed less than a Volkswagen. Its four-bladed full-articulated main rotor made it particularly agile, and it was suitable for personnel transport, escort and attack missions, and observation. 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. During the Vietnam War, it was mostly deployed for aerial combat and for conducting rescue operations in areas close to US Air bases. The OH-6A made its first flight in 1963. Scout crews argued that the Kiowa was nowhere near as nimble as the Cayuse, but scouting flights were changing. The OH-6 Cayuse, by this point known as the Loach helicopter, made its way to Vietnam in December 1967. The OH-6 Cayuse was developed from specifications issued by the U.S. Army in 1960 for a light observation helicopter (LOH), and the familiar Loach nickname was derived from the acronym. (Scouts were known as White Teams and Cobras as Red; the two colors combine to become pink. (7.62MM) Possible mast-mounted sight. The Kaman SH-2 could extend and increase both shipboard sensor and weapon abilities against different types of enemy units, including submarines, ships, and patrol craft with anti-ship missiles. The Hughes 369 was redesignated the OH-6A "Cayuse" by the U.S. Army. The task force, which had been designated as Task Force 158, was soon formed into the 160th Aviation Battalion. 1:00 Jan. 6 will mark 50 years since former Newburgh resident Dave Middleton was shot down in Vietnam while piloting a Loach helicopter on a mission to which he wasn't originally assigned.. Vietnam OH-6A "Cayuse" Helicopter The OH-6A made its first flight in 1963. Sensing its growing battlefield requirements, the US Army then raised the production ceiling to 1,300 units in all. Since 1968 this helicopter saw combat in Vietnam. About Us | and Images on this page are gathered from various sources. The Bell UH-1B/C was modified from the UH-1A Cobra to include a set of machine guns for attacking ground targets. Missions began every day at dawn, when crews were briefed on where to fly and what to look for. Four troop-carrying Hueys (called a Blue Team) often sat idle somewhere nearby, ready to insert troops if the Pink Team discovered an interesting targetor were shot down and needed rescuing. In the event of a crash the tailboom and engine separate from the egg-like . We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. The Cayuse had a single articulated four-bladed main rotor, a metal two-bladed tail rotor, and a V-shaped tail. Vietnam Veteran and his Helicopter Reunited. The CH-53 Tarhe was another heavy-lift helicopter designed to transport and recover downed aircraft. The architects of the task force identified the need for a small helicopter to land in the most restrictive locations and that was also easily transported on Air Force transport aircraft. History. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER The OH-6 helicopters served in huge numbers and were used for light observation and utility roles. The OH-6/Model 369 was also license-produced overseas by the Japanese aerospace company Kawasaki Heavy Industries for both military and civilian operators. On top of this, Fairchild Hiller lodged a formal complaint over Hughes Tool Companys deceitful tactics to earn the original contract. In addition, an M60D 7.62mm machine gun could be mounted in the front port (left) or rear starboard (right) door openings. Book A Flight | Optional and variable (attack and special forces versions only). See his memoir Warpath: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/60299643-warpath Posted as part of the \"War \u0026 Life: Discussions with Veterans\" project. A total of five prototypes were built, all of which were powered by a single Allison T63-A-5A turboshaft engine, capable of producing 252shp (188kW). They could also use grenades and on occasion even homebuilt explosives; more aggressive units mounted forward-firing miniguns. Troop C, 1st squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Oct 68 Jan 69 The Cayuse was Hughes' longest-running helicopter program and, during the Vietnam War, as many as 100 OH-6As were built a month. Armament 2023 Smithsonian Magazine It was deemed, based on Hughes' estimates, his units would be most cost effective in the long run. [12] Accordingly, during 1968, Hughes submitted a bid to build a further 2,700 airframes. The OH-6A could be armed with the M27 armament subsystem, the M134 six-barrel 7.62mm minigun or the M129 40mm grenade launcher on the XM8 armament subsystem. Two of these designs, those submitted by Fairchild-Hiller and Bell, were selected as finalists by the Army-Navy design competition board. South Vietnam [8][9], A total of 387 OH-6/Hughes 369s were produced under license in Japan by the Japanese aerospace company Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Some units were modified during the war with machine guns to act as gunships.
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