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. During the Vietnam war, the HH-43 Huskie was used for more rescue missions than all other aircraft combined. From the rear cockpit, the pilot fired rockets from launchers fixed to the stub wings on either side; the copilot in the front operated a chin turret that held a minigun and grenade launcher. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 45-4703737We Fly for Our Veterans!. The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is a tandem rotor chopper that was developed by Vetrol and built by Boeing Vertol. The Cayuse was Hughes' longest-running helicopter program and, during the Vietnam War, as many as 100 OH-6As were built a month. That was about it.. There was one day of initial training, says Bob Moses, who was first trained as a tank crewman and then as infantry before a sudden transition to helicopter door gunner. Under enemy fire this nimble machine had to fly low to the ground, just above the jungle canopy. 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. He shares memories of his service and reflects on what the war meant to. Book A Flight | We got into another aircraft and went back out. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods. 60th Assault Helicopter Company: Mar 72 Jun 72, Information on U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A tail number 67-16304 A little gory but thats how close we were. As the Loach flew among the trees, the rear-seat pilot in the Snake circling above kept a close eye on the little scout and the front-seat gunner jotted down whatever the Loach observers radioed. A rescue operation for the crew of a downed Loach helicopter doesn't quite go as planned and the rescuers become victims themselves. Unit: 173 ABN The killer role persists. [14][15], During 1966, the OH-1 entered service with the U.S. Army. He shares memories of his service and reflects on what the war meant to him then and what it means to him now. (He later transferred to the Air Force and flew F-4 Phantoms, and eventually became an airline captain.) By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, MIGHTY NETWORKS, 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Russian soldiers calls back home reveal horrifying experiences in Ukraine, broke records for speed, endurance, and rate of climb, powered by a 285-hp engine but the helicopter weighed less than a Volkswagen, could carry everything from 7.62mm miniguns to 70mm rockets and anti-tank missiles, nicknamed Queer John, hit the dirt at least seven times, modified versions of the helicopter flew with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment as the MH-6C Little Bird as late as 2008, 29 of the best politically incorrect Vietnam War slang terms. 2 TOW missile pods (2 each) Hughes 500M: Military export version of OH-6 in mid-1970s with upgraded 278-shp Allison 250-C18 turboshaft engine, "V" tail. It was reasonably fast, very crashworthy, comparatively easy to maintain and fly, and extraordinarily maneuverable. Shop | to voice a complaint about any articles or image on this website, please Upon landing, an inspection revealed a damaged pitch link, a rotor head component so critical that had it failed, they too would have crashed. I followed footsteps. Loach crews were equipped with small arms and returned fire as they fled. For this, a small rotorcraft capable of landing in restrictive locations and easily transportable via US Air Force transport aircraft was necessary. 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. (7.62MM) Loach and Cobra were in constant radio communication, and because of the intensity of hunter-killer missions, it wasnt long before pairs in each type knew each other well enough to anticipate the others moves. [22] All American rotorcraft in the theatre had to be operated more cautiously following this development. In her spare time, Samantha enjoys reading, knitting, and hanging out with her dog, Chowder! 2 M134 7.62-mm 6x barrel, Gatling type twin MG pods In order to reduce their acoustic signature, the helicopters (N351X and N352X) received a four-blade 'scissors' style tail rotor (later incorporated into the Hughes-designed AH-64 Apache), a fifth rotor blade and reshaped rotor tips, a modified exhaust system, and various other performance boosting modifications. Loach crews regularly walked away from crashes that would doom others. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 Vietnam Helicopters Museum. OH-6A/MD-530F Super Cayuse/Lifter: Upgraded engine to a 425-shp Allison 250- C30 turboshaft, and avionics in 1988 for the US Army. 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. Mills, who served two tours in Loaches and one in Cobras, was shot down 16 timesall but once in OH-6s. While in Vietnam, Loach helicopters operated as part of air mobile teams. It was a joy to fly. Kane, who today sells securities in Richmond, Virginia, flew AH-1s in Vietnam from 1968 to 1971. The Mil Mi-1 was a Soviet-made light utility chopper with three or four seats. The Light Observation Helicopter ( LOH) program was a United States Army program to evaluate, develop and field a light scout helicopter to replace the Army's aging Bell OH-13 Sioux. [17] On 26 March 1966, Jack Schwiebold set the closed circuit distance record in a YOH-6A at Edwards Air Force Base, California, flying without landing for 1,739.96mi (2,800.20km). At peak production, during the Vietnam War, as many as 100 OH-6As were built a month. This helicopter was chosen by the US Army over the proposals of a number of other helicopter manufactures, designated the OH-6A Cayuse, and entered service in 1965. The helicopter was designed around their earlier model 269/300 making use of monocoque steel tube construction techniques, allowing a strong and compact fuselage. Both the Pilot and Observer/Gunner positions were equipped with carbon fiber side panels and seats. Your email address will not be published. 2 Stinger AAM. The campaign included the first major use in the war of Soviet-built, shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles. During 1960, the United States Army issued Technical Specification 153 for a Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) capable of fulfilling various roles on the battlefield, including personnel transport, escort, casualty evacuation, observation, and attack missions. 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. The Korean War proved the necessity for such rotorcraft, particularly in regard to search and rescue operations. The shelf life of a scout pilot was probably six months. It had no hydraulic system and its electrical setup was used primarily to start up the enginesimple even by 1960s standards, which for practical purposes meant it was easier to maintain and harder to shoot down than other helicopters. Although many were still teenagers, their survival depended on well-honed instincts and razor-sharp reflexes, along with plenty of luck. Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. It was nicknamed the Jolly Green Giant during the war. Trademarks and copyright information is respected. For other AH-6 and MH-6 variants, see MH-6 Little Bird and Boeing AH-6. The "OH-6C" was the creation of the Maintenance Section of The Real Cav, B Troop 7/17th Air Cavalry Squadron, which was stationed near Pleiku in early 1972. Joint Services Incident Damage Report. It was used for transporting personnel, escorting other aircraft and naval vessels, attacking enemy units, and acting as an observation post. About Us | 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. History. [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. Some of them were able to tell how large a force was and how recently it had passed. The Chickasaw was a multi-purpose helicopter designed for both the US Army and Air Force. 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 1-245 modified infantry night vision goggles and worked to develop the necessary skills for rapid deployment with Little Birds and C-130s.[31]. Optional and variable (attack and special forces versions only). The high-low hunter-killer combination gave way to uniform-altitude missions, with all helicopters flying nap of the earth. The OH-6 helicopters served in huge numbers and were used for light observation and utility roles. 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. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work. The Gyrodyne company built the Gyrodyne QH-50 DASH (Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter) to combat submarines from a distance. The helicopter was inducted as the OH-6 "Cayuse" and would eventually take on the in-the-field nickname of "Loach" in reference to its "LOH" origins. I could tell how old a footprint was by how it looked. The prototype first flew in early 1963, and production began two years later. [16], Early on in the OH-6's career, the type demonstrated its performance in a particularly prominent manner via the setting of 23 individual world records for helicopters during 1966 in the categories of speed, endurance and time to climb. It was deemed, based on Hughes' estimates, his units would be most cost effective in the long run. Hughes Model OH-6A Cayuse or LOACH 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. The Marine Corp used it for the sea-based interdiction of the Ho Chi Minh Trail in 1972. Crews trained side by side with the 160th for all operational concepts. Upon returning to the United States, he established a career in the construction industry and settled in rural Sierra City, California. Vietnam OH-6A "Cayuse" Helicopter The OH-6A made its first flight in 1963. Observation Helicopters Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (Loach) The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse is a light helicopter with a single engine and a four-bladed main rotor. Up against Fairchild Hiller, Hughes Tool Company purposely undervalued its cost estimates, earning the company favor and the contract. The Seasprite was an anti-submarine and anti-surface helicopter that had over-the-horizon targeting facilities. During the Vietnam War, it was mostly deployed for aerial combat and for conducting rescue operations in areas close to US Air bases. The Hughes OH-6 "Cayuse" (popularly recognized as the "Loach") was a revolutionary light helicopter mount primarily in service with the United States Army and saw combat service during the Vietnam War (1955-1975). We thought they were ARVNs [Army of the Republic of Vietnam] until they started running. These helicopters were mostly used for observation, reconnaissance, utility, and for providing combat support. The OH-6 was also exported as the Model 500 Defender. USNTPS plans to retain the aircraft indefinitely and continue to improve the safety, reliability, and usefulness of the aircraft in the test pilot training role. 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. s/n 67-16304 [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. After evaluation, three designs were selected and 5 of each: the Bell OH-4A; the Hiller OH-5 and the Hughes OH-6, were ordered for trials by the U.S.Army Aviation Board. 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. The OH-6A would find targets by flying low, trolling for fire, and lead in a Cobra, or Snake, to attack. The AH-1J SeaCobra was used later in the later stages of the Vietnam war. The Cayuse was publicly introduced in 1966 and set several records, including record for endurance, speed and rate of climb. This aspect was further bolstered by the use of self-sealing fuel tanks that lowered the likelihood of a post-impact fire breaking out. It could accomplish missions that bigger, slower and louder helicopters couldnt do. Following a contentious selection process that included allegations of industrial espionage and political favoritism, the first Hughes OH-6A observation helicopters arrived in Vietnam in December 1967. 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.
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