It had to do with the timbre of your voicehow you talked to other guys on the radio, says Romero, who arrived in Vietnam in 1970, initially as a Huey co-pilot. 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. A saying among Army aviators was, If you have to crash, do it in a Loach.. The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is a tandem rotor chopper that was developed by Vetrol and built by Boeing Vertol. Today, the Little Birds in use by special operations are MH-6Ms derived from a similar but more powerful helicopter. Her research focused on Victorian, medical, and epidemiological history with a focus on childhood diseases. 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. 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. The Cobras high above had a few seconds of warningthey could spot the missiles exhaust plumebut were all the more tempting because at their higher altitudes they were more easily seen than the smaller Loaches. [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. Graphics are very well done, the whole model is very well done. In 1961, twelve companies submitted proposals to meet U.S.Army requirements for a four-seat turbine-powered light observation helicopter (LOH). . Accordingly, the U.S. Army's fixed-wing airplane, the Cessna O-1 Bird Dog, which was utilized for artillery observation and reconnaissance flights, would be replaced by the incoming OH-6A. They were employed in hunter-killer tactics, wherein they flew low over the jungle as bait to draw enemy fire. Moore served as an Army OH-6A "Loach" scout in IV Corps, South Vietnam, 1968-1969: Fort Apache, Vihn Long Province. Army units this aircraft deployed with in Vietnam: Troop B, 1st squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Aug '68 - Oct '70. Upon returning to the United States, he established a career in the construction industry and settled in rural Sierra City, California. ). The aircraft was diverted prior to accomplishing any mission objectives. Missions began every day at dawn, when crews were briefed on where to fly and what to look for. When the training was completed, C-141 Starlifter airlifters transported both rotorcraft and crews to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, for two weeks of mission training. I got shot down on my 22nd birthday, March 27, 1971. [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. Its four-bladed full-articulated main rotor made it particularly agile, and it was suitable for personnel transport, escort and attack missions, and observation. However, the choppers frame ensured the crewmen within remained safe. The Piasecki H-21 Workhorse was the fourth line of tandem rotor helicopters developed by Piasecki Helicopters. The Bell UH-1B/C was modified from the UH-1A Cobra to include a set of machine guns for attacking ground targets. Light Attack Helicopters 3. The Chickasaw was a multi-purpose helicopter designed for both the US Army and Air Force. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER They went down in the jungle, and both [members of the crew] survived. The Hughes 369 was redesignated the OH-6A "Cayuse" by the U.S. Army. OH-6 Loach - Light Observation Helicopter - Brickmania Toys The Bell H-13 Sioux was developed as a light-weight single-engine and single-rotor helicopter. While in Vietnam, Loach helicopters operated as part of air mobile teams. I liked it because in the Bronx, I was a ghetto kid. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 Vietnam Helicopters Museum. 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. The Sea Stallion is a line of heavy-lift transport helicopters. Jim Kanes Vietnam tour abruptly ended one day in February 1971. Disclaimer Photographs Vietnam Helicopters Museum - OH-6A "Cayuse" Helicopter s/n 66-07841 In August 1967, the AH-1G Cobra arrived in Vietnam. Unlike its troop-carrying ancestors, a Cobra was like a World War II fighter, says Jim Kane, who arrived in Vietnam fresh out of Purdue University. The Model 369 had a distinctive teardrop-shaped fuselage that had strong crashworthiness properties and provided excellent external visibility. 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. The Mil Mi-8 was developed in the later stage of the Vietnam War to counter the Bell Huey UH1. Following a competitive fly-off and a sealed bidding process, Hughes lost the contract to Bell, resulting in the competing Bell OH-58 Kiowa being produced. Contact | 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. 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. The helicopter was hit in the Left Side 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. When the opposing forces exposed themselves, the crew would call upon an accompanying Bell AH-1 Cobra to attack. The Army requested 714 helicopters in May 1965, a number that was later increased to 1,300. s/n 66-07841. One time we ran into hundreds of enemy troops. Although many were still teenagers, their survival depended on well-honed instincts and razor-sharp reflexes, along with plenty of luck. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. The OH-6 helicopters served in huge numbers and were used for light observation and utility roles. Cobras rolled in and blew the downed aircraft uptaking with it about 15 bad guys standing around it.. In response, a task force was developed originally designated Task Force 158 for the next attempt to rescue the hostages, Operation Honey Badger. It was pretty hairy, and we got the hell out of there. But Boucher got a rush from the missions, and stayed six months beyond what was required of a draftee. [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. 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. These rotorcraft were operated by several different organisations, the majority of which were based in Japan. An inventive Bell Helicopter engineer was already at work on the worlds first attack helicopter, and Bells decision to keep the project hidden until complete let the model slip into service as a Huey derivative (see The Birth of the Cobra, Aug. 2017). Ultimately, Hughes was selected as the winner of the competition. The unrefueled range of the AH-6 is 250 nautical miles. The NVA [North Vietnamese army] was everywhere. You were killed, shot down, or got scared and quit. The Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) (formerly Hughes model 369A) OH-6A was designed for use as a military scout during the Vietnam war to meet the US Army's need for an extremely maneuverable light observation helicopter. Unfortunately, the weight of the armament kept the little bird from taking off. Even when this helicopter was shot down, it refused to crack. It was deemed, based on Hughes' estimates, his units would be most cost effective in the long run. 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. Units in Vietnam began sending UH-1Bs outfitted with rocket pods and machine guns to circle over the scouts at around 600 feet and attack anything that might interfere with the imminent troop landing. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse is a single-engine light helicopter that was designed and produced by the American aerospace company Hughes Helicopters. Helicopter Pilots Who Died in the Vietnam War - VHPA They would then call in scouts on the ground or infantrymen to hunt for the enemy in the brush while attack helicopters protected everyone. Hughes's price was $19,860 per airframe, without the engine, while Hiller's price was $29,415 per airframe, also without the engine. Pilot sold separately. We got hit by incendiary .51-caliber rounds, and the phosphorus ignited the Cobras hydraulic fluid. I was wounded three times and shot down nine times, Romero reports. 10 Types of Helicopters in Vietnam (Vietnam Era Helicopters) - Aero Corner Warrant officer John Shafer was 21 when he arrived on October 16, 1970, to fly Loaches. (7.62MM) Joint Services Incident Damage Report. 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. [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. Other Army pilots, most of whom flew Cobras or Hueys, thought of Loach pilots as a little offbeat. As the H-13s were phased out, Loaches were paired with Cobra gunships. He shares memories of his service and reflects on what the war meant to. All Rights Reserved. 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. New book recounts Newburgh man's time as Vietnam helicopter pilot The enemy was moving toward us when a [command and control] ship picked us up. 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. Lt. Col. Nate Shaffer has restored a Hughes OH-6A Cayuse helicopter. After around 10 hours at the controls of a Loach, the pilots were deemed worthy of flying in combat. The North Vietnamese deployed hundreds of the missiles, and from then on, both hunter and killer tried to stay well hidden. Scout crews argued that the Kiowa was nowhere near as nimble as the Cayuse, but scouting flights were changing. 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. The type was born from the US Army Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program (which provided its "Loach" nickname) and ultimately proved an excellent helicopter system seeing only limited service in the inventories of several American allies worldwide. The Sea Stallion is a variant of the Jolly Green Giant, but its used only for sea transport. [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). 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. AH/MH-6J: US Army Special Operations variant derived from the MD-530MG. article/image or apply full credit information. A Troop, 7th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Aug 70 Feb 72 13456, "History of Rotorcraft World Records, List of records established by the 'YOH-6A'. [22] All American rotorcraft in the theatre had to be operated more cautiously following this development. Systems damaged were: FUEL SYS Vietnam Helicopters Museum - OH-6A "Cayuse" Helicopter s/n 67-16304 Following the Second World War, significant advancements were made in the field of rotary-wing flight. MD-500MD/Scout and TOW Defender: Improved military version of the model 500 with 5 main rotor blades, 375-shp Allison 250-C20B turboshaft engine, and T-tail. 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. US Army Loach OH-6 Helicopter Vietnam War Era - YouTube and Images on this page are gathered from various sources. Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. The OH-6 Cayuse, by this point known as the Loach helicopter, made its way to Vietnam in December 1967. Fortunate son intensifies : r/memes - reddit Army headquarters developed doctrine by building on what worked in the field, rather than the other way around, and each unit in-country did things slightly differently. 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. Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Heavy Attack Helicopters 2. 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. Since units were all but permanently assigned to particular areas, they came to know the local geography intimately and could spot anything out of the ordinary. Just as I set it down, the tail rotor spun off. But the Army decided that it would be more prudent to keep the unit in order to be prepared for future contingencies. Kane recalls, The vibrations were so harsh I had to return to base camp at Khe Sanh, seven miles from the Laotian border. The Cayuse was Hughes' longest-running helicopter program and, during the Vietnam War, as many as 100 OH-6As were built a month. 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. 2 M75 40-mm grenade launchers 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. [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. Typically missions were flown during the daylight, starting at dawn; common roles included the clearance of landing zones and general intelligence/observation flights. Served in Vietnam War during 1968 through 1970. The AH-6 Little Bird Gun, a light attack helicopter, has been tested and proven in combat. At peak production, during the Vietnam War, as many as 100 OH-6As were built a month. These choppers were modified for combat rescue missions and had self-sealing fuel tanks, rescue hoist, and in-flight refueling abilities. They were usually joined by Cobra gunships either in hunter-killer teams where the Loach hunted and the Cobra killed or in air mobile cavalry units where both airframes supported cavalry and infantrymen on the ground. Vietnam War helicopter pilots bring stories and aircraft to Topeka It was barely used in the Vietnam War because it was replaced by the more advanced Sikorsky H-34 Choctaw. I spent more time with them.. The OH-6A "Cayuse" is a small tactical helicopter flown by units of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment [SOAR]. The observers and gunners had even less experience. Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. Hughes bid $56,550 per airframe, while Bell bid $54,200. Moses, a 19-year-old draftee, arrived in Vietnam in July 1970 for the first of two year-long tours, and later worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs as a therapist and administrator. You had a couple of flights in the Huey, then you rode front seat in a Cobra, scout pilot Allan Krausz recounts. He shares memories of his service and reflects on what the war meant to him then and what it means to him now. [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 AH-1 is sometimes affectionately referred to as the Huey Cobra or The Snake. In contrast, of the nearly 1,100 Cobras delivered to the Army, 300 were lost. The Huskie was used by the US Air Force, US Navy, and US Marine Corps. When the Loach debuted in 1966, it broke records for speed, endurance, and rate of climb, all important attributes for a scout helicopter. Also: LNOF, 90119, JSIDR (Lindenmuth Old Format Data Base. OH-6A/Cayuse: Developed initially by the Hughes Aircraft company (later McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company) in the mid-1960s for the US Army. Total flight hours at this point: 00000496 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. Date: 02/08/1969 In 1965, the concept of helicopter-borne fighting forces was still new and largely untested, and units in Vietnam invented tactics on the spot. More from us: The US Air Force Panicked When Its Top-Secret Stealth Fighter Crashed Into the California Wilderness. The helicopter was hit in the Cockpit Fewer than 2,000 of the type were produced though the original went on to spawn a plethora of viable performers including the Hughes 500 "Defender" and the special forces-minded MH-6 "Little Bird". 60th Assault Helicopter Company: Mar 72 Jun 72, Information on U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A tail number 67-16304 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. (7.62MM) In terms of its basic configuration, the Model 369 had an atypical teardrop-shaped fuselage, a feature that led to personnel sometimes referring to it as the "flying egg". Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Jim was unconscious when I helped pull him out of the burning aircraft.. 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). If the OH-6 came under fire, the nearby Cobra would then strike at the revealed enemy. Advertising Notice In 1960, the US Army issued Technical Specification 153 and established the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program. History | 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. 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. Anthony comes from a military family and has served his country proudly in the military as a pilot. 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. The Hughes (Model 500M) international military version was sold in ten countries and built under license in Italy and Japan. Hughes Model OH-6A Cayuse or LOACH OH-6A Cayuse ('Loach') The OH-6A "Cayuse" is a small tactical helicopter flown by units of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment [SOAR]. To remedy this shortcoming, the Army began developing a special aviation task force to prepare for the next attempt to rescue the hostages: Operation Honey Badger. FAQ | 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 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. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Hughes developed the Model 369 as a prototype for the U.S. Army in the early 1960s. 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]. which many are taken will be available from our shop to Scout pilots were a different breed of cat, says Cobra pilot Jim Kane, who likens his former colleagues to the airborne equivalent of the Tunnel Rats, soldiers who crawled head-first into Viet Cong-built tunnels without any idea what awaited them there. Hughes Tool Company Aircraft Division submitted their Model 369 to fill a US Army requirement for a Light Observation Helicopter capable of performing a number of secondary duties including escort, attack and casualty evacuation duties. [22] Its straightforward design made it easier to maintain than most other helicopters, while its relatively compact 26-foot main rotor made it easier to use tight landing zones. I spent more time with them., Kids Start Forgetting Early Childhood Around Age 7, Archaeologists Discover Wooden Spikes Described by Julius Caesar, Artificial Sweetener Tied to Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke, Study Finds, 5,000-Year-Old Tavern With Food Still Inside Discovered in Iraq, The Surprisingly Scientific Roots of Monkey Bars.
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