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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. They were operated by a number of military organizations, including the Japanese Army, Navy and Coast Guard. 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. Underneath, a fixed twin-skid undercarriage was supported at two separate points. But the light aluminum skin could be easily pierced by rifle bullets, and it also crumpled and absorbed energy in a crash, and a strong structural truss protected critical systemslike the people inside. The US military primarily used the OH-6 for observational and reconnaissance purposes. Helicopter Pilots Who Died in the Vietnam War - VHPA Search and Rescue Helicopters 5. [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. (He later transferred to the Air Force and flew F-4 Phantoms, and eventually became an airline captain.) Hunter-killer team - Wikipedia The OH-6A replaced the Korean era OH-13 Sioux and OH-23 Raven light observation helicopters. Cobras and Loaches, two vastly different aircraft, relied on each other to fight the enemy. The 'Loach' was one of the riskiest helicopter assignments in Vietnam With all these benefits, several variations were developed. 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. Donald Porter served in Vietnam with the helicopters he writes about. 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. Cobras generally attacked with rockets, preferred for long-range accuracy, switching to the less-accurate chin-mounted machine gun and grenade launcher only if they were far enough away from friendly troops or if the rocketsAH-1s could carry as many as 76 rocketsran out. Headquarters, 173rd Airborne Brigade: Jan 70 May 70 It was powered by a 285-hp engine but the helicopter weighed less than a Volkswagen. While successful in this respect, the Loach helicopter also had a reputation for being easily gunned down. During the Vietnam war, the HH-43 Huskie was used for more rescue missions than all other aircraft combined. [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. The helicopter was designed around their earlier model 269/300 making use of monocoque steel tube construction techniques, allowing a strong and compact fuselage. On a few occasions, the OH-23 was also used for medical evacuation purposes, but this was rarely the case. It would often be crewed by a pilot and an observer; up to five passengers or up to 1,000lb of cargo could be carried internally. I was used to getting up close and personal with the enemy.. So I engaged the enemy, but didnt make it out of that one. Flight Hours in Vietnam: 1,318 A.J. The aircraft was diverted prior to accomplishing any mission objectives. Despite a strong outcry from crews in Vietnam, the Bell OH-58A Kiowa, powered by the same Allison T-63 engine as the OH-6, was being distributed to Army units. The helicopter Continued Flight. Modifications were also made to the rotor assembly by way of a five blade main rotor which increased stability. The UH, nicknamed Huey is a utility military chopper that was used for troop and cargo transport, medical evacuation, and sometimes for military purposes. The Army initially ordered 1,438 Hughes Model 369s, designated by the Army as the OH-6A Cayuse helicopters. Despite Being Prone to Crashing, the Loach Helicopter Was Favored By The high-low hunter-killer combination gave way to uniform-altitude missions, with all helicopters flying nap of the earth. As a separate part of the project, armed OH-6As were being developed at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Its like a street cop going into a bad neighborhood. [19][20][21], In December 1967, the first OH-6As arrived in Vietnam. In 1972, as U.S. troops slowly withdrew, the NVA began a major push that became known as the Easter Offensive. to voice a complaint about any articles or image on this website, please 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". The mission training consisted of loading onto C-130 Hercules transport aircraft which would then transport them to forward staging areas over routes as long as 1,000 nautical miles (1,900km). A shaft ran to the tail and powered the two-blade rotor at the back. 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. In Vietnam, These Helicopter Scouts Saw Combat Up Close For other AH-6 and MH-6 variants, see MH-6 Little Bird and Boeing AH-6. It was used prolifically because of its unique hovering abilities. 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. I got shot down on my 22nd birthday, March 27, 1971. [7] The Hiller design, designated OH-5A,[7] had featured a boosted control system, while the Hughes design did not, a difference that accounted for some of the price increase. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 45-4703737We Fly for Our Veterans!. 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. 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. The hunter-killer tactic worked well for a few years, but by the time the United States left Vietnam, it was obsolete, says Mills. Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. The Sea Stallion is a line of heavy-lift transport helicopters. If you would like The Huskie was used by the US Air Force, US Navy, and US Marine Corps. I tried to move the stuck controls and prayed for a place to set down. It took all of Kanes strength to pull out of a steep dive, and they crash-landed with a horrific thud. 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. 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. Vietnam following a morning mission with the 11th Special Forces (SF) at Long Than North, South Vietnam. The Bell Model 206 is a line of both single and twin-engined helicopters with two primary rotor blades. 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. [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. Some units were modified during the war with machine guns to act as gunships. Tough Mission LOACH Chopper Vietnam - YouTube [2] The pilot was provisioned with excellent external visibility via its large plexiglass windscreen, while its four-bladed fully-articulated main rotor meant it was considerably more agile than the preceding H-13 Sioux. They went down in the jungle, and both [members of the crew] survived. The first Loach arrived in Vietnam in 1966, and a total of 1,434 of the primary . Two of these designs, those submitted by Fairchild-Hiller and Bell, were selected as finalists by the Army-Navy design competition board. However, the U.S. Army subsequently chose to include Hughes's Model 369 for further consideration as well. As well, its tough frame made it safer than other helicopters during crashes, as its aluminum skin absorbed the energy and the structure protected the crew. Pilots called this helicopter as the Loach. The Cobra was fast and deadly. It was a joy to fly. Kane, who today sells securities in Richmond, Virginia, flew AH-1s in Vietnam from 1968 to 1971. Jim was unconscious when I helped pull him out of the burning aircraft.. The Army purchased this helicopter 0968 The small "egg-shaped" design and simplified rotorhead incorporated four rotor blades of constant chord, made of bonded light alloy. The NVA [North Vietnamese army] was everywhere. The Cayuse was Hughes' longest-running helicopter program and, during the Vietnam War, as many as 100 OH-6As were built a month. Home | Hughes developed the Model 369 as a prototype for the U.S. Army in the early 1960s. Late in the war, the HH-43 was also deployed for short overland search and rescue missions. You were killed, shot down, or got scared and quit. Terms and Conditions, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC) The Cayuse was publicly introduced in 1966 and set several records, including record for endurance, speed and rate of climb. Reportedly, 964 out of the 1,422 OH-6As produced for the U.S. Army were destroyed in Vietnam alone. Armed with guns, Hellfire missiles, and 2.75-inch FFAR, it provides armed helicopter support to both ground and air special operations. The Loach also had its own gunner in the rear and could carry everything from 7.62mm miniguns to 70mm rockets and anti-tank missiles. Vietnams mountainous terrain stressed the underpowered, obsolete helicopters to their limits: They could neither fly fast enough to escape enemy fire nor carry enough armament to pose a meaningful threat. 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 Model 369 was submitted by Hughes, and competed against the two finalists, Fairchild-Hiller and Bell, for a production contract. Find Us on Facebook, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC). Front left side view of the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse helicopter; color, Right side view of the Hughes OH-6 Loach in flight; color. The task force, which had been designated as Task Force 158, was soon formed into the 160th Aviation Battalion. 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. While in Vietnam, Loach helicopters operated as part of air mobile teams. Privacy Statement Development included test and training flights in Culver City, California (Hughes Airport) and at Area 51 in 1971. The Piasecki H-21 Workhorse was the fourth line of tandem rotor helicopters developed by Piasecki Helicopters. Historical Snapshot: OH-6 Cayuse/Hughes 500 Helicopter Mills, who served two tours in Loaches and one in Cobras, was shot down 16 timesall but once in OH-6s. (7.62MM) [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. A.J. Systems damaged were: COMM SYS, STRUCTURE, INSTRUMENTS, PERSONNEL Total flight hours at this point: 00000496 The Cayuse was organic to division, brigade, and battalion size units. While barely any American helicopters served in World War II and few flew in Korea, Vietnam was a proving ground for many airframes everything from the venerable Huey to Chinooks sporting huge guns. Another flight competition was held, this time without a submission from Fairchild Hiller. Both Loach and Cobra have been in production, on and off, in one form or another ever since. The aircraft, dubbed 500P (penetrator) by Hughes, began as an ARPA project, codenamed "Mainstreet", in 1968. Army units this aircraft deployed with in Vietnam: 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. Helicopter took 2 hits from: AH/MH-6J: US Army Special Operations variant derived from the MD-530MG. Light Observation Helicopter - Wikipedia This aspect was further bolstered by the use of self-sealing fuel tanks that lowered the likelihood of a post-impact fire breaking out. Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. [22], It became common for OH-6s to operate in teams with other rotorcraft, particularly the Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter. Vietnam Helicopters Museum - OH-6A "Cayuse" Helicopter s/n 67-16304 Its first overseas deployment, as well as into frontline combat, was the Vietnam War. These choppers were modified for combat rescue missions and had self-sealing fuel tanks, rescue hoist, and in-flight refueling abilities. In response, a task force was developed originally designated Task Force 158 for the next attempt to rescue the hostages, Operation Honey Badger. The Model 369, with its Allison T63-A-5A series turboshaft engine, took its first flight on February 27, 1963, under the military designation YOH-6A. Even trampled grass was a clue; it meant that enemy troops had passed through the area within eight hours, the time it took for grass to dry upright. The OH-6A was powered by a single Allison T63-A-5A 285 shp turboshaft engine, and had a cruising speed of 144 mph (125 knots). The Loach-derived MD-500 and other civilian variants still roll off the assembly lines at MD Helicopters, Inc., while Boeing produces an upgraded variant, the AH-6 Little Bird, for military forces (including an autonomous drone version). | READ MORE. Lt. Col. 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. But the Hueys proved too slow to do the job properly, and the need to replace both scouts and protectors was immediately evident. Despite Being Prone to Crashing, the Loach Helicopter Was Favored By [3], On 27 February 1963, the first Model 369 prototype performed its maiden flight. 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. EH-6B, a previous version of the Little Bird, was used for command, control and radio relay. Cookie Settings, pilot. Despite its strong offensive abilities, the SH-2 Seasprite was mostly used for rescuing downed friendly aircrews instead of direct combat. 605th transportation Company (Direct Support): Nov . The Cayuse could absorb an extensive amount of small arms fire and still bring the crew home safely. 2 M75 40-mm grenade launchers In addition, an M60D 7.62mm machine gun could be mounted in the front port (left) or rear starboard (right) door openings. MD-530MG/Defender: Has a mast-mounted sight, and incorporated upgrades of all previous variants. It was mostly used to transport troops and cargo during the Vietnam war. Cobras rolled in and blew the downed aircraft uptaking with it about 15 bad guys standing around it.. Unfortunately, the weight of the armament kept the little bird from taking off. While the already-produced OH-6 Cayuses were being deployed to Vietnam in 1967, production costs were beginning to rise. The helicopter was hit in the Cockpit OH-58 "Kiowa" light observation / scout platform. When the opposing forces exposed themselves, the crew would call upon an accompanying Bell AH-1 Cobra to attack. 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. It was used for transporting personnel, escorting other aircraft and naval vessels, attacking enemy units, and acting as an observation post. "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. On March 3, 2023, at a White House ceremony, retired Army Colonel Paris Davis received the Medal of Honor. He shares memories of his service and reflects on what the war meant to him then and what it means to him now. 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. OH-6A Cayuse / AH-6J Little Bird - Military Aircraft (He later transferred to the Air Force and flew F-4 Phantoms, and eventually became an airline captain.) These helicopters were mostly used for observation, reconnaissance, utility, and for providing combat support. 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. The Loach helicopters used to transport personnel were given the designation MH-6, while the armed ones were dubbed the AH-6. 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. Robert Davis Travel Management Consultant, 2023 Executive Flyers +1 (512) 241-0795. Book A Flight | which many are taken will be available from our shop to 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. The OH-6D was an improved version with more advanced electronics and heavier armament. In photo #2 you can see the nice graphics. The AH-6 and its troop-carrying sibling, the MH-6, are still heavily used by U.S. special-operations forces, as everything from airborne sniper platforms to transports inserting small teams to expeditionary light attack helicopters. Cobras, nicknamed Snakes, flew circles 1,500 feet above the scouts, waiting to pounce on whatever the Loach found. Your email address will not be published. I went up in a Loach with an M60 machine gun to get used to firing the weapon. During the Vietnam War the OH-6 helicopters served in huge numbers and were used for light observation and utility roles. They could also use grenades and on occasion even homebuilt explosives; more aggressive units mounted forward-firing miniguns. Hughes OH-6 Cayuse - Wikipedia Total flight hours at this point: 00000265 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. [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. The Loach helicopter was pitted against what was then known as the Bell Model 206. Almost as soon as production began, however, it was replaced by a competitors model. He recalls: 360 degrees around you was enemy territory, and the ability to work with American and [South Vietnamese] units on the ground really required aviation to be able to look eye to eye to tell the good guys from the bad guys. Loach-Cobra pairings were sent out more and more frequently, until their main role was to gather general intelligence rather than prepare landing zones. The "loach" was the LOH (Light Observation Helicopter) or OH-6A. Best Vietnam Helicopter Book - General Helicopter Forum - Vertical Loach helicopter hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER 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 Seasprite was an anti-submarine and anti-surface helicopter that had over-the-horizon targeting facilities. We were about ready to call in tactical air support to blow up the wrecked ship when another Cobra took a lot of fire. Served in Vietnam War during 1968 and 1970-1972 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. Hughes OH-6 Cayuse Light Observation Helicopter - MILITARY TODAY This was a Recon mission for Unarmed Recon 608th Transportation Company (Aircraft Direct Support): Mar 72 They were famous for being shot down or crashing in combat. Reportedly, Hughes had consulted at the last moment with Real, who recommended a bid of $53,550. 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. I liked it because in the Bronx, I was a ghetto kid. Though Cobra pilots were trained Stateside, most Loach pilots didnt take control of OH-6s until arriving in Vietnam. Hughes OH-6 Cayuse | Military Wiki | Fandom Table of Contents 1. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 Vietnam Helicopters Museum. Also: LNOF, 90119, JSIDR (Lindenmuth Old Format Data Base. Read the harrowing story of what happened on that tragic mission. 2 M134 7.62-mm 6x barrel, Gatling type twin MG pods 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. The Cayuse was publicly introduced in 1966 and set several records, including record for endurance, speed and rate of climb. 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 following two-week mission was to Yuma for night operation training. The OH-6 was developed in response to the United States Army issuing Technical Specification 153 in 1960 to replace its Bell H-13 Sioux fleet. External load capacity was approximately 1,200 Lbs (550 kg), and transport capability 2 or 3 troops or cargo internally. 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. Most of our engagements [we] were 25 to 50 feet [away] when we opened up on [the Viet Cong], Mills continues. 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! In 1961, twelve companies submitted proposals to meet U.S.Army requirements for a four-seat turbine-powered light observation helicopter (LOH). Adopted after. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. A saying among Army aviators was, If you have to crash, do it in a Loach.. Vietnam War helicopter pilots bring stories and aircraft to Kansas The helicopter was hit in the Left Side A rescue operation for the crew of a downed Loach helicopter doesn't quite go as planned and the rescuers become victims themselves. US Army Loach OH-6 Helicopter Vietnam War Era - YouTube The Bell UH-1B/C was modified from the UH-1A Cobra to include a set of machine guns for attacking ground targets. This teamwork was actively encouraged by Army officials, and led to the development of so-called "hunter-killer" tactics that sought to flush out and eliminate hostile ground targets. A rescue operation for the crew of a downed Loach helicopter doesn't quite go as planned and the rescuers become victims themselves. About Us | 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]. During the Vietnam War Era, different types of helicopters were crucial for providing support for ground forces, scouting locations, and deploying or retrieving soldiers. The OH-6A Cayuse was quite effective when teamed with the AH-1G Cobra attack helicopter as part of what were known as Pink Teams. We were combat trackers, says Mills. The Hughes (Model 500M) international military version was sold in ten countries and built under license in Italy and Japan. A recontoured nose allowed for greater leg and head room. It was used to look for and find the VC/NVA troops in Vietnam. While its light aluminum skin could be easily penetrated by small arms fire, it also crumpled and absorbed energy in a crash while the rugged structure protected key systems and its crew; even though the OH-6 was relatively difficult to shoot down, its occupants would often survive forced landings that would have likely been fatal onboard other rotorcraft. 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. Loach come from the LOH which means Light Observation Helicopter. Your email address will not be published. Troop C, 1st squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Oct 68 Jan 69 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. Date: 02/08/1969 Hughes bid $56,550 per airframe, while Bell bid $54,200. This simple design made maintenance easy, while the choppers 26-foot rotor made it much easier to maneuver in tight landing zones. This was a Combat incident. 2 MK19 40-mm grenade launcher Nate Shaffer and Bruce Campbell at their assigned positions. [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.