You had a couple of flights in the Huey, then you rode front seat in a Cobra, scout pilot Allan Krausz recounts. On 27 February 1963, the first prototype conducted its maiden flight. The Loach helicopters used to transport personnel were given the designation MH-6, while the armed ones were dubbed the AH-6. During the testing phase, it became clear the Bell prototype was underpowered, so it was dropped. Cobras rolled in and blew the downed aircraft uptaking with it about 15 bad guys standing around it.. I still have scars on my legsit was terrifying. For this, a small rotorcraft capable of landing in restrictive locations and easily transportable via US Air Force transport aircraft was necessary. These rotorcraft were operated by several different organisations, the majority of which were based in Japan. . Troop C, 1st squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Oct 68 Jan 69 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. Improved versions were issued through the war and included pockets on the chest and back in which large additional plates could be inserted. 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. Development included test and training flights in Culver City, California (Hughes Airport) and at Area 51 in 1971. On 1 October 1986, to help meet the increasing demands for support, the 1-245th Aviation Battalion from the Oklahoma National Guard, which had 25 AH-6 and 23 UH-1 helicopters, was placed under the operational control of the 160th. RMF3TG12 - Warren Motts, who started the Motts Military Museum, walks with a small child, past helicopters that where used in the Vietnam War. The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is a tandem rotor chopper that was developed by Vetrol and built by Boeing Vertol. To counter the US, the Vietnamese employed their helicopter fleets of mostly Soviet-made aircraft. Also: LNOF, 90119, JSIDR (Lindenmuth Old Format Data Base. 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. The Army purchased this helicopter 0968 The Model 369 had a distinctive teardrop-shaped fuselage that had strong crashworthiness properties and provided excellent external visibility. Although many were still teenagers, their survival depended on well-honed instincts and razor-sharp reflexes, along with plenty of luck. The Mil Mi-4 was a Soviet transport chopper used both for civilian and military purposes. Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program, The US Air Force Panicked When Its Top-Secret Stealth Fighter Crashed Into the California Wilderness. For other AH-6 and MH-6 variants, see MH-6 Little Bird and Boeing AH-6. Book A Flight | The Bell AH-1J was also used for various subsequent assaults and military operations conducted by the US Marine Corps. For most of the war, there was no formal Army training to prepare scout pilots and observers. 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. 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. I had another lead that went through 150 feet of trees, and they survived., Shafer himself had brushes with disaster, and his luck nearly ran out on a mission west of Dak To, near the border with Laos. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. 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. OH-6A Cayuse ('Loach') The OH-6A "Cayuse" is a small tactical helicopter flown by units of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment [SOAR]. 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. This was a Recon mission for Unarmed Recon 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. EH-6B, a previous version of the Little Bird, was used for command, control and radio relay. Your Privacy Rights [22] All American rotorcraft in the theatre had to be operated more cautiously following this development. [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. 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. Information on U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A tail number 67-16304 The Hughes (Model 500M) international military version was sold in ten countries and built under license in Italy and Japan. We got into another aircraft and went back out. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 Vietnam Helicopters Museum. This. In her spare time, Samantha enjoys reading, knitting, and hanging out with her dog, Chowder! 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. Adopted after. Both Loach and Cobra have been in production, on and off, in one form or another ever since. The "loach" was the LOH (Light Observation Helicopter) or OH-6A. They were employed in hunter-killer tactics, wherein they flew low over the jungle as bait to draw enemy fire. Two (2) Crew: one Pilot, one Observer/Doorgunner. It was deemed, based on Hughes' estimates, his units would be most cost effective in the long run. The Cayuse was publicly introduced in 1966 and set several records, including record for endurance, speed and rate of climb. The UH-1B/C was used sparingly during the Vietnam War. An author of aviation books, his latest is Howards Whirlybirds. This was a Recon mission for Unarmed Recon But the Vietnam War was unlike any previous American conflict; there were few real definable frontlines, and combatants needed to know what was happening all around them, all the time. 605th transportation Company (Direct Support): Nov . Even when this helicopter was shot down, it refused to crack. The OH-6 Cayuse, by this point known as the Loach helicopter, made its way to Vietnam in December 1967. We were about ready to call in tactical air support to blow up the wrecked ship when another Cobra took a lot of fire. Find Us on Facebook, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC). Another such gunner was 19-year-old Joel Boucher, drafted and sent to Vietnam from 1967 to 1969. Each time we went out, we got shot at. Date: 02/08/1969 Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods. 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 campaign included the first major use in the war of Soviet-built, shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles. 2 Hellfire ATGM External load capacity was approximately 1,200 Lbs (550 kg), and transport capability 2 or 3 troops or cargo internally. I was flying wing and just dropped into the AO [Area of Operations]. 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). The Sea Knight is a medium left-tandem rotor helicopter used for transport. When the opposing forces exposed themselves, the crew would call upon an accompanying Bell AH-1 Cobra to attack. Reportedly, 964 out of the 1,422 OH-6As produced for the U.S. Army were destroyed in Vietnam alone. I liked it because in the Bronx, I was a ghetto kid. Lt. Col. Her research focused on Victorian, medical, and epidemiological history with a focus on childhood diseases. The hunter-killer tactic worked well for a few years, but by the time the United States left Vietnam, it was obsolete, says Mills. While they were circling the wreckage, enemy rounds hit their ship. Instead of disbanding Task Force 158, the military opted to turn it into the 160th Aviation Battalion. | The following text is exclusive to this site. By Richard Toops. While successful in this respect, the Loach helicopter also had a reputation for being easily gunned down. 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. The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. The Loach's main role was reconnaisance and observation. It was also the right size to fit the necessary avionics and fuel stores, all while keeping the structure nimble and agile. This eventually gave way to the loach nickname, and was intended to provide the US military with a light-class, rotary-wing craft that could fulfill a number of purposes: search and rescue, close air support, MEDEVAC, observation, transport, reconnaissance and attack roles. 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. 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! 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. Its like a street cop going into a bad neighborhood. We got hit by incendiary .51-caliber rounds, and the phosphorus ignited the Cobras hydraulic fluid. It was used prolifically because of its unique hovering abilities. Hughes Model OH-6A "Cayuse" or "LOACH". [10][self-published source][11], Due to price escalations for both the OH-6 and spare components, the U.S. Army opted to reopen bids for the programme in 1967. The AH-6 Little Bird Gun, a light attack helicopter, has been tested and proven in combat. This chopper is mostly known for having been used to spot enemy artillery. On the night of 56 December 1972, the remaining helicopter deployed a wiretap near Vinh, Vietnam; useful information provided from this wiretap was acted on by the United States on several occasions, such as during the Linebacker II campaign and Paris Peace Talks. It later turned out that Howard Hughes purposely undervalued his estimate and deceptively won out against Fairchild-Hiller - his reasoning being that a long-term US Army commitment to his helicopter would, over time, make the deal profitable at some point. The back plate was often not used owing to the weight, and even the chest plate was deleted. On a few occasions, the OH-23 was also used for medical evacuation purposes, but this was rarely the case. The shelf life of a scout pilot was probably six months. Hughes is reported to have told his confidant, Jack Real, that he lost over $100 million to construct 1,370 airframes. Army units this aircraft deployed with in Vietnam: The Chickasaw was a multi-purpose helicopter designed for both the US Army and Air Force. Kiowas, largely relegated to low-threat cargo and liaison missions in Vietnam, were after the war tasked to spot targets from afar and guide Cobras (and later, Boeing AH-64 Apaches) to good firing spots. The Mil Mi-8 is a Soviet medium twin-turbine helicopter. The Army purchased this helicopter 0968 It was the same for Jim. Vietnam War Era Hughes OH-6 Loach Helicopter 60,632 views Mar 30, 2013 327 Dislike Share Save Steve1958OR 221 subscribers A friend came by with his restored US Army Loach OH-6 helicopter. In the end, Hughes lost its contract to Bell, who was deemed to have the superior design. In August 1967, the AH-1G Cobra arrived in Vietnam. (He later transferred to the Air Force and flew F-4 Phantoms, and eventually became an airline captain.) 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. 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 Piasecki H-21 Workhorse was the fourth line of tandem rotor helicopters developed by Piasecki Helicopters. The observers and gunners had even less experience. 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. 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. 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. The task force, which had been designated as Task Force 158, was soon formed into the 160th Aviation Battalion. Pilots called this helicopter as the Loach. Home | [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. 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. which many are taken will be available from our shop to Since 1968 this helicopter saw combat in Vietnam. All Rights Reserved. Despite Being Prone to Crashing, the Loach Helicopter Was Favored By Pilots In Vietnam The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse was a revolutionary rotorcraft operated during the Vietnam War. FAQ | Pilot sold separately. This helicopter was UNK The OH-6 was also exported as the Model 500 Defender. [22] The remaining H-13s were promptly withdrawn in favour of the OH-6s. In 1966 it entered military service with the US Army. 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. Cookie Policy As of 2021, these records still stand. 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-21C was extensively used by the US Army to transport troops and supplies. It never flew again. 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. Despite its strong offensive abilities, the SH-2 Seasprite was mostly used for rescuing downed friendly aircrews instead of direct combat. Armed with guns, Hellfire missiles, and 2.75-inch FFAR, it provides armed helicopter support to both ground and air special operations. [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 port (left) side mounting M134 six-barrel 7.62mm minigun or a 40mm grenade launcher on the XM8 armament subsystem. The helicopter Continued Flight. Here are the 24 helicopters used in Vietnam. The Sikorsky S-61R is a twin-engine transport and search helicopter. 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. Your email address will not be published. The Loach could be terrifying since it was often used with the AH-1 Cobra in hunter-killer missions, where the Loach would go out and find the enemy positions and the Cobra would go in for the kill with rocket, grenade, and minigun fire. 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". Several Kawasaki-built Loach helicopters were also flown by civilian customers for a variety of reasons, including emergency medical services, law enforcement tasks and for work in the agricultural sector. 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. You were killed, shot down, or got scared and quit. 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. With US Army evaluations of each prototype ongoing, the underpowered Bell offering was formally dropped from contention and the US Army decision favored the Hughes design over the Fairchild-Hiller.
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