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.
Cartas de Lee: La historia de un hombre de Vietnam por Larayne M. Topp They underwent two weeks of qualification training and an additional two weeks of mission training. Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. Queer John was famous not just for crashing, but for keeping the crew safe while it did so. A Troop, 7th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Aug 70 Feb 72 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. Furthermore, a number of civilian customers also flew Kawasaki-built OH-6s for a variety of missions, including emergency medical services (EMS), law enforcement, and agricultural work. Modifications were also made to the rotor assembly by way of a five blade main rotor which increased stability. Upon encountering enemy fire, Loaches were to leave immediately, dropping smoke grenades to mark the target so that within seconds, the Cobra could roll in. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. While Loachs were vulnerable to enemy fire, they were famous for surviving crashes like John did. Casualties = 01 WIA . It was nicknamed the Jolly Green Giant during the war. The aircraft was diverted prior to accomplishing any mission objectives. [12] Following a competitive fly-off, the Army requested the manufacturers to submit sealed bids. 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. Served in Vietnam War during 1968 through 1970. History. Overtop of the fuselage was the OH-6s single engine, attached to a four-blade main rotor assembly. 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. In contrast, of the nearly 1,100 Cobras delivered to the Army, 300 were lost. 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). If you would like Hughes 500M: Military export version of OH-6 in mid-1970s with upgraded 278-shp Allison 250-C18 turboshaft engine, "V" tail. The light observation helicopter OH-6 Cayuse, or Loach (based on the LOH acronym), was a Vietnam-era helicopter designed with speed and maneuverability in mind. Her research focused on Victorian, medical, and epidemiological history with a focus on childhood diseases. For other AH-6 and MH-6 variants, see MH-6 Little Bird and Boeing AH-6. Your Privacy Rights 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. The Marine Corp used it for the sea-based interdiction of the Ho Chi Minh Trail in 1972. [12] Accordingly, during 1968, Hughes submitted a bid to build a further 2,700 airframes. One, nicknamed Queer John, hit the dirt at least seven times. 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. 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. The Little Birds weaponry is a far cry from the M60 machine gun carried aboard a Loach in Vietnam: AH-6s can carry miniguns, rocket pods, grenade launchers, Hellfire missiles, and air-to-air Stinger missiles. 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. 60th Assault Helicopter Company: Mar 72 Jun 72, Information on U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A tail number 67-16304 Home | Reportedly, Hughes had consulted at the last moment with Real, who recommended a bid of $53,550. Provision for packaged armament on port side, including an XM-27 7.62mm (0.300in) machine-gun with 2,000 - 4,000 rounds of ammunition; or an XM-75 grenade launcher, Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and Task Force 160, List of military aircraft of the United States, Hearings on military posture and H.R. When the Loach debuted in 1966, it broke records for speed, endurance, and rate of climb, all important attributes for a scout helicopter. The OH-6D was an improved version with more advanced electronics and heavier armament. Cobras rolled in and blew the downed aircraft uptaking with it about 15 bad guys standing around it.. The Mil Mi-4 was a Soviet transport chopper used both for civilian and military purposes. 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. Nate Shaffer has restored a Hughes OH-6A Cayuse helicopter. In air mobile teams, a pilot would fly low while an observer would scan the ground for signs of the enemy force. Armed with guns, Hellfire missiles, and 2.75-inch FFAR, it provides armed helicopter support to both ground and air special operations. In 1965, the concept of helicopter-borne fighting forces was still new and largely untested, and units in Vietnam invented tactics on the spot. [22] All American rotorcraft in the theatre had to be operated more cautiously following this development. The Bell Model 206 is a line of both single and twin-engined helicopters with two primary rotor blades. I have come home with blood on my windshield. The OH-6 Cayuse, by this point known as the Loach helicopter, made its way to Vietnam in December 1967. 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. Cobra Gunship, Huey and Loach OH-6 Members of C Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry dedicated an OH-6 Loach Scout helicopter flown by their unit during the Vietnam War 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. 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 following two-week mission was to Yuma for night operation training. 608th Transportation Company (Aircraft Direct Support): Mar 72 Unfortunately, the weight of the armament kept the little bird from taking off.
Hunter-killer team - Wikipedia Heavy Attack Helicopters 2. Scout crews argued that the Kiowa was nowhere near as nimble as the Cayuse, but scouting flights were changing. The Vietnam War saw the extensive use of helicopters, though were mostly by the United States military.
It was used for transporting personnel, escorting other aircraft and naval vessels, attacking enemy units, and acting as an observation post. They were famous for being shot down or crashing in combat.
Total flight hours at this point: 00000496 Initially fielded in Vietnam in early 1968, the Hughes OH-6A was used for command and control, observation, target acquisition, and reconnaissance. Possible mast-mounted sight. The OH-6 Cayuse was built with a rugged structure covered in light aluminum. Boucher quickly discovered that life as a qualified crewman was extremely dangerous. [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. If the OH-6 came under fire, the nearby Cobra would then strike at the revealed enemy. A recontoured nose allowed for greater leg and head room. In January 1968 PFC Richard Toops went on to Infantry OCS at Ft. Benning, Ga. graduating in September 1968.
Hughes OH-6 Cayuse | Military Wiki | Fandom 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. The Army dictated that after 300 hours of flight time, each Loach go through a thorough inspection, but in practice such inspections were rare: Few Loaches survived to reach that mark. Privacy Statement This was a Combat incident. They could also use grenades and on occasion even homebuilt explosives; more aggressive units mounted forward-firing miniguns. During the testing phase, it became clear the Bell prototype was underpowered, so it was dropped. 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. We got into another aircraft and went back out. It can cruise at speeds of 150 mph. The United States deployed all types of helicopter, ranging from massive troop transport choppers, to smaller multipurpose and attack helicopters, and even helicopter drones. [5] Accordingly, the bidding for the LOH contract came down to Fairchild-Hiller and Hughes. It can cruise at speeds of 150 mph. It was deemed, based on Hughes' estimates, his units would be most cost effective in the long run. Cookie Policy Its like a street cop going into a bad neighborhood. The Sea Knight is a medium left-tandem rotor helicopter used for transport. While Hiller did not participate in the rebidding, Bell opted to, submitting their redesigned Model 206. While in Target Area this helicopter was Attacking at 0060 feet and 010 knots. Loach come from the LOH which means Light Observation Helicopter. I still have scars on my legsit was terrifying. Pilot sold separately. article/image or apply full credit information. This helicopter was UNK Upon landing, an inspection revealed a damaged pitch link, a rotor head component so critical that had it failed, they too would have crashed. Operation Honey Badger was canceled after the hostages were released on 20 January 1981, and for a short while, it looked as if the task force would be disbanded and the personnel returned to their former units. Worthy, the OH-6 Loach and two other air scout helicopter pilots, all decorated, were in Topeka on Saturday night for an event at Forbes Field Airport designed to increase interest and. 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. 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. On the night of 5-6 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. 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. 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. The LOH program opened the floor to several companies to come up with their own designs. Front left side view of the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse helicopter; color, Right side view of the Hughes OH-6 Loach in flight; color.
How a Vietnam War Helicopter Pilot Captured a POW With His Civil War The UH-1B/C was used sparingly during the Vietnam War. (Scouts were known as White Teams and Cobras as Red; the two colors combine to become pink. Anthony comes from a military family and has served his country proudly in the military as a pilot. 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. Instead of disbanding Task Force 158, the military opted to turn it into the 160th Aviation Battalion. Up against Fairchild Hiller, Hughes Tool Company purposely undervalued its cost estimates, earning the company favor and the contract.
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). Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program, The US Air Force Panicked When Its Top-Secret Stealth Fighter Crashed Into the California Wilderness. Nate Shaffer and Bruce Campbell at their assigned positions. The Sikorsky S-61R is a twin-engine transport and search helicopter. The SeaCobra was a twin-engine attack helicopter that was developed from the single-engine AH-1 Cobra helicopter. The Sea Stallion is a line of heavy-lift transport helicopters. [3], On 27 February 1963, the first Model 369 prototype performed its maiden flight.