In 1960, the US Army issued Technical Specification 153 and established the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program. To this day I am closer to those guys I flew with in Vietnam than my own brothers, says Mills. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse is a single-engine light helicopter that was designed and produced by the American aerospace company Hughes Helicopters. The Bell Model 206 is a line of both single and twin-engined helicopters with two primary rotor blades. A shaft ran to the tail and powered the two-blade rotor at the back. The Bell OH-58 Kiowa was an entire line of military helicopters with a single engine and a single rotor. 2 .50 cal MG pods OH-6A/Cayuse: Developed initially by the Hughes Aircraft company (later McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company) in the mid-1960s for the US Army. The Loach helicopter was pitted against what was then known as the Bell Model 206. 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. 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. History. Shop | Hughes OH-6 Cayuse - Wikipedia 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 unrefueled range of the AH-6 is 250 nautical miles. Find Us on Facebook, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC). Jim was unconscious when I helped pull him out of the burning aircraft.. which many are taken will be available from our shop to In support of the Helicopter Flight Mechanics syllabus, the USNTPS operates surplus Army OH-6B Helicopters which were refurbished by the Army National Guard, Gulfport, Mississippi in 1991. One, nicknamed Queer John, hit the dirt at least seven times. 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. The Bell AH-1J was also used for various subsequent assaults and military operations conducted by the US Marine Corps. 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. So I engaged the enemy, but didnt make it out of that one. 2 Hellfire ATGM Cartas de Lee: La historia de un hombre de Vietnam por Larayne M. Topp Sensing its growing battlefield requirements, the US Army then raised the production ceiling to 1,300 units in all. Helicopter Pilots Who Died in the Vietnam War . The aircraft was diverted prior to accomplishing any mission objectives. While they were circling the wreckage, enemy rounds hit their ship. 608th Transportation Company (Aircraft Direct Support): Mar 72 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. 2 MK19 40-mm grenade launcher 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 Troop, 7th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Aug 70 Feb 72 All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. 2 Stinger AAM. Click on the hotlinks for more information. The Model 369 was submitted by Hughes, and competed against the two finalists, Fairchild-Hiller and Bell, for a production contract. 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. Another flight competition was held, this time without a submission from Fairchild Hiller. 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". By the end of the war, the Loachs replacement was imminent. 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. We got hit by incendiary .51-caliber rounds, and the phosphorus ignited the Cobras hydraulic fluid. 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. The Hughes 369 was redesignated the OH-6A "Cayuse" by the U.S. Army. The US Army subsequently reopened the LOH program to engineering companies, offering a new contract for 2,700 additional airframes. 2023 Smithsonian Magazine Hughes 500M: Military export version of OH-6 in mid-1970s with upgraded 278-shp Allison 250-C18 turboshaft engine, "V" tail. To hunt for encampments, bunkers, or other signs of the enemy, commanders would deploy a flight of one scouting Loach and one supporting Cobra, called Pink Teams. You had a couple of flights in the Huey, then you rode front seat in a Cobra, scout pilot Allan Krausz recounts. Ultimate Soldier Air Cavalry OH-6 "Loach" Helicopter 1/6 Scale While Hiller did not participate in the rebidding, Bell opted to, submitting their redesigned Model 206. Built by Hughes Tool Company, it was designed to be a scout helicopter during the Vietnam war. An author of aviation books, his latest is Howards Whirlybirds. 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. 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. Upon landing, an inspection revealed a damaged pitch link, a rotor head component so critical that had it failed, they too would have crashed. While in Vietnam, Loach helicopters operated as part of air mobile teams. 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. It was deemed, based on Hughes' estimates, his units would be most cost effective in the long run. 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. 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. A.J. Tough Mission LOACH Chopper Vietnam - YouTube 0:00 / 5:15 Intro Tough Mission LOACH Chopper Vietnam Chopperguy 15.4K subscribers Subscribe 1.1K 53K views 1 year ago We fly with Low Level. 79th Transportation Company: Jun 70 Jul 70 The Sea Stallion is a variant of the Jolly Green Giant, but its used only for sea transport. Even when this helicopter was shot down, it refused to crack. 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. I was used to getting up close and personal with the enemy.. Historical Snapshot: OH-6 Cayuse/Hughes 500 Helicopter 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. to voice a complaint about any articles or image on this website, please [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. The United States deployed all types of helicopter, ranging from massive troop transport choppers, to smaller multipurpose and attack helicopters, and even helicopter drones. Hughes developed the Model 369 as a prototype for the U.S. Army in the early 1960s. It was used prolifically because of its unique hovering abilities. Systems damaged were: COMM SYS, STRUCTURE, INSTRUMENTS, PERSONNEL You can have all the guns, vests, and radios you want, but you need street smarts or youre going to be dead within an hour.. The Gyrodyne company built the Gyrodyne QH-50 DASH (Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter) to combat submarines from a distance. 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. Your email address will not be published. The OH-6/Model 369 was also license-produced overseas by the Japanese aerospace company Kawasaki Heavy Industries for both military and civilian operators. The Mil Mi-1 was a Soviet-made light utility chopper with three or four seats. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER Her research focused on Victorian, medical, and epidemiological history with a focus on childhood diseases. The AH-6 Little Bird Gun, a light attack helicopter, has been tested and proven in combat. 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. We flew down along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, he says of the supply route that wound through Vietnam and neighboring Laos and Cambodia. His three tours to Vietnam included death-defying scouting missions piloting his Hughes OH-6 light observation helicopter (or Loach) as well as gunship runs inside his AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter.. Cozzalio was also involved in nine aircraft mishaps; he was shot down six times and suffered three hard landings. The Piasecki H-21 Workhorse was the fourth line of tandem rotor helicopters developed by Piasecki Helicopters. Hunter-killer team - Wikipedia While in Vietnam, Loach helicopters operated as part of air mobile teams. [12] Accordingly, during 1968, Hughes submitted a bid to build a further 2,700 airframes. This helicopter was UNK Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods. Ace Cozzalio was among the most colorful characters of the Vietnam War. [2] Originally designated as the YHO-6A according to the Army's designation system, the aircraft was redesignated as the YOH-6A in 1962 when the Department of Defense created a joint designation system for all aircraft. 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. The killer role persists. Privacy Statement We thought they were ARVNs [Army of the Republic of Vietnam] until they started running. If the OH-6 came under fire, the nearby Cobra would then strike at the revealed enemy. Despite having been designed for anti-submarine combat, the Gyrodyne QH-50 was mostly used for conducting reconnaissance of enemy vessels in the Vietnam war, instead of actual combat. OH-58 "Kiowa" light observation / scout platform. Can a Helicopter Fly to the Top of Mount Everest. Scout crews argued that the Kiowa was nowhere near as nimble as the Cayuse, but scouting flights were changing. While the already-produced OH-6 Cayuses were being deployed to Vietnam in 1967, production costs were beginning to rise. 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". Vietnam following a morning mission with the 11th Special Forces (SF) at Long Than North, South Vietnam. These would be used to replace its fleet of Bell H-13 Sioux, a compact first generation rotorcraft. 13456, "History of Rotorcraft World Records, List of records established by the 'YOH-6A'. In this theatre, it was commonly operated in teams with other rotorcraft, such as the Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter, using so-called "hunter-killer" tactics to flush out and eliminate hostile ground targets; the OH-6 would act as bait to draw enemy fire and mark targets for other platforms such as the AH-1 to attack. It could accomplish missions that bigger, slower and louder helicopters couldnt do. MD-530MG/Defender: Has a mast-mounted sight, and incorporated upgrades of all previous variants. After around 10 hours at the controls of a Loach, the pilots were deemed worthy of flying in combat. 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. The architects of the task force identified the need for a small helicopter to land in the most restrictive locations and that was also easily transported on Air Force transport aircraft. Terms of Use Despite Being Prone to Crashing, the Loach Helicopter Was Favored By The OH-6A Loach (for "LOH") would find targets by flying low, "trolling for fire", then marking the target with colored smoke to lead in a Cobra, or Snake, to attack. Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program, The US Air Force Panicked When Its Top-Secret Stealth Fighter Crashed Into the California Wilderness. It was powered by a 285-hp engine but the helicopter weighed less than a Volkswagen. [2] Twelve companies opted to participate in the competition, Hughes Tool Company's Aircraft Division being one of them, submitted the Model 369 as its response. Due to its unique shape, the Loach was given the nickname . 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 observers and gunners had even less experience. City of Walnut Creek Special Recreation Museum Tour October 26, 2019, United Airlines Family Day Fly-in October 13, 2019, Napa County Airport Day September 7, 2019, Virginia Rose II Cobra transferred to Vietnam Helicopters Museum August 14, 2019, Memorial Day 2019 Ceremonies at Oak Hill Memorial Park & Cemetery. The Cayuse was Hughes' longest-running helicopter program and, during the Vietnam War, as many as 100 OH-6As were built a month. 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. Multi-Mission Helicopters 6. We got into another aircraft and went back out. It is 1/6th scale and very large, has to be at least 3 feet from rotor tip to rotor tip. In some areas, Purple Teamsone Loach and two Cobraswere also common, as were other variations.) 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. It was used for transporting personnel, escorting other aircraft and naval vessels, attacking enemy units, and acting as an observation post. 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. Late in the war, the HH-43 was also deployed for short overland search and rescue missions. Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. 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. But the Army decided that it would be more prudent to keep the unit in order to be prepared for future contingencies. [22] The remaining H-13s were promptly withdrawn in favour of the OH-6s. Observation Helicopters 4. The Model 369 had a distinctive teardrop-shaped fuselage that had strong crashworthiness properties and provided excellent external visibility. All Rights Reserved. Fitted with 1x 253-shp Allison T63-A-5A turboshaft, 4 bladed main rotor, and an offset "V" tail. The Cayuse could absorb an extensive amount of small arms fire and still bring the crew home safely. ", FAI Record ID #11656 Absolute Rotorcraft World Record, Distance over a closed circuit without landing, FAI Record ID #11655 Absolute Rotorcraft World Record, Distance without landing, Obituary: Robert G. Ferry; Air Force veteran was record-setting test pilot, "In Vietnam, These Helicopter Scouts Saw Combat Up Close", "Jane's Aircraft Upgrades, MD Helicopters (Hughes) Model 500 (Military Versions)", "Dominican Republic Air Force Unit History", "Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force OH-6J", "Breda Nardi Hughes NH.500M in Armed Forces of Malta service", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hughes_OH-6_Cayuse&oldid=1133333304, This page was last edited on 13 January 2023, at 07:46. Systems damaged were: FUEL SYS A.J. This simple design made maintenance easy, while the choppers 26-foot rotor made it much easier to maneuver in tight landing zones. Other Army pilots, most of whom flew Cobras or Hueys, thought of Loach pilots as a little offbeat. Warrant officer John Shafer was 21 when he arrived on October 16, 1970, to fly Loaches. 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. Army units this aircraft deployed with in Vietnam: Troop B, 1st squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Aug '68 - Oct '70. [3], On 27 February 1963, the first Model 369 prototype performed its maiden flight. He shares memories of his service and reflects on what the war meant to him then and what it means to him now. Terms and Conditions, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC) 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. The Gyrodyne QH-50 was mostly designed to be used on ships that werent large enough to carry a full-sized helicopter. We were combat trackers, says Mills. Joint Services Incident Damage Report. 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. 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. OH-6A Cayuse / AH-6J Little Bird - Military Aircraft 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. The Army purchased this helicopter 0968 The following two-week mission was to Yuma for night operation training. Unfortunately, the weight of the armament kept the little bird from taking off. During the testing phase, it became clear the Bell prototype was underpowered, so it was dropped. 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. This. Underneath, a fixed twin-skid undercarriage was supported at two separate points. Queer John was famous not just for crashing, but for keeping the crew safe while it did so. Due to its designation LOH (Light Observation Helicopter), pilots and crew nicknamed this helicopter LOACH. Light Observation Helicopter - Wikipedia As a separate part of the project, armed OH-6As were being developed at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Stanley Hiller complained to the U.S. Army that Hughes had used unethical procedures; therefore, the Army opened the contract for rebidding by all parties. In air mobile teams, a pilot would fly low while an observer would scan the ground for signs of the enemy force. This was a Recon mission for Unarmed Recon When the training was completed, C-141 Starlifter airlifters transported both rotorcraft and crews to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, for two weeks of mission training. The Huey descended gingerly into a clearing smaller than its main rotor diameter, the aircrafts rotor blades chopping tree limbs as it descended. Crews trained side by side with the 160th for all operational concepts. 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. 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). Its first overseas deployment, as well as into frontline combat, was the Vietnam War. 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. 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 In August 1967, the AH-1G Cobra arrived in Vietnam. Information on U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A tail number 67-16304 External load capacity was approximately 1,200 Lbs (550 kg), and transport capability 2 or 3 troops or cargo internally. The helicopter was hit in the Cockpit The small "egg-shaped" design and simplified rotorhead incorporated four rotor blades of constant chord, made of bonded light alloy. It was mostly used as a transport chopper, but it could also deliver supplies to troops. The first Loach arrived in Vietnam in 1966, and a total of 1,434 of the primary . When the opposing forces exposed themselves, the crew would call upon an accompanying Bell AH-1 Cobra to attack.
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