loach helicopter vietnam

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. On a few occasions, the OH-23 was also used for medical evacuation purposes, but this was rarely the case. 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. External load capacity was approximately 1,200 Lbs (550 kg), and transport capability 2 or 3 troops or cargo internally. Vietnam Veteran and his Helicopter Reunited. The Cayuse (white) was used alongside the AH-1 Cobra (red) attack helicopters, forming (pink) hunter killer teams. In the event of a crash the tailboom and engine separate from the egg-like . Helicopter took 2 hits from: In January 1968 PFC Richard Toops went on to Infantry OCS at Ft. Benning, Ga. graduating in September 1968. In the hunter-killer teams, the Loach would fly low over the jungle, drawing fire and then calling for the Cobra to kill the teams on the ground. 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. Table of Contents 1. Adopted after. 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. 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. History. [22], It became common for OH-6s to operate in teams with other rotorcraft, particularly the Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter. We were combat trackers, says Mills. It was the same for Jim. 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. Vietnam Helicopters Museum - OH-6A "Cayuse" Helicopter s/n 66-07841 [5] Accordingly, the bidding for the LOH contract came down to Fairchild-Hiller and Hughes. Kane and Casher were pulled aboard and returned to Khe Sanh, but the Huey barely made it back; slicing trees had left its blades shredded, and the tail section had almost separated. Another flight competition was held, this time without a submission from Fairchild Hiller. Army units this aircraft deployed with in Vietnam: Troop B, 1st squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Aug '68 - Oct '70. Some units were modified during the war with machine guns to act as gunships. The Piasecki H-21 Workhorse was the fourth line of tandem rotor helicopters developed by Piasecki Helicopters. 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. These hunter-killer missions, among the most hazardous of the Vietnam War, tested the resolve of the OH-6 pilots and the aerial observers sitting beside them. Both the Pilot and Observer/Gunner positions were equipped with carbon fiber side panels and seats. Vietnam Helicopters Museum - OH-6A "Cayuse" Helicopter s/n 67-16304 The Cayuse was publicly introduced in 1966 and set several records, including record for endurance, speed and rate of climb. The CH-34 Choctaw was developed by Sikorsky Aircraft for transport purposes to carry personnel and deliver supplies. The Bell UH-1 Huey & the Hughes OH-6 Loach For most of the war, there was no formal Army training to prepare scout pilots and observers. Fitted with 1x 253-shp Allison T63-A-5A turboshaft, 4 bladed main rotor, and an offset "V" tail. Graphics are very well done, the whole model is very well done. OH-6A Cayuse ('Loach') The OH-6A "Cayuse" is a small tactical helicopter flown by units of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment [SOAR]. 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. 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. Typically missions were flown during the daylight, starting at dawn; common roles included the clearance of landing zones and general intelligence/observation flights. The killer role persists. 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. [12] Following a competitive fly-off, the Army requested the manufacturers to submit sealed bids. Nate Shaffer and Bruce Campbell at their assigned positions. 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. Contact | Trademarks and copyright information is respected. The campaign included the first major use in the war of Soviet-built, shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles. Scout crews argued that the Kiowa was nowhere near as nimble as the Cayuse, but scouting flights were changing. 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 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. [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. It was used for transporting personnel, escorting other aircraft and naval vessels, attacking enemy units, and acting as an observation post. loach | My Vietnam Experience The Cayuse was organic to division, brigade, and battalion size units. The Bell UH-1B/C was modified from the UH-1A Cobra to include a set of machine guns for attacking ground targets. 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 high-low hunter-killer combination gave way to uniform-altitude missions, with all helicopters flying nap of the earth. 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. OH-58 "Kiowa" light observation / scout platform. 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. It can cruise at speeds of 150 mph. s/n 67-16304 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. However, the U.S. Army subsequently chose to include Hughes's Model 369 for further consideration as well. US Army Loach OH-6 Helicopter Vietnam War Era - YouTube Shop | We flew down along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, he says of the supply route that wound through Vietnam and neighboring Laos and Cambodia. 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. Kanes commanding officer flew his command-and-control Huey to the ravine where Kane and Casher huddled. Onboard UH1 Huey helicopter (SN 66-163-56) was Aircraft Commander, WO William H. Seaborn Jr., myself as . You had a couple of flights in the Huey, then you rode front seat in a Cobra, scout pilot Allan Krausz recounts. 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. Joint Services Incident Damage Report. Despite Being Prone to Crashing, the Loach Helicopter Was Favored By 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. 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 Marine Corp used it for the sea-based interdiction of the Ho Chi Minh Trail in 1972. 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. "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. I got shot down on my 22nd birthday, March 27, 1971. Queer John was famous not just for crashing, but for keeping the crew safe while it did so. to voice a complaint about any articles or image on this website, please 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. The OH-6A replaced the Korean era OH-13 Sioux and OH-23 Raven light observation helicopters. This was a Recon mission for Unarmed Recon Despite its strong offensive abilities, the SH-2 Seasprite was mostly used for rescuing downed friendly aircrews instead of direct combat. Disclaimer Photographs This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER Books/Magazines 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. FAQ | Systems damaged were: FUEL SYS 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. I followed footsteps. 2 .50 cal MG pods As a separate part of the project, armed OH-6As were being developed at Fort Rucker, Alabama. MD-500E/MD-500MG/Defender II: Had a more elongated nose for streamlining, and an optional 4x blade tail rotor for reduced acoustic signatures. Infantrymen would also launch an assault from the ground. It was used prolifically because of its unique hovering abilities. 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. The Army officially adopted the Bell OH-58 Kiowa in 1969. In some areas, Purple Teamsone Loach and two Cobraswere also common, as were other variations.) 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. Date: 03/25/1970 The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse is a light helicopter with a single engine and a four-bladed main rotor. RMF3TG12 - Warren Motts, who started the Motts Military Museum, walks with a small child, past helicopters that where used in the Vietnam War. Systems damaged were: COMM SYS, STRUCTURE, INSTRUMENTS, PERSONNEL It never flew again. Primarily, it was used by the Marine Corp to transport personnel and cargo. However, the choppers frame ensured the crewmen within remained safe. The helicopter made a Forced Landing. 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. Moore served as an Army OH-6A Loach scout in IV Corps, South Vietnam, 1968-1969: Fort Apache, Vihn Long Province. Reportedly, Hughes had consulted at the last moment with Real, who recommended a bid of $53,550. Hughes developed the Model 369 as a prototype for the U.S. Army in the early 1960s. The Bell H-13 Sioux was developed as a light-weight single-engine and single-rotor helicopter. Historical Snapshot: OH-6 Cayuse/Hughes 500 Helicopter 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. Helicopter Pilots Who Died in the Vietnam War . Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (Loach) - Military Factory When Chuck Gross left for Vietnam in 1970, he was a nineteen-year-old army helicopter pilot fresh out of flight school. Donald Porter served in Vietnam with the helicopters he writes about. Your email address will not be published. Anthony comes from a military family and has served his country proudly in the military as a pilot. The aircraft was diverted prior to accomplishing any mission objectives. [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. 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. In response, a task force was developed originally designated Task Force 158 for the next attempt to rescue the hostages, Operation Honey Badger. The first Loach arrived in Vietnam in 1966, and a total of 1,434 of the primary . The Aircraft Division of Hughes Tool Company came up with the Model 369, which became one of three finalists, alongside designs from Bell Helicopter Company and Fairchild Hiller. Light Attack Helicopters 3. 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.. [8][9] It was reported that Howard Hughes had directed his company to submit a bid at a price beneath the actual production cost of the helicopter in order to secure this order. We thought they were ARVNs [Army of the Republic of Vietnam] until they started running. [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. 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. South Vietnam 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. As of 2021, these records still stand. It was nicknamed the Jolly Green Giant during the war. The-21C was extensively used by the US Army to transport troops and supplies. The Sikorsky S-61R is a twin-engine transport and search helicopter. 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. In the Vietnam War, these choppers were used to recover downed aircraft. The Light Observation Helicopter ( LOH) program was a United States Army program to evaluate, develop and field a light scout helicopter to replace the Army's aging Bell OH-13 Sioux. The OH-6D was an improved version with more advanced electronics and heavier armament. Boucher quickly discovered that life as a qualified crewman was extremely dangerous. The OH-6A would find targets by flying low, trolling for fire, and lead in a Cobra, or Snake, to attack. A saying among Army aviators was, If you have to crash, do it in a Loach.. Following the Second World War, significant advancements were made in the field of rotary-wing flight. The shelf life of a scout pilot was probably six months. 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. Loach crews regularly walked away from crashes that would doom others. Donald Porter September 2017 Pilot Clyde. 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. 60th Assault Helicopter Company: Mar 72 Jun 72, Information on U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A tail number 67-16304 Can include a combination of the following across two fuselage wingstubs (though some weapons operated from cabin doors): (Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above), Hardpoint Mountings: 2 (if wingstub equipped). The LOH program opened the floor to several companies to come up with their own designs. The Hughes 369 was redesignated the OH-6A "Cayuse" by the U.S. Army. A total of five prototypes were built, all of which were powered by a single Allison T63-A-5A turboshaft engine, capable of producing 252shp (188kW). Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program, The US Air Force Panicked When Its Top-Secret Stealth Fighter Crashed Into the California Wilderness. This chopper is mostly known for having been used to spot enemy artillery. In order to reduce their acoustic signature, the helicopters (N351X and N352X) received a four-blade 'scissors' style tail rotor (later incorporated into the Hughes-designed AH-64 Apache), a fifth rotor blade and reshaped rotor tips, a modified exhaust system, and various other performance boosting modifications. On top of this, Fairchild Hiller lodged a formal complaint over Hughes Tool Companys deceitful tactics to earn the original contract. 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. Hughes bid $56,550 per airframe, while Bell bid $54,200. Warrant officer John Shafer was 21 when he arrived on October 16, 1970, to fly Loaches. Search and Rescue Helicopters 5. The Huey descended gingerly into a clearing smaller than its main rotor diameter, the aircrafts rotor blades chopping tree limbs as it descended. From the rear cockpit, the pilot fired rockets from launchers fixed to the stub wings on either side; the copilot in the front operated a chin turret that held a minigun and grenade launcher. Aircraft took off, fully flight capable. Terms and Conditions, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC) Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. 10 Types of Helicopters in Vietnam (Vietnam Era Helicopters) - Aero Corner Development included test and training flights in Culver City, California (Hughes Airport) and at Area 51 in 1971. 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. Fortunate son intensifies : r/memes - reddit So I engaged the enemy, but didnt make it out of that one. The Mil Mi-8 is a Soviet medium twin-turbine helicopter. The "OH-6C" was the creation of the Maintenance Section of The Real Cav, B Troop 7/17th Air Cavalry Squadron, which was stationed near Pleiku in early 1972. 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. Required fields are marked *. 29 of the best politically incorrect Vietnam War slang terms Hughes Tool Company, Aircraft Division - USA, (View other Aviaton-Related Manufacturers), Dominican Republic; Denmark; Japan; Spain; Taiwan; United States, (OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable), Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scout, X-Plane (Developmental, Prototype, Technology Demonstrator), (Showcased structural values pertain to the base Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (Loach) production variant), RANGES (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hi-Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: >19030, (Showcased performance specifications pertain to the. 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. 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). Pilots called this helicopter as the Loach. ", 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. The AH-1J SeaCobra was used later in the later stages of the Vietnam war. The OH-6 was also exported as the Model 500 Defender. Unfortunately, the weight of the armament kept the little bird from taking off. The Army purchased this helicopter 0968 During the Vietnam war, the HH-43 Huskie was used for more rescue missions than all other aircraft combined. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. Hunter-killer team - Wikipedia Though Cobra pilots were trained Stateside, most Loach pilots didnt take control of OH-6s until arriving in Vietnam. 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.

Weight Percentile Calculator, Involuntary Dissolution Of A Corporation, Articles L