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. The first Loach arrived in Vietnam in 1966, and a total of 1,434 of the primary . Most of our engagements [we] were 25 to 50 feet [away] when we opened up on [the Viet Cong], Mills continues. 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. 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. Your email address will not be published. The enemy was moving toward us when a [command and control] ship picked us up. (Scouts were known as White Teams and Cobras as Red; the two colors combine to become pink. In photo #2 you can see the nice graphics. to voice a complaint about any articles or image on this website, please Lt. Col. 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. Helicopter Pilots Who Died in the Vietnam War . I followed footsteps. Its like a street cop going into a bad neighborhood. OA-6A 'Loach' Scout platoon. I went up in a Loach with an M60 machine gun to get used to firing the weapon. 79th Transportation Company: Jun 70 Jul 70 The-21C was extensively used by the US Army to transport troops and supplies. The Bell H-13 Sioux was developed as a light-weight single-engine and single-rotor helicopter. Hughes, without informing Real, raised the bid by $3,000, and thus lost the contract to Bell. MD-530MG/Defender: Has a mast-mounted sight, and incorporated upgrades of all previous variants. 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. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse is a light helicopter with a single engine and a four-bladed main rotor. contact us here and we will remove the 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). Graphics are very well done, the whole model is very well done. Unit: 173 ABN Robert Davis Travel Management Consultant, 2023 Executive Flyers +1 (512) 241-0795. This was a Recon mission for Unarmed Recon While Loachs were vulnerable to enemy fire, they were famous for surviving crashes like John did. During the Vietnam War Era, different types of helicopters were crucial for providing support for ground forces, scouting locations, and deploying or retrieving soldiers. During May 1965, the U.S. Army awarded the production contract to Hughes. The OH-6A replaced the Korean era OH-13 Sioux and OH-23 Raven light observation helicopters. The back plate was often not used owing to the weight, and even the chest plate was deleted. An author of aviation books, his latest is Howards Whirlybirds. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. [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. 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. 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. [28][29], The pilots selected to fly the OH-6A helicopters came from the 229th Attack Helicopter Battalion and were sent to the Mississippi Army National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) at Gulfport, Mississippi, for two weeks of qualification training in the rotorcraft. The Hughes 369 was redesignated the OH-6A "Cayuse" by the U.S. Army. Armament [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. The Bell UH-1B/C was modified from the UH-1A Cobra to include a set of machine guns for attacking ground targets. 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. 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. It was used prolifically because of its unique hovering abilities. When the opposing forces exposed themselves, the crew would call upon an accompanying Bell AH-1 Cobra to attack. 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. Date: 03/25/1970 One time we ran into hundreds of enemy troops. Jim was unconscious when I helped pull him out of the burning aircraft.. Multi-Mission Helicopters 6. (He later transferred to the Air Force and flew F-4 Phantoms, and eventually became an airline captain.) 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. On a few occasions, the OH-23 was also used for medical evacuation purposes, but this was rarely the case. Instead of disbanding Task Force 158, the military opted to turn it into the 160th Aviation Battalion. 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 CH-34 Choctaw was developed by Sikorsky Aircraft for transport purposes to carry personnel and deliver supplies. The Cayuse could absorb an extensive amount of small arms fire and still bring the crew home safely. All Rights Reserved. Served in Vietnam War during 1968 and 1970-1972 It was deemed, based on Hughes' estimates, his units would be most cost effective in the long run. 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. The OH-6 was largely removed from active U.S. Army service in favor of the Kiowa, but modified versions of the helicopter flew with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment as the MH-6C Little Bird as late as 2008. In the end, Hughes lost its contract to Bell, who was deemed to have the superior design. It was barely used in the Vietnam War because it was replaced by the more advanced Sikorsky H-34 Choctaw. The killer role persists. AH-1G Huey Cobra 'Snake' . 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. 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. The Marine Corp used it for the sea-based interdiction of the Ho Chi Minh Trail in 1972. 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. The CH-53 Tarhe was another heavy-lift helicopter designed to transport and recover downed aircraft. It was mostly used to transport troops and cargo during the Vietnam war. An inventive Bell Helicopter engineer was already at work on the worlds first attack helicopter, and Bells decision to keep the project hidden until complete let the model slip into service as a Huey derivative (see The Birth of the Cobra, Aug. 2017). Hughes is reported to have told his confidant, Jack Real, that he lost over $100 million to construct 1,370 airframes. When the Loach debuted in 1966, it broke records for speed, endurance, and rate of climb, all important attributes for a scout helicopter. This was a Combat incident. The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. "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. 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. 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. 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). The OH-6/Model 369 was also license-produced overseas by the Japanese aerospace company Kawasaki Heavy Industries for both military and civilian operators. 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. The Cayuse was publicly introduced in 1966 and set several records, including record for endurance, speed and rate of climb. In January 1968 PFC Richard Toops went on to Infantry OCS at Ft. Benning, Ga. graduating in September 1968. [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. During 1960, the United States Army issued Technical Specification 153 for a Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) capable of fulfilling various roles on the battlefield, including personnel transport, escort, casualty evacuation, observation, and attack missions. OH-58 "Kiowa" light observation / scout platform. Up against Fairchild Hiller, Hughes Tool Company purposely undervalued its cost estimates, earning the company favor and the contract. Anthony comes from a military family and has served his country proudly in the military as a pilot. 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. Hughes bid $56,550 per airframe, while Bell bid $54,200. With all these benefits, several variations were developed. As the H-13s were phased out, Loaches were paired with Cobra gunships. 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. The Army initially ordered 1,438 Hughes Model 369s, designated by the Army as the OH-6A Cayuse helicopters. In 1966 it entered military service with the US Army. Even when this helicopter was shot down, it refused to crack. Date: 02/08/1969 The task force, which had been designated as Task Force 158, was soon formed into the 160th Aviation Battalion. These choppers were modified for combat rescue missions and had self-sealing fuel tanks, rescue hoist, and in-flight refueling abilities. During the testing phase, it became clear the Bell prototype was underpowered, so it was dropped. [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. Hughes Model OH-6A "Cayuse" or "LOACH". Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. As the reserve units have continued to move away from the OH-6 as their primary scout aircraft, military technical support of the aircraft has dwindled. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (nicknamed "Loach", after the requirement acronym LOHLight Observation Helicopter) is a single-engine light helicopter with a four-bladed main rotor used for personnel transport, escort and attack missions, and observation. On March 3, 2023, at a White House ceremony, retired Army Colonel Paris Davis received the Medal of Honor. [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. 605th transportation Company (Direct Support): Nov . 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]. This. 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. The LOH program opened the floor to several companies to come up with their own designs. Despite its strong offensive abilities, the SH-2 Seasprite was mostly used for rescuing downed friendly aircrews instead of direct combat. 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. Helicopter took 1 hits from: Your Privacy Rights 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. 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. They went down in the jungle, and both [members of the crew] survived. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 45-4703737We Fly for Our Veterans!. This story is a selection from the September issue of Air & Space magazine, Donald Porter 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 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. Kawasaki Heavy Industries produced 387 OH-6D Cayuses under license in Japan. 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 Sea Knight is a medium left-tandem rotor helicopter used for transport. In the Vietnam War, these choppers were used to recover downed aircraft. 2 M75 40-mm grenade launchers Select the first letter of the last name of the person you want to find: 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. While in Target Area this helicopter was Attacking at 0060 feet and 010 knots. 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. Kane recalls, The vibrations were so harsh I had to return to base camp at Khe Sanh, seven miles from the Laotian border. 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. They were employed in hunter-killer tactics, wherein they flew low over the jungle as bait to draw enemy fire. The unrefueled range of the AH-6 is 250 nautical miles. 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. Vietnam following a morning mission with the 11th Special Forces (SF) at Long Than North, South Vietnam. The aircraft was diverted prior to accomplishing any mission objectives. This helicopter was UNK Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Furthermore, the helicopter was also developed into a civilian helicopter, the Model 500, which was still in production into the twenty-first century under MD Helicopters as the MD 500. Army units this aircraft deployed with in Vietnam: We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. 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. The U.S. Marine Corps still flies AH-1 SuperCobras as its main attack helicopter, with the latest versionthe AH-1Z Viper so upgraded and modernized that a Vietnam-era pilot might be hard-pressed to recognize it. The Huey descended gingerly into a clearing smaller than its main rotor diameter, the aircrafts rotor blades chopping tree limbs as it descended. The US Army charged Hughes for 714 units with the serial production contract formally announced in May of 1965. It is 1/6th scale and very large, has to be at least 3 feet from rotor tip to rotor tip. 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 AH/MH-6J: US Army Special Operations variant derived from the MD-530MG. We were combat trackers, says Mills.

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