So I engaged the enemy, but didnt make it out of that one. As well, its tough frame made it safer than other helicopters during crashes, as its aluminum skin absorbed the energy and the structure protected the crew. [23][22] Such a team would have normally comprised a single OH-6 that would fly relatively slow and at a low altitude while attempting to spot the presence of enemies. Advertising Notice An Army article written after Johns seventh crash credited it with surviving 61 hits from enemy fire and seven crashes without losing a single crew member. Anthony comes from a military family and has served his country proudly in the military as a pilot. Hughes is reported to have told his confidant, Jack Real, that he lost over $100 million to construct 1,370 airframes. Loach crews regularly walked away from crashes that would doom others. The helicopter was hit in the Cockpit We got hit by incendiary .51-caliber rounds, and the phosphorus ignited the Cobras hydraulic fluid. [19][20][21], In December 1967, the first OH-6As arrived in Vietnam. During the Vietnam war, the HH-43 Huskie was used for more rescue missions than all other aircraft combined. For this, a small rotorcraft capable of landing in restrictive locations and easily transportable via US Air Force transport aircraft was necessary. 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. 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. 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. The helicopter was inducted as the OH-6 "Cayuse" and would eventually take on the in-the-field nickname of "Loach" in reference to its "LOH" origins. In 1966 it entered military service with the US Army. As the H-13s were phased out, Loaches were paired with Cobra gunships. Infantrymen would also launch an assault from the ground. The OH-6 helicopters served in huge numbers and were used for light observation and utility roles. In Vietnam, These Helicopter Scouts Saw Combat Up Close Cobras and Loaches, two vastly different aircraft, relied on each other to fight the enemy. 608th Transportation Company (Aircraft Direct Support): Mar 72 Helicopter took 1 hits from: Hughes bid $56,550 per airframe, while Bell bid $54,200. Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. While successful in this respect, the Loach helicopter also had a reputation for being easily gunned down. The pilots dubbed the new helicopter Loach, a word created by pronunciation of the acronym of the program that spawned the aircraft, LOH (light observation helicopter). 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. We were combat trackers, says Mills. (7.62MM) 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. Pilots called this helicopter as the Loach. While in Vietnam, Loach helicopters operated as part of air mobile teams. The Sikorsky S-61R is a twin-engine transport and search helicopter. The Vietnam War saw the extensive use of helicopters, though were mostly by the United States military. Vietnams mountainous terrain stressed the underpowered, obsolete helicopters to their limits: They could neither fly fast enough to escape enemy fire nor carry enough armament to pose a meaningful threat. The Loach helicopter was pitted against what was then known as the Bell Model 206. 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. 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. [13][3] Beginning in 2001, the JGSDF OH-6s were supplemented by the indigenously-developed Kawasaki OH-1, a more advanced observation helicopter. Its first overseas deployment, as well as into frontline combat, was the Vietnam War. The campaign included the first major use in the war of Soviet-built, shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles. Select the first letter of the last name of the person you want to find: [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. 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. Terms of Use The Korean War proved the necessity for such rotorcraft, particularly in regard to search and rescue operations. It was mostly used to transport troops and cargo during the Vietnam war. Army units this aircraft deployed with in Vietnam: EH-6B, a previous version of the Little Bird, was used for command, control and radio relay. 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. 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! It was barely used in the Vietnam War because it was replaced by the more advanced Sikorsky H-34 Choctaw. 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 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. The OH-6A made its first flight in 1963. If the OH-6 came under fire, the nearby Cobra would then strike at the revealed enemy. This helicopter was UNK The OH-6 was also exported as the Model 500 Defender. 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. He recalls: 360 degrees around you was enemy territory, and the ability to work with American and [South Vietnamese] units on the ground really required aviation to be able to look eye to eye to tell the good guys from the bad guys. Loach-Cobra pairings were sent out more and more frequently, until their main role was to gather general intelligence rather than prepare landing zones. A rescue operation for the crew of a downed Loach helicopter doesn't quite go as planned and the rescuers become victims themselves. 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. [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 Piasecki H-21 Workhorse was the fourth line of tandem rotor helicopters developed by Piasecki Helicopters. The Cayuse was publicly introduced in 1966 and set several records, including record for endurance, speed and rate of climb. 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. Front left side view of the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse helicopter; color, Right side view of the Hughes OH-6 Loach in flight; color. Another flight competition was held, this time without a submission from Fairchild Hiller. 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 also the right size to fit the necessary avionics and fuel stores, all while keeping the structure nimble and agile. Click on the hotlinks for more information. Boucher quickly discovered that life as a qualified crewman was extremely dangerous. 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. [12] Following a competitive fly-off, the Army requested the manufacturers to submit sealed bids. 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. 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. External load capacity was approximately 1,200 Lbs (550 kg), and transport capability 2 or 3 troops or cargo internally. article/image or apply full credit information. 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. Pilot sold separately. OH-6A/Cayuse: Developed initially by the Hughes Aircraft company (later McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company) in the mid-1960s for the US Army. The UH, nicknamed Huey is a utility military chopper that was used for troop and cargo transport, medical evacuation, and sometimes for military purposes. 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. These helicopters were mostly used for observation, reconnaissance, utility, and for providing combat support. Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. 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. I went up in a Loach with an M60 machine gun to get used to firing the weapon. The Hughes OH-6A Cayuse was quite effective when teamed with the AH-1G Cobra attack helicopter as part of what were known as Pink Teams, combining the OH-6A Loach (white team) with a AH-1G Cobra atacke helicopter (red team). The back plate was often not used owing to the weight, and even the chest plate was deleted. Troop C, 1st squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Oct 68 Jan 69 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. Another such gunner was 19-year-old Joel Boucher, drafted and sent to Vietnam from 1967 to 1969. Served in Vietnam War during 1968 through 1970. Upon returning to the United States, he established a career in the construction industry and settled in rural Sierra City, California. Loach come from the LOH which means Light Observation Helicopter. 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 Moore served as an Army OH-6A Loach scout in IV Corps, South Vietnam, 1968-1969: Fort Apache, Vihn Long Province. We thought they were ARVNs [Army of the Republic of Vietnam] until they started running. These choppers were modified for combat rescue missions and had self-sealing fuel tanks, rescue hoist, and in-flight refueling abilities. Almost as soon as production began, however, it was replaced by a competitors model. Unit: DIR SUP / TRAN They chose the OH-6A scout helicopter to fill that role, and it became known as the Little Bird compared to the other aircraft in the task force, the MH-60 and the MH-47. 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. South Vietnam The armed OH-6s from Fort Rucker joined the training program in the fall of 1980.[30]. About Us | [22] The remaining H-13s were promptly withdrawn in favour of the OH-6s. Read the harrowing story of what happened on that tragic mission. He shares memories of his service and reflects on what the war meant to. I could see a cigarette butt still burning. The Seasprite was an anti-submarine and anti-surface helicopter that had over-the-horizon targeting facilities. 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. When the opposing forces exposed themselves, the crew would call upon an accompanying Bell AH-1 Cobra to attack. I was flying wing and just dropped into the AO [Area of Operations]. The AH-1 is sometimes affectionately referred to as the Huey Cobra or The Snake. The unrefueled range of the AH-6 is 250 nautical miles. As of 2021, these records still stand. A.J. Vietnam Veteran and his Helicopter Reunited. In 1961, twelve companies submitted proposals to meet U.S.Army requirements for a four-seat turbine-powered light observation helicopter (LOH). Its four-bladed full-articulated main rotor made it particularly agile, and it was suitable for personnel transport, escort and attack missions, and observation. 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. The Bell H-13 Sioux was developed as a light-weight single-engine and single-rotor 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. 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. Cobras and Loaches, two vastly different aircraft, relied on each other to fight the enemy. 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. Fitted with 1x 253-shp Allison T63-A-5A turboshaft, 4 bladed main rotor, and an offset "V" tail. Cookie Settings, pilot. 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. 605th transportation Company (Direct Support): Nov . The LOH program opened the floor to several companies to come up with their own designs. [22][23] Prior to the arrival of the AH-1, "hunter-killer" teams often relied on the firepower from armed models of the Bell UH-1 Iroquois utility helicopter. [5] Accordingly, the bidding for the LOH contract came down to Fairchild-Hiller and Hughes. The SeaCobra was a twin-engine attack helicopter that was developed from the single-engine AH-1 Cobra helicopter. [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. The US Army subsequently reopened the LOH program to engineering companies, offering a new contract for 2,700 additional airframes. They went down in the jungle, and both [members of the crew] survived. But the Hueys proved too slow to do the job properly, and the need to replace both scouts and protectors was immediately evident. 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. The Hughes OH-6A Cayuse, was designed for use as a Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) nicknamed LOACH, military scout during the Vietnam war to meet the U.S. Armys need for an extremely maneuverable observation helicopter. In addition, an M60D 7.62mm machine gun could be mounted in the front port (left) or rear starboard (right) door openings. In August 1967, the AH-1G Cobra arrived in Vietnam. The Huey descended gingerly into a clearing smaller than its main rotor diameter, the aircrafts rotor blades chopping tree limbs as it descended. Terms and Conditions, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC) 2 TOW missile pods (2 each) Privacy Statement and Images on this page are gathered from various sources.
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