As a separate part of the project, armed OH-6As were being developed at Fort Rucker, Alabama. 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. A saying among Army aviators was, If you have to crash, do it in a Loach.. Ace Cozzalio was among the most colorful characters of the Vietnam War. 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. History. 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 United States deployed all types of helicopter, ranging from massive troop transport choppers, to smaller multipurpose and attack helicopters, and even helicopter drones. The Hughes (Model 500M) international military version was sold in ten countries and built under license in Italy and Japan. To counter the US, the Vietnamese employed their helicopter fleets of mostly Soviet-made aircraft. The Mil Mi-8 is a Soviet medium twin-turbine helicopter. We got into another aircraft and went back out. 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. This simple design made maintenance easy, while the choppers 26-foot rotor made it much easier to maneuver in tight landing zones. OH-6A/Cayuse: Developed initially by the Hughes Aircraft company (later McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company) in the mid-1960s for the US Army. I was flying wing and just dropped into the AO [Area of Operations]. The Mil Mi-4 was a Soviet transport chopper used both for civilian and military purposes. As the H-13s were phased out, Loaches were paired with Cobra gunships. 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. Hughes's price was $19,860 per airframe, without the engine, while Hiller's price was $29,415 per airframe, also without the engine. 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. 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. Required fields are marked *. The Cayuse was organic to division, brigade, and battalion size units. 2 Stinger AAM. The Bell OH-58 Kiowa was an entire line of military helicopters with a single engine and a single rotor. Adopted after the company behind its design deceived the US Army, the Loach helicopter, as it was better known, fast became the primary chopper flown in Vietnam. 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. Unit: 173 ABN [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. 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 January 1968 PFC Richard Toops went on to Infantry OCS at Ft. Benning, Ga. graduating in September 1968. 1:00 Jan. 6 will mark 50 years since former Newburgh resident Dave Middleton was shot down in Vietnam while piloting a Loach helicopter on a mission to which he wasn't originally assigned.. (7.62MM) The killer role persists. (Scouts were known as White Teams and Cobras as Red; the two colors combine to become pink. Robert Davis Travel Management Consultant, 2023 Executive Flyers +1 (512) 241-0795. This aspect was further bolstered by the use of self-sealing fuel tanks that lowered the likelihood of a post-impact fire breaking out. Your Privacy Rights It was also the right size to fit the necessary avionics and fuel stores, all while keeping the structure nimble and agile. Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (Loach) - Military Factory Some units were modified during the war with machine guns to act as gunships. Reportedly, Hughes had consulted at the last moment with Real, who recommended a bid of $53,550. The 'Loach' was one of the riskiest helicopter assignments in Vietnam [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. [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. Helicopter Pilots Who Died in the Vietnam War . We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. [6], During May 1965, the U.S. Army awarded a production contract to Hughes; this initial order for 714 rotorcraft was subsequently increased to 1,300 along with an option for another 114. It was mostly used as a transport chopper, but it could also deliver supplies to troops. Anthony comes from a military family and has served his country proudly in the military as a pilot. On March 3, 2023, at a White House ceremony, retired Army Colonel Paris Davis received the Medal of Honor. 29 of the best politically incorrect Vietnam War slang terms Terms of Use Hughes developed the Model 369 as a prototype for the U.S. Army in the early 1960s. 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 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. 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]. 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. The helicopter was hit in the Left Side The aircraft, dubbed 500P (penetrator) by Hughes, began as an ARPA project, codenamed "Mainstreet", in 1968. Modifications were also made to the rotor assembly by way of a five blade main rotor which increased stability. The CH-34 Choctaw was developed by Sikorsky Aircraft for transport purposes to carry personnel and deliver supplies. [5] Accordingly, the bidding for the LOH contract came down to Fairchild-Hiller and Hughes. 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. 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. The OH-6 helicopters served in huge numbers and were used for light observation and utility roles. Helicopter took 1 hits from: These would be used to replace its fleet of Bell H-13 Sioux, a compact first generation rotorcraft. Books/Magazines I was used to getting up close and personal with the enemy.. Systems damaged were: FUEL SYS 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. When the training was completed, C-141 Starlifter airlifters transported both rotorcraft and crews to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, for two weeks of mission training. OA-6A 'Loach' Scout platoon. The Army officially adopted the Bell OH-58 Kiowa in 1969. 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. 605th transportation Company (Direct Support): Nov . Typically missions were flown during the daylight, starting at dawn; common roles included the clearance of landing zones and general intelligence/observation flights. While the already-produced OH-6 Cayuses were being deployed to Vietnam in 1967, production costs were beginning to rise. [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. I got shot down on my 22nd birthday, March 27, 1971. 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. The unrefueled range of the AH-6 is 250 nautical miles. While in Vietnam, Loach helicopters operated as part of air mobile teams. I was wounded three times and shot down nine times, Romero reports. The AH-1 is sometimes affectionately referred to as the Huey Cobra or The Snake. The Bell H-13 Sioux was developed as a light-weight single-engine and single-rotor helicopter. It was used to look for and find the VC/NVA troops in Vietnam. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 45-4703737We Fly for Our Veterans!. 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. 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. 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. What was a loach helicopter? - Quora The helicopter was designed around their earlier model 269/300 making use of monocoque steel tube construction techniques, allowing a strong and compact fuselage. 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. Ive seen them, whites of the eyes, and theyve seen me, whites of the eyes. Lt. Col. 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 the event of a crash the tailboom and engine separate from the egg-like . During the Vietnam War, it was mostly deployed for aerial combat and for conducting rescue operations in areas close to US Air bases. The Incident - CherriesWriter - Vietnam War website Loach crews regularly walked away from crashes that would doom others. 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. EH-6B, a previous version of the Little Bird, was used for command, control and radio relay. Both Loach and Cobra have been in production, on and off, in one form or another ever since. Though Cobra pilots were trained Stateside, most Loach pilots didnt take control of OH-6s until arriving in Vietnam. The first Loach arrived in Vietnam in 1966, and a total of 1,434 of the primary . 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 US Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) trains and graduates qualified engineering test pilots, flight test officers, and flight test engineers to conduct test and evaluation (T & E) at the Naval Air Warfare Center-Aircraft Division (NAWC-AD) Patuxent River Maryland and other activities. USNTPS plans to retain the aircraft indefinitely and continue to improve the safety, reliability, and usefulness of the aircraft in the test pilot training role. 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 Cayuse . Armed with a 40mm grenade launcher in a nose turret, and two 19-tube 2.75 inch rocket launchers, the "OH-6C" was ready to take on anything. But the Army decided that it would be more prudent to keep the unit in order to be prepared for future contingencies. Crews trained side by side with the 160th for all operational concepts. Total flight hours at this point: 00000496 contact us here and we will remove the which many are taken will be available from our shop to This helicopter was UNK Setting 23 world records for speed, distance, and altitude, the Hughes Tool Company OH-6 entered service in September of 1966. [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. We were combat trackers, says Mills. The Cayuse was publicly introduced in 1966 and set several records, including record for endurance, speed and rate of climb. The Loach helicopter was pitted against what was then known as the Bell Model 206. 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. Observation Helicopters 4. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse was a revolutionary rotorcraft operated during the Vietnam War. The OH-6 was also exported as the Model 500 Defender. [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. This was a Recon mission for Unarmed Recon Jim Kanes Vietnam tour abruptly ended one day in February 1971. Find Us on Facebook, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC). Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. They were usually joined by Cobra gunships either in hunter-killer teams where the Loach hunted and the Cobra killed or in air mobile cavalry units where both airframes supported cavalry and infantrymen on the ground. 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. [27], During the early 1970s, Soviet-supplied SA-7 Grail shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles emerged amongst North Vietnamese troops; one hit could down a Loach, potentially dealing fatal damage before its crew were aware that they were under fire. Even when this helicopter was shot down, it refused to crack. 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 Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) (formerly Hughes model 369A) OH-6A was designed for use as a military scout during the Vietnam war to meet the US Army's need for an extremely maneuverable light observation helicopter. 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 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. The Loach helicopters used to transport personnel were given the designation MH-6, while the armed ones were dubbed the AH-6. 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. 24 Helicopters Used in Vietnam (And Their Purpose) 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. 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". 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. The Hughes OH-6 "Cayuse" (popularly recognized as the "Loach") was a revolutionary light helicopter mount primarily in service with the United States Army and saw combat service during the Vietnam War (1955-1975). The Cayuse was Hughes' longest-running helicopter program and, during the Vietnam War, as many as 100 OH-6As were built a month. Two of these designs, those submitted by Fairchild-Hiller and Bell, were selected as finalists by the Army-Navy design competition board. The Raven was used as a scouting helicopter during the early phases of the war, before it was eventually replaced by the Cayuse in early 1986. Advertising Notice "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. 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. You had a couple of flights in the Huey, then you rode front seat in a Cobra, scout pilot Allan Krausz recounts. While Enroute this helicopter was at Level Flight at 0020 feet and 050 knots. 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. He shares memories of his service and reflects on what the war meant to. The UH-1B/C was used sparingly during the Vietnam War. I spent more time with them.. The CH-53 Tarhe was another heavy-lift helicopter designed to transport and recover downed aircraft. It was powered by a 285-hp engine but the helicopter weighed less than a Volkswagen. Overtop of the fuselage was the OH-6s single engine, attached to a four-blade main rotor assembly. Despite its strong offensive abilities, the SH-2 Seasprite was mostly used for rescuing downed friendly aircrews instead of direct combat. Despite Being Prone to Crashing, the Loach Helicopter Was Favored By [12] Accordingly, during 1968, Hughes submitted a bid to build a further 2,700 airframes. 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. [18] Subsequently, on 6 April 1966, Robert Ferry set the long distance world record for helicopters by flying from Culver City, California, with over a ton of fuel to Ormond Beach, Florida, covering a total of 1,923.08 nm (2,213.04mi, 3,561.55km) in 15 hours, and near the finish at up to 24,000 feet (7,300m) altitude. [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. ", 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. Vietnam Veteran and his Helicopter Reunited. Moore served as an Army OH-6A Loach scout in IV Corps, South Vietnam, 1968-1969: Fort Apache, Vihn Long Province. It was a joy to fly. Kane, who today sells securities in Richmond, Virginia, flew AH-1s in Vietnam from 1968 to 1971. While they were circling the wreckage, enemy rounds hit their ship. More from us: The US Air Force Panicked When Its Top-Secret Stealth Fighter Crashed Into the California Wilderness. 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 Bell AH-1J was also used for various subsequent assaults and military operations conducted by the US Marine Corps. 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. Kawasaki Heavy Industries produced 387 OH-6D Cayuses under license in Japan. 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. 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". Following the Second World War, significant advancements were made in the field of rotary-wing flight. The Army requested 714 helicopters in May 1965, a number that was later increased to 1,300. Home | Her research focused on Victorian, medical, and epidemiological history with a focus on childhood diseases. 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. Information on U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A tail number 67-16304 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. You were killed, shot down, or got scared and quit. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. 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. However, the choppers frame ensured the crewmen within remained safe. Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse is a light helicopter with a single engine and a four-bladed main rotor. South Vietnam On 27 February 1963, the first prototype conducted its maiden flight. Despite a strong outcry from crews in Vietnam, the Bell OH-58A Kiowa, powered by the same Allison T-63 engine as the OH-6, was being distributed to Army units. They were operated by a number of military organizations, including the Japanese Army, Navy and Coast Guard. They could also use grenades and on occasion even homebuilt explosives; more aggressive units mounted forward-firing miniguns. s/n 67-16304 Reportedly, 964 out of the 1,422 OH-6As produced for the U.S. Army were destroyed in Vietnam alone. The-21C was extensively used by the US Army to transport troops and supplies. Cookie Settings, pilot. But even that armament combined with the Cobra escort couldnt keep them safe. Your email address will not be published. Loach come from the LOH which means Light Observation Helicopter. The OH-6D was an improved version with more advanced electronics and heavier armament. During 1964, the U.S. Department of Defense issued a memorandum directing that all U.S. Army fixed-wing aircraft be transferred to the U.S. Air Force, while the U.S. Army transitioned to solely operating rotor-wing aircraft. The Huey descended gingerly into a clearing smaller than its main rotor diameter, the aircrafts rotor blades chopping tree limbs as it descended. 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. Both the Pilot and Observer/Gunner positions were equipped with carbon fiber side panels and seats.

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