loach helicopter vietnam

This was a Combat incident. Book A Flight | The Incident - CherriesWriter - Vietnam War website It was barely used in the Vietnam War because it was replaced by the more advanced Sikorsky H-34 Choctaw. RMF3TG12 - Warren Motts, who started the Motts Military Museum, walks with a small child, past helicopters that where used in the Vietnam War. While in Vietnam, Loach helicopters operated as part of air mobile teams. OH-6A/MD-530F Super Cayuse/Lifter: Upgraded engine to a 425-shp Allison 250- C30 turboshaft, and avionics in 1988 for the US Army. Both Loach and Cobra have been in production, on and off, in one form or another ever since. Kanes commanding officer flew his command-and-control Huey to the ravine where Kane and Casher huddled. As of 2021, these records still stand. Unit: DIR SUP / TRAN The OH-6 Cayuse, by this point known as the Loach helicopter, made its way to Vietnam in December 1967. Despite its strong offensive abilities, the SH-2 Seasprite was mostly used for rescuing downed friendly aircrews instead of direct combat. 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. 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. to voice a complaint about any articles or image on this website, please 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. OH-6A/Cayuse: Developed initially by the Hughes Aircraft company (later McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company) in the mid-1960s for the US Army. Date: 02/08/1969 Hughes is reported to have told his confidant, Jack Real, that he lost over $100 million to construct 1,370 airframes. The small "egg-shaped" design and simplified rotorhead incorporated four rotor blades of constant chord, made of bonded light alloy. 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. 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. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse is a light helicopter with a single engine and a four-bladed main rotor. Light Attack Helicopters 3. Flight Hours in Vietnam: 1,318 article/image or apply full credit information. Hughes bid $56,550 per airframe, while Bell bid $54,200. 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. (He later transferred to the Air Force and flew F-4 Phantoms, and eventually became an airline captain.) Upon landing, an inspection revealed a damaged pitch link, a rotor head component so critical that had it failed, they too would have crashed. Ultimately, Hughes was selected as the winner of the competition. The 'Loach' was one of the riskiest helicopter assignments in Vietnam 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 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. and Images on this page are gathered from various sources. Privacy Statement 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. A "Loach" (Helicopter) Scout in IV Corps, South Vietnam, 1968-1969 Vietnam War helicopter pilots bring stories and aircraft to Topeka A Troop, 7th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Aug 70 Feb 72 This aspect was further bolstered by the use of self-sealing fuel tanks that lowered the likelihood of a post-impact fire breaking out. [3], On 27 February 1963, the first Model 369 prototype performed its maiden flight. 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. 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. Army troops called the OH-6As Loaches, a contraction of light observation helicopters. The ship was unusually light and had plenty of power, perfect for flying nap-of-the-earth missions, and its 26-foot-diameter main rotor made getting into tight landing zones a snap. 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. The US Army charged Hughes for 714 units with the serial production contract formally announced in May of 1965. 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. In the end, Hughes lost its contract to Bell, who was deemed to have the superior design. I still have scars on my legsit was terrifying. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work. 2 MK19 40-mm grenade launcher Tough Mission LOACH Chopper Vietnam - YouTube Here are the 24 helicopters used in Vietnam. We were combat trackers, says Mills. 608th Transportation Company (Aircraft Direct Support): Mar 72 Unfortunately, the weight of the armament kept the little bird from taking off. In response, a task force was developed originally designated Task Force 158 for the next attempt to rescue the hostages, Operation Honey Badger. This was a Combat incident. 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. When the Loach debuted in 1966, it broke records for speed, endurance, and rate of climb, all important attributes for a scout helicopter. 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. Military operators included the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), and the Japanese Coast Guard. Reportedly, Hughes had consulted at the last moment with Real, who recommended a bid of $53,550. A rescue operation for the crew of a downed Loach helicopter doesn't quite go as planned and the rescuers become victims themselves. Vietnam OH-6A "Cayuse" Helicopter The OH-6A made its first flight in 1963. 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". 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. 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. Find Us on Facebook, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC). Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. [12] Accordingly, during 1968, Hughes submitted a bid to build a further 2,700 airframes. 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. The Cobras high above had a few seconds of warningthey could spot the missiles exhaust plumebut were all the more tempting because at their higher altitudes they were more easily seen than the smaller Loaches. Served in Vietnam War during 1968 and 1970-1972 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). Although many were still teenagers, their survival depended on well-honed instincts and razor-sharp reflexes, along with plenty of luck. s/n 67-16304 The "loach" was the LOH (Light Observation Helicopter) or OH-6A. South Vietnam The LOH program opened the floor to several companies to come up with their own designs. On a few occasions, the OH-23 was also used for medical evacuation purposes, but this was rarely the case. 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. In photo #2 you can see the nice graphics. A.J. In Vietnam, These Helicopter Scouts Saw Combat Up Close [17] On 26 March 1966, Jack Schwiebold set the closed circuit distance record in a YOH-6A at Edwards Air Force Base, California, flying without landing for 1,739.96mi (2,800.20km). Front left side view of the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse helicopter; color, Right side view of the Hughes OH-6 Loach in flight; color. Terms of Use There was one day of initial training, says Bob Moses, who was first trained as a tank crewman and then as infantry before a sudden transition to helicopter door gunner. [4] The prototypes were delivered to the U.S. Army at Fort Rucker, Alabama, where they competed against the other ten prototype aircraft produced by Bell and Fairchild-Hiller. [8][9], A total of 387 OH-6/Hughes 369s were produced under license in Japan by the Japanese aerospace company Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Its effectiveness in battle allowed it to quickly replace the Bell H-13 Siouxs being operated in the country. 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 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. However, the U.S. Army subsequently chose to include Hughes's Model 369 for further consideration as well. s/n 66-07841. The OH-6 helicopters served in huge numbers and were used for light observation and utility roles. It served in Granada and Panama during the 1980s, as well as in the . Queer John was famous not just for crashing, but for keeping the crew safe while it did so. Terms and Conditions, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC) . Four troop-carrying Hueys (called a Blue Team) often sat idle somewhere nearby, ready to insert troops if the Pink Team discovered an interesting targetor were shot down and needed rescuing. Its first overseas deployment, as well as into frontline combat, was the Vietnam War. | The following text is exclusive to this site. 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. The hunter-killer tactic worked well for a few years, but by the time the United States left Vietnam, it was obsolete, says Mills. Nate Shaffer has restored a Hughes OH-6A Cayuse helicopter. 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 officially adopted the Bell OH-58 Kiowa in 1969. Missions began every day at dawn, when crews were briefed on where to fly and what to look for. Contact | The OH-6A would find targets by flying low, trolling for fire, and lead in a Cobra, or Snake, to attack. The armed OH-6s from Fort Rucker joined the training program in the fall of 1980.[30]. How a Vietnam War Helicopter Pilot Captured a POW With His Civil War The AH-1 is sometimes affectionately referred to as the Huey Cobra or The Snake. Ultimate Soldier Air Cavalry OH-6 "Loach" Helicopter 1/6 Scale Loach crews regularly walked away from crashes that would doom others. 24 Helicopters Used in Vietnam (And Their Purpose) [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 Mil Mi-8 is a Soviet medium twin-turbine helicopter. Unknown as to mission impact. 2 M134 7.62-mm 6x barrel, Gatling type twin MG pods But even that armament combined with the Cobra escort couldnt keep them safe. 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. Nate Shaffer and Bruce Campbell at their assigned positions. At peak production, during the Vietnam War, as many as 100 OH-6As were built a month. We were so close to the elephant grass that wed blow the grass apart to see if anyone was hiding in there, observer Bob Moses says. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse was a revolutionary rotorcraft operated during the Vietnam War. The Mil Mi-8 was developed in the later stage of the Vietnam War to counter the Bell Huey UH1. We got into another aircraft and went back out. 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. Cobras and Loaches, two vastly different aircraft, relied on each other to fight the enemy. 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. 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! 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. Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (Loach) - Military Factory In 1960, the US Army issued Technical Specification 153 and established the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program. Reportedly, 964 out of the 1,422 OH-6As produced for the U.S. Army were destroyed in Vietnam alone. The helicopter was designed around their earlier model 269/300 making use of monocoque steel tube construction techniques, allowing a strong and compact fuselage. President As we navigate rapidly evolving military culture and Like any deployed troops, Russian soldiers make calls Sign up for our newsletter and receive the mighty updates! In 1961, twelve companies submitted proposals to meet U.S.Army requirements for a four-seat turbine-powered light observation helicopter (LOH). The OH-6A replaced the Korean era OH-13 Sioux and OH-23 Raven light observation helicopters. A saying among Army aviators was, If you have to crash, do it in a Loach.. Following the lead, we got peppered with rounds. The Loach had a bad vibration, but he made it about half a mile before he had to land. The Huskie was used by the US Air Force, US Navy, and US Marine Corps. 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. 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. A.J. [22] All American rotorcraft in the theatre had to be operated more cautiously following this development. The helicopter was hit in the Left Side 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]. 605th transportation Company (Direct Support): Nov . The North Vietnamese deployed hundreds of the missiles, and from then on, both hunter and killer tried to stay well hidden. NVA troops shot down a Cobra, killing the crew. 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. Helicopter took 1 hits from: In Vietnam, These Helicopter Scouts Saw Combat Up Close Cobras and Loaches, two vastly different aircraft, relied on each other to fight the enemy. Thats why the majority of pilots who served in Vietnam shared the opinion that, if you were going to crash, it was best to do it in a Loach. Casualties = 01 WIA . New book recounts Newburgh man's time as Vietnam helicopter pilot 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. 2 M260 2.75-in Hydra 70 rocket pods (7 or 12 each) These helicopters were mostly used for observation, reconnaissance, utility, and for providing combat support. The Cayuse was Hughes' longest-running helicopter program and, during the Vietnam War, as many as 100 OH-6As were built a month. Its four-bladed full-articulated main rotor made it particularly agile, and it was suitable for personnel transport, escort and attack missions, and observation. This story is a selection from the September issue of Air & Space magazine, Donald Porter In January 1968 PFC Richard Toops went on to Infantry OCS at Ft. Benning, Ga. graduating in September 1968. 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. Loach helicopter hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy Improved versions were issued through the war and included pockets on the chest and back in which large additional plates could be inserted. 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 Korean War proved the necessity for such rotorcraft, particularly in regard to search and rescue operations. Within that same year, help was on the way. AH/MH-6J: US Army Special Operations variant derived from the MD-530MG. You were killed, shot down, or got scared and quit. In the Vietnam War, these choppers were used to recover downed aircraft. External load capacity was approximately 1,200 Lbs (550 kg), and transport capability 2 or 3 troops or cargo internally. The Bell AH-1J was also used for various subsequent assaults and military operations conducted by the US Marine Corps. [22], It became common for OH-6s to operate in teams with other rotorcraft, particularly the Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter. The prototype first flew in early 1963, and production began two years later. For this, a small rotorcraft capable of landing in restrictive locations and easily transportable via US Air Force transport aircraft was necessary. The Sea Stallion is a line of heavy-lift transport helicopters. It was used to look for and find the VC/NVA troops in Vietnam. Read the harrowing story of what happened on that tragic mission. Shop | [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 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. The helicopter was hit in the Cockpit They were famous for being shot down or crashing in combat. It can cruise at speeds of 150 mph. Hughes 500M: Military export version of OH-6 in mid-1970s with upgraded 278-shp Allison 250-C18 turboshaft engine, "V" tail. 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. Operation Honey Badger never went ahead, as the hostages were released in January 1981. The Cayuse was publicly introduced in 1966 and set several records, including record for endurance, speed and rate of climb. The helicopter Continued Flight. Books/Magazines 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. 2 Hellfire ATGM OH-6A Cayuse ('Loach') The OH-6A "Cayuse" is a small tactical helicopter flown by units of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment [SOAR]. A rescue operation for the crew of a downed Loach helicopter doesn't quite go as planned and the rescuers become victims themselves. [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. 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. The Hughes (Model 500M) international military version was sold in ten countries and built under license in Italy and Japan. Vietnam War helicopter pilots bring stories and aircraft to Kansas Table of Contents 1. 2 Stinger AAM. Anthony comes from a military family and has served his country proudly in the military as a pilot. 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. After around 10 hours at the controls of a Loach, the pilots were deemed worthy of flying in combat. With US Army evaluations of each prototype ongoing, the underpowered Bell offering was formally dropped from contention and the US Army decision favored the Hughes design over the Fairchild-Hiller. OH-6 Loach - Light Observation Helicopter - Brickmania Toys To this day I am closer to those guys I flew with in Vietnam than my own brothers, says Mills. It is 1/6th scale and very large, has to be at least 3 feet from rotor tip to rotor tip. Sensing its growing battlefield requirements, the US Army then raised the production ceiling to 1,300 units in all. The Loach helicopter was pitted against what was then known as the Bell Model 206. The killer role persists. While they were circling the wreckage, enemy rounds hit their ship. 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. We were about ready to call in tactical air support to blow up the wrecked ship when another Cobra took a lot of fire. The UH, nicknamed Huey is a utility military chopper that was used for troop and cargo transport, medical evacuation, and sometimes for military purposes. Since units were all but permanently assigned to particular areas, they came to know the local geography intimately and could spot anything out of the ordinary.

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