[12] Accordingly, during 1968, Hughes submitted a bid to build a further 2,700 airframes. [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. 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. Setting 23 world records for speed, distance, and altitude, the Hughes Tool Company OH-6 entered service in September of 1966. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. While successful in this respect, the Loach helicopter also had a reputation for being easily gunned down. Fortunate son intensifies : r/memes - reddit Best Vietnam Helicopter Book - General Helicopter Forum - Vertical Ultimately, Hughes was selected as the winner of the competition. Vietnam Veteran and his Helicopter Reunited. While Loachs were vulnerable to enemy fire, they were famous for surviving crashes like John did. 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. Hughes developed the Model 369 as a prototype for the U.S. Army in the early 1960s. The 'Loach' was one of the riskiest helicopter assignments in Vietnam Army units this aircraft deployed with in Vietnam: Troop B, 1st squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Aug '68 - Oct '70. It gained impetus with the advent of the Vietnam War, and was aided by advances in helicopter technology, specifically the development of the turboshaft engine. 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. The Hughes 369 was redesignated the OH-6A "Cayuse" by the U.S. Army. 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. It was used for transporting personnel, escorting other aircraft and naval vessels, attacking enemy units, and acting as an observation post. The shelf life of a scout pilot was probably six months. It was also the right size to fit the necessary avionics and fuel stores, all while keeping the structure nimble and agile. Front left side view of the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse helicopter; color, Right side view of the Hughes OH-6 Loach in flight; color. The Hughes (Model 500M) international military version was sold in ten countries and built under license in Italy and Japan. The Bell H-13 Sioux was developed as a light-weight single-engine and single-rotor helicopter. 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. Following the Second World War, significant advancements were made in the field of rotary-wing flight. 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. Kane recalls, The vibrations were so harsh I had to return to base camp at Khe Sanh, seven miles from the Laotian border. Upon landing, an inspection revealed a damaged pitch link, a rotor head component so critical that had it failed, they too would have crashed. The Mil Mi-8 was developed in the later stage of the Vietnam War to counter the Bell Huey UH1. The Cobra was fast and deadly. 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. Optional and variable (attack and special forces versions only). Loach crews regularly walked away from crashes that would doom others. One time we ran into hundreds of enemy troops. As of 2021, these records still stand. During the Vietnam War the OH-6 helicopters served in huge numbers and were used for light observation and utility roles. 24 Helicopters Used in Vietnam (And Their Purpose) This was a Recon mission for Unarmed Recon Troop C, 1st squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Oct 68 Jan 69 The Mil Mi-8 is a Soviet medium twin-turbine helicopter. Operation Honey Badger never went ahead, as the hostages were released in January 1981. The-21C was extensively used by the US Army to transport troops and supplies. Other Army pilots, most of whom flew Cobras or Hueys, thought of Loach pilots as a little offbeat. Served in Vietnam War during 1968 through 1970. [14][15], During 1966, the OH-1 entered service with the U.S. Army. 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. loach | My Vietnam Experience Privacy Statement Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program, The US Air Force Panicked When Its Top-Secret Stealth Fighter Crashed Into the California Wilderness. The Cayuse was Hughes' longest-running helicopter program and, during the Vietnam War, as many as 100 OH-6As were built a month. This story is a selection from the September issue of Air & Space magazine, Donald Porter Your email address will not be published. 2 M260 2.75-in Hydra 70 rocket pods (7 or 12 each) | READ MORE. . ", 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. Cartas de Lee: La historia de un hombre de Vietnam por Larayne M. Topp Click on the hotlinks for more information. 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 Korean War proved the necessity for such rotorcraft, particularly in regard to search and rescue operations. The Model 369 was submitted by Hughes, and competed against the two finalists, Fairchild-Hiller and Bell, for a production contract. 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. 2 Hellfire ATGM They went down in the jungle, and both [members of the crew] survived. 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. 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. Flight Hours in Vietnam: 1,400. OH-6A Cayuse ('Loach') The OH-6A "Cayuse" is a small tactical helicopter flown by units of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment [SOAR]. 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. Furthermore, a number of civilian customers also flew Kawasaki-built OH-6s for a variety of missions, including emergency medical services (EMS), law enforcement, and agricultural work. It could accomplish missions that bigger, slower and louder helicopters couldnt do. 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. I have come home with blood on my windshield. 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. While in Target Area this helicopter was Attacking at 0060 feet and 010 knots. The CH-53 Tarhe was another heavy-lift helicopter designed to transport and recover downed aircraft. OA-6A 'Loach' Scout platoon. The Sikorsky S-61R is a twin-engine transport and search helicopter. Reportedly, Hughes had consulted at the last moment with Real, who recommended a bid of $53,550. 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. About Us | In photo #2 you can see the nice graphics. Overtop of the fuselage was the OH-6s single engine, attached to a four-blade main rotor assembly. 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. On 27 February 1963, the first prototype conducted its maiden flight. Multi-Mission Helicopters 6. [8][9], A total of 387 OH-6/Hughes 369s were produced under license in Japan by the Japanese aerospace company Kawasaki Heavy Industries. 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. Cookie Settings, pilot. 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. Date: 02/08/1969 If the OH-6 came under fire, the nearby Cobra would then strike at the revealed enemy. (Scouts were known as White Teams and Cobras as Red; the two colors combine to become pink. 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. The Cayuse was publicly introduced in 1966 and set several records, including record for endurance, speed and rate of climb. The helicopter Continued Flight. 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. (He later transferred to the Air Force and flew F-4 Phantoms, and eventually became an airline captain.) He shares memories of his service and reflects on what the war meant to. OH-6A/Cayuse: Developed initially by the Hughes Aircraft company (later McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company) in the mid-1960s for the US Army. The CH-34 Choctaw was developed by Sikorsky Aircraft for transport purposes to carry personnel and deliver supplies. Donald Porter September 2017 Pilot Clyde. [27] During June 1972, they were deployed to a secret base in southern Laos (PS-44), where one of the helicopters was heavily damaged during a training mission late in the summer. The Army initially ordered 1,438 Hughes Model 369s, designated by the Army as the OH-6A Cayuse helicopters. 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. The Cayuse could absorb an extensive amount of small arms fire and still bring the crew home safely. Search and Rescue Helicopters 5. Missions began every day at dawn, when crews were briefed on where to fly and what to look for. 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 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. 60th Assault Helicopter Company: Mar 72 Jun 72, Information on U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A tail number 67-16304 The Chickasaw was a multi-purpose helicopter designed for both the US Army and Air Force. During the Vietnam war, the HH-43 Huskie was used for more rescue missions than all other aircraft combined. 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. The Bell AH-1J was also used for various subsequent assaults and military operations conducted by the US Marine Corps. The Incident - CherriesWriter - Vietnam War website The Mil Mi-1 was a Soviet-made light utility chopper with three or four seats. 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. The OH-6A Cayuse was quite effective when teamed with the AH-1G Cobra attack helicopter as part of what were known as Pink Teams. 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. [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. 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). These rotorcraft were operated by several different organisations, the majority of which were based in Japan. Onboard UH1 Huey helicopter (SN 66-163-56) was Aircraft Commander, WO William H. Seaborn Jr., myself as . During May 1965, the U.S. Army awarded the production contract to Hughes. The Sea Knight is a medium left-tandem rotor helicopter used for transport. Following a competitive fly-off and a sealed bidding process, Hughes lost the contract to Bell, resulting in the competing Bell OH-58 Kiowa being produced. 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. 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 SeaCobra was a twin-engine attack helicopter that was developed from the single-engine AH-1 Cobra helicopter. Military operators included the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), and the Japanese Coast Guard. This was a Recon mission for Unarmed Recon AH/MH-6J: US Army Special Operations variant derived from the MD-530MG. [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. Modifications were also made to the rotor assembly by way of a five blade main rotor which increased stability. It was used for transporting personnel, escorting other aircraft and naval vessels, attacking enemy units, and acting as an observation post. Hughes bid $56,550 per airframe, while Bell bid $54,200. 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. Its formal name is derived from the Cayuse people while its "Loach" nickname comes from the acronym for the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) programme that it was procured under. 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. Can a Helicopter Fly to the Top of Mount Everest. 79th Transportation Company: Jun 70 Jul 70 The helicopter was designed around their earlier model 269/300 making use of monocoque steel tube construction techniques, allowing a strong and compact fuselage. 2 TOW missile pods (2 each) Since 1968 this helicopter saw combat in Vietnam. 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". [2] Twelve companies opted to participate in the competition, Hughes Tool Company's Aircraft Division being one of them, submitted the Model 369 as its response. The "loach" was the LOH (Light Observation Helicopter) or OH-6A. Has a mouth full of pointy teeth and a pair of eyes. The AH-1 is sometimes affectionately referred to as the Huey Cobra or The Snake. It was nicknamed the Jolly Green Giant during the war. You had a couple of flights in the Huey, then you rode front seat in a Cobra, scout pilot Allan Krausz recounts. [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. 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. 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). In 1966 it entered military service with the US Army. Anthony comes from a military family and has served his country proudly in the military as a pilot. Robert Davis Travel Management Consultant, 2023 Executive Flyers +1 (512) 241-0795. 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. If you would like article/image or apply full credit information. Primarily, it was used by the Marine Corp to transport personnel and cargo. Hughes's price was $19,860 per airframe, without the engine, while Hiller's price was $29,415 per airframe, also without the engine. [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. The 1-245th AVN BN enlisted 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 aircraft. A saying among Army aviators was, If you have to crash, do it in a Loach.. While in Vietnam, Loach helicopters operated as part of air mobile teams. Boucher quickly discovered that life as a qualified crewman was extremely dangerous. which many are taken will be available from our shop to Graphics are very well done, the whole model is very well done. Underneath, a fixed twin-skid undercarriage was supported at two separate points. FAQ | 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). During the Vietnam War Era, different types of helicopters were crucial for providing support for ground forces, scouting locations, and deploying or retrieving soldiers. The helicopter made a Forced Landing. It never flew again. 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. The Vietnam War saw the extensive use of helicopters, though were mostly by the United States military. The killer role persists. The Bell UH-1B/C was modified from the UH-1A Cobra to include a set of machine guns for attacking ground targets. Reportedly, 964 out of the 1,422 OH-6As produced for the US Army were destroyed in the Vietnam theatre, the majority of these losses being a result of hostile action, typically ground fire. The Cayuse . The Gyrodyne QH-50 was mostly designed to be used on ships that werent large enough to carry a full-sized helicopter. Adopted after. The unrefueled range of the AH-6 is 250 nautical miles. 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. and Images on this page are gathered from various sources.
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