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. 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. Unit: 173 ABN The Model 369 had a distinctive teardrop-shaped fuselage that had strong crashworthiness properties and provided excellent external visibility. The AH-6 Little Bird Gun, a light attack helicopter, has been tested and proven in combat. I got shot down on my 22nd birthday, March 27, 1971. [19][20][21], In December 1967, the first OH-6As arrived in Vietnam. The killer role persists. In contrast, of the nearly 1,100 Cobras delivered to the Army, 300 were lost. They were famous for being shot down or crashing in combat. [12] Accordingly, during 1968, Hughes submitted a bid to build a further 2,700 airframes. The Bell Model 206 is a line of both single and twin-engined helicopters with two primary rotor blades. A recontoured nose allowed for greater leg and head room. However, the choppers frame ensured the crewmen within remained safe. Army units this aircraft deployed with in Vietnam: Its four-bladed full-articulated main rotor made it particularly agile, and it was suitable for personnel transport, escort and attack missions, and observation. [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 armed OH-6s from Fort Rucker joined the training program in the fall of 1980.[30]. 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. The prototype first flew in early 1963, and production began two years later. Upon returning to the United States, he established a career in the construction industry and settled in rural Sierra City, California. 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. "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. For other AH-6 and MH-6 variants, see MH-6 Little Bird and Boeing AH-6. The 'Loach' was one of the riskiest helicopter assignments in Vietnam Radiomen in the Vietnam War faced a 5-second life expectancy 5 cringeworthy military slang terms (that we should actually retire) From nursing to newspapers, these were the women of Vietnam The shelf life of a scout pilot was probably six months. Hughes's price was $19,860 per airframe, without the engine, while Hiller's price was $29,415 per airframe, also without the engine. 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. 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. 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 high-low hunter-killer combination gave way to uniform-altitude missions, with all helicopters flying nap of the earth. 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. The-21C was extensively used by the US Army to transport troops and supplies. Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program, The US Air Force Panicked When Its Top-Secret Stealth Fighter Crashed Into the California Wilderness. The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is a tandem rotor chopper that was developed by Vetrol and built by Boeing Vertol. I spent more time with them.. Accordingly, this tactic had resulted in substantial losses being incurred on the contract with the U.S. Army; the company had allegedly anticipated that an extended production cycle would eventually make the rotorcraft financially viable. 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. 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 369 was redesignated the OH-6A "Cayuse" by the U.S. Army. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, MIGHTY NETWORKS, 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Russian soldiers calls back home reveal horrifying experiences in Ukraine, broke records for speed, endurance, and rate of climb, powered by a 285-hp engine but the helicopter weighed less than a Volkswagen, could carry everything from 7.62mm miniguns to 70mm rockets and anti-tank missiles, nicknamed Queer John, hit the dirt at least seven times, modified versions of the helicopter flew with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment as the MH-6C Little Bird as late as 2008, 29 of the best politically incorrect Vietnam War slang terms. 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. 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). 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. The LOH program opened the floor to several companies to come up with their own designs. 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. Advertising Notice On March 3, 2023, at a White House ceremony, retired Army Colonel Paris Davis received the Medal of Honor. 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 Despite Being Prone to Crashing, the Loach Helicopter Was Favored By In Vietnam, These Helicopter Scouts Saw Combat Up Close It could accomplish missions that bigger, slower and louder helicopters couldnt do. The Huey descended gingerly into a clearing smaller than its main rotor diameter, the aircrafts rotor blades chopping tree limbs as it descended. That was about it.. [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. Development included test and training flights in Culver City, California (Hughes Airport) and at Area 51 in 1971. This chopper is mostly known for having been used to spot enemy artillery. A Troop, 7th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Aug 70 Feb 72 Despite Being Prone to Crashing, the Loach Helicopter Was Favored By Pilots In Vietnam The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse was a revolutionary rotorcraft operated during the Vietnam War. Find Us on Facebook, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC). Optional and variable (attack and special forces versions only). 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. 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. I followed footsteps. Modifications were also made to the rotor assembly by way of a five blade main rotor which increased stability. But even that armament combined with the Cobra escort couldnt keep them safe. These rotorcraft were operated by several different organisations, the majority of which were based in Japan. The Mil Mi-1 was a Soviet-made light utility chopper with three or four seats. Privacy Statement Possible mast-mounted sight. 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 OH-6 was also exported as the Model 500 Defender. Even when this helicopter was shot down, it refused to crack. Its like a street cop going into a bad neighborhood. The Sea Stallion is a variant of the Jolly Green Giant, but its used only for sea transport. For this, a small rotorcraft capable of landing in restrictive locations and easily transportable via US Air Force transport aircraft was necessary. All Rights Reserved. From the rear cockpit, the pilot fired rockets from launchers fixed to the stub wings on either side; the copilot in the front operated a chin turret that held a minigun and grenade launcher. Upon encountering enemy fire, Loaches were to leave immediately, dropping smoke grenades to mark the target so that within seconds, the Cobra could roll in. The hunter-killer tactic worked well for a few years, but by the time the United States left Vietnam, it was obsolete, says Mills. I still have scars on my legsit was terrifying. Donald Porter September 2017 Pilot Clyde. Fitted with 1x 253-shp Allison T63-A-5A turboshaft, 4 bladed main rotor, and an offset "V" tail. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse is a light helicopter with a single engine and a four-bladed main rotor. To counter the US, the Vietnamese employed their helicopter fleets of mostly Soviet-made aircraft. 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 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). Within that same year, help was on the way. 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. s/n 66-07841. Lt. Col. Jim was unconscious when I helped pull him out of the burning aircraft.. Historical Snapshot: OH-6 Cayuse/Hughes 500 Helicopter purchase. See his memoir Warpath: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/60299643-warpath Posted as part of the \"War \u0026 Life: Discussions with Veterans\" project. The guidance systems on newer attack helicoptersoften working with or even controlling the cameras of reconnaissance droneshave relegated to history the hunter role in the hunter-killer missions. 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). When Chuck Gross left for Vietnam in 1970, he was a nineteen-year-old army helicopter pilot fresh out of flight school. Flight Hours in Vietnam: 1,318 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. Armed with guns, Hellfire missiles, and 2.75-inch FFAR, it provides armed helicopter support to both ground and air special operations. I have come home with blood on my windshield. 605th transportation Company (Direct Support): Nov . The flames covered my boots and lower legs. Though Cobra pilots were trained Stateside, most Loach pilots didnt take control of OH-6s until arriving in Vietnam. Just as I set it down, the tail rotor spun off. Graphics are very well done, the whole model is very well done. Vietnam following a morning mission with the 11th Special Forces (SF) at Long Than North, South Vietnam. It was reasonably fast, very crashworthy, comparatively easy to maintain and fly, and extraordinarily maneuverable. In Vietnam, These Helicopter Scouts Saw Combat Up Close Cobras and Loaches, two vastly different aircraft, relied on each other to fight the enemy. The four-passenger teardrop shaped "Flying egg" (six-passenger with rear seats folded-down) was a small, light, sturdy, maneuverable helicopter, with very low drag. 2 TOW missile pods (2 each) The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. 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. 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. You were killed, shot down, or got scared and quit. Joint Services Incident Damage Report. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse was a revolutionary rotorcraft operated during the Vietnam War. New book recounts Newburgh man's time as Vietnam helicopter pilot 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. The Cayuse (white) was used alongside the AH-1 Cobra (red) attack helicopters, forming (pink) hunter killer teams. The Cayuse could absorb an extensive amount of small arms fire and still bring the crew home safely. 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. Missions began every day at dawn, when crews were briefed on where to fly and what to look for. Cobras and Loaches, two vastly different aircraft, relied on each other to fight the enemy. 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 Aircraft Division of Hughes Tool Company came up with the Model 369, which became one of three finalists, alongside designs from Bell Helicopter Company and Fairchild Hiller. Even when this helicopter was shot down, it refused to crack. It was used to look for and find the VC/NVA troops in Vietnam. Both the Pilot and Observer/Gunner positions were equipped with carbon fiber side panels and seats. What was a loach helicopter? - Quora In 1961, twelve companies submitted proposals to meet U.S.Army requirements for a four-seat turbine-powered light observation helicopter (LOH). The "loach" was the LOH (Light Observation Helicopter) or OH-6A. The enemy was moving toward us when a [command and control] ship picked us up. We got into another aircraft and went back out. History | Towards the end of the conflict, the replacement of the OH-6 by the Bell OH-58 Kiowa was imminent across nearly all US Army units. 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. In 1972, as U.S. troops slowly withdrew, the NVA began a major push that became known as the Easter Offensive. 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. 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. Observation Helicopters 4. Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. 2 M134 7.62-mm 6x barrel, Gatling type twin MG pods RMF3TG12 - Warren Motts, who started the Motts Military Museum, walks with a small child, past helicopters that where used in the Vietnam War. Overtop of the fuselage was the OH-6s single engine, attached to a four-blade main rotor assembly. OH-6A Cayuse ('Loach') The OH-6A "Cayuse" is a small tactical helicopter flown by units of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment [SOAR]. Army headquarters developed doctrine by building on what worked in the field, rather than the other way around, and each unit in-country did things slightly differently. Hughes OH-6 Cayuse Light Observation Helicopter - MILITARY TODAY The OH-6A replaced the Korean era OH-13 Sioux and OH-23 Raven light observation helicopters. The UH-1B/C was used sparingly during the Vietnam War. Your Privacy Rights We were combat trackers, says Mills. Scout crews argued that the Kiowa was nowhere near as nimble as the Cayuse, but scouting flights were changing. 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 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). 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 Army initially ordered 1,438 Hughes Model 369s, designated by the Army as the OH-6A Cayuse helicopters. Sensing its growing battlefield requirements, the US Army then raised the production ceiling to 1,300 units in all.
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