The helicopter was hit in the Left Side The US Army subsequently reopened the LOH program to engineering companies, offering a new contract for 2,700 additional airframes. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER The Model 369 was submitted by Hughes, and competed against the two finalists, Fairchild-Hiller and Bell, for a production contract. 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. The Army officially adopted the Bell OH-58 Kiowa in 1969. 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. Its first overseas deployment, as well as into frontline combat, was the Vietnam War. The CH-53 Tarhe was another heavy-lift helicopter designed to transport and recover downed aircraft. 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. 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. The Sea Stallion is a line of heavy-lift transport helicopters. The OH-6A "Cayuse" is a small tactical helicopter flown by units of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment [SOAR]. 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). After around 10 hours at the controls of a Loach, the pilots were deemed worthy of flying in combat. Robert Davis Travel Management Consultant, 2023 Executive Flyers +1 (512) 241-0795. [3], On 27 February 1963, the first Model 369 prototype performed its maiden flight. The Hughes 369 was redesignated the OH-6A "Cayuse" by the U.S. Army. They were employed in hunter-killer tactics, wherein they flew low over the jungle as bait to draw enemy fire. In 1966 it entered military service with the US Army. 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. [8][9], A total of 387 OH-6/Hughes 369s were produced under license in Japan by the Japanese aerospace company Kawasaki Heavy Industries. ", 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. Front left side view of the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse helicopter; color, Right side view of the Hughes OH-6 Loach in flight; color. It had no hydraulic system and its electrical setup was used primarily to start up the enginesimple even by 1960s standards, which for practical purposes meant it was easier to maintain and harder to shoot down than other helicopters. Loach crews regularly walked away from crashes that would doom others. 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. Ultimately, Hughes was selected as the winner of the competition. Two (2) Crew: one Pilot, one Observer/Doorgunner. The Hughes (Model 500M) international military version was sold in ten countries and built under license in Italy and Japan. [13][3] Beginning in 2001, the JGSDF OH-6s were supplemented by the indigenously-developed Kawasaki OH-1, a more advanced observation helicopter. 13456, "History of Rotorcraft World Records, List of records established by the 'YOH-6A'. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. [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. The AH/MH Little Birds were lifted by a single C-5 Galaxy, and two C-130 Hercules, along with all support kits for the battalion. 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. [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. 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. The task force, which had been designated as Task Force 158, was soon formed into the 160th Aviation Battalion. In 1960, the US Army issued Technical Specification 153 and established the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program. Book A Flight | Setting 23 world records for speed, distance, and altitude, the Hughes Tool Company OH-6 entered service in September of 1966. Terms of Use Cookie Policy In the Vietnam War, these choppers were used to recover downed aircraft. The Cayuse had a single articulated four-bladed main rotor, a metal two-bladed tail rotor, and a V-shaped tail. [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. Since 1968 this helicopter saw combat in Vietnam. 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. [22], It became common for OH-6s to operate in teams with other rotorcraft, particularly the Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter. While the already-produced OH-6 Cayuses were being deployed to Vietnam in 1967, production costs were beginning to rise. Kanes commanding officer flew his command-and-control Huey to the ravine where Kane and Casher huddled. 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. While in Vietnam, Loach helicopters operated as part of air mobile teams. The Mil Mi-4 was a Soviet transport chopper used both for civilian and military purposes. Cobras rolled in and blew the downed aircraft uptaking with it about 15 bad guys standing around it.. In order to reduce their acoustic signature, the helicopters (N351X and N352X) received a four-blade 'scissors' style tail rotor (later incorporated into the Hughes-designed AH-64 Apache), a fifth rotor blade and reshaped rotor tips, a modified exhaust system, and various other performance boosting modifications. 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. Instead of disbanding Task Force 158, the military opted to turn it into the 160th Aviation Battalion. I got shot down on my 22nd birthday, March 27, 1971. Missions began every day at dawn, when crews were briefed on where to fly and what to look for. I had a wingman shot down, pilot John Shafer says. The Bell UH-1B/C was modified from the UH-1A Cobra to include a set of machine guns for attacking ground targets. The helicopter was designed around their earlier model 269/300 making use of monocoque steel tube construction techniques, allowing a strong and compact fuselage. 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 Marine Corp used it for the sea-based interdiction of the Ho Chi Minh Trail in 1972. They were operated by a number of military organizations, including the Japanese Army, Navy and Coast Guard. Two of these designs, those submitted by Fairchild-Hiller and Bell, were selected as finalists by the Army-Navy design competition board. Light Attack Helicopters 3. 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. Flight Hours in Vietnam: 1,318 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. 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. The aircraft was diverted prior to accomplishing any mission objectives. In contrast, of the nearly 1,100 Cobras delivered to the Army, 300 were lost. 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. 605th transportation Company (Direct Support): Nov . With all these benefits, several variations were developed. [12] Following a competitive fly-off, the Army requested the manufacturers to submit sealed bids. Hughes Tool Company Aircraft Division submitted their Model 369 to fill a US Army requirement for a Light Observation Helicopter capable of performing a number of secondary duties including escort, attack and casualty evacuation duties. The aircraft, dubbed 500P (penetrator) by Hughes, began as an ARPA project, codenamed "Mainstreet", in 1968. If you would like [5] Accordingly, the bidding for the LOH contract came down to Fairchild-Hiller and Hughes. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. When the opposing forces exposed themselves, the crew would call upon an accompanying Bell AH-1 Cobra to attack. 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 Reportedly, 964 out of the 1,422 OH-6As produced for the U.S. Army were destroyed in Vietnam alone. 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). All Rights Reserved. A.J. 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. For this, a small rotorcraft capable of landing in restrictive locations and easily transportable via US Air Force transport aircraft was necessary. The small "egg-shaped" design and simplified rotorhead incorporated four rotor blades of constant chord, made of bonded light alloy. Armament The high-low hunter-killer combination gave way to uniform-altitude missions, with all helicopters flying nap of the earth. 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! [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. It was a joy to fly. Kane, who today sells securities in Richmond, Virginia, flew AH-1s in Vietnam from 1968 to 1971. They were employed in hunter-killer tactics, wherein they flew low over the jungle as bait to draw enemy fire. Due to its unique shape, the Loach was given the nickname . Total flight hours at this point: 00000496 Infantrymen would also launch an assault from the ground. However, the choppers frame ensured the crewmen within remained safe. I still have scars on my legsit was terrifying. 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. An author of aviation books, his latest is Howards Whirlybirds. Cobras and Loaches, two vastly different aircraft, relied on each other to fight the enemy. Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. The OH-6 helicopters served in huge numbers and were used for light observation and utility roles. At peak production, during the Vietnam War, as many as 100 OH-6As were built a month. 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. It never flew again. It was also the right size to fit the necessary avionics and fuel stores, all while keeping the structure nimble and agile. By Richard Toops.

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