All Rights Reserved. The Bell AH-1J was also used for various subsequent assaults and military operations conducted by the US Marine Corps. We operated from fixed bases that were islands, if you will, of allied control, says Hugh Mills, who flew both Loaches and Cobras in Vietnam from 1968 to 1972, and went on to fly helicopters for the Kansas City Police Department. OH-6A/Cayuse: Developed initially by the Hughes Aircraft company (later McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company) in the mid-1960s for the US Army. 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). They were employed in hunter-killer tactics, wherein they flew low over the jungle as bait to draw enemy fire. 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. The Gyrodyne QH-50 was mostly designed to be used on ships that werent large enough to carry a full-sized helicopter. EH-6B, a previous version of the Little Bird, was used for command, control and radio relay. . It was reasonably fast, very crashworthy, comparatively easy to maintain and fly, and extraordinarily maneuverable. Loach crews were equipped with small arms and returned fire as they fled. Heavy Attack Helicopters 2. 60th Assault Helicopter Company: Mar 72 Jun 72, Information on U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A tail number 67-16304 Adopted after. 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. The Army purchased this helicopter 0968 Her research focused on Victorian, medical, and epidemiological history with a focus on childhood diseases. In 1960, the US Army issued Technical Specification 153 and established the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program. This chopper is mostly known for having been used to spot enemy artillery. 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. Crews trained side by side with the 160th for all operational concepts. [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. It was a joy to fly. Kane, who today sells securities in Richmond, Virginia, flew AH-1s in Vietnam from 1968 to 1971. You had a couple of flights in the Huey, then you rode front seat in a Cobra, scout pilot Allan Krausz recounts. 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 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. Cobras and Loaches, two vastly different aircraft, relied on each other to fight the enemy. 2 TOW missile pods (2 each) [5] Accordingly, the bidding for the LOH contract came down to Fairchild-Hiller and Hughes. Improved versions were issued through the war and included pockets on the chest and back in which large additional plates could be inserted. Armament 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. The campaign included the first major use in the war of Soviet-built, shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles. Rattler One-Seven puts you in the helicopter seat, to see the war in Vietnam through the eyes of an inexperienced pilot as he transforms himself into a seasoned combat veteran. [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. 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 enemy was moving toward us when a [command and control] ship picked us up. Primarily, it was used by the Marine Corp to transport personnel and cargo. The OH-6/Model 369 was also license-produced overseas by the Japanese aerospace company Kawasaki Heavy Industries for both military and civilian operators. Armed with guns, Hellfire missiles, and 2.75-inch FFAR, it provides armed helicopter support to both ground and air special operations. The SeaCobra was a twin-engine attack helicopter that was developed from the single-engine AH-1 Cobra helicopter. South Vietnam This was a Combat incident. 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. We got hit by incendiary .51-caliber rounds, and the phosphorus ignited the Cobras hydraulic fluid. Total flight hours at this point: 00000265 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. Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program, The US Air Force Panicked When Its Top-Secret Stealth Fighter Crashed Into the California Wilderness. 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. Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 11/18/2017 | Content www.MilitaryFactory.com 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. Under enemy fire this nimble machine had to fly low to the ground, just above the jungle canopy. Following the Second World War, significant advancements were made in the field of rotary-wing flight. You were killed, shot down, or got scared and quit. Pilots called this helicopter as the Loach. Unfortunately, the weight of the armament kept the little bird from taking off. [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. 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. Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. 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. But the Hueys proved too slow to do the job properly, and the need to replace both scouts and protectors was immediately evident. 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 Even when this helicopter was shot down, it refused to crack. History | The AH-6 Little Bird Gun, a light attack helicopter, has been tested and proven in combat. [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. 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. Jim was unconscious when I helped pull him out of the burning aircraft.. 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. But even that armament combined with the Cobra escort couldnt keep them safe. The OH-6 was also exported as the Model 500 Defender. 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. The first Loach arrived in Vietnam in 1966, and a total of 1,434 of the primary . 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. Nate Shaffer and Bruce Campbell at their assigned positions. Donald Porter served in Vietnam with the helicopters he writes about. They would then call in scouts on the ground or infantrymen to hunt for the enemy in the brush while attack helicopters protected everyone. 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. Modifications were also made to the rotor assembly by way of a five blade main rotor which increased stability. The Army requested 714 helicopters in May 1965, a number that was later increased to 1,300. 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. But the light aluminum skin could be easily pierced by rifle bullets, and it also crumpled and absorbed energy in a crash, and a strong structural truss protected critical systemslike the people inside. When the opposing forces exposed themselves, the crew would call upon an accompanying Bell AH-1 Cobra to attack. 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 Army initially ordered 1,438 Hughes Model 369s, designated by the Army as the OH-6A Cayuse helicopters. The UH, nicknamed Huey is a utility military chopper that was used for troop and cargo transport, medical evacuation, and sometimes for military purposes. 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. [13][3] Beginning in 2001, the JGSDF OH-6s were supplemented by the indigenously-developed Kawasaki OH-1, a more advanced observation helicopter. The Chickasaw was a multi-purpose helicopter designed for both the US Army and Air Force. The OH-6A replaced the Korean era OH-13 Sioux and OH-23 Raven light observation helicopters. Onboard UH1 Huey helicopter (SN 66-163-56) was Aircraft Commander, WO William H. Seaborn Jr., myself as . 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. Observation Helicopters Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (Loach) The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse is a light helicopter with a single engine and a four-bladed main rotor. 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. 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. Due to its unique shape, the Loach was given the nickname . 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. Ultimately, Hughes was selected as the winner of the competition. The UH-1B/C was used sparingly during the Vietnam War. I was wounded three times and shot down nine times, Romero reports. Both the Pilot and Observer/Gunner positions were equipped with carbon fiber side panels and seats. 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. 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. 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). | READ MORE. During the Vietnam War Era, different types of helicopters were crucial for providing support for ground forces, scouting locations, and deploying or retrieving soldiers. Home | 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. Search and Rescue Helicopters 5. Both Loach and Cobra have been in production, on and off, in one form or another ever since. I liked it because in the Bronx, I was a ghetto kid. The Cayuse had a single articulated four-bladed main rotor, a metal two-bladed tail rotor, and a V-shaped tail. We thought they were ARVNs [Army of the Republic of Vietnam] until they started running. The Loach helicopters used to transport personnel were given the designation MH-6, while the armed ones were dubbed the AH-6. 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. Cobras, nicknamed Snakes, flew circles 1,500 feet above the scouts, waiting to pounce on whatever the Loach found. (He later transferred to the Air Force and flew F-4 Phantoms, and eventually became an airline captain.) Military operators included the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), and the Japanese Coast Guard. These hunter-killer missions, among the most hazardous of the Vietnam War, tested the resolve of the OH-6 pilots and the aerial observers sitting beside them. Select the first letter of the last name of the person you want to find: Moore served as an Army OH-6A "Loach" scout in IV Corps, South Vietnam, 1968-1969: Fort Apache, Vihn Long Province. The OH-6 Cayuse, by this point known as the Loach helicopter, made its way to Vietnam in December 1967. In her spare time, Samantha enjoys reading, knitting, and hanging out with her dog, Chowder! 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. Built by Hughes Tool Company, it was designed to be a scout helicopter during the Vietnam war. [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 Piasecki H-21 Workhorse was the fourth line of tandem rotor helicopters developed by Piasecki Helicopters. These choppers were modified for combat rescue missions and had self-sealing fuel tanks, rescue hoist, and in-flight refueling abilities. 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. The Mil Mi-1 was a Soviet-made light utility chopper with three or four seats. Terms of Use Cookie Policy Graphics are very well done, the whole model is very well done. Initially fielded in Vietnam in early 1968, the Hughes OH-6A was used for command and control, observation, target acquisition, and reconnaissance. Once enemy positions opened fire at the Cayuse, they were destroyed by the mighty firepower of escorting Cobras. 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. The Bell H-13 Sioux was developed as a light-weight single-engine and single-rotor helicopter. That was about it.. Flight Hours in Vietnam: 1,318 It was mostly used to transport troops and cargo during the Vietnam war. [8][9], A total of 387 OH-6/Hughes 369s were produced under license in Japan by the Japanese aerospace company Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Read the harrowing story of what happened on that tragic mission. [7] The Hiller design, designated OH-5A,[7] had featured a boosted control system, while the Hughes design did not, a difference that accounted for some of the price increase. Date: 02/08/1969 It was used for transporting personnel, escorting other aircraft and naval vessels, attacking enemy units, and acting as an observation post. Some of them were able to tell how large a force was and how recently it had passed. The Seasprite was an anti-submarine and anti-surface helicopter that had over-the-horizon targeting facilities. [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). The observers and gunners had even less experience. Two of these designs, those submitted by Fairchild-Hiller and Bell, were selected as finalists by the Army-Navy design competition board. The light observation helicopter OH-6 Cayuse, or Loach (based on the LOH acronym), was a Vietnam-era helicopter designed with speed and maneuverability in mind. We flew down along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, he says of the supply route that wound through Vietnam and neighboring Laos and Cambodia. Scout crews argued that the Kiowa was nowhere near as nimble as the Cayuse, but scouting flights were changing. A rescue operation for the crew of a downed Loach helicopter doesn't quite go as planned and the rescuers become victims themselves. Total flight hours at this point: 00000496 [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. 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. 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. More from us: The US Air Force Panicked When Its Top-Secret Stealth Fighter Crashed Into the California Wilderness. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods. Hughes is reported to have told his confidant, Jack Real, that he lost over $100 million to construct 1,370 airframes. 605th transportation Company (Direct Support): Nov . 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. to voice a complaint about any articles or image on this website, please 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. Shop | A saying among Army aviators was, If you have to crash, do it in a Loach.. 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. Operation Honey Badger was canceled after the hostages were released on 20 January 1981, and for a short while, it looked as if the task force would be disbanded and the personnel returned to their former units. When the training was completed, C-141 Starlifter airlifters transported both rotorcraft and crews to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, for two weeks of mission training. The Vietnam War saw the extensive use of helicopters, though were mostly by the United States military. The following two-week mission was to Yuma for night operation training. The Army purchased this helicopter 0968 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. In 1961, twelve companies submitted proposals to meet U.S.Army requirements for a four-seat turbine-powered light observation helicopter (LOH). However, the U.S. Army subsequently chose to include Hughes's Model 369 for further consideration as well. Vietnam Veteran and his Helicopter Reunited. The AH-1J SeaCobra was used later in the later stages of the Vietnam war. Kawasaki Heavy Industries produced 387 OH-6D Cayuses under license in Japan. 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 task force, which had been designated as Task Force 158, was soon formed into the 160th Aviation Battalion. A.J. For this, a small rotorcraft capable of landing in restrictive locations and easily transportable via US Air Force transport aircraft was necessary. The NVA [North Vietnamese army] was everywhere. Although many were still teenagers, their survival depended on well-honed instincts and razor-sharp reflexes, along with plenty of luck. I spent more time with them.. 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. Instead of disbanding Task Force 158, the military opted to turn it into the 160th Aviation Battalion. [22] The remaining H-13s were promptly withdrawn in favour of the OH-6s. The 'Loach' was one of the riskiest helicopter assignments in Vietnam Logan Nye Updated December 07, 2022 09:30:25 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. Overtop of the fuselage was the OH-6s single engine, attached to a four-blade main rotor assembly. 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. Despite its strong offensive abilities, the SH-2 Seasprite was mostly used for rescuing downed friendly aircrews instead of direct combat. Though Cobra pilots were trained Stateside, most Loach pilots didnt take control of OH-6s until arriving in Vietnam. Can a Helicopter Fly to the Top of Mount Everest. Troop C, 1st squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Oct 68 Jan 69 See Also: How Much Does a Huey Helicopter Cost? OA-6A 'Loach' Scout platoon. One, nicknamed Queer John, hit the dirt at least seven times. 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. The small-arms protection aircrewmen armor that was introduced in 1966 was a vest with pockets containing composite laminated plates commonly called chicken plates. Other Army pilots, most of whom flew Cobras or Hueys, thought of Loach pilots as a little offbeat. Its effectiveness in battle allowed it to quickly replace the Bell H-13 Siouxs being operated in the country. I still have scars on my legsit was terrifying. The prototype first flew in early 1963, and production began two years later. 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. 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. Served in Vietnam War during 1968 through 1970. Optional and variable (attack and special forces versions only). 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. [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. 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). On the night of 5-6 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. The hunter-killer tactic worked well for a few years, but by the time the United States left Vietnam, it was obsolete, says Mills. Helicopter Pilots Who Died in the Vietnam War . Up against Fairchild Hiller, Hughes Tool Company purposely undervalued its cost estimates, earning the company favor and the contract. 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. Late in the war, the HH-43 was also deployed for short overland search and rescue missions. If the OH-6 came under fire, the nearby Cobra would then strike at the revealed enemy. Click on the hotlinks for more information. [14][15], During 1966, the OH-1 entered service with the U.S. Army. In the event of a crash the tailboom and engine separate from the egg-like . 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. [2] This shaping, combined with the provision of internal bulkheads, has been attributed as giving the rotorcraft its uncommonly strong crashworthiness properties. Book A Flight | Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. Sensing its growing battlefield requirements, the US Army then raised the production ceiling to 1,300 units in all. Some units were modified during the war with machine guns to act as gunships. It was used to look for and find the VC/NVA troops in Vietnam. 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.
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