So I engaged the enemy, but didnt make it out of that one. A rescue operation for the crew of a downed Loach helicopter doesn't quite go as planned and the rescuers become victims themselves. 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. 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. 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 Cayuse could absorb an extensive amount of small arms fire and still bring the crew home safely. Armament 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. 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.
Hunter-killer team - Wikipedia This helicopter was chosen by the US Army over the proposals of a number of other helicopter manufactures, designated the OH-6A Cayuse, and entered service in 1965. OA-6A 'Loach' Scout platoon. Loach and Cobra were in constant radio communication, and because of the intensity of hunter-killer missions, it wasnt long before pairs in each type knew each other well enough to anticipate the others moves. 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. Hughes 500M: Military export version of OH-6 in mid-1970s with upgraded 278-shp Allison 250-C18 turboshaft engine, "V" tail. It was used prolifically because of its unique hovering abilities. This was a Combat incident. The AH-1 is sometimes affectionately referred to as the Huey Cobra or The Snake. In her spare time, Samantha enjoys reading, knitting, and hanging out with her dog, Chowder! Even when this helicopter was shot down, it refused to crack.
29 of the best politically incorrect Vietnam War slang terms A saying among Army aviators was, If you have to crash, do it in a Loach.. You had a couple of flights in the Huey, then you rode front seat in a Cobra, scout pilot Allan Krausz recounts. Donald Porter September 2017 Pilot Clyde. Warrant officer John Shafer was 21 when he arrived on October 16, 1970, to fly Loaches. Loach crews regularly walked away from crashes that would doom others. The Cayuse was publicly introduced in 1966 and set several records, including record for endurance, speed and rate of climb. 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 Bell OH-58 Kiowa was an entire line of military helicopters with a single engine and a single rotor. It was used to look for and find the VC/NVA troops in Vietnam. The following two-week mission was to Yuma for night operation training. 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. I spent more time with them..
Ultimate Soldier Air Cavalry OH-6 "Loach" Helicopter 1/6 Scale https://warandlifediscussions.weebly.com/Any veteran who served in any combat zone in any capacity is invited to contact Preston Jones: pjones@jbu.edu / (479) 524-7488 Jim Kanes Vietnam tour abruptly ended one day in February 1971. Flight Hours in Vietnam: 1,318 | The following text is exclusive to this site. (Scouts were known as White Teams and Cobras as Red; the two colors combine to become pink. .
How a Vietnam War Helicopter Pilot Captured a POW With His Civil War 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. Queer John was famous not just for crashing, but for keeping the crew safe while it did so. The OH-6A made its first flight in 1963. Even when this helicopter was shot down, it refused to crack. [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.
Fortunate son intensifies : r/memes - reddit Moore served as an Army OH-6A "Loach" scout in IV Corps, South Vietnam, 1968-1969: Fort Apache, Vihn Long Province.
The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is a tandem rotor chopper that was developed by Vetrol and built by Boeing Vertol. The "loach" was the LOH (Light Observation Helicopter) or OH-6A. ", 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. 60th Assault Helicopter Company: Mar 72 Jun 72, Information on U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A tail number 67-16304 Despite its strong offensive abilities, the SH-2 Seasprite was mostly used for rescuing downed friendly aircrews instead of direct combat. They were famous for being shot down or crashing in combat. The OH-6 was also exported as the Model 500 Defender.
That was about it.. Pilot sold separately. He is proud of his service, which involved a great deal of combat, but has concluded that U.S. involvement in Vietnam was a mistake. It is 1/6th scale and very large, has to be at least 3 feet from rotor tip to rotor tip. To counter the US, the Vietnamese employed their helicopter fleets of mostly Soviet-made aircraft. 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. purchase. Fewer than 2,000 of the type were produced though the original went on to spawn a plethora of viable performers including the Hughes 500 "Defender" and the special forces-minded MH-6 "Little Bird". South Vietnam Cobras and Loaches, two vastly different aircraft, relied on each other to fight the enemy. Primarily, it was used by the Marine Corp to transport personnel and cargo. During the Vietnam War, it was mostly deployed for aerial combat and for conducting rescue operations in areas close to US Air bases. We thought they were ARVNs [Army of the Republic of Vietnam] until they started running. He shares memories of his service and reflects on what the war meant to. Upon landing, an inspection revealed a damaged pitch link, a rotor head component so critical that had it failed, they too would have crashed. Instead of disbanding Task Force 158, the military opted to turn it into the 160th Aviation Battalion. 2 TOW missile pods (2 each) Anthony comes from a military family and has served his country proudly in the military as a pilot. 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. Her research focused on Victorian, medical, and epidemiological history with a focus on childhood diseases. The armed OH-6s from Fort Rucker joined the training program in the fall of 1980.[30].
US Army Loach OH-6 Helicopter Vietnam War Era - YouTube 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. I got shot down on my 22nd birthday, March 27, 1971. 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. Can a Helicopter Fly to the Top of Mount Everest. 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 OH-6D was an improved version with more advanced electronics and heavier armament. SA-7 Grail heat-seeking missiles could down a Loach before its crew even realized they were under fire. Fitted with 1x 253-shp Allison T63-A-5A turboshaft, 4 bladed main rotor, and an offset "V" tail. The Mil Mi-8 was developed in the later stage of the Vietnam War to counter the Bell Huey UH1. The Army requested 714 helicopters in May 1965, a number that was later increased to 1,300. 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-21C was extensively used by the US Army to transport troops and supplies. When the 1980 hostage situation of Operation Eagle Claw was deemed a disaster, the US military realized there was a lack of aircraft and personnel trained for such special operations. Information on U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A tail number 67-16304
The Bell UH-1 Huey & the Hughes OH-6 Loach This chopper is mostly known for having been used to spot enemy artillery. As the H-13s were phased out, Loaches were paired with Cobra gunships. 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. Scout crews argued that the Kiowa was nowhere near as nimble as the Cayuse, but scouting flights were changing. 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. About Us | This aspect was further bolstered by the use of self-sealing fuel tanks that lowered the likelihood of a post-impact fire breaking out. 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. 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. Overtop of the fuselage was the OH-6s single engine, attached to a four-blade main rotor assembly. The Gyrodyne QH-50 was mostly designed to be used on ships that werent large enough to carry a full-sized helicopter. [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. Table of Contents 1.
10 Types of Helicopters in Vietnam (Vietnam Era Helicopters) - Aero Corner 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. [28][29], The pilots selected to fly the OH-6A helicopters came from the 229th Attack Helicopter Battalion and 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 rotorcraft. 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). But the Army decided that it would be more prudent to keep the unit in order to be prepared for future contingencies. AH-1G Huey Cobra 'Snake' . Improved versions were issued through the war and included pockets on the chest and back in which large additional plates could be inserted. Unlike its troop-carrying ancestors, a Cobra was like a World War II fighter, says Jim Kane, who arrived in Vietnam fresh out of Purdue University. which many are taken will be available from our shop to
The Incident - CherriesWriter - Vietnam War website In the Vietnam War, these choppers were used to recover downed aircraft. Multi-Mission Helicopters 6. When the opposing forces exposed themselves, the crew would call upon an accompanying Bell AH-1 Cobra to attack.
Best Vietnam Helicopter Book - General Helicopter Forum - Vertical 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. [5] Accordingly, the bidding for the LOH contract came down to Fairchild-Hiller and Hughes. s/n 66-07841. This eventually gave way to the loach nickname, and was intended to provide the US military with a light-class, rotary-wing craft that could fulfill a number of purposes: search and rescue, close air support, MEDEVAC, observation, transport, reconnaissance and attack roles. The AH-1J SeaCobra was used later in the later stages of the Vietnam war. (He later transferred to the Air Force and flew F-4 Phantoms, and eventually became an airline captain.) The OH-6 Cayuse was built with a rugged structure covered in light aluminum. The Loach's main role was reconnaisance and observation. 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. The Bell UH-1B/C was modified from the UH-1A Cobra to include a set of machine guns for attacking ground targets. Disclaimer Photographs 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. I was flying wing and just dropped into the AO [Area of Operations]. But even that armament combined with the Cobra escort couldnt keep them safe. It was used for transporting personnel, escorting other aircraft and naval vessels, attacking enemy units, and acting as an observation post. The high-low hunter-killer combination gave way to uniform-altitude missions, with all helicopters flying nap of the earth. 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". Moses, a 19-year-old draftee, arrived in Vietnam in July 1970 for the first of two year-long tours, and later worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs as a therapist and administrator. The campaign included the first major use in the war of Soviet-built, shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles. 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. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse is a light helicopter with a single engine and a four-bladed main rotor. During the Vietnam War the OH-6 helicopters served in huge numbers and were used for light observation and utility roles. 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. The OH-6/Model 369 was also license-produced overseas by the Japanese aerospace company Kawasaki Heavy Industries for both military and civilian operators. Its effectiveness in battle allowed it to quickly replace the Bell H-13 Siouxs being operated in the country. The unrefueled range of the AH-6 is 250 nautical miles. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER
Hughes OH-6 Cayuse Light Observation Helicopter - MILITARY TODAY Select the first letter of the last name of the person you want to find: A Troop, 7th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Aug 70 Feb 72 External load capacity was approximately 1,200 Lbs (550 kg), and transport capability 2 or 3 troops or cargo internally. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. The helicopter made a Forced Landing. Almost as soon as production began, however, it was replaced by a competitors model. I had another lead that went through 150 feet of trees, and they survived., Shafer himself had brushes with disaster, and his luck nearly ran out on a mission west of Dak To, near the border with Laos. The prototype first flew in early 1963, and production began two years later. ). Pilots called this helicopter as the Loach. The United States deployed all types of helicopter, ranging from massive troop transport choppers, to smaller multipurpose and attack helicopters, and even helicopter drones. 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. Some units were modified during the war with machine guns to act as gunships. 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. Armed with guns, Hellfire missiles, and 2.75-inch FFAR, it provides armed helicopter support to both ground and air special operations. 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. Served in Vietnam War during 1968 and 1970-1972 This helicopter was UNK