During 1967, following price escalations for the OH-6, the U.S. Army reopened the programme to bids for as many as 2,700 additional airframes beyond the 1,300 OH-6s already contracted. 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. While the already-produced OH-6 Cayuses were being deployed to Vietnam in 1967, production costs were beginning to rise. It was used for transporting personnel, escorting other aircraft and naval vessels, attacking enemy units, and acting as an observation post. This was a Recon mission for Unarmed Recon purchase. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER This was a Recon mission for Unarmed Recon 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. Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. 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. Vietnam War Era Hughes OH-6 Loach Helicopter 60,632 views Mar 30, 2013 327 Dislike Share Save Steve1958OR 221 subscribers A friend came by with his restored US Army Loach OH-6 helicopter. [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. While Loachs were vulnerable to enemy fire, they were famous for surviving crashes like John did. [2] This shaping, combined with the provision of internal bulkheads, has been attributed as giving the rotorcraft its uncommonly strong crashworthiness properties. Moore served as an Army OH-6A Loach scout in IV Corps, South Vietnam, 1968-1969: Fort Apache, Vihn Long Province. Despite having been designed for anti-submarine combat, the Gyrodyne QH-50 was mostly used for conducting reconnaissance of enemy vessels in the Vietnam war, instead of actual combat. ", 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. Underneath, a fixed twin-skid undercarriage was supported at two separate points. When the Loach debuted in 1966, it broke records for speed, endurance, and rate of climb, all important attributes for a scout helicopter. Helicopter took 1 hits from: 2023 Smithsonian Magazine To hunt for encampments, bunkers, or other signs of the enemy, commanders would deploy a flight of one scouting Loach and one supporting Cobra, called Pink Teams. I was flying wing and just dropped into the AO [Area of Operations]. Nate Shaffer and Bruce Campbell at their assigned positions. One time we ran into hundreds of enemy troops. Kawasaki Heavy Industries produced 387 OH-6D Cayuses under license in Japan. The CH-53 Tarhe was another heavy-lift helicopter designed to transport and recover downed aircraft. 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. 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. This story is a selection from the September issue of Air & Space magazine, Donald Porter Her research focused on Victorian, medical, and epidemiological history with a focus on childhood diseases. Helicopter Pilots Who Died in the Vietnam War . During the course of the competition, the Bell submission, the YOH-4, was eliminated as being underpowered (it was powered by the 250shp (186kW) T63-A-5). The Hughes 369 was redesignated the OH-6A "Cayuse" by the U.S. Army. While successful in this respect, the Loach helicopter also had a reputation for being easily gunned down. 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. OH-6A Cayuse / AH-6J Little Bird - Military Aircraft Hughes Model OH-6A "Cayuse" or "LOACH". They would then call in scouts on the ground or infantrymen to hunt for the enemy in the brush while attack helicopters protected everyone. The Little Birds weaponry is a far cry from the M60 machine gun carried aboard a Loach in Vietnam: AH-6s can carry miniguns, rocket pods, grenade launchers, Hellfire missiles, and air-to-air Stinger missiles. 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. Sensing its growing battlefield requirements, the US Army then raised the production ceiling to 1,300 units in all. 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. I was just out of flight school when I went to Vietnam. He flew Loaches for the next 11 months, and today is an accountant in Seattle. The US Army charged Hughes for 714 units with the serial production contract formally announced in May of 1965. Best Vietnam Helicopter Book - General Helicopter Forum - Vertical They were employed in hunter-killer tactics, wherein they flew low over the jungle as bait to draw enemy fire. Hughes OH-6 Cayuse | Military Wiki | Fandom Infantrymen would also launch an assault from the ground. The Korean War proved the necessity for such rotorcraft, particularly in regard to search and rescue operations. Cookie Policy The OH-6 was largely removed from active U.S. Army service in favor of the Kiowa, but modified versions of the helicopter flew with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment as the MH-6C Little Bird as late as 2008. Adopted after. 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. (He later transferred to the Air Force and flew F-4 Phantoms, and eventually became an airline captain.) Observation Helicopters 4. The CH-34 Choctaw was developed by Sikorsky Aircraft for transport purposes to carry personnel and deliver supplies. 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. and Images on this page are gathered from various sources. The aircraft was diverted prior to accomplishing any mission objectives. Privacy Statement Home | Hughes is reported to have told his confidant, Jack Real, that he lost over $100 million to construct 1,370 airframes. Improved versions were issued through the war and included pockets on the chest and back in which large additional plates could be inserted. Even when this helicopter was shot down, it refused to crack. 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. The 1-245 modified infantry night vision goggles and worked to develop the necessary skills for rapid deployment with Little Birds and C-130s.[31]. Ive seen them, whites of the eyes, and theyve seen me, whites of the eyes. 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. Trademarks and copyright information is respected. 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. 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. South Vietnam The shelf life of a scout pilot was probably six months. The Mil Mi-4 was a Soviet transport chopper used both for civilian and military purposes. The North Vietnamese deployed hundreds of the missiles, and from then on, both hunter and killer tried to stay well hidden. 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. We got into another aircraft and went back out. In one particular clandestine incident in 1972, known as the Vinh wiretap, a pair of OH-6As were heavily modified and used by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) via Air America was used to infiltrate Vietnamese high level communications, providing valuable intelligence. SA-7 Grail heat-seeking missiles could down a Loach before its crew even realized they were under fire. The United States deployed all types of helicopter, ranging from massive troop transport choppers, to smaller multipurpose and attack helicopters, and even helicopter drones. Under enemy fire this nimble machine had to fly low to the ground, just above the jungle canopy. This. The campaign included the first major use in the war of Soviet-built, shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles. 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. President As we navigate rapidly evolving military culture and Like any deployed troops, Russian soldiers make calls Sign up for our newsletter and receive the mighty updates! Also: LNOF, 90119, JSIDR (Lindenmuth Old Format Data Base. You were killed, shot down, or got scared and quit. 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. 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". It was nicknamed the Jolly Green Giant during the war. 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. [14][15], During 1966, the OH-1 entered service with the U.S. Army. Cobras rolled in and blew the downed aircraft uptaking with it about 15 bad guys standing around it.. Modifications were also made to the rotor assembly by way of a five blade main rotor which increased stability. Upon landing, an inspection revealed a damaged pitch link, a rotor head component so critical that had it failed, they too would have crashed. 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. EH-6B, a previous version of the Little Bird, was used for command, control and radio relay. Read the harrowing story of what happened on that tragic mission. article/image or apply full credit information. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Ultimately, Hughes was selected as the winner of the competition. The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. Hughes developed the Model 369 as a prototype for the U.S. Army in the early 1960s. [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. During May 1965, the U.S. Army awarded the production contract to Hughes. 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. But the Hueys proved too slow to do the job properly, and the need to replace both scouts and protectors was immediately evident. 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. Setting 23 world records for speed, distance, and altitude, the Hughes Tool Company OH-6 entered service in September of 1966. The OH-6A made its first flight in 1963. The Chickasaw was a multi-purpose helicopter designed for both the US Army and Air Force. They could also use grenades and on occasion even homebuilt explosives; more aggressive units mounted forward-firing miniguns. 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. As of 2021, these records still stand. Total flight hours at this point: 00000496 During the Vietnam war, the HH-43 Huskie was used for more rescue missions than all other aircraft combined. The Hughes 369 was redesignated the OH-6A "Cayuse" by the U.S. Army. I liked it because in the Bronx, I was a ghetto kid. 2 MK19 40-mm grenade launcher Unlike previous aircraft, the Tarhe was extremely successful during the Vietnam War. The helicopter was hit in the Left Side s/n 67-16304 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. [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. The Sea Stallion is a variant of the Jolly Green Giant, but its used only for sea transport. Historical Snapshot: OH-6 Cayuse/Hughes 500 Helicopter Optional and variable (attack and special forces versions only). A.J. 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 The Mil Mi-8 is a Soviet medium twin-turbine helicopter. 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 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. Since 1968 this helicopter saw combat in Vietnam. City of Walnut Creek Special Recreation Museum Tour October 26, 2019, United Airlines Family Day Fly-in October 13, 2019, Napa County Airport Day September 7, 2019, Virginia Rose II Cobra transferred to Vietnam Helicopters Museum August 14, 2019, Memorial Day 2019 Ceremonies at Oak Hill Memorial Park & Cemetery. The type was born from the US Army Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program (which provided its "Loach" nickname) and ultimately proved an excellent helicopter system seeing only limited service in the inventories of several American allies worldwide.
loach helicopter vietnam