In Vietnam, These Helicopter Scouts Saw Combat Up Close Cobras and Loaches, two vastly different aircraft, relied on each other to fight the enemy. Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program, The US Air Force Panicked When Its Top-Secret Stealth Fighter Crashed Into the California Wilderness. They were usually joined by Cobra gunships either in hunter-killer teams where the Loach hunted and the Cobra killed or in air mobile cavalry units where both airframes supported cavalry and infantrymen on the ground. I was used to getting up close and personal with the enemy.. 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. On the night of 56 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. In 1966 it entered military service with the US Army. 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. 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). 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. It served in Granada and Panama during the 1980s, as well as in the . When the Loach debuted in 1966, it broke records for speed, endurance, and rate of climb, all important attributes for a scout helicopter. The OH-6 Cayuse was built with a rugged structure covered in light aluminum. 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). The observers and gunners had even less experience. The aircraft was diverted prior to accomplishing any mission objectives. Read the harrowing story of what happened on that tragic mission. 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. Adopted after the company behind its design deceived the US Army, the Loach helicopter, as it was better known, fast became the primary chopper flown in Vietnam. South Vietnam Modifications were also made to the rotor assembly by way of a five blade main rotor which increased stability. Helicopter took 1 hits from: 13456, "History of Rotorcraft World Records, List of records established by the 'YOH-6A'. The Huey descended gingerly into a clearing smaller than its main rotor diameter, the aircrafts rotor blades chopping tree limbs as it descended. 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. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse was a revolutionary rotorcraft operated during the Vietnam War. The Army initially ordered 1,438 Hughes Model 369s, designated by the Army as the OH-6A Cayuse helicopters. The Cayuse was Hughes' longest-running helicopter program and, during the Vietnam War, as many as 100 OH-6As were built a month. Ace Cozzalio was among the most colorful characters of the Vietnam War. 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. Terms of Use The Mil Mi-1 was a Soviet-made light utility chopper with three or four seats. It could accomplish missions that bigger, slower and louder helicopters couldnt do. 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. In response, a task force was developed originally designated Task Force 158 for the next attempt to rescue the hostages, Operation Honey Badger. The Sea Knight is a medium left-tandem rotor helicopter used for transport. Two (2) Crew: one Pilot, one Observer/Doorgunner. Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. 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. 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 Hughes OH-6 Cayuse is a single-engine light helicopter that was designed and produced by the American aerospace company Hughes Helicopters. 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. Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 11/18/2017 | Content www.MilitaryFactory.com Hughes 500M: Military export version of OH-6 in mid-1970s with upgraded 278-shp Allison 250-C18 turboshaft engine, "V" tail. 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 US military primarily used the OH-6 for observational and reconnaissance purposes. On a few occasions, the OH-23 was also used for medical evacuation purposes, but this was rarely the case. Cookie Settings, pilot. Aircraft took off, fully flight capable. The Loach could be terrifying since it was often used with the AH-1 Cobra in hunter-killer missions, where the Loach would go out and find the enemy positions and the Cobra would go in for the kill with rocket, grenade, and minigun fire. Find Us on Facebook, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC). 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 Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. [22], Following the April 1980 failure of Operation Eagle Claw (the attempted rescue of American hostages in Tehran), it was determined that the military lacked aircraft and crews who were trained and prepared to perform special operations missions. 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. Units in Vietnam began sending UH-1Bs outfitted with rocket pods and machine guns to circle over the scouts at around 600 feet and attack anything that might interfere with the imminent troop landing. History | Privacy Statement The US Army charged Hughes for 714 units with the serial production contract formally announced in May of 1965. The Gyrodyne QH-50 was mostly designed to be used on ships that werent large enough to carry a full-sized helicopter. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Systems damaged were: COMM SYS, STRUCTURE, INSTRUMENTS, PERSONNEL The Hughes 369 was redesignated the OH-6A "Cayuse" by the U.S. Army. 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. In her spare time, Samantha enjoys reading, knitting, and hanging out with her dog, Chowder! It was used for transporting personnel, escorting other aircraft and naval vessels, attacking enemy units, and acting as an observation post. While they were circling the wreckage, enemy rounds hit their ship. Late in the war, the HH-43 was also deployed for short overland search and rescue missions. article/image or apply full credit information. This. It never flew again. Unit: DIR SUP / TRAN [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. Cobras, nicknamed Snakes, flew circles 1,500 feet above the scouts, waiting to pounce on whatever the Loach found. 1:00 Jan. 6 will mark 50 years since former Newburgh resident Dave Middleton was shot down in Vietnam while piloting a Loach helicopter on a mission to which he wasn't originally assigned.. Possible mast-mounted sight. [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). 2 M260 2.75-in Hydra 70 rocket pods (7 or 12 each) 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. 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. ). See Also: How Much Does a Huey Helicopter Cost? You had a couple of flights in the Huey, then you rode front seat in a Cobra, scout pilot Allan Krausz recounts. 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. The Loach-derived MD-500 and other civilian variants still roll off the assembly lines at MD Helicopters, Inc., while Boeing produces an upgraded variant, the AH-6 Little Bird, for military forces (including an autonomous drone version). 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. Armament I liked it because in the Bronx, I was a ghetto kid. Scout crews argued that the Kiowa was nowhere near as nimble as the Cayuse, but scouting flights were changing. It was used to look for and find the VC/NVA troops in Vietnam. 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. Served in Vietnam War during 1968 through 1970. They could also use grenades and on occasion even homebuilt explosives; more aggressive units mounted forward-firing miniguns. The Korean War proved the necessity for such rotorcraft, particularly in regard to search and rescue operations. (7.62MM) 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. 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. Instead of disbanding Task Force 158, the military opted to turn it into the 160th Aviation Battalion. . We were about ready to call in tactical air support to blow up the wrecked ship when another Cobra took a lot of fire. Despite its strong offensive abilities, the SH-2 Seasprite was mostly used for rescuing downed friendly aircrews instead of direct combat. (He later transferred to the Air Force and flew F-4 Phantoms, and eventually became an airline captain.) Date: 03/25/1970 [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. Date: 02/08/1969 But the Army decided that it would be more prudent to keep the unit in order to be prepared for future contingencies. Its like a street cop going into a bad neighborhood. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse is a light helicopter with a single engine and a four-bladed main rotor. Several Kawasaki-built Loach helicopters were also flown by civilian customers for a variety of reasons, including emergency medical services, law enforcement tasks and for work in the agricultural sector. Another such gunner was 19-year-old Joel Boucher, drafted and sent to Vietnam from 1967 to 1969. As a separate part of the project, armed OH-6As were being developed at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Its four-bladed full-articulated main rotor made it particularly agile, and it was suitable for personnel transport, escort and attack missions, and observation. 2 MK19 40-mm grenade launcher [2] This shaping, combined with the provision of internal bulkheads, has been attributed as giving the rotorcraft its uncommonly strong crashworthiness properties. 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. In some areas, Purple Teamsone Loach and two Cobraswere also common, as were other variations.) 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. Nate Shaffer and Bruce Campbell at their assigned positions. The CH-34 Choctaw was developed by Sikorsky Aircraft for transport purposes to carry personnel and deliver supplies. It was reasonably fast, very crashworthy, comparatively easy to maintain and fly, and extraordinarily maneuverable. Both the Pilot and Observer/Gunner positions were equipped with carbon fiber side panels and seats. The Bell H-13 Sioux was developed as a light-weight single-engine and single-rotor helicopter. Home | 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. Ive seen them, whites of the eyes, and theyve seen me, whites of the eyes. (He later transferred to the Air Force and flew F-4 Phantoms, and eventually became an airline captain.) 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. 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 helicopters used for transporting personnel became the MH-6 aircraft of the Light Assault Company and the armed OH-6As became the AH-6 aircraft of the Light Attack Company. They were famous for being shot down or crashing in combat. [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. It was nicknamed the Jolly Green Giant during the war. [14][15], During 1966, the OH-1 entered service with the U.S. Army. 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. During the Vietnam War, it was mostly deployed for aerial combat and for conducting rescue operations in areas close to US Air bases. It was a joy to fly. Kane, who today sells securities in Richmond, Virginia, flew AH-1s in Vietnam from 1968 to 1971. 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. It can cruise at speeds of 150 mph. (Scouts were known as White Teams and Cobras as Red; the two colors combine to become pink. 2023 Smithsonian Magazine The Mil Mi-8 was developed in the later stage of the Vietnam War to counter the Bell Huey UH1. Upon returning to the United States, he established a career in the construction industry and settled in rural Sierra City, California. 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". The OH-6 helicopters served in huge numbers and were used for light observation and utility roles. However, the U.S. Army subsequently chose to include Hughes's Model 369 for further consideration as well. Furthermore, the helicopter was also developed into a civilian helicopter, the Model 500, which was still in production into the twenty-first century under MD Helicopters as the MD 500. The helicopter made a Forced Landing. Moore served as an Army OH-6A Loach scout in IV Corps, South Vietnam, 1968-1969: Fort Apache, Vihn Long Province. The campaign included the first major use in the war of Soviet-built, shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles. The Mil Mi-8 is a Soviet medium twin-turbine helicopter. It was barely used in the Vietnam War because it was replaced by the more advanced Sikorsky H-34 Choctaw. 2 TOW missile pods (2 each) The Mojave is a large heavy-lift helicopter that was deployed in the Vietnam War in 1965 to assist in recovery of downed US aircraft, but it proved ineffective. OH-6A/Cayuse: Developed initially by the Hughes Aircraft company (later McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company) in the mid-1960s for the US Army. More from us: The US Air Force Panicked When Its Top-Secret Stealth Fighter Crashed Into the California Wilderness. It was deemed, based on Hughes' estimates, his units would be most cost effective in the long run. 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. 608th Transportation Company (Aircraft Direct Support): Mar 72 Reportedly, 964 out of the 1,422 OH-6As produced for the US Army were destroyed in the Vietnam theatre, the majority of these losses being a result of hostile action, typically ground fire. Search and Rescue Helicopters 5. 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. Can include a combination of the following across two fuselage wingstubs (though some weapons operated from cabin doors): (Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above), Hardpoint Mountings: 2 (if wingstub equipped). They were employed in hunter-killer tactics, wherein they flew low over the jungle as bait to draw enemy fire. 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. and Images on this page are gathered from various sources. This chopper is mostly known for having been used to spot enemy artillery. s/n 66-07841. 79th Transportation Company: Jun 70 Jul 70 The Hughes (Model 500M) international military version was sold in ten countries and built under license in Italy and Japan. Donald Porter served in Vietnam with the helicopters he writes about. 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. contact us here and we will remove the Hughes developed the Model 369 as a prototype for the U.S. Army in the early 1960s. Unlike previous aircraft, the Tarhe was extremely successful during the Vietnam War. Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. 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. A saying among Army aviators was, If you have to crash, do it in a Loach.. Boucher quickly discovered that life as a qualified crewman was extremely dangerous. The CH-53 Tarhe was another heavy-lift helicopter designed to transport and recover downed aircraft. 605th transportation Company (Direct Support): Nov . Up against Fairchild Hiller, Hughes Tool Company purposely undervalued its cost estimates, earning the company favor and the contract. This aspect was further bolstered by the use of self-sealing fuel tanks that lowered the likelihood of a post-impact fire breaking out. They went down in the jungle, and both [members of the crew] survived. One time we ran into hundreds of enemy troops. . Casualties = 01 WIA . It was also the right size to fit the necessary avionics and fuel stores, all while keeping the structure nimble and agile. 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. [22] All American rotorcraft in the theatre had to be operated more cautiously following this development. Systems damaged were: FUEL SYS That was about it.. 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. The Sea Stallion is a line of heavy-lift transport helicopters. EH-6B, a previous version of the Little Bird, was used for command, control and radio relay. Hughes bid $56,550 per airframe, while Bell bid $54,200. 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. 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. It can cruise at speeds of 150 mph. The Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) (formerly Hughes model 369A) OH-6A was designed for use as a military scout during the Vietnam war to meet the US Army's need for an extremely maneuverable light observation helicopter. At peak production, during the Vietnam War, as many as 100 OH-6As were built a month. In August 1967, the AH-1G Cobra arrived in Vietnam. The Model 206 was mostly employed as a general utility helicopter, but at times it was also used for transporting troops and high command, in addition to serving observational and reconnaissance roles during the Vietnam war. Each time we went out, we got shot at. Queer John was famous not just for crashing, but for keeping the crew safe while it did so. Has a mouth full of pointy teeth and a pair of eyes. [12] Accordingly, during 1968, Hughes submitted a bid to build a further 2,700 airframes. While Enroute this helicopter was at Level Flight at 0020 feet and 050 knots. Hughes, without informing Real, raised the bid by $3,000, and thus lost the contract to Bell. 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. In addition, an M60D 7.62mm machine gun could be mounted in the front port (left) or rear starboard (right) door openings. Click on the hotlinks for more information. These would be used to replace its fleet of Bell H-13 Sioux, a compact first generation rotorcraft. However, the choppers frame ensured the crewmen within remained safe. Improved versions were issued through the war and included pockets on the chest and back in which large additional plates could be inserted. [27] During June 1972, they were deployed to a secret base in southern Laos (PS-44), where one of the helicopters was heavily damaged during a training mission late in the summer. 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. 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. [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.