Reportedly, Hughes had consulted at the last moment with Real, who recommended a bid of $53,550. AH-1G Huey Cobra 'Snake' . Loach come from the LOH which means Light Observation Helicopter. Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Vietnam OH-6A "Cayuse" Helicopter The OH-6A made its first flight in 1963. 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. 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. The Hughes 369 was redesignated the OH-6A "Cayuse" by the U.S. Army. The Cobras high above had a few seconds of warningthey could spot the missiles exhaust plumebut were all the more tempting because at their higher altitudes they were more easily seen than the smaller Loaches. The 'Loach' was one of the riskiest helicopter assignments in Vietnam 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. . Helicopter took 1 hits from: The Model 369 had a distinctive teardrop-shaped fuselage that had strong crashworthiness properties and provided excellent external visibility. In photo #2 you can see the nice graphics. Date: 03/25/1970 Late in the war, the HH-43 was also deployed for short overland search and rescue missions. He shares memories of his service and reflects on what the war meant to him then and what it means to him now. When the opposing forces exposed themselves, the crew would call upon an accompanying Bell AH-1 Cobra to attack. Ace Cozzalio was among the most colorful characters of the Vietnam War. Hughes, without informing Real, raised the bid by $3,000, and thus lost the contract to Bell. During May 1965, the U.S. Army awarded the production contract to Hughes. 79th Transportation Company: Jun 70 Jul 70 While successful in this respect, the Loach helicopter also had a reputation for being easily gunned down. Hughes is reported to have told his confidant, Jack Real, that he lost over $100 million to construct 1,370 airframes. [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. Army units this aircraft deployed with in Vietnam: When the Loach debuted in 1966, it broke records for speed, endurance, and rate of climb, all important attributes for a scout helicopter. ", 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. | The following text is exclusive to this site. You were killed, shot down, or got scared and quit. It was powered by a 285-hp engine but the helicopter weighed less than a Volkswagen. The SeaCobra was a twin-engine attack helicopter that was developed from the single-engine AH-1 Cobra helicopter. This story is a selection from the September issue of Air & Space magazine, Donald Porter As the reserve units have continued to move away from the OH-6 as their primary scout aircraft, military technical support of the aircraft has dwindled. Hughes OH-6 Cayuse - Wikipedia Operation Honey Badger never went ahead, as the hostages were released in January 1981. Ultimate Soldier Air Cavalry OH-6 "Loach" Helicopter 1/6 Scale Moore served as an Army OH-6A "Loach" scout in IV Corps, South Vietnam, 1968-1969: Fort Apache, Vihn Long Province. Queer John was famous not just for crashing, but for keeping the crew safe while it did so. Here are the 24 helicopters used in Vietnam. This was a Combat incident. In the event of a crash the tailboom and engine separate from the egg-like . 2 TOW missile pods (2 each) The OH-6A "Cayuse" is a small tactical helicopter flown by units of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment [SOAR]. The unrefueled range of the AH-6 is 250 nautical miles. Click on the hotlinks for more information. Table of Contents 1. 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. The Army purchased this helicopter 0968 In 1966 it entered military service with the US Army. 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. A.J. 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. Infantrymen would also launch an assault from the ground. The Cayuse . The US military primarily used the OH-6 for observational and reconnaissance purposes. Front left side view of the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse helicopter; color, Right side view of the Hughes OH-6 Loach in flight; color. The Army requested 714 helicopters in May 1965, a number that was later increased to 1,300. You had a couple of flights in the Huey, then you rode front seat in a Cobra, scout pilot Allan Krausz recounts. [13][3] Beginning in 2001, the JGSDF OH-6s were supplemented by the indigenously-developed Kawasaki OH-1, a more advanced observation helicopter. The Army officially adopted the Bell OH-58 Kiowa in 1969. 10 Types of Helicopters in Vietnam (Vietnam Era Helicopters) - Aero Corner The following two-week mission was to Yuma for night operation training. Modifications were also made to the rotor assembly by way of a five blade main rotor which increased stability. Cobras rolled in and blew the downed aircraft uptaking with it about 15 bad guys standing around it.. The Sikorsky S-61R is a twin-engine transport and search helicopter. [22] All American rotorcraft in the theatre had to be operated more cautiously following this development. How a Vietnam War Helicopter Pilot Captured a POW With His Civil War Since 1968 this helicopter saw combat in Vietnam. Hughes OH-6 Cayuse | Military Wiki | Fandom Due to its designation LOH (Light Observation Helicopter), pilots and crew nicknamed this helicopter LOACH. Two (2) Crew: one Pilot, one Observer/Doorgunner. Despite Being Prone to Crashing, the Loach Helicopter Was Favored By A Troop, 7th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Aug 70 Feb 72 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 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. 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. South Vietnam During the testing phase, it became clear the Bell prototype was underpowered, so it was dropped. 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. Hughes Tool Company, Aircraft Division - USA, (View other Aviaton-Related Manufacturers), Dominican Republic; Denmark; Japan; Spain; Taiwan; United States, (OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable), Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scout, X-Plane (Developmental, Prototype, Technology Demonstrator), (Showcased structural values pertain to the base Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (Loach) production variant), RANGES (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hi-Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: >19030, (Showcased performance specifications pertain to the. Even when this helicopter was shot down, it refused to crack. During the Vietnam War the OH-6 helicopters served in huge numbers and were used for light observation and utility roles. [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. 2 M134 7.62-mm 6x barrel, Gatling type twin MG pods Despite its strong offensive abilities, the SH-2 Seasprite was mostly used for rescuing downed friendly aircrews instead of direct combat. In air mobile teams, a pilot would fly low while an observer would scan the ground for signs of the enemy force. 24 Helicopters Used in Vietnam (And Their Purpose) It served in Granada and Panama during the 1980s, as well as in the . Pilots called this helicopter as the Loach. But the Hueys proved too slow to do the job properly, and the need to replace both scouts and protectors was immediately evident. 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.. The mission training consisted of loading onto C-130 Hercules transport aircraft which would then transport them to forward staging areas over routes as long as 1,000 nautical miles (1,900km). | READ MORE. Loach History - Fly in a Vietnam War Helicopter Warrant officer John Shafer was 21 when he arrived on October 16, 1970, to fly Loaches. MD-530MG/Defender: Has a mast-mounted sight, and incorporated upgrades of all previous variants. See Also: How Much Does a Huey Helicopter Cost? They chose the OH-6A scout helicopter to fill that role, and it became known as the Little Bird compared to the other aircraft in the task force, the MH-60 and the MH-47. While Hiller did not participate in the rebidding, Bell opted to, submitting their redesigned Model 206. During the Vietnam War, it was mostly deployed for aerial combat and for conducting rescue operations in areas close to US Air bases. Just as I set it down, the tail rotor spun off. Heavy Attack Helicopters 2. The Army initially ordered 1,438 Hughes Model 369s, designated by the Army as the OH-6A Cayuse helicopters. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. 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. 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. 2 .50 cal MG pods [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. I could see a cigarette butt still burning. The armed OH-6s from Fort Rucker joined the training program in the fall of 1980.[30]. These rotorcraft were operated by several different organisations, the majority of which were based in Japan. Although many were still teenagers, their survival depended on well-honed instincts and razor-sharp reflexes, along with plenty of luck. 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. The "loach" was the LOH (Light Observation Helicopter) or OH-6A. 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. Hunter-killer team - Wikipedia 29 of the best politically incorrect Vietnam War slang terms In 1961, twelve companies submitted proposals to meet U.S.Army requirements for a four-seat turbine-powered light observation helicopter (LOH). RMF3TG12 - Warren Motts, who started the Motts Military Museum, walks with a small child, past helicopters that where used in the Vietnam War. Boucher quickly discovered that life as a qualified crewman was extremely dangerous. 2 MK19 40-mm grenade launcher Possible mast-mounted sight. [14][15], During 1966, the OH-1 entered service with the U.S. Army. 608th Transportation Company (Aircraft Direct Support): Mar 72 The AH-6 Little Bird Gun, a light attack helicopter, has been tested and proven in combat. The Kaman SH-2 could extend and increase both shipboard sensor and weapon abilities against different types of enemy units, including submarines, ships, and patrol craft with anti-ship missiles. Advertising Notice We got hit by incendiary .51-caliber rounds, and the phosphorus ignited the Cobras hydraulic fluid. Kanes commanding officer flew his command-and-control Huey to the ravine where Kane and Casher huddled. Shaffer, 63, rode in the military helicopter as a door gunner with Charlie Troop 1/9th, 1st Air Cavalry while . Unit: DIR SUP / TRAN Crews trained side by side with the 160th for all operational concepts. contact us here and we will remove the Another flight competition was held, this time without a submission from Fairchild Hiller. The Cayuse (white) was used alongside the AH-1 Cobra (red) attack helicopters, forming (pink) hunter killer teams. [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. 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. The Mil Mi-4 was a Soviet transport chopper used both for civilian and military purposes. I still have scars on my legsit was terrifying. Following a contentious selection process that included allegations of industrial espionage and political favoritism, the first Hughes OH-6A observation helicopters arrived in Vietnam in December 1967. In January 1968 PFC Richard Toops went on to Infantry OCS at Ft. Benning, Ga. graduating in September 1968. Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. We were combat trackers, says Mills. 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. 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. It was mostly used as a transport chopper, but it could also deliver supplies to troops. In 1960, the US Army issued Technical Specification 153 and established the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program. Worthy, the OH-6 Loach and two other air scout helicopter pilots, all decorated, were in Topeka on Saturday night for an event at Forbes Field Airport designed to increase interest and. AH/MH-6J: US Army Special Operations variant derived from the MD-530MG. 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. The OH-6D was an improved version with more advanced electronics and heavier armament. As a separate part of the project, armed OH-6As were being developed at Fort Rucker, Alabama. The CH-53 Tarhe was another heavy-lift helicopter designed to transport and recover downed aircraft. Hughes Model OH-6A Cayuse or LOACH Fortunate son intensifies : r/memes - reddit