These helicopters were mostly used for observation, reconnaissance, utility, and for providing combat support. The Korean War proved the necessity for such rotorcraft, particularly in regard to search and rescue operations. A shaft ran to the tail and powered the two-blade rotor at the back. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Upon landing, an inspection revealed a damaged pitch link, a rotor head component so critical that had it failed, they too would have crashed. 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). 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).
What was a loach helicopter? - Quora A recontoured nose allowed for greater leg and head room. It was used to look for and find the VC/NVA troops in Vietnam. The Sea Stallion is a variant of the Jolly Green Giant, but its used only for sea transport. On top of this, Fairchild Hiller lodged a formal complaint over Hughes Tool Companys deceitful tactics to earn the original contract. Graphics are very well done, the whole model is very well done. In 1961, twelve companies submitted proposals to meet U.S.Army requirements for a four-seat turbine-powered light observation helicopter (LOH). For most of the war, there was no formal Army training to prepare scout pilots and observers. They were employed in hunter-killer tactics, wherein they flew low over the jungle as bait to draw enemy fire. The aircraft, dubbed 500P (penetrator) by Hughes, began as an ARPA project, codenamed "Mainstreet", in 1968. 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 Huskie was used by the US Air Force, US Navy, and US Marine Corps. Despite its strong offensive abilities, the SH-2 Seasprite was mostly used for rescuing downed friendly aircrews instead of direct combat. This helicopter was UNK The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse was a revolutionary rotorcraft operated during the Vietnam War. 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. Fitted with 1x 253-shp Allison T63-A-5A turboshaft, 4 bladed main rotor, and an offset "V" tail. It was used for transporting personnel, escorting other aircraft and naval vessels, attacking enemy units, and acting as an observation post. The OH-6/Model 369 was also license-produced overseas by the Japanese aerospace company Kawasaki Heavy Industries for both military and civilian operators. [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. Nate Shaffer has restored a Hughes OH-6A Cayuse helicopter. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (nicknamed "Loach", after the requirement acronym LOHLight Observation Helicopter) is a single-engine light helicopter with a four-bladed main rotor used for personnel transport, escort and attack missions, and observation. Ultimately, Hughes was selected as the winner of the competition. The Sikorsky S-61R is a twin-engine transport and search helicopter. You were killed, shot down, or got scared and quit. [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. Has a mouth full of pointy teeth and a pair of eyes. The AH-6 Little Bird Gun, a light attack helicopter, has been tested and proven in combat. In the Vietnam War, these choppers were used to recover downed aircraft. Scout crews argued that the Kiowa was nowhere near as nimble as the Cayuse, but scouting flights were changing. Find Us on Facebook, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC). The Mil Mi-8 was developed in the later stage of the Vietnam War to counter the Bell Huey UH1. Reportedly, Hughes had consulted at the last moment with Real, who recommended a bid of $53,550. The Army purchased this helicopter 0968 Joint Services Incident Damage Report. 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. Though Cobra pilots were trained Stateside, most Loach pilots didnt take control of OH-6s until arriving in Vietnam. Also: LNOF, 90119, JSIDR (Lindenmuth Old Format Data Base.
Hughes OH-6 Cayuse - Wikipedia A little gory but thats how close we were. As the Loach flew among the trees, the rear-seat pilot in the Snake circling above kept a close eye on the little scout and the front-seat gunner jotted down whatever the Loach observers radioed.
Vietnam War helicopter pilots bring stories and aircraft to Topeka [22], It became common for OH-6s to operate in teams with other rotorcraft, particularly the Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter. [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. The Gyrodyne company built the Gyrodyne QH-50 DASH (Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter) to combat submarines from a distance. The unrefueled range of the AH-6 is 250 nautical miles. 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. It can cruise at speeds of 150 mph.
29 of the best politically incorrect Vietnam War slang terms The OH-6 Cayuse, by this point known as the Loach helicopter, made its way to Vietnam in December 1967.
Tough Mission LOACH Chopper Vietnam - YouTube . Most of our engagements [we] were 25 to 50 feet [away] when we opened up on [the Viet Cong], Mills continues. The Army initially ordered 1,438 Hughes Model 369s, designated by the Army as the OH-6A Cayuse helicopters. 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. On March 3, 2023, at a White House ceremony, retired Army Colonel Paris Davis received the Medal of Honor. When Chuck Gross left for Vietnam in 1970, he was a nineteen-year-old army helicopter pilot fresh out of flight school. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods. The Marine Corp used it for the sea-based interdiction of the Ho Chi Minh Trail in 1972. Terms and Conditions, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC) 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 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. This was a Recon mission for Unarmed Recon The Vietnam War saw the extensive use of helicopters, though were mostly by the United States military. 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. [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. The U.S. Army began to use Bell OH-13 Sioux and Hiller OH-23 Raven helicopters, once artillery spotters, to scout ahead of UH-1D Huey formations in the moments before air assaults to gather information about landing zones and enemy locations. In January 1968 PFC Richard Toops went on to Infantry OCS at Ft. Benning, Ga. graduating in September 1968. 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. Moore served as an Army OH-6A Loach scout in IV Corps, South Vietnam, 1968-1969: Fort Apache, Vihn Long Province. 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. 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 following two-week mission was to Yuma for night operation training. The Bell UH-1B/C was modified from the UH-1A Cobra to include a set of machine guns for attacking ground targets.
24 Helicopters Used in Vietnam (And Their Purpose) The UH-1B/C was used sparingly during the Vietnam War. 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. About Us | On 27 February 1963, the first prototype conducted its maiden flight. The OH-6A "Cayuse" is a small tactical helicopter flown by units of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment [SOAR]. 79th Transportation Company: Jun 70 Jul 70 Systems damaged were: FUEL SYS Information on U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A tail number 67-16304 The Cayuse (white) was used alongside the AH-1 Cobra (red) attack helicopters, forming (pink) hunter killer teams.
Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (Loach) - Military Factory Armed with guns, Hellfire missiles, and 2.75-inch FFAR, it provides armed helicopter support to both ground and air special operations. While the already-produced OH-6 Cayuses were being deployed to Vietnam in 1967, production costs were beginning to rise. Missions began every day at dawn, when crews were briefed on where to fly and what to look for. Warrant officer John Shafer was 21 when he arrived on October 16, 1970, to fly Loaches. (7.62MM) 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. 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. 2 M260 2.75-in Hydra 70 rocket pods (7 or 12 each) Other Army pilots, most of whom flew Cobras or Hueys, thought of Loach pilots as a little offbeat. If the OH-6 came under fire, the nearby Cobra would then strike at the revealed enemy. 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. He shares memories of his service and reflects on what the war meant to him then and what it means to him now.
Loach History - Fly in a Vietnam War Helicopter I liked it because in the Bronx, I was a ghetto kid. During May 1965, the U.S. Army awarded the production contract to Hughes. In response, a task force was developed originally designated Task Force 158 for the next attempt to rescue the hostages, Operation Honey Badger. 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 NVA [North Vietnamese army] was everywhere. | READ MORE. Development included test and training flights in Culver City, California (Hughes Airport) and at Area 51 in 1971. purchase. It was a joy to fly. Kane, who today sells securities in Richmond, Virginia, flew AH-1s in Vietnam from 1968 to 1971. ", 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.
These would be used to replace its fleet of Bell H-13 Sioux, a compact first generation rotorcraft. The OH-6 Cayuse was built with a rugged structure covered in light aluminum. 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. 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. During the Vietnam War Era, different types of helicopters were crucial for providing support for ground forces, scouting locations, and deploying or retrieving soldiers. It was also the right size to fit the necessary avionics and fuel stores, all while keeping the structure nimble and agile. It was used for transporting personnel, escorting other aircraft and naval vessels, attacking enemy units, and acting as an observation post. [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. 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. It was nicknamed the Jolly Green Giant during the war. 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. 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 killer role persists. (Scouts were known as White Teams and Cobras as Red; the two colors combine to become pink. It was deemed, based on Hughes' estimates, his units would be most cost effective in the long run. 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 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. Unit: 173 ABN 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). OH-58 "Kiowa" light observation / scout platform. 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. It was barely used in the Vietnam War because it was replaced by the more advanced Sikorsky H-34 Choctaw. When the opposing forces exposed themselves, the crew would call upon an accompanying Bell AH-1 Cobra to attack. Date: 02/08/1969 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. The Bell Model 206 is a line of both single and twin-engined helicopters with two primary rotor blades. The Hughes OH-6 "Cayuse" (popularly recognized as the "Loach") was a revolutionary light helicopter mount primarily in service with the United States Army and saw combat service during the Vietnam War (1955-1975). Advertising Notice 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 Just as I set it down, the tail rotor spun off. 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. During 1966, the OH-6 entered service with the U.S. Army, it promptly arrived into active combat in the Vietnam War. I was wounded three times and shot down nine times, Romero reports. 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. A.J. The task force, which had been designated as Task Force 158, was soon formed into the 160th Aviation Battalion. 2 M75 40-mm grenade launchers Setting 23 world records for speed, distance, and altitude, the Hughes Tool Company OH-6 entered service in September of 1966.
Two of these designs, those submitted by Fairchild-Hiller and Bell, were selected as finalists by the Army-Navy design competition board. The US military primarily used the OH-6 for observational and reconnaissance purposes. 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. 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. Queer John was famous not just for crashing, but for keeping the crew safe while it did so.
Vietnam War helicopter pilots bring stories and aircraft to Kansas The North Vietnamese deployed hundreds of the missiles, and from then on, both hunter and killer tried to stay well hidden. 2 Stinger AAM. Following the Second World War, significant advancements were made in the field of rotary-wing flight. The Bell AH-1J was also used for various subsequent assaults and military operations conducted by the US Marine Corps. These rotorcraft were operated by several different organisations, the majority of which were based in Japan. Cookie Settings, pilot.
Loach helicopter hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy Underneath, a fixed twin-skid undercarriage was supported at two separate points. [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. Hughes is reported to have told his confidant, Jack Real, that he lost over $100 million to construct 1,370 airframes. Kane recalls, The vibrations were so harsh I had to return to base camp at Khe Sanh, seven miles from the Laotian border. 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 Model 369 was submitted by Hughes, and competed against the two finalists, Fairchild-Hiller and Bell, for a production contract. Donald Porter served in Vietnam with the helicopters he writes about. Even when this helicopter was shot down, it refused to crack. The "loach" was the LOH (Light Observation Helicopter) or OH-6A. 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. 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. The Light Observation Helicopter ( LOH) program was a United States Army program to evaluate, develop and field a light scout helicopter to replace the Army's aging Bell OH-13 Sioux. Hughes's price was $19,860 per airframe, without the engine, while Hiller's price was $29,415 per airframe, also without the engine. Kanes commanding officer flew his command-and-control Huey to the ravine where Kane and Casher huddled. The pilots dubbed the new helicopter Loach, a word created by pronunciation of the acronym of the program that spawned the aircraft, LOH (light observation helicopter). Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Scout pilots were a different breed of cat, says Cobra pilot Jim Kane, who likens his former colleagues to the airborne equivalent of the Tunnel Rats, soldiers who crawled head-first into Viet Cong-built tunnels without any idea what awaited them there. Trademarks and copyright information is respected. [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. 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 the testing phase, it became clear the Bell prototype was underpowered, so it was dropped. 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. Upon returning to the United States, he established a career in the construction industry and settled in rural Sierra City, California.
Despite Being Prone to Crashing, the Loach Helicopter Was Favored By Two (2) Crew: one Pilot, one Observer/Doorgunner. In some areas, Purple Teamsone Loach and two Cobraswere also common, as were other variations.) The Loach helicopter was pitted against what was then known as the Bell Model 206. I tried to move the stuck controls and prayed for a place to set down. It took all of Kanes strength to pull out of a steep dive, and they crash-landed with a horrific thud. I got shot down on my 22nd birthday, March 27, 1971. During the Vietnam War the OH-6 helicopters served in huge numbers and were used for light observation and utility roles. and Images on this page are gathered from various sources. 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. 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. It was reasonably fast, very crashworthy, comparatively easy to maintain and fly, and extraordinarily maneuverable. Privacy Statement Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. Its like a street cop going into a bad neighborhood. 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. However, the U.S. Army subsequently chose to include Hughes's Model 369 for further consideration as well. The Model 369 had a distinctive teardrop-shaped fuselage that had strong crashworthiness properties and provided excellent external visibility. By Richard Toops. Over time, the effectiveness of this pairing was such that enemies would often decide against firing on the relatively vulnerable OH-1 in fear of the response that would be unleased by the AH-1.