loach helicopter vietnam

2 Stinger AAM. 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-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. [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. MD-500E/MD-500MG/Defender II: Had a more elongated nose for streamlining, and an optional 4x blade tail rotor for reduced acoustic signatures. A rescue operation for the crew of a downed Loach helicopter doesn't quite go as planned and the rescuers become victims themselves. The aircraft was diverted prior to accomplishing any mission objectives. The observers and gunners had even less experience. On top of this, Fairchild Hiller lodged a formal complaint over Hughes Tool Companys deceitful tactics to earn the original contract. Total flight hours at this point: 00000265 Heavy Attack Helicopters 2. 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. Loach and Cobra crews lived together, and schedulers generally paired the teams with the partners they requested, though given the high turnover rate, that wasnt always possible. For other AH-6 and MH-6 variants, see MH-6 Little Bird and Boeing AH-6. OH-6A/Cayuse: Developed initially by the Hughes Aircraft company (later McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company) in the mid-1960s for the US Army. The 'Loach' was one of the riskiest helicopter assignments in Vietnam Logan Nye Updated December 07, 2022 09:30:25 While barely any American helicopters served in World War II and few flew in Korea, Vietnam was a proving ground for many airframes everything from the venerable Huey to Chinooks sporting huge guns. Warrant officer John Shafer was 21 when he arrived on October 16, 1970, to fly Loaches. The Army purchased this helicopter 0968 The AH-1J SeaCobra was used later in the later stages of the Vietnam war. We were so close to the elephant grass that wed blow the grass apart to see if anyone was hiding in there, observer Bob Moses says. By Richard Toops. The small "egg-shaped" design and simplified rotorhead incorporated four rotor blades of constant chord, made of bonded light alloy. 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 is reported to have told his confidant, Jack Real, that he lost over $100 million to construct 1,370 airframes. Required fields are marked *. 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". In air mobile teams, a pilot would fly low while an observer would scan the ground for signs of the enemy force. 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. 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 'Loach' was one of the riskiest helicopter assignments in Vietnam While in Vietnam, Loach helicopters operated as part of air mobile teams. (7.62MM) OA-6A 'Loach' Scout platoon. Military operators included the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), and the Japanese Coast Guard. contact us here and we will remove the They were famous for being shot down or crashing in combat. Observation Helicopters 4. But the Army decided that it would be more prudent to keep the unit in order to be prepared for future contingencies. The Army officially adopted the Bell OH-58 Kiowa in 1969. Accordingly, this tactic had resulted in substantial losses being incurred on the contract with the U.S. Army; the company had allegedly anticipated that an extended production cycle would eventually make the rotorcraft financially viable. [4] The prototypes were delivered to the U.S. Army at Fort Rucker, Alabama, where they competed against the other ten prototype aircraft produced by Bell and Fairchild-Hiller. 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. 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. A.J. Another such gunner was 19-year-old Joel Boucher, drafted and sent to Vietnam from 1967 to 1969. The OH-6A "Cayuse" is a small tactical helicopter flown by units of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment [SOAR]. Possible mast-mounted sight. Just as I set it down, the tail rotor spun off. Ultimately, Hughes was selected as the winner of the competition. As the H-13s were phased out, Loaches were paired with Cobra gunships. Book A Flight | In some areas, Purple Teamsone Loach and two Cobraswere also common, as were other variations.) The Gyrodyne QH-50 was mostly designed to be used on ships that werent large enough to carry a full-sized helicopter. (He later transferred to the Air Force and flew F-4 Phantoms, and eventually became an airline captain.) The enemy was moving toward us when a [command and control] ship picked us up. I liked it because in the Bronx, I was a ghetto kid. In 1972, as U.S. troops slowly withdrew, the NVA began a major push that became known as the Easter Offensive. Operation Honey Badger never went ahead, as the hostages were released in January 1981. In 1966 it entered military service with the US Army. The Sea Stallion is a variant of the Jolly Green Giant, but its used only for sea transport. [24][25] As to indicate the position of concealed enemy ground forces, the observer in the OH-6 would mark the spot using a smoke grenade, assisting other units in effectively firing upon them. Army units this aircraft deployed with in Vietnam: Hughes developed the Model 369 as a prototype for the U.S. Army in the early 1960s. Initially fielded in Vietnam in early 1968, the Hughes OH-6A was used for command and control, observation, target acquisition, and reconnaissance. Table of Contents 1. A shaft ran to the tail and powered the two-blade rotor at the back. The Cobra was fast and deadly. Its effectiveness in battle allowed it to quickly replace the Bell H-13 Siouxs being operated in the country. The Huskie was used by the US Air Force, US Navy, and US Marine Corps. 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. 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. That was about it.. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. It had to do with the timbre of your voicehow you talked to other guys on the radio, says Romero, who arrived in Vietnam in 1970, initially as a Huey co-pilot. A recontoured nose allowed for greater leg and head room. South Vietnam 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. In 1960, the US Army issued Technical Specification 153 and established the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program. Date: 03/25/1970 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. [3], On 27 February 1963, the first Model 369 prototype performed its maiden flight. [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. If you would like It was used to look for and find the VC/NVA troops in Vietnam. 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. This chopper is mostly known for having been used to spot enemy artillery. Since 1968 this helicopter saw combat in Vietnam. During 1960, the United States Army issued Technical Specification 153 for a Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) capable of fulfilling various roles on the battlefield, including personnel transport, escort, casualty evacuation, observation, and attack missions. 2 TOW missile pods (2 each) It was deemed, based on Hughes' estimates, his units would be most cost effective in the long run. 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). 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. 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. Unknown as to mission impact. I was used to getting up close and personal with the enemy.. Pilots called this helicopter as the Loach. Development included test and training flights in Culver City, California (Hughes Airport) and at Area 51 in 1971. When the opposing forces exposed themselves, the crew would call upon an accompanying Bell AH-1 Cobra to attack. The Bell AH-1J was also used for various subsequent assaults and military operations conducted by the US Marine Corps. The flames covered my boots and lower legs. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER 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. The NVA [North Vietnamese army] was everywhere. The Army purchased this helicopter 0968 Due to its designation LOH (Light Observation Helicopter), pilots and crew nicknamed this helicopter LOACH. It was used prolifically because of its unique hovering abilities. loach | My Vietnam Experience During May 1965, the U.S. Army awarded the production contract to Hughes. In the event of a crash the tailboom and engine separate from the egg-like . In 1966 it entered military service with the US Army. 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. During the Vietnam War, it was exclusively used by North Vietnam for reconnaissance and VIP transport. Its like a street cop going into a bad neighborhood. Best Vietnam Helicopter Book - General Helicopter Forum - Vertical Pilot sold separately. Privacy Statement The Cayuse (white) was used alongside the AH-1 Cobra (red) attack helicopters, forming (pink) hunter killer teams. The Vietnam War saw the extensive use of helicopters, though were mostly by the United States military. The Model 369 had a distinctive teardrop-shaped fuselage that had strong crashworthiness properties and provided excellent external visibility. 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. In January 1968 PFC Richard Toops went on to Infantry OCS at Ft. Benning, Ga. graduating in September 1968. Despite its strong offensive abilities, the SH-2 Seasprite was mostly used for rescuing downed friendly aircrews instead of direct combat. The AH-6 Little Bird Gun, a light attack helicopter, has been tested and proven in combat. 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". 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. The Cayuse was Hughes' longest-running helicopter program and, during the Vietnam War, as many as 100 OH-6As were built a month. The Bell Model 206 is a line of both single and twin-engined helicopters with two primary rotor blades. I could tell how old a footprint was by how it looked. 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). Has a mouth full of pointy teeth and a pair of eyes. It can cruise at speeds of 150 mph. 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. Hughes Model OH-6A Cayuse or LOACH Terms and Conditions, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC) Loach crews regularly walked away from crashes that would doom others. The OH-6A would find targets by flying low, trolling for fire, and lead in a Cobra, or Snake, to attack. s/n 67-16304 At peak production, during the Vietnam War, as many as 100 OH-6As were built a month. Sensing its growing battlefield requirements, the US Army then raised the production ceiling to 1,300 units in all. Tough Mission LOACH Chopper Vietnam - YouTube 0:00 / 5:15 Intro Tough Mission LOACH Chopper Vietnam Chopperguy 15.4K subscribers Subscribe 1.1K 53K views 1 year ago We fly with Low Level. Ive seen them, whites of the eyes, and theyve seen me, whites of the eyes. Total flight hours at this point: 00000496 29 of the best politically incorrect Vietnam War slang terms [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. Other Army pilots, most of whom flew Cobras or Hueys, thought of Loach pilots as a little offbeat. [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. When the opposing forces exposed themselves, the crew would call upon an accompanying Bell AH-1 Cobra to attack. Samantha Franco is a Freelance Content Writer who received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Guelph, and her Master of Arts degree in history from the University of Western Ontario. Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. | READ MORE. I was wounded three times and shot down nine times, Romero reports. Anthony comes from a military family and has served his country proudly in the military as a pilot. Moore served as an Army OH-6A "Loach" scout in IV Corps, South Vietnam, 1968-1969: Fort Apache, Vihn Long Province. In the Vietnam War, these choppers were used to recover downed aircraft. Stepping away from her academic career, Samantha previously worked as a Heritage Researcher and now writes content for multiple sites covering an array of historical topics. Reportedly, Hughes had consulted at the last moment with Real, who recommended a bid of $53,550. 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. While the already-produced OH-6 Cayuses were being deployed to Vietnam in 1967, production costs were beginning to rise. The unrefueled range of the AH-6 is 250 nautical miles. 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. They were operated by a number of military organizations, including the Japanese Army, Navy and Coast Guard. Books/Magazines This aspect was further bolstered by the use of self-sealing fuel tanks that lowered the likelihood of a post-impact fire breaking out. Armament [12] Accordingly, during 1968, Hughes submitted a bid to build a further 2,700 airframes. 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. Hughes OH-6 Cayuse | Military Wiki | Fandom Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (Loach) - Military Factory An author of aviation books, his latest is Howards Whirlybirds. It was mostly used as a transport chopper, but it could also deliver supplies to troops. South Vietnam (Scouts were known as White Teams and Cobras as Red; the two colors combine to become pink. EH-6B, a previous version of the Little Bird, was used for command, control and radio relay.

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