However, the U.S. Army subsequently chose to include Hughes's Model 369 for further consideration as well. Pilots called this helicopter as the Loach. 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. Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. Donald Porter served in Vietnam with the helicopters he writes about. It was used to look for and find the VC/NVA troops in Vietnam. Vietnam Veteran and his Helicopter Reunited. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse is a single-engine light helicopter that was designed and produced by the American aerospace company Hughes Helicopters. The OH-6 was also exported as the Model 500 Defender. A Troop, 7th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Aug 70 Feb 72 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. In addition, an M60D 7.62mm machine gun could be mounted in the front port (left) or rear starboard (right) door openings. In the event of a crash the tailboom and engine separate from the egg-like . Some crews argued that the Kiowa was nowhere near as nimble as the OH-6, however, the transition proceeded while scouting doctrine was changed to emphasis operations from greater distances. 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. Armed with guns, Hellfire missiles, and 2.75-inch FFAR, it provides armed helicopter support to both ground and air special operations. The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. 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. Loach crews were equipped with small arms and returned fire as they fled. On top of this, Fairchild Hiller lodged a formal complaint over Hughes Tool Companys deceitful tactics to earn the original contract. Stanley Hiller complained to the U.S. Army that Hughes had used unethical procedures; therefore, the Army opened the contract for rebidding by all parties. Search and Rescue Helicopters 5. It had no hydraulic system and its electrical setup was used primarily to start up the enginesimple even by 1960s standards, which for practical purposes meant it was easier to maintain and harder to shoot down than other helicopters. 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. 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. ", 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. It was reasonably fast, very crashworthy, comparatively easy to maintain and fly, and extraordinarily maneuverable. OH-6A Cayuse ('Loach') The OH-6A "Cayuse" is a small tactical helicopter flown by units of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment [SOAR]. Ace Cozzalio was among the most colorful characters of the Vietnam War. During 1966, the OH-6 entered service with the U.S. Army, it promptly arrived into active combat in the Vietnam War. article/image or apply full credit information. Its four-bladed full-articulated main rotor made it particularly agile, and it was suitable for personnel transport, escort and attack missions, and observation. Heavy Attack Helicopters 2. 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. 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. 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.
Vietnam War helicopter pilots bring stories and aircraft to Topeka The enemy was moving toward us when a [command and control] ship picked us up. You were killed, shot down, or got scared and quit. Served in Vietnam War during 1968 and 1970-1972 The Army officially adopted the Bell OH-58 Kiowa in 1969. The Cayuse (white) was used alongside the AH-1 Cobra (red) attack helicopters, forming (pink) hunter killer teams. purchase. It was barely used in the Vietnam War because it was replaced by the more advanced Sikorsky H-34 Choctaw. | The following text is exclusive to this site. 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. (He later transferred to the Air Force and flew F-4 Phantoms, and eventually became an airline captain.) In support of the Helicopter Flight Mechanics syllabus, the USNTPS operates surplus Army OH-6B Helicopters which were refurbished by the Army National Guard, Gulfport, Mississippi in 1991. AH/MH-6J: US Army Special Operations variant derived from the MD-530MG. A.J. They were employed in hunter-killer tactics, wherein they flew low over the jungle as bait to draw enemy fire. This aspect was further bolstered by the use of self-sealing fuel tanks that lowered the likelihood of a post-impact fire breaking out. 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.
Vietnam War helicopter pilots bring stories and aircraft to Kansas Kane and Casher were pulled aboard and returned to Khe Sanh, but the Huey barely made it back; slicing trees had left its blades shredded, and the tail section had almost separated. 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. The AH-6 Little Bird Gun, a light attack helicopter, has been tested and proven in combat. s/n 67-16304 It never flew again.
What was a loach helicopter? - Quora There was one day of initial training, says Bob Moses, who was first trained as a tank crewman and then as infantry before a sudden transition to helicopter door gunner. Its first overseas deployment, as well as into frontline combat, was the Vietnam War. They would then call in scouts on the ground or infantrymen to hunt for the enemy in the brush while attack helicopters protected everyone. 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 OH-6 Cayuse, by this point known as the Loach helicopter, made its way to Vietnam in December 1967. Even when this helicopter was shot down, it refused to crack. [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. Unlike previous aircraft, the Tarhe was extremely successful during the Vietnam War. Since 1968 this helicopter saw combat in Vietnam. Two of these designs, those submitted by Fairchild-Hiller and Bell, were selected as finalists by the Army-Navy design competition board. 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.. [22] All American rotorcraft in the theatre had to be operated more cautiously following this development. Find Us on Facebook, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC). When the opposing forces exposed themselves, the crew would call upon an accompanying Bell AH-1 Cobra to attack. The AH/MH Little Birds were lifted by a single C-5 Galaxy, and two C-130 Hercules, along with all support kits for the battalion. 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.
Despite Being Prone to Crashing, the Loach Helicopter Was Favored By 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.
Disclaimer Photographs During the Vietnam war, the HH-43 Huskie was used for more rescue missions than all other aircraft combined. Following the Second World War, significant advancements were made in the field of rotary-wing flight. Flight Hours in Vietnam: 1,318 Books/Magazines 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). During the Vietnam War, it was exclusively used by North Vietnam for reconnaissance and VIP transport. They were employed in hunter-killer tactics, wherein they flew low over the jungle as bait to draw enemy fire. 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. In 1972, as U.S. troops slowly withdrew, the NVA began a major push that became known as the Easter Offensive. The Mil Mi-1 was a Soviet-made light utility chopper with three or four seats. 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). [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. On a few occasions, the OH-23 was also used for medical evacuation purposes, but this was rarely the case. The campaign included the first major use in the war of Soviet-built, shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles. 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. If you would like Headquarters, 173rd Airborne Brigade: Jan 70 May 70 One time we ran into hundreds of enemy troops. 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. The U.S. Marine Corps still flies AH-1 SuperCobras as its main attack helicopter, with the latest versionthe AH-1Z Viper so upgraded and modernized that a Vietnam-era pilot might be hard-pressed to recognize it. Moore served as an Army OH-6A "Loach" scout in IV Corps, South Vietnam, 1968-1969: Fort Apache, Vihn Long Province. It was mostly used as a transport chopper, but it could also deliver supplies to troops. Donald Porter September 2017 Pilot Clyde. Upon landing, an inspection revealed a damaged pitch link, a rotor head component so critical that had it failed, they too would have crashed.
Fortunate son intensifies : r/memes - reddit Due to its unique shape, the Loach was given the nickname . Cobras, nicknamed Snakes, flew circles 1,500 feet above the scouts, waiting to pounce on whatever the Loach found. 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.
Historical Snapshot: OH-6 Cayuse/Hughes 500 Helicopter Despite Being Prone to Crashing, the Loach Helicopter Was Favored By I was flying wing and just dropped into the AO [Area of Operations]. Loach and Cobra were in constant radio communication, and because of the intensity of hunter-killer missions, it wasnt long before pairs in each type knew each other well enough to anticipate the others moves. 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. While in Vietnam, Loach helicopters operated as part of air mobile teams. Though Cobra pilots were trained Stateside, most Loach pilots didnt take control of OH-6s until arriving in Vietnam. In the Vietnam War, these choppers were used to recover downed aircraft. The Hughes (Model 500M) international military version was sold in ten countries and built under license in Italy and Japan. This was a Combat incident. Underneath, a fixed twin-skid undercarriage was supported at two separate points. Systems damaged were: COMM SYS, STRUCTURE, INSTRUMENTS, PERSONNEL 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. 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. Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. 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. 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 AH-1 is sometimes affectionately referred to as the Huey Cobra or The Snake. It had a distinct teardrop-shaped fuselage, which made it instantly recognizable, and a cockpit for two crew members, along with two removable seats in the passenger cabin. A sobering statistic: Out of 1,419 Loaches built, 842 were destroyed in Vietnam, most shot down and many others succumbing to crashes resulting from low-level flying. We got into another aircraft and went back out. An Army article written after Johns seventh crash credited it with surviving 61 hits from enemy fire and seven crashes without losing a single crew member. Troop C, 1st squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Oct 68 Jan 69 "Pink teams" of scout and attack helicopters, such as OH-6 "Loach" or OH-58 Kiowa scout helicopters and the AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter during the Vietnam War; In anti-submarine warfare an Maritime patrol aircraft may be employed as "hunter", with surface ships such as destroyers as killers. 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 1-245 modified infantry night vision goggles and worked to develop the necessary skills for rapid deployment with Little Birds and C-130s.[31]. Each time we went out, we got shot at. 2 TOW missile pods (2 each) Your Privacy Rights Fitted with 1x 253-shp Allison T63-A-5A turboshaft, 4 bladed main rotor, and an offset "V" tail. The Loach helicopters used to transport personnel were given the designation MH-6, while the armed ones were dubbed the AH-6. 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. The Sea Stallion is a variant of the Jolly Green Giant, but its used only for sea transport. Hughes Model OH-6A "Cayuse" or "LOACH". 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). 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. The Cayuse could absorb an extensive amount of small arms fire and still bring the crew home safely.
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