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The following two-week mission was to Yuma for night operation training. Loach come from the LOH which means Light Observation Helicopter. The helicopter was inducted as the OH-6 "Cayuse" and would eventually take on the in-the-field nickname of "Loach" in reference to its "LOH" origins. Cobras rolled in and blew the downed aircraft uptaking with it about 15 bad guys standing around it.. 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. He shares memories of his service and reflects on what the war meant to. 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. 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. The OH-6A replaced the Korean era OH-13 Sioux and OH-23 Raven light observation helicopters. 2 M134 7.62-mm 6x barrel, Gatling type twin MG pods Improved versions were issued through the war and included pockets on the chest and back in which large additional plates could be inserted. In 1961, twelve companies submitted proposals to meet U.S.Army requirements for a four-seat turbine-powered light observation helicopter (LOH). Queer John was famous not just for crashing, but for keeping the crew safe while it did so. A rescue operation for the crew of a downed Loach helicopter doesn't quite go as planned and the rescuers become victims themselves. 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. It was used to look for and find the VC/NVA troops in Vietnam. The SeaCobra was a twin-engine attack helicopter that was developed from the single-engine AH-1 Cobra helicopter. The OH-6/Model 369 was also license-produced overseas by the Japanese aerospace company Kawasaki Heavy Industries for both military and civilian operators. 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. Moses, a 19-year-old draftee, arrived in Vietnam in July 1970 for the first of two year-long tours, and later worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs as a therapist and administrator. 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. Although many were still teenagers, their survival depended on well-honed instincts and razor-sharp reflexes, along with plenty of luck. Adopted after. A rescue operation for the crew of a downed Loach helicopter doesn't quite go as planned and the rescuers become victims themselves. 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. [14][15], During 1966, the OH-1 entered service with the U.S. Army. The Hughes (Model 500M) international military version was sold in ten countries and built under license in Italy and Japan. Helicopter took 2 hits from: 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. 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. If the OH-6 came under fire, the nearby Cobra would then strike at the revealed enemy. It never flew again. 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. South Vietnam They were employed in hunter-killer tactics, wherein they flew low over the jungle as bait to draw enemy fire. This was a Recon mission for Unarmed Recon Book A Flight | [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. To hunt for encampments, bunkers, or other signs of the enemy, commanders would deploy a flight of one scouting Loach and one supporting Cobra, called Pink Teams. 2 .50 cal MG pods 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. 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. OA-6A 'Loach' Scout platoon. [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. I spent more time with them.. It was used prolifically because of its unique hovering abilities. During 1964, the U.S. Department of Defense issued a memorandum directing that all U.S. Army fixed-wing aircraft be transferred to the U.S. Air Force, while the U.S. Army transitioned to solely operating rotor-wing aircraft. | READ MORE. It could accomplish missions that bigger, slower and louder helicopters couldnt do. Cobras and Loaches, two vastly different aircraft, relied on each other to fight the enemy. 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. 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. Missions began every day at dawn, when crews were briefed on where to fly and what to look for. 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. [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 Mil Mi-8 was developed in the later stage of the Vietnam War to counter the Bell Huey UH1. Built by Hughes Tool Company, it was designed to be a scout helicopter during the Vietnam war. Overtop of the fuselage was the OH-6s single engine, attached to a four-blade main rotor assembly. While in Target Area this helicopter was Attacking at 0060 feet and 010 knots. I was used to getting up close and personal with the enemy.. While Hiller did not participate in the rebidding, Bell opted to, submitting their redesigned Model 206. In response, a task force was developed originally designated Task Force 158 for the next attempt to rescue the hostages, Operation Honey Badger. It was reasonably fast, very crashworthy, comparatively easy to maintain and fly, and extraordinarily maneuverable. Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. A shaft ran to the tail and powered the two-blade rotor at the back. [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. Robert Davis Travel Management Consultant, 2023 Executive Flyers +1 (512) 241-0795. 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. 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). Find Us on Facebook, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC). The Sea Stallion is a variant of the Jolly Green Giant, but its used only for sea transport. Cookie Settings, pilot. Reportedly, Hughes had consulted at the last moment with Real, who recommended a bid of $53,550. The killer role persists. The Cayuse was organic to division, brigade, and battalion size units. 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. 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. Just as I set it down, the tail rotor spun off. The Model 369 was submitted by Hughes, and competed against the two finalists, Fairchild-Hiller and Bell, for a production contract. 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. 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. Unfortunately, the weight of the armament kept the little bird from taking off. 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. MD-500E/MD-500MG/Defender II: Had a more elongated nose for streamlining, and an optional 4x blade tail rotor for reduced acoustic signatures. 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. Select the first letter of the last name of the person you want to find: South Vietnam While in Vietnam, Loach helicopters operated as part of air mobile teams. In 1965, the concept of helicopter-borne fighting forces was still new and largely untested, and units in Vietnam invented tactics on the spot. Fitted with 1x 253-shp Allison T63-A-5A turboshaft, 4 bladed main rotor, and an offset "V" tail. 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. 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. 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). Nate Shaffer has restored a Hughes OH-6A Cayuse helicopter. 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. In contrast, of the nearly 1,100 Cobras delivered to the Army, 300 were lost. When the opposing forces exposed themselves, the crew would call upon an accompanying Bell AH-1 Cobra to attack. Vietnams mountainous terrain stressed the underpowered, obsolete helicopters to their limits: They could neither fly fast enough to escape enemy fire nor carry enough armament to pose a meaningful threat. A.J. 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 Cayuse could absorb an extensive amount of small arms fire and still bring the crew home safely. In Vietnam, These Helicopter Scouts Saw Combat Up Close Cobras and Loaches, two vastly different aircraft, relied on each other to fight the enemy. The US Army subsequently reopened the LOH program to engineering companies, offering a new contract for 2,700 additional airframes. Another flight competition was held, this time without a submission from Fairchild Hiller. Date: 03/25/1970 It was used for transporting personnel, escorting other aircraft and naval vessels, attacking enemy units, and acting as an observation post. Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 11/18/2017 | Content www.MilitaryFactory.com Search and Rescue Helicopters 5. [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. Primarily, it was used by the Marine Corp to transport personnel and cargo. I liked it because in the Bronx, I was a ghetto kid. The Loach helicopter was pitted against what was then known as the Bell Model 206. Initially fielded in Vietnam in early 1968, the Hughes OH-6A was used for command and control, observation, target acquisition, and reconnaissance. I could see a cigarette butt still burning. While in Vietnam, Loach helicopters operated as part of air mobile teams. During the Vietnam War, it was mostly deployed for aerial combat and for conducting rescue operations in areas close to US Air bases. 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. purchase. A Troop, 7th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Aug 70 Feb 72 Typically missions were flown during the daylight, starting at dawn; common roles included the clearance of landing zones and general intelligence/observation flights. [2] This shaping, combined with the provision of internal bulkheads, has been attributed as giving the rotorcraft its uncommonly strong crashworthiness properties. Hughes's price was $19,860 per airframe, without the engine, while Hiller's price was $29,415 per airframe, also without the engine. 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. [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. Date: 02/08/1969 The AH-1J SeaCobra was used later in the later stages of the Vietnam war. 2023 Smithsonian Magazine Hughes Model OH-6A "Cayuse" or "LOACH". In this theatre, it was commonly operated in teams with other rotorcraft, such as the Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter, using so-called "hunter-killer" tactics to flush out and eliminate hostile ground targets; the OH-6 would act as bait to draw enemy fire and mark targets for other platforms such as the AH-1 to attack. 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. Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. 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). In the event of a crash the tailboom and engine separate from the egg-like . [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. While Enroute this helicopter was at Level Flight at 0020 feet and 050 knots. The OH-6D was an improved version with more advanced electronics and heavier armament. Front left side view of the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse helicopter; color, Right side view of the Hughes OH-6 Loach in flight; color. Your email address will not be published. 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 Pilots called this helicopter as the Loach. They were operated by a number of military organizations, including the Japanese Army, Navy and Coast Guard. 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. I could tell how old a footprint was by how it looked. Vietnam OH-6A "Cayuse" Helicopter The OH-6A made its first flight in 1963. The Cayuse (white) was used alongside the AH-1 Cobra (red) attack helicopters, forming (pink) hunter killer teams. 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. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. Sensing its growing battlefield requirements, the US Army then raised the production ceiling to 1,300 units in all. Hughes developed the Model 369 as a prototype for the U.S. Army in the early 1960s. When Chuck Gross left for Vietnam in 1970, he was a nineteen-year-old army helicopter pilot fresh out of flight school. Also: LNOF, 90119, JSIDR (Lindenmuth Old Format Data Base. The Mil Mi-4 was a Soviet transport chopper used both for civilian and military purposes. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 45-4703737We Fly for Our Veterans!. On a few occasions, the OH-23 was also used for medical evacuation purposes, but this was rarely the case. The Bell H-13 Sioux were used for multiple roles, ranging from transporting troops, conducting medical evacuations, and performing reconnaissance and observational activities. 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. The "loach" was the LOH (Light Observation Helicopter) or OH-6A. Your Privacy Rights 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. . The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse is a single-engine light helicopter that was designed and produced by the American aerospace company Hughes Helicopters. While successful in this respect, the Loach helicopter also had a reputation for being easily gunned down. Loach crews were equipped with small arms and returned fire as they fled. Light Attack Helicopters 3.

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