loach helicopter vietnam

Upon encountering enemy fire, Loaches were to leave immediately, dropping smoke grenades to mark the target so that within seconds, the Cobra could roll in. Lt. Col. I followed footsteps. Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. The Korean War proved the necessity for such rotorcraft, particularly in regard to search and rescue operations. I liked it because in the Bronx, I was a ghetto kid. During the Vietnam War, it was mostly deployed for aerial combat and for conducting rescue operations in areas close to US Air bases. The US military primarily used the OH-6 for observational and reconnaissance purposes. The Huey descended gingerly into a clearing smaller than its main rotor diameter, the aircrafts rotor blades chopping tree limbs as it descended. Unknown as to mission impact. We got hit by incendiary .51-caliber rounds, and the phosphorus ignited the Cobras hydraulic fluid. Armament We got into another aircraft and went back out. [2] Twelve companies opted to participate in the competition, Hughes Tool Company's Aircraft Division being one of them, submitted the Model 369 as its response. President As we navigate rapidly evolving military culture and Like any deployed troops, Russian soldiers make calls Sign up for our newsletter and receive the mighty updates! The Bell OH-58 Kiowa was an entire line of military helicopters with a single engine and a single rotor. Loach come from the LOH which means Light Observation Helicopter. Although many were still teenagers, their survival depended on well-honed instincts and razor-sharp reflexes, along with plenty of luck. Loach crews were equipped with small arms and returned fire as they fled. The Incident - CherriesWriter - Vietnam War website Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods. Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program, The US Air Force Panicked When Its Top-Secret Stealth Fighter Crashed Into the California Wilderness. One time we ran into hundreds of enemy troops. The Army officially adopted the Bell OH-58 Kiowa in 1969. purchase. The Sikorsky S-61R is a twin-engine transport and search helicopter. Systems damaged were: FUEL SYS 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. Aircraft took off, fully flight capable. 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. NVA troops shot down a Cobra, killing the crew. [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. 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. What was a loach helicopter? - Quora Troop C, 1st squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Oct 68 Jan 69 A saying among Army aviators was, If you have to crash, do it in a Loach.. To this day I am closer to those guys I flew with in Vietnam than my own brothers, says Mills. Book A Flight | They were famous for being shot down or crashing in combat. Cobras rolled in and blew the downed aircraft uptaking with it about 15 bad guys standing around it.. 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. Ace Cozzalio was among the most colorful characters of the Vietnam War. It was used for transporting personnel, escorting other aircraft and naval vessels, attacking enemy units, and acting as an observation post. The CH-34 Choctaw was developed by Sikorsky Aircraft for transport purposes to carry personnel and deliver supplies. 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. Scout crews argued that the Kiowa was nowhere near as nimble as the Cayuse, but scouting flights were changing. Kane was dispatched to the crash site in another Cobra with copilot Jim Casher. Army units this aircraft deployed with in Vietnam: Troop B, 1st squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Aug '68 - Oct '70. 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. 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. 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. Ultimate Soldier Air Cavalry OH-6 "Loach" Helicopter 1/6 Scale The AH-6 Little Bird Gun, a light attack helicopter, has been tested and proven in combat. The Army requested 714 helicopters in May 1965, a number that was later increased to 1,300. Reportedly, 964 out of the 1,422 OH-6As produced for the US Army were destroyed in the Vietnam theatre, the majority of these losses being a result of hostile action, typically ground fire. Information on U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A tail number 67-16304 US Army Loach OH-6 Helicopter Vietnam War Era Steve1958OR 242 subscribers 14K views 9 years ago A friend came by today with his Vietnam war era Hughs OH-6 Loach helicopter. For other AH-6 and MH-6 variants, see MH-6 Little Bird and Boeing AH-6. In 1965, the concept of helicopter-borne fighting forces was still new and largely untested, and units in Vietnam invented tactics on the spot. In response, a task force was developed originally designated Task Force 158 for the next attempt to rescue the hostages, Operation Honey Badger. and Images on this page are gathered from various sources. Click on the hotlinks for more information. While they were circling the wreckage, enemy rounds hit their ship. In some areas, Purple Teamsone Loach and two Cobraswere also common, as were other variations.) But the light aluminum skin could be easily pierced by rifle bullets, and it also crumpled and absorbed energy in a crash, and a strong structural truss protected critical systemslike the people inside. [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. The Cayuse . (He later transferred to the Air Force and flew F-4 Phantoms, and eventually became an airline captain.) 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. It could accomplish missions that bigger, slower and louder helicopters couldnt do. In August 1967, the AH-1G Cobra arrived in Vietnam. article/image or apply full credit information. The UH-1B/C was used sparingly during the Vietnam War. He is proud of his service, which involved a great deal of combat, but has concluded that U.S. involvement in Vietnam was a mistake. 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. 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. Nate Shaffer has restored a Hughes OH-6A Cayuse helicopter. When the opposing forces exposed themselves, the crew would call upon an accompanying Bell AH-1 Cobra to attack. This simple design made maintenance easy, while the choppers 26-foot rotor made it much easier to maneuver in tight landing zones. These rotorcraft were operated by several different organisations, the majority of which were based in Japan. 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. It can cruise at speeds of 150 mph. [12] Following a competitive fly-off, the Army requested the manufacturers to submit sealed bids. However, the choppers frame ensured the crewmen within remained safe. In 1972, as U.S. troops slowly withdrew, the NVA began a major push that became known as the Easter Offensive. Late in the war, the HH-43 was also deployed for short overland search and rescue missions. Within that same year, help was on the way. 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. 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. Onboard UH1 Huey helicopter (SN 66-163-56) was Aircraft Commander, WO William H. Seaborn Jr., myself as . Today, the Little Birds in use by special operations are MH-6Ms derived from a similar but more powerful helicopter. In 1966 it entered military service with the US Army. 13456, "History of Rotorcraft World Records, List of records established by the 'YOH-6A'. Army units this aircraft deployed with in Vietnam: 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. It was used to look for and find the VC/NVA troops in Vietnam. It was deemed, based on Hughes' estimates, his units would be most cost effective in the long run. While Loachs were vulnerable to enemy fire, they were famous for surviving crashes like John did. Shop | This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER On 27 February 1963, the first prototype conducted its maiden flight. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They went down in the jungle, and both [members of the crew] survived. 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. Select the first letter of the last name of the person you want to find: The Model 369 was submitted by Hughes, and competed against the two finalists, Fairchild-Hiller and Bell, for a production contract. Total flight hours at this point: 00000496 Pilot sold separately. About Us | Another flight competition was held, this time without a submission from Fairchild Hiller. 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. When the opposing forces exposed themselves, the crew would call upon an accompanying Bell AH-1 Cobra to attack. Headquarters, 173rd Airborne Brigade: Jan 70 May 70 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. The Cayuse was publicly introduced in 1966 and set several records, including record for endurance, speed and rate of climb. These helicopters were mostly used for observation, reconnaissance, utility, and for providing combat support. 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). As a separate part of the project, armed OH-6As were being developed at Fort Rucker, Alabama. For this, a small rotorcraft capable of landing in restrictive locations and easily transportable via US Air Force transport aircraft was necessary. (7.62MM) 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). 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. They underwent two weeks of qualification training and an additional two weeks of mission training. This chopper is mostly known for having been used to spot enemy artillery. Here are the 24 helicopters used in Vietnam. Due to its designation LOH (Light Observation Helicopter), pilots and crew nicknamed this helicopter LOACH. Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (Loach) - Military Factory To counter the US, the Vietnamese employed their helicopter fleets of mostly Soviet-made aircraft. Light Attack Helicopters 3. It was the same for Jim. This aspect was further bolstered by the use of self-sealing fuel tanks that lowered the likelihood of a post-impact fire breaking out. If the OH-6 came under fire, the nearby Cobra would then strike at the revealed enemy. 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. The Model 369 had a distinctive teardrop-shaped fuselage that had strong crashworthiness properties and provided excellent external visibility. Under enemy fire this nimble machine had to fly low to the ground, just above the jungle canopy. The Bell AH-1J was also used for various subsequent assaults and military operations conducted by the US Marine Corps. The Hughes 369 was redesignated the OH-6A "Cayuse" by the U.S. Army. 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. [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. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse is a single-engine light helicopter that was designed and produced by the American aerospace company Hughes Helicopters. Casualties = 01 WIA . City of Walnut Creek Special Recreation Museum Tour October 26, 2019, United Airlines Family Day Fly-in October 13, 2019, Napa County Airport Day September 7, 2019, Virginia Rose II Cobra transferred to Vietnam Helicopters Museum August 14, 2019, Memorial Day 2019 Ceremonies at Oak Hill Memorial Park & Cemetery. I have come home with blood on my windshield. The-21C was extensively used by the US Army to transport troops and supplies. 2 M75 40-mm grenade launchers 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. Her research focused on Victorian, medical, and epidemiological history with a focus on childhood diseases. Served in Vietnam War during 1968 and 1970-1972 When the 1980 hostage situation of Operation Eagle Claw was deemed a disaster, the US military realized there was a lack of aircraft and personnel trained for such special operations. 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. which many are taken will be available from our shop to Flight Hours in Vietnam: 1,400. When Chuck Gross left for Vietnam in 1970, he was a nineteen-year-old army helicopter pilot fresh out of flight school. 608th Transportation Company (Aircraft Direct Support): Mar 72 Typically missions were flown during the daylight, starting at dawn; common roles included the clearance of landing zones and general intelligence/observation flights. The Cayuse had a single articulated four-bladed main rotor, a metal two-bladed tail rotor, and a V-shaped tail. OH-6 Loach - Light Observation Helicopter - Brickmania Toys A recontoured nose allowed for greater leg and head room. 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. In her spare time, Samantha enjoys reading, knitting, and hanging out with her dog, Chowder! 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 United States deployed all types of helicopter, ranging from massive troop transport choppers, to smaller multipurpose and attack helicopters, and even helicopter drones. [22] The remaining H-13s were promptly withdrawn in favour of the OH-6s. [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. 605th transportation Company (Direct Support): Nov . Joint Services Incident Damage Report. Overtop of the fuselage was the OH-6s single engine, attached to a four-blade main rotor assembly. [3], On 27 February 1963, the first Model 369 prototype performed its maiden flight. The 'Loach' was one of the riskiest helicopter assignments in Vietnam We were about ready to call in tactical air support to blow up the wrecked ship when another Cobra took a lot of fire. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 45-4703737We Fly for Our Veterans!. Unfortunately, the weight of the armament kept the little bird from taking off. 2 Stinger AAM. Two of these designs, those submitted by Fairchild-Hiller and Bell, were selected as finalists by the Army-Navy design competition board. The Hughes (Model 500M) international military version was sold in ten countries and built under license in Italy and Japan. Search and Rescue Helicopters 5. 60th Assault Helicopter Company: Mar 72 Jun 72, Information on U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A tail number 67-16304 When the Loach debuted in 1966, it broke records for speed, endurance, and rate of climb, all important attributes for a scout helicopter. It was barely used in the Vietnam War because it was replaced by the more advanced Sikorsky H-34 Choctaw. The Cobra was fast and deadly. The LOH program opened the floor to several companies to come up with their own designs. While successful in this respect, the Loach helicopter also had a reputation for being easily gunned down. [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. Cookie Policy Historical Snapshot: OH-6 Cayuse/Hughes 500 Helicopter We were combat trackers, says Mills. Donald Porter September 2017 Pilot Clyde. 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 This was a Combat incident. Loaches, usually with a pilot and observer and sometimes a door gunner aboard, flew as little as 10 feet above the treetops at between about 45 and 60 mph, scouting for signs of the enemy. Total flight hours at this point: 00000265 [16], Early on in the OH-6's career, the type demonstrated its performance in a particularly prominent manner via the setting of 23 individual world records for helicopters during 1966 in the categories of speed, endurance and time to climb. OA-6A 'Loach' Scout platoon. | The following text is exclusive to this site. Systems damaged were: COMM SYS, STRUCTURE, INSTRUMENTS, PERSONNEL All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. 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. 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. Privacy Statement 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). [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. These choppers were modified for combat rescue missions and had self-sealing fuel tanks, rescue hoist, and in-flight refueling abilities. While Enroute this helicopter was at Level Flight at 0020 feet and 050 knots. By Richard Toops. Mills, who served two tours in Loaches and one in Cobras, was shot down 16 timesall but once in OH-6s. Shaffer, 63, rode in the military helicopter as a door gunner with Charlie Troop 1/9th, 1st Air Cavalry while . 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. The enemy was moving toward us when a [command and control] ship picked us up. But the Hueys proved too slow to do the job properly, and the need to replace both scouts and protectors was immediately evident. Date: 02/08/1969 Your email address will not be published. Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. It would often be crewed by a pilot and an observer; up to five passengers or up to 1,000lb of cargo could be carried internally. This story is a selection from the September issue of Air & Space magazine, Donald Porter Initially fielded in Vietnam in early 1968, the Hughes OH-6A was used for command and control, observation, target acquisition, and reconnaissance. In the Vietnam War, these choppers were used to recover downed aircraft. 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.

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