loach helicopter vietnam loach helicopter vietnam

The enemy was moving toward us when a [command and control] ship picked us up. He shares memories of his service and reflects on what the war meant to. Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. 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. [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. 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. Helicopter took 2 hits from: 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. The North Vietnamese deployed hundreds of the missiles, and from then on, both hunter and killer tried to stay well hidden. Moore served as an Army OH-6A "Loach" scout in IV Corps, South Vietnam, 1968-1969: Fort Apache, Vihn Long Province. [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. Since 1968 this helicopter saw combat in Vietnam. 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. Both the Pilot and Observer/Gunner positions were equipped with carbon fiber side panels and seats. They underwent two weeks of qualification training and an additional two weeks of mission training. By the end of the war, the Loachs replacement was imminent. They could also use grenades and on occasion even homebuilt explosives; more aggressive units mounted forward-firing miniguns. The OH-6D was an improved version with more advanced electronics and heavier armament. The UH, nicknamed Huey is a utility military chopper that was used for troop and cargo transport, medical evacuation, and sometimes for military purposes. Aircraft took off, fully flight capable. Table of Contents 1. The US Army subsequently reopened the LOH program to engineering companies, offering a new contract for 2,700 additional airframes. The helicopter Continued Flight. 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. As of 2021, these records still stand. I still have scars on my legsit was terrifying. [8][9], A total of 387 OH-6/Hughes 369s were produced under license in Japan by the Japanese aerospace company Kawasaki Heavy Industries. In the end, Hughes lost its contract to Bell, who was deemed to have the superior design. In the event of a crash the tailboom and engine separate from the egg-like . 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. 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. 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. An author of aviation books, his latest is Howards Whirlybirds. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 45-4703737We Fly for Our Veterans!. While the already-produced OH-6 Cayuses were being deployed to Vietnam in 1967, production costs were beginning to rise. 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. 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. Donald Porter September 2017 Pilot Clyde. 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. Pilots called this helicopter as the Loach. (Scouts were known as White Teams and Cobras as Red; the two colors combine to become pink. During the testing phase, it became clear the Bell prototype was underpowered, so it was dropped. I was flying wing and just dropped into the AO [Area of Operations]. Under enemy fire this nimble machine had to fly low to the ground, just above the jungle canopy. [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. With US Army evaluations of each prototype ongoing, the underpowered Bell offering was formally dropped from contention and the US Army decision favored the Hughes design over the Fairchild-Hiller. Due to its designation LOH (Light Observation Helicopter), pilots and crew nicknamed this helicopter LOACH. The Bell AH-1J was also used for various subsequent assaults and military operations conducted by the US Marine Corps. 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. Date: 03/25/1970 Loach crews were equipped with small arms and returned fire as they fled. [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 helicopter was hit in the Cockpit Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program, The US Air Force Panicked When Its Top-Secret Stealth Fighter Crashed Into the California Wilderness. 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. Setting 23 world records for speed, distance, and altitude, the Hughes Tool Company OH-6 entered service in September of 1966. Hughes Model OH-6A "Cayuse" or "LOACH". 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. Jim Kanes Vietnam tour abruptly ended one day in February 1971. The hunter-killer tactic worked well for a few years, but by the time the United States left Vietnam, it was obsolete, says Mills. 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 Marine Corp used it for the sea-based interdiction of the Ho Chi Minh Trail in 1972. These would be used to replace its fleet of Bell H-13 Sioux, a compact first generation rotorcraft. [22] All American rotorcraft in the theatre had to be operated more cautiously following this development. The flames covered my boots and lower legs. One time we ran into hundreds of enemy troops. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse was a revolutionary rotorcraft operated during the Vietnam War. 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. Unit: 173 ABN 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. Served in Vietnam War during 1968 and 1970-1972 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. Cobras rolled in and blew the downed aircraft uptaking with it about 15 bad guys standing around it.. (7.62MM) We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. The Bell Model 206 is a line of both single and twin-engined helicopters with two primary rotor blades. The Cayuse . During the course of the competition, the Bell submission, the YOH-4, was eliminated as being underpowered (it was powered by the 250shp (186kW) T63-A-5). 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. 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. which many are taken will be available from our shop to During the Vietnam war, the HH-43 Huskie was used for more rescue missions than all other aircraft combined. These rotorcraft were operated by several different organisations, the majority of which were based in Japan. While Hiller did not participate in the rebidding, Bell opted to, submitting their redesigned Model 206. Its like a street cop going into a bad neighborhood. [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. AH-1G Huey Cobra 'Snake' . The unrefueled range of the AH-6 is 250 nautical miles. Boucher quickly discovered that life as a qualified crewman was extremely dangerous. Despite having been designed for anti-submarine combat, the Gyrodyne QH-50 was mostly used for conducting reconnaissance of enemy vessels in the Vietnam war, instead of actual combat. 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). 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. 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. Unknown as to mission impact. While successful in this respect, the Loach helicopter also had a reputation for being easily gunned down. Total flight hours at this point: 00000265 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. Nate Shaffer has restored a Hughes OH-6A Cayuse helicopter. Disclaimer Photographs During 1966, the OH-6 entered service with the U.S. Army, it promptly arrived into active combat in the Vietnam War. Information on U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A tail number 67-16304 History | 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. [5] Accordingly, the bidding for the LOH contract came down to Fairchild-Hiller and Hughes. Can a Helicopter Fly to the Top of Mount Everest. I spent more time with them.. Her research focused on Victorian, medical, and epidemiological history with a focus on childhood diseases. The Huey descended gingerly into a clearing smaller than its main rotor diameter, the aircrafts rotor blades chopping tree limbs as it descended. Within that same year, help was on the way. 2 Hellfire ATGM Served in Vietnam War during 1968 through 1970. The Loach helicopter was pitted against what was then known as the Bell Model 206. Joint Services Incident Damage Report. The OH-6A Cayuse was quite effective when teamed with the AH-1G Cobra attack helicopter as part of what were known as Pink Teams. Fitted with 1x 253-shp Allison T63-A-5A turboshaft, 4 bladed main rotor, and an offset "V" tail. (He later transferred to the Air Force and flew F-4 Phantoms, and eventually became an airline captain.) Books/Magazines Today, the Little Birds in use by special operations are MH-6Ms derived from a similar but more powerful helicopter. I was wounded three times and shot down nine times, Romero reports. I could see a cigarette butt still burning. During May 1965, the U.S. Army awarded the production contract to Hughes. 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. A rescue operation for the crew of a downed Loach helicopter doesn't quite go as planned and the rescuers become victims themselves. I got shot down on my 22nd birthday, March 27, 1971. 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". Hughes Tool Company, Aircraft Division - USA, (View other Aviaton-Related Manufacturers), Dominican Republic; Denmark; Japan; Spain; Taiwan; United States, (OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable), Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scout, X-Plane (Developmental, Prototype, Technology Demonstrator), (Showcased structural values pertain to the base Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (Loach) production variant), RANGES (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hi-Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: >19030, (Showcased performance specifications pertain to the. This was a Recon mission for Unarmed Recon and Images on this page are gathered from various sources. Multi-Mission Helicopters 6. In 1960, the US Army issued Technical Specification 153 and established the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program. Army units this aircraft deployed with in Vietnam: Helicopter took 1 hits from: document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 Vietnam Helicopters Museum. The aircraft, dubbed 500P (penetrator) by Hughes, began as an ARPA project, codenamed "Mainstreet", in 1968. They were employed in hunter-killer tactics, wherein they flew low over the jungle as bait to draw enemy fire. Cookie Policy 2 M134 7.62-mm 6x barrel, Gatling type twin MG pods The AH-6 Little Bird Gun, a light attack helicopter, has been tested and proven in combat. On top of this, Fairchild Hiller lodged a formal complaint over Hughes Tool Companys deceitful tactics to earn the original contract. 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 August 1967, the AH-1G Cobra arrived in Vietnam. [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. 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 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. See Also: How Much Does a Huey Helicopter Cost? Observation Helicopters Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (Loach) The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse is a light helicopter with a single engine and a four-bladed main rotor. 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. Shop | It was deemed, based on Hughes' estimates, his units would be most cost effective in the long run. Contact | In the Vietnam War, these choppers were used to recover downed aircraft. To counter the US, the Vietnamese employed their helicopter fleets of mostly Soviet-made aircraft. 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 CH-53 Tarhe was another heavy-lift helicopter designed to transport and recover downed aircraft. In response, a task force was developed originally designated Task Force 158 for the next attempt to rescue the hostages, Operation Honey Badger. Armament They chose the OH-6A scout helicopter to fill that role, and it became known as the Little Bird compared to the other aircraft in the task force, the MH-60 and the MH-47. Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. 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. To this day I am closer to those guys I flew with in Vietnam than my own brothers, says Mills. 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. Another flight competition was held, this time without a submission from Fairchild Hiller. https://warandlifediscussions.weebly.com/Any veteran who served in any combat zone in any capacity is invited to contact Preston Jones: pjones@jbu.edu / (479) 524-7488 [12] Accordingly, during 1968, Hughes submitted a bid to build a further 2,700 airframes. The task force, which had been designated as Task Force 158, was soon formed into the 160th Aviation Battalion. 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). [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. These choppers were modified for combat rescue missions and had self-sealing fuel tanks, rescue hoist, and in-flight refueling abilities. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work. Loach come from the LOH which means Light Observation Helicopter. It was pretty hairy, and we got the hell out of there. But Boucher got a rush from the missions, and stayed six months beyond what was required of a draftee. Following a contentious selection process that included allegations of industrial espionage and political favoritism, the first Hughes OH-6A observation helicopters arrived in Vietnam in December 1967. 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. 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. This chopper is mostly known for having been used to spot enemy artillery. The Sea Stallion is a line of heavy-lift transport helicopters. The Hughes 369 was redesignated the OH-6A "Cayuse" by the U.S. Army. purchase. 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. Hughes developed the Model 369 as a prototype for the U.S. Army in the early 1960s. Lt. Col. They were famous for being shot down or crashing in combat. This was a Combat incident. Systems damaged were: FUEL SYS In 1966 it entered military service with the US Army. This was a Recon mission for Unarmed Recon You had a couple of flights in the Huey, then you rode front seat in a Cobra, scout pilot Allan Krausz recounts. OH-58 "Kiowa" light observation / scout platform. Cobras, nicknamed Snakes, flew circles 1,500 feet above the scouts, waiting to pounce on whatever the Loach found. Even when this helicopter was shot down, it refused to crack. [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.