The Loach could be terrifying since it was often used with the AH-1 Cobra in hunter-killer missions, where the Loach would go out and find the enemy positions and the Cobra would go in for the kill with rocket, grenade, and minigun fire. This was a Combat incident. 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. 605th transportation Company (Direct Support): Nov . Helicopter Pilots Who Died in the Vietnam War . 60th Assault Helicopter Company: Mar 72 Jun 72, Information on U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A tail number 67-16304 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. 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. The Cayuse could absorb an extensive amount of small arms fire and still bring the crew home safely. The United States deployed all types of helicopter, ranging from massive troop transport choppers, to smaller multipurpose and attack helicopters, and even helicopter drones. [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. But the Army decided that it would be more prudent to keep the unit in order to be prepared for future contingencies. 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. 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. Hughes, without informing Real, raised the bid by $3,000, and thus lost the contract to Bell. In 1966 it entered military service with the US Army. The "loach" was the LOH (Light Observation Helicopter) or OH-6A. External load capacity was approximately 1,200 Lbs (550 kg), and transport capability 2 or 3 troops or cargo internally. We were about ready to call in tactical air support to blow up the wrecked ship when another Cobra took a lot of fire. 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. Home | 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. See Also: How Much Does a Huey Helicopter Cost? Your Privacy Rights During the Vietnam War, it was exclusively used by North Vietnam for reconnaissance and VIP transport. The SeaCobra was a twin-engine attack helicopter that was developed from the single-engine AH-1 Cobra helicopter. Upon returning to the United States, he established a career in the construction industry and settled in rural Sierra City, California. The Piasecki H-21 Workhorse was the fourth line of tandem rotor helicopters developed by Piasecki Helicopters. We were combat trackers, says Mills. Its like a street cop going into a bad neighborhood. Loach come from the LOH which means Light Observation Helicopter. As a separate part of the project, armed OH-6As were being developed at Fort Rucker, Alabama. The Huey descended gingerly into a clearing smaller than its main rotor diameter, the aircrafts rotor blades chopping tree limbs as it descended. 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 It was mostly used as a transport chopper, but it could also deliver supplies to troops. Following the lead, we got peppered with rounds. The Loach had a bad vibration, but he made it about half a mile before he had to land. Army units this aircraft deployed with in Vietnam: Unlike previous aircraft, the Tarhe was extremely successful during the Vietnam War. 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. Optional and variable (attack and special forces versions only). [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. 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. 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. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. The Bell H-13 Sioux was developed as a light-weight single-engine and single-rotor helicopter. I went up in a Loach with an M60 machine gun to get used to firing the weapon. They were famous for being shot down or crashing in combat. Its first overseas deployment, as well as into frontline combat, was the Vietnam War. While in Vietnam, Loach helicopters operated as part of air mobile teams. Onboard UH1 Huey helicopter (SN 66-163-56) was Aircraft Commander, WO William H. Seaborn Jr., myself as . Although many were still teenagers, their survival depended on well-honed instincts and razor-sharp reflexes, along with plenty of luck. 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". Cobras and Loaches, two vastly different aircraft, relied on each other to fight the enemy. The Hughes 369 was redesignated the OH-6A "Cayuse" by the U.S. Army. I still have scars on my legsit was terrifying. It was nicknamed the Jolly Green Giant during the war. The Marine Corp used it for the sea-based interdiction of the Ho Chi Minh Trail in 1972. The back plate was often not used owing to the weight, and even the chest plate was deleted. OH-6A Cayuse / AH-6J Little Bird - Military Aircraft Setting 23 world records for speed, distance, and altitude, the Hughes Tool Company OH-6 entered service in September of 1966. The armed OH-6s from Fort Rucker joined the training program in the fall of 1980.[30]. 2 M134 7.62-mm 6x barrel, Gatling type twin MG pods 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. Cobras rolled in and blew the downed aircraft uptaking with it about 15 bad guys standing around it.. In her spare time, Samantha enjoys reading, knitting, and hanging out with her dog, Chowder! 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. The Cayuse was Hughes' longest-running helicopter program and, during the Vietnam War, as many as 100 OH-6As were built a month. 79th Transportation Company: Jun 70 Jul 70 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 went down in the jungle, and both [members of the crew] survived. Robert Davis Travel Management Consultant, 2023 Executive Flyers +1 (512) 241-0795. [28][29], The pilots selected to fly the OH-6A helicopters came from the 229th Attack Helicopter Battalion and were sent to the Mississippi Army National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) at Gulfport, Mississippi, for two weeks of qualification training in the rotorcraft. [12] Accordingly, during 1968, Hughes submitted a bid to build a further 2,700 airframes. 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. On 1 October 1986, to help meet the increasing demands for support, the 1-245th Aviation Battalion from the Oklahoma National Guard, which had 25 AH-6 and 23 UH-1 helicopters, was placed under the operational control of the 160th. It was used for transporting personnel, escorting other aircraft and naval vessels, attacking enemy units, and acting as an observation post. Hughes Model OH-6A Cayuse or LOACH The Cayuse (white) was used alongside the AH-1 Cobra (red) attack helicopters, forming (pink) hunter killer teams. 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. The helicopter was hit in the Left Side Observation Helicopters 4. Vietnam War helicopter pilots bring stories and aircraft to Kansas I liked it because in the Bronx, I was a ghetto kid. 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! Hughes developed the Model 369 as a prototype for the U.S. Army in the early 1960s. 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. The US Army subsequently reopened the LOH program to engineering companies, offering a new contract for 2,700 additional airframes. Required fields are marked *. Vietnam Veteran and his Helicopter Reunited. Helicopter took 1 hits from: Front left side view of the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse helicopter; color, Right side view of the Hughes OH-6 Loach in flight; color. The prototype first flew in early 1963, and production began two years later. 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). article/image or apply full credit information. That was about it.. The OH-6D was an improved version with more advanced electronics and heavier armament. He shares memories of his service and reflects on what the war meant to him then and what it means to him now. Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. The task force, which had been designated as Task Force 158, was soon formed into the 160th Aviation Battalion. Terms and Conditions, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC) We got into another aircraft and went back out. I spent more time with them.. The Incident - Operation Triumphus 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. ). Reportedly, Hughes had consulted at the last moment with Real, who recommended a bid of $53,550. I had a wingman shot down, pilot John Shafer says. The Chickasaw was a multi-purpose helicopter designed for both the US Army and Air Force. Though Cobra pilots were trained Stateside, most Loach pilots didnt take control of OH-6s until arriving in Vietnam. Another such gunner was 19-year-old Joel Boucher, drafted and sent to Vietnam from 1967 to 1969. We thought they were ARVNs [Army of the Republic of Vietnam] until they started running. Pilot sold separately. Tough Mission LOACH Chopper Vietnam - YouTube 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. Vietnam War helicopter pilots bring stories and aircraft to Topeka You can have all the guns, vests, and radios you want, but you need street smarts or youre going to be dead within an hour.. I followed footsteps. 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. A.J. Click on the hotlinks for more information. It was mostly used to transport troops and cargo during the Vietnam war. The Bell UH-1 Huey & the Hughes OH-6 Loach Army units this aircraft deployed with in Vietnam: Troop B, 1st squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Aug '68 - Oct '70. A rescue operation for the crew of a downed Loach helicopter doesn't quite go as planned and the rescuers become victims themselves. 24 Helicopters Used in Vietnam (And Their Purpose) Vietnam OH-6A "Cayuse" Helicopter The OH-6A made its first flight in 1963. 29 of the best politically incorrect Vietnam War slang terms OA-6A 'Loach' Scout platoon. South Vietnam Total flight hours at this point: 00000265 This simple design made maintenance easy, while the choppers 26-foot rotor made it much easier to maneuver in tight landing zones. For this, a small rotorcraft capable of landing in restrictive locations and easily transportable via US Air Force transport aircraft was necessary. Ultimate Soldier Air Cavalry OH-6 "Loach" Helicopter 1/6 Scale Flight Hours in Vietnam: 1,318 OH-6A Cayuse ('Loach') The OH-6A "Cayuse" is a small tactical helicopter flown by units of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment [SOAR]. Thats why the majority of pilots who served in Vietnam shared the opinion that, if you were going to crash, it was best to do it in a Loach. Today, the Little Birds in use by special operations are MH-6Ms derived from a similar but more powerful helicopter. 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. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft were returned to the U.S., where they were dismantled and converted back to a standard configuration; they continued to be operated as such for a time. [17] On 26 March 1966, Jack Schwiebold set the closed circuit distance record in a YOH-6A at Edwards Air Force Base, California, flying without landing for 1,739.96mi (2,800.20km). 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 aircraft, dubbed 500P (penetrator) by Hughes, began as an ARPA project, codenamed "Mainstreet", in 1968. 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. The Army requested 714 helicopters in May 1965, a number that was later increased to 1,300. Loach History - Fly in a Vietnam War Helicopter Even when this helicopter was shot down, it refused to crack. At peak production, during the Vietnam War, as many as 100 OH-6As were built a month. 2 .50 cal MG pods OH-58 "Kiowa" light observation / scout platform. Historical Snapshot: OH-6 Cayuse/Hughes 500 Helicopter | The following text is exclusive to this site. The 1-245th AVN BN enlisted were sent to the Mississippi Army National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) at Gulfport, Mississippi, for two weeks of qualification training in the aircraft. It can cruise at speeds of 150 mph. [3], On 27 February 1963, the first Model 369 prototype performed its maiden flight. 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. [2] This shaping, combined with the provision of internal bulkheads, has been attributed as giving the rotorcraft its uncommonly strong crashworthiness properties. I have come home with blood on my windshield. Despite its strong offensive abilities, the SH-2 Seasprite was mostly used for rescuing downed friendly aircrews instead of direct combat. I could see a cigarette butt still burning. 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 a joy to fly. Kane, who today sells securities in Richmond, Virginia, flew AH-1s in Vietnam from 1968 to 1971. The Cayuse had a single articulated four-bladed main rotor, a metal two-bladed tail rotor, and a V-shaped tail. 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). The Sea Knight is a medium left-tandem rotor helicopter used for transport. On top of this, Fairchild Hiller lodged a formal complaint over Hughes Tool Companys deceitful tactics to earn the original contract. Find Us on Facebook, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC). [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. Other Army pilots, most of whom flew Cobras or Hueys, thought of Loach pilots as a little offbeat. In photo #2 you can see the nice graphics. While Enroute this helicopter was at Level Flight at 0020 feet and 050 knots. 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. [8][9], A total of 387 OH-6/Hughes 369s were produced under license in Japan by the Japanese aerospace company Kawasaki Heavy Industries. 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 OH-6A would find targets by flying low, trolling for fire, and lead in a Cobra, or Snake, to attack. A rescue operation for the crew of a downed Loach helicopter doesn't quite go as planned and the rescuers become victims themselves. It served in Granada and Panama during the 1980s, as well as in the . 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 AH-6 and its troop-carrying sibling, the MH-6, are still heavily used by U.S. special-operations forces, as everything from airborne sniper platforms to transports inserting small teams to expeditionary light attack helicopters. 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. Ive seen them, whites of the eyes, and theyve seen me, whites of the eyes. The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. The OH-6A replaced the Korean era OH-13 Sioux and OH-23 Raven light observation helicopters. 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. 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. Late in the war, the HH-43 was also deployed for short overland search and rescue missions. 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. Loach helicopter hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy The Bell OH-58 Kiowa was an entire line of military helicopters with a single engine and a single rotor. 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. Unfortunately, the weight of the armament kept the little bird from taking off. The observers and gunners had even less experience. Graphics are very well done, the whole model is very well done. Modifications were also made to the rotor assembly by way of a five blade main rotor which increased stability. The Kaman SH-2 could extend and increase both shipboard sensor and weapon abilities against different types of enemy units, including submarines, ships, and patrol craft with anti-ship missiles. 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]. How a Vietnam War Helicopter Pilot Captured a POW With His Civil War When the Loach debuted in 1966, it broke records for speed, endurance, and rate of climb, all important attributes for a scout helicopter. Total flight hours at this point: 00000496 As the H-13s were phased out, Loaches were paired with Cobra gunships. The OH-6 was largely removed from active U.S. Army service in favor of the Kiowa, but modified versions of the helicopter flew with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment as the MH-6C Little Bird as late as 2008. Just as I set it down, the tail rotor spun off. Privacy Statement Cobras, nicknamed Snakes, flew circles 1,500 feet above the scouts, waiting to pounce on whatever the Loach found. Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. Its cockpit teems with electronics and sensors, and its stub wings are heavy with heat-seeking Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, laser-guided Hellfires, rockets (like those used in Vietnam), and even fuel-filled drop tanks. He shares memories of his service and reflects on what the war meant to. It was also the right size to fit the necessary avionics and fuel stores, all while keeping the structure nimble and agile. I tried to move the stuck controls and prayed for a place to set down. It took all of Kanes strength to pull out of a steep dive, and they crash-landed with a horrific thud. Crews trained side by side with the 160th for all operational concepts. [22] All American rotorcraft in the theatre had to be operated more cautiously following this development. 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. and Images on this page are gathered from various sources. We got hit by incendiary .51-caliber rounds, and the phosphorus ignited the Cobras hydraulic fluid. 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.