Unfortunately, the weight of the armament kept the little bird from taking off. 10 Types of Helicopters in Vietnam (Vietnam Era Helicopters) - Aero Corner The U.S. Army began to use Bell OH-13 Sioux and Hiller OH-23 Raven helicopters, once artillery spotters, to scout ahead of UH-1D Huey formations in the moments before air assaults to gather information about landing zones and enemy locations. 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. Your email address will not be published. If you would like 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. The armed OH-6s from Fort Rucker joined the training program in the fall of 1980.[30]. 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. It can cruise at speeds of 150 mph. Just as I set it down, the tail rotor spun off. The AH-6 Little Bird Gun, a light attack helicopter, has been tested and proven in combat. 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. But the Army decided that it would be more prudent to keep the unit in order to be prepared for future contingencies. The Cayuse (white) was used alongside the AH-1 Cobra (red) attack helicopters, forming (pink) hunter killer teams. 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. Joint Services Incident Damage Report. Most of our engagements [we] were 25 to 50 feet [away] when we opened up on [the Viet Cong], Mills continues. Terms of Use At peak production, during the Vietnam War, as many as 100 OH-6As were built a month. Hughes's price was $19,860 per airframe, without the engine, while Hiller's price was $29,415 per airframe, also without the engine. [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. The Piasecki H-21 Workhorse was the fourth line of tandem rotor helicopters developed by Piasecki Helicopters. to voice a complaint about any articles or image on this website, please [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. The NVA [North Vietnamese army] was everywhere. 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. 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. A rescue operation for the crew of a downed Loach helicopter doesn't quite go as planned and the rescuers become victims themselves. In her spare time, Samantha enjoys reading, knitting, and hanging out with her dog, Chowder! Here are the 24 helicopters used in Vietnam. The Marine Corp used it for the sea-based interdiction of the Ho Chi Minh Trail in 1972. I still have scars on my legsit was terrifying. The OH-6 Cayuse was developed from specifications issued by the U.S. Army in 1960 for a light observation helicopter (LOH), and the familiar Loach nickname was derived from the acronym. Cobras rolled in and blew the downed aircraft uptaking with it about 15 bad guys standing around it.. Helicopter Pilots Who Died in the Vietnam War - VHPA 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. 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. Nate Shaffer has restored a Hughes OH-6A Cayuse helicopter. Shaffer, 63, rode in the military helicopter as a door gunner with Charlie Troop 1/9th, 1st Air Cavalry while . The OH-6 was also exported as the Model 500 Defender. The OH-6A "Cayuse" is a small tactical helicopter flown by units of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment [SOAR]. A recontoured nose allowed for greater leg and head room. Kane recalls, The vibrations were so harsh I had to return to base camp at Khe Sanh, seven miles from the Laotian border. Helicopter took 2 hits from: These choppers were modified for combat rescue missions and had self-sealing fuel tanks, rescue hoist, and in-flight refueling abilities. The Chickasaw was a multi-purpose helicopter designed for both the US Army and Air Force. As a separate part of the project, armed OH-6As were being developed at Fort Rucker, Alabama. [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. The OH-6A would find targets by flying low, trolling for fire, and lead in a Cobra, or Snake, to attack. To this day I am closer to those guys I flew with in Vietnam than my own brothers, says Mills. Some units were modified during the war with machine guns to act as gunships. 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). When the Loach debuted in 1966, it broke records for speed, endurance, and rate of climb, all important attributes for a scout helicopter. In air mobile teams, a pilot would fly low while an observer would scan the ground for signs of the enemy force. This simple design made maintenance easy, while the choppers 26-foot rotor made it much easier to maneuver in tight landing zones. 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. Upon returning to the United States, he established a career in the construction industry and settled in rural Sierra City, California. The Light Observation Helicopter ( LOH) program was a United States Army program to evaluate, develop and field a light scout helicopter to replace the Army's aging Bell OH-13 Sioux. 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. The Korean War proved the necessity for such rotorcraft, particularly in regard to search and rescue operations. Although many were still teenagers, their survival depended on well-honed instincts and razor-sharp reflexes, along with plenty of luck. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 45-4703737We Fly for Our Veterans!. Required fields are marked *. Kane was dispatched to the crash site in another Cobra with copilot Jim Casher. Hughes Model OH-6A Cayuse or LOACH However, the U.S. Army subsequently chose to include Hughes's Model 369 for further consideration as well. Despite its strong offensive abilities, the SH-2 Seasprite was mostly used for rescuing downed friendly aircrews instead of direct combat. | The following text is exclusive to this site. 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. The LOH program opened the floor to several companies to come up with their own designs. History | OA-6A 'Loach' Scout platoon. The UH, nicknamed Huey is a utility military chopper that was used for troop and cargo transport, medical evacuation, and sometimes for military purposes. The Hughes 369 was redesignated the OH-6A "Cayuse" by the U.S. Army. Hughes 500M: Military export version of OH-6 in mid-1970s with upgraded 278-shp Allison 250-C18 turboshaft engine, "V" tail. Headquarters, 173rd Airborne Brigade: Jan 70 May 70 2 M260 2.75-in Hydra 70 rocket pods (7 or 12 each) 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. The Gyrodyne QH-50 was mostly designed to be used on ships that werent large enough to carry a full-sized helicopter. [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. . Up against Fairchild Hiller, Hughes Tool Company purposely undervalued its cost estimates, earning the company favor and the contract. The Incident - Operation Triumphus They were operated by a number of military organizations, including the Japanese Army, Navy and Coast Guard. 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. 1:00 Jan. 6 will mark 50 years since former Newburgh resident Dave Middleton was shot down in Vietnam while piloting a Loach helicopter on a mission to which he wasn't originally assigned.. 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. Home | An author of aviation books, his latest is Howards Whirlybirds. The helicopter was designed around their earlier model 269/300 making use of monocoque steel tube construction techniques, allowing a strong and compact fuselage. After around 10 hours at the controls of a Loach, the pilots were deemed worthy of flying in combat. Flight Hours in Vietnam: 1,318 Jim was unconscious when I helped pull him out of the burning aircraft.. 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. Built by Hughes Tool Company, it was designed to be a scout helicopter during the Vietnam war. Its effectiveness in battle allowed it to quickly replace the Bell H-13 Siouxs being operated in the country. 2 M134 7.62-mm 6x barrel, Gatling type twin MG pods This story is a selection from the September issue of Air & Space magazine, Donald Porter 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. These helicopters were mostly used for observation, reconnaissance, utility, and for providing combat support. A.J. 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. Underneath, a fixed twin-skid undercarriage was supported at two separate points. 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 Bell H-13 Sioux were used for multiple roles, ranging from transporting troops, conducting medical evacuations, and performing reconnaissance and observational activities. Loach crews regularly walked away from crashes that would doom others. We got into another aircraft and went back out. Pilots called this helicopter as the Loach. In some areas, Purple Teamsone Loach and two Cobraswere also common, as were other variations.) I could see a cigarette butt still burning. The hunter-killer tactic worked well for a few years, but by the time the United States left Vietnam, it was obsolete, says Mills. The Army initially ordered 1,438 Hughes Model 369s, designated by the Army as the OH-6A Cayuse helicopters. The UH-1B/C was used sparingly during the Vietnam War. South Vietnam 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). They underwent two weeks of qualification training and an additional two weeks of mission training. 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. On the night of 56 December 1972, the remaining helicopter deployed a wiretap near Vinh, Vietnam; useful information provided from this wiretap was acted on by the United States on several occasions, such as during the Linebacker II campaign and Paris Peace Talks. 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 Bell UH-1B/C was modified from the UH-1A Cobra to include a set of machine guns for attacking ground targets. It never flew again. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse was a revolutionary rotorcraft operated during the Vietnam War. 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. Possible mast-mounted sight. Helicopter took 1 hits from: The helicopter was hit in the Cockpit The aircraft, dubbed 500P (penetrator) by Hughes, began as an ARPA project, codenamed "Mainstreet", in 1968. Under enemy fire this nimble machine had to fly low to the ground, just above the jungle canopy. The CH-34 Choctaw was developed by Sikorsky Aircraft for transport purposes to carry personnel and deliver supplies. The "OH-6C" was the creation of the Maintenance Section of The Real Cav, B Troop 7/17th Air Cavalry Squadron, which was stationed near Pleiku in early 1972. Today, the Little Birds in use by special operations are MH-6Ms derived from a similar but more powerful helicopter. But the Hueys proved too slow to do the job properly, and the need to replace both scouts and protectors was immediately evident. 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. So I engaged the enemy, but didnt make it out of that one. Adopted after. 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. Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (Loach) - Military Factory The flames covered my boots and lower legs. The OH-6A could be armed with the M27 armament subsystem, the M134 six-barrel 7.62mm minigun or the M129 40mm grenade launcher on the XM8 armament subsystem. It was used to look for and find the VC/NVA troops in Vietnam. Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. 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. We were about ready to call in tactical air support to blow up the wrecked ship when another Cobra took a lot of fire. 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. Another such gunner was 19-year-old Joel Boucher, drafted and sent to Vietnam from 1967 to 1969. Army units this aircraft deployed with in Vietnam: Donald Porter September 2017 Pilot Clyde. The Hughes (Model 500M) international military version was sold in ten countries and built under license in Italy and Japan. [19][20][21], In December 1967, the first OH-6As arrived in Vietnam. 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. This was a Recon mission for Unarmed Recon 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 Army purchased this helicopter 0968 [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. While Enroute this helicopter was at Level Flight at 0020 feet and 050 knots. 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. Historical Snapshot: OH-6 Cayuse/Hughes 500 Helicopter [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. The helicopter Continued Flight. It served in Granada and Panama during the 1980s, as well as in the . Army headquarters developed doctrine by building on what worked in the field, rather than the other way around, and each unit in-country did things slightly differently. It was deemed, based on Hughes' estimates, his units would be most cost effective in the long run. Jim Kanes Vietnam tour abruptly ended one day in February 1971. To this day I am closer to those guys I flew with in Vietnam than my own brothers, says Mills. Cartas de Lee: La historia de un hombre de Vietnam por Larayne M. Topp USNTPS plans to retain the aircraft indefinitely and continue to improve the safety, reliability, and usefulness of the aircraft in the test pilot training role. Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. Vietnam War helicopter pilots bring stories and aircraft to Topeka The small "egg-shaped" design and simplified rotorhead incorporated four rotor blades of constant chord, made of bonded light alloy. The Sea Stallion is a line of heavy-lift transport helicopters. See Also: How Much Does a Huey Helicopter Cost? Systems damaged were: FUEL SYS We got hit by incendiary .51-caliber rounds, and the phosphorus ignited the Cobras hydraulic fluid. The Cayuse . [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. Primarily, it was used by the Marine Corp to transport personnel and cargo. The 'Loach' was one of the riskiest helicopter assignments in Vietnam Your Privacy Rights It was a joy to fly. Kane, who today sells securities in Richmond, Virginia, flew AH-1s in Vietnam from 1968 to 1971. SA-7 Grail heat-seeking missiles could down a Loach before its crew even realized they were under fire. Two of these designs, those submitted by Fairchild-Hiller and Bell, were selected as finalists by the Army-Navy design competition board. It was reasonably fast, very crashworthy, comparatively easy to maintain and fly, and extraordinarily maneuverable. The Vietnam War saw the extensive use of helicopters, though were mostly by the United States military. 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. The Loach helicopter was pitted against what was then known as the Bell Model 206. 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. loach | My Vietnam Experience For this, a small rotorcraft capable of landing in restrictive locations and easily transportable via US Air Force transport aircraft was necessary. In Vietnam, These Helicopter Scouts Saw Combat Up Close Cobras and Loaches, two vastly different aircraft, relied on each other to fight the enemy. 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. 2 .50 cal MG pods In the end, Hughes lost its contract to Bell, who was deemed to have the superior design. Each time we went out, we got shot at. The Bell AH-1J was also used for various subsequent assaults and military operations conducted by the US Marine Corps. MD-500MD/Scout and TOW Defender: Improved military version of the model 500 with 5 main rotor blades, 375-shp Allison 250-C20B turboshaft engine, and T-tail. I went up in a Loach with an M60 machine gun to get used to firing the weapon. 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.. The "loach" was the LOH (Light Observation Helicopter) or OH-6A. During the Vietnam war, the HH-43 Huskie was used for more rescue missions than all other aircraft combined. 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. The US Army charged Hughes for 714 units with the serial production contract formally announced in May of 1965. Operation Honey Badger never went ahead, as the hostages were released in January 1981. 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. Cookie Policy document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 Vietnam Helicopters Museum. [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. You had a couple of flights in the Huey, then you rode front seat in a Cobra, scout pilot Allan Krausz recounts. This chopper is mostly known for having been used to spot enemy artillery. When the opposing forces exposed themselves, the crew would call upon an accompanying Bell AH-1 Cobra to attack. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Model 369, with its Allison T63-A-5A series turboshaft engine, took its first flight on February 27, 1963, under the military designation YOH-6A. 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. AH/MH-6J: US Army Special Operations variant derived from the MD-530MG. Hughes is reported to have told his confidant, Jack Real, that he lost over $100 million to construct 1,370 airframes. 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. 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.