The Korean War proved the necessity for such rotorcraft, particularly in regard to search and rescue operations. Helicopter took 2 hits from: 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. In January 1968 PFC Richard Toops went on to Infantry OCS at Ft. Benning, Ga. graduating in September 1968. 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. Moore served as an Army OH-6A "Loach" scout in IV Corps, South Vietnam, 1968-1969: Fort Apache, Vihn Long Province. The light observation helicopter OH-6 Cayuse, or Loach (based on the LOH acronym), was a Vietnam-era helicopter designed with speed and maneuverability in mind. I still have scars on my legsit was terrifying. [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. Terms of Use [12] Following a competitive fly-off, the Army requested the manufacturers to submit sealed bids. article/image or apply full credit information. [13][3] Beginning in 2001, the JGSDF OH-6s were supplemented by the indigenously-developed Kawasaki OH-1, a more advanced observation helicopter. The Chickasaw was a multi-purpose helicopter designed for both the US Army and Air Force. The small "egg-shaped" design and simplified rotorhead incorporated four rotor blades of constant chord, made of bonded light alloy. 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. OA-6A 'Loach' Scout platoon. Flight Hours in Vietnam: 1,400. It was the same for Jim. Warrant officer John Shafer was 21 when he arrived on October 16, 1970, to fly Loaches. Search and Rescue Helicopters 5. [22] All American rotorcraft in the theatre had to be operated more cautiously following this development. The OH-6 Cayuse, by this point known as the Loach helicopter, made its way to Vietnam in December 1967. The US Army charged Hughes for 714 units with the serial production contract formally announced in May of 1965. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse is a single-engine light helicopter that was designed and produced by the American aerospace company Hughes Helicopters. On top of this, Fairchild Hiller lodged a formal complaint over Hughes Tool Companys deceitful tactics to earn the original contract. Loach crews were equipped with small arms and returned fire as they fled. 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. [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). [14][15], During 1966, the OH-1 entered service with the U.S. Army. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. The UH-1B/C was used sparingly during the Vietnam War. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Fitted with 1x 253-shp Allison T63-A-5A turboshaft, 4 bladed main rotor, and an offset "V" tail. Headquarters, 173rd Airborne Brigade: Jan 70 May 70 During the Vietnam War, it was exclusively used by North Vietnam for reconnaissance and VIP transport. The Cobra was fast and deadly. 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". The OH-6A made its first flight in 1963. 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. Provision for packaged armament on port side, including an XM-27 7.62mm (0.300in) machine-gun with 2,000 - 4,000 rounds of ammunition; or an XM-75 grenade launcher, Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and Task Force 160, List of military aircraft of the United States, Hearings on military posture and H.R. The Huey descended gingerly into a clearing smaller than its main rotor diameter, the aircrafts rotor blades chopping tree limbs as it descended. Unit: 173 ABN External load capacity was approximately 1,200 Lbs (550 kg), and transport capability 2 or 3 troops or cargo internally. Armament Other Army pilots, most of whom flew Cobras or Hueys, thought of Loach pilots as a little offbeat. 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. The United States deployed all types of helicopter, ranging from massive troop transport choppers, to smaller multipurpose and attack helicopters, and even helicopter drones. The helicopter was hit in the Cockpit 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. 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. It was used prolifically because of its unique hovering abilities. Two (2) Crew: one Pilot, one Observer/Doorgunner. Las mejores ofertas para Cartas de Lee: La historia de un hombre de Vietnam por Larayne M. Topp (ingls) Paperb estn en eBay Compara precios y caractersticas de productos nuevos y usados Muchos artculos con envo gratis! To this day I am closer to those guys I flew with in Vietnam than my own brothers, says Mills. 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. Hughes 500M: Military export version of OH-6 in mid-1970s with upgraded 278-shp Allison 250-C18 turboshaft engine, "V" tail. Read the harrowing story of what happened on that tragic mission. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse is a light helicopter with a single engine and a four-bladed main rotor. Moore served as an Army OH-6A Loach scout in IV Corps, South Vietnam, 1968-1969: Fort Apache, Vihn Long Province. 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. Required fields are marked *. 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. The Loach also had its own gunner in the rear and could carry everything from 7.62mm miniguns to 70mm rockets and anti-tank missiles. Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Hughes Model OH-6A Cayuse or LOACH Under enemy fire this nimble machine had to fly low to the ground, just above the jungle canopy. Cobras rolled in and blew the downed aircraft uptaking with it about 15 bad guys standing around it.. In photo #2 you can see the nice graphics. The Cayuse was organic to division, brigade, and battalion size units. This was a Recon mission for Unarmed Recon 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. This eventually gave way to the loach nickname, and was intended to provide the US military with a light-class, rotary-wing craft that could fulfill a number of purposes: search and rescue, close air support, MEDEVAC, observation, transport, reconnaissance and attack roles. These helicopters were mostly used for observation, reconnaissance, utility, and for providing combat support. The observers and gunners had even less experience. 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. To this day I am closer to those guys I flew with in Vietnam than my own brothers, says Mills. It later turned out that Howard Hughes purposely undervalued his estimate and deceptively won out against Fairchild-Hiller - his reasoning being that a long-term US Army commitment to his helicopter would, over time, make the deal profitable at some point. We got into another aircraft and went back out. s/n 67-16304 Joint Services Incident Damage Report. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods. OH-6A Cayuse ('Loach') The OH-6A "Cayuse" is a small tactical helicopter flown by units of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment [SOAR]. MD-530MG/Defender: Has a mast-mounted sight, and incorporated upgrades of all previous variants. Unknown as to mission impact. All Rights Reserved. 2 Stinger AAM. It served in Granada and Panama during the 1980s, as well as in the . Adopted after. 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. Despite Being Prone to Crashing, the Loach Helicopter Was Favored By Pilots In Vietnam The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse was a revolutionary rotorcraft operated during the Vietnam War. The Army initially ordered 1,438 Hughes Model 369s, designated by the Army as the OH-6A Cayuse helicopters. Donald Porter September 2017 Pilot Clyde. This chopper is mostly known for having been used to spot enemy artillery. | The following text is exclusive to this site. 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. Its formal name is derived from the Cayuse people while its "Loach" nickname comes from the acronym for the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) programme that it was procured under. 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. Setting 23 world records for speed, distance, and altitude, the Hughes Tool Company OH-6 entered service in September of 1966. 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. Following the Second World War, significant advancements were made in the field of rotary-wing flight. The Cayuse had a single articulated four-bladed main rotor, a metal two-bladed tail rotor, and a V-shaped tail. I had a wingman shot down, pilot John Shafer says. Though Cobra pilots were trained Stateside, most Loach pilots didnt take control of OH-6s until arriving in Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, it was mostly deployed for aerial combat and for conducting rescue operations in areas close to US Air bases. The OH-6A would find targets by flying low, trolling for fire, and lead in a Cobra, or Snake, to attack. 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. The armed OH-6s from Fort Rucker joined the training program in the fall of 1980.[30]. which many are taken will be available from our shop to 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. 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. The OH-6A could be armed with the M27 armament subsystem, the port (left) side mounting M134 six-barrel 7.62mm minigun or a 40mm grenade launcher on the XM8 armament subsystem. SA-7 Grail heat-seeking missiles could down a Loach before its crew even realized they were under fire. While successful in this respect, the Loach helicopter also had a reputation for being easily gunned down. Each time we went out, we got shot at. 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. Hughes developed the Model 369 as a prototype for the U.S. Army in the early 1960s. The pilots dubbed the new helicopter Loach, a word created by pronunciation of the acronym of the program that spawned the aircraft, LOH (light observation helicopter). In the event of a crash the tailboom and engine separate from the egg-like . Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. 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 Model 369 was submitted by Hughes, and competed against the two finalists, Fairchild-Hiller and Bell, for a production contract. Donald Porter served in Vietnam with the helicopters he writes about. Kawasaki Heavy Industries produced 387 OH-6D Cayuses under license in Japan. I have come home with blood on my windshield. [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. 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. In some areas, Purple Teamsone Loach and two Cobraswere also common, as were other variations.) ). The OH-6D was an improved version with more advanced electronics and heavier armament. Once enemy positions opened fire at the Cayuse, they were destroyed by the mighty firepower of escorting Cobras. In the Vietnam War, these choppers were used to recover downed aircraft. Light Attack Helicopters 3. 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.. 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. Hughes Model OH-6A "Cayuse" or "LOACH". We were combat trackers, says Mills. 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. Operation Honey Badger was canceled after the hostages were released on 20 January 1981, and for a short while, it looked as if the task force would be disbanded and the personnel returned to their former units. 2 M134 7.62-mm 6x barrel, Gatling type twin MG pods In 1966 it entered military service with the US Army. 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. 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. The prototype first flew in early 1963, and production began two years later. History | Here are the 24 helicopters used in Vietnam. Books/Magazines 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. Even when this helicopter was shot down, it refused to crack. [7] The Hiller design, designated OH-5A,[7] had featured a boosted control system, while the Hughes design did not, a difference that accounted for some of the price increase. The unrefueled range of the AH-6 is 250 nautical miles. 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. Onboard UH1 Huey helicopter (SN 66-163-56) was Aircraft Commander, WO William H. Seaborn Jr., myself as . 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. A saying among Army aviators was, If you have to crash, do it in a Loach.. 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. Nate Shaffer has restored a Hughes OH-6A Cayuse helicopter. Hughes's price was $19,860 per airframe, without the engine, while Hiller's price was $29,415 per airframe, also without the engine. Development included test and training flights in Culver City, California (Hughes Airport) and at Area 51 in 1971. 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. 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. I got shot down on my 22nd birthday, March 27, 1971. The Bell UH-1B/C was modified from the UH-1A Cobra to include a set of machine guns for attacking ground targets. I liked it because in the Bronx, I was a ghetto kid. Kane and Casher were pulled aboard and returned to Khe Sanh, but the Huey barely made it back; slicing trees had left its blades shredded, and the tail section had almost separated. 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. 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. When the Loach debuted in 1966, it broke records for speed, endurance, and rate of climb, all important attributes for a scout helicopter. 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. It had no hydraulic system and its electrical setup was used primarily to start up the enginesimple even by 1960s standards, which for practical purposes meant it was easier to maintain and harder to shoot down than other helicopters. Due to its designation LOH (Light Observation Helicopter), pilots and crew nicknamed this helicopter LOACH. 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. (He later transferred to the Air Force and flew F-4 Phantoms, and eventually became an airline captain.) Possible mast-mounted sight. It was also the right size to fit the necessary avionics and fuel stores, all while keeping the structure nimble and agile. Since 1968 this helicopter saw combat in Vietnam. Find Us on Facebook, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC). Multi-Mission Helicopters 6. A rescue operation for the crew of a downed Loach helicopter doesn't quite go as planned and the rescuers become victims themselves. Date: 02/08/1969 They were employed in hunter-killer tactics, wherein they flew low over the jungle as bait to draw enemy fire. One of the most dangerous helicopter assignments was a tiny scout helicopter known as the Loach. Officially designated the OH-6 Cayuse, these things were made of thin plexiglass and metal but were expected to fly low over the jungles and grass, looking for enemy forces hiding in the foliage. The OH-6 was also exported as the Model 500 Defender. If you would like The task force, which had been designated as Task Force 158, was soon formed into the 160th Aviation Battalion. 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. They were famous for being shot down or crashing in combat. Jim was unconscious when I helped pull him out of the burning aircraft.. I was flying wing and just dropped into the AO [Area of Operations]. 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. During the Vietnam War the OH-6 helicopters served in huge numbers and were used for light observation and utility roles. The CH-53 Tarhe was another heavy-lift helicopter designed to transport and recover downed aircraft. The Cayuse was publicly introduced in 1966 and set several records, including record for endurance, speed and rate of climb. Upon landing, an inspection revealed a damaged pitch link, a rotor head component so critical that had it failed, they too would have crashed. In 1972, as U.S. troops slowly withdrew, the NVA began a major push that became known as the Easter Offensive. 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. South Vietnam The AH-6 Little Bird Gun, a light attack helicopter, has been tested and proven in combat. 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. The Army officially adopted the Bell OH-58 Kiowa in 1969. 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). Cookie Settings, pilot. Cobras and Loaches, two vastly different aircraft, relied on each other to fight the enemy. Since units were all but permanently assigned to particular areas, they came to know the local geography intimately and could spot anything out of the ordinary. While in Vietnam, Loach helicopters operated as part of air mobile teams. The following two-week mission was to Yuma for night operation training. The Sea Stallion is a line of heavy-lift transport helicopters. It was used for transporting personnel, escorting other aircraft and naval vessels, attacking enemy units, and acting as an observation post. 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. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER The US Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) trains and graduates qualified engineering test pilots, flight test officers, and flight test engineers to conduct test and evaluation (T & E) at the Naval Air Warfare Center-Aircraft Division (NAWC-AD) Patuxent River Maryland and other activities. It gained impetus with the advent of the Vietnam War, and was aided by advances in helicopter technology, specifically the development of the turboshaft engine. In 1966 it entered military service with the US Army. This was a Recon mission for Unarmed Recon We were about ready to call in tactical air support to blow up the wrecked ship when another Cobra took a lot of fire. The Marine Corp used it for the sea-based interdiction of the Ho Chi Minh Trail in 1972. The Hughes OH-6 "Cayuse" (popularly recognized as the "Loach") was a revolutionary light helicopter mount primarily in service with the United States Army and saw combat service during the Vietnam War (1955-1975). So I engaged the enemy, but didnt make it out of that one. Pilots called this helicopter as the Loach. The aircraft was diverted prior to accomplishing any mission objectives. During the Vietnam war, the HH-43 Huskie was used for more rescue missions than all other aircraft combined. 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). They would then call in scouts on the ground or infantrymen to hunt for the enemy in the brush while attack helicopters protected everyone. In response, a task force was developed originally designated Task Force 158 for the next attempt to rescue the hostages, Operation Honey Badger. 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. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. The Mil Mi-8 is a Soviet medium twin-turbine helicopter. More from us: The US Air Force Panicked When Its Top-Secret Stealth Fighter Crashed Into the California Wilderness. Reportedly, 964 out of the 1,422 OH-6As produced for the U.S. Army were destroyed in Vietnam alone. The OH-6 Cayuse was built with a rugged structure covered in light aluminum. 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. In contrast, of the nearly 1,100 Cobras delivered to the Army, 300 were lost. Has a mouth full of pointy teeth and a pair of eyes. As of 2021, these records still stand. The OH-6 was developed in response to the United States Army issuing Technical Specification 153 in 1960 to replace its Bell H-13 Sioux fleet. Privacy Statement 605th transportation Company (Direct Support): Nov . ", FAI Record ID #11656 Absolute Rotorcraft World Record, Distance over a closed circuit without landing, FAI Record ID #11655 Absolute Rotorcraft World Record, Distance without landing, Obituary: Robert G. Ferry; Air Force veteran was record-setting test pilot, "In Vietnam, These Helicopter Scouts Saw Combat Up Close", "Jane's Aircraft Upgrades, MD Helicopters (Hughes) Model 500 (Military Versions)", "Dominican Republic Air Force Unit History", "Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force OH-6J", "Breda Nardi Hughes NH.500M in Armed Forces of Malta service", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hughes_OH-6_Cayuse&oldid=1133333304, This page was last edited on 13 January 2023, at 07:46. He shares memories of his service and reflects on what the war meant to him then and what it means to him now. 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. In August 1967, the AH-1G Cobra arrived in Vietnam. Upon returning to the United States, he established a career in the construction industry and settled in rural Sierra City, California. A shaft ran to the tail and powered the two-blade rotor at the back. Within that same year, help was on the way. 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. Lt. Col. Late in the war, the HH-43 was also deployed for short overland search and rescue missions. I followed footsteps. [5] Accordingly, the bidding for the LOH contract came down to Fairchild-Hiller and Hughes. OH-6A/Cayuse: Developed initially by the Hughes Aircraft company (later McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company) in the mid-1960s for the US Army.

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