These 'Loach' pilots were crazy mother fuckers, flying at tree top level to irritate and draw fire from the VC, then the Cobra's would roll in and neutralize the situation.
The Boeing (McDonnell Douglas, formerly Hughes) OH-6A was designed for use as a military scout during the Vietnam war to meet the U.S. Army's need for an extremely maneuverable light observation helicopter (under the 1963 LOH program). The Army initially ordered 1,438 Hughes Model 369s, designated by the Army as the OH-6A Cayuse helicopters, fielded in Vietnam in early 1968. The OH-6A was used for command and control, observation, target acquisition, and reconnaissance, organic to division, brigade, and battalion size units. 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.
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 "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. The Cayuse could absorb an extensive amount of small arms fire and still bring the crew home safely. The OH-6A could be armed with the M27 armament subsystem, the port-side mounting M134 six-barrel 7.62mm "Minigun" or a 40mm grenade launcher on the XM8 armament subsystem. In addition, an M60D 7.62mm machine gun could be mounted in the rear starboard door opening.
17 Comments
clintlebo
1. Snake is part of a pink team
2. Heckler and Koch stole the XM8 from circa 1968.
clint
Anonymous
you couldnt get me in a helicopter of any sort!
HampsterW
3: Don't fuck with Cobra Gunships...lol
clintlebo
I read a book about a spook sniper in 'nam that was a mechanic in the USAF as his cover. He reported that he would get in a single engine Cessna-like plane and fly at about treetop level. They were armed as well, but it was with an AK-47. It was the guy sitting next to the pilot's job to antagonize the VC/NVA with small arms fire so the fast movers could drop the napalm.
clint
ecaman
Helicopters are great! They're extremely enjoyable (unless someone's shooting at you), almost infinitely maneuverable, and extremely safe. In Nam they were life savers.
Going over, then down into the Grand Canyon in a helicopter is an experience one should not miss, if one ever has the opportunity. Riding in one over a major city is also very enjoyable.
CharlesW
but I was unconscious and didn't know it.
I got to see the chopper later and they crew.
Damn I missed the thrill of a lifetime.
Female crew member that worked on me
was worth killing for.
Anonymous
I like the helicopters but I am Terrified of heights it my weakness among other things. I cannot stand to be on ladders or on a swing set. I am just scared.
Vaquero
Was in Hawaii. Best part of the whole trip. 3 island tour.if you ever get the chance, skip meals for a day or two to make up the cost. Absolutely breathtaking.
I'll post some pics if anyone would like.
Anonymous
I am scared shitless of hights, I dont see how ya all do it. I blacked out on the cat walk at me old high school. and it is only 10 to 15 feet above the road.
Schuyler
My fear has gotten worse as I've gotten older. I can't even look at a picture of heights without that feeling going through me.
photobear6
I loved flying in choppers especially if they were flying nap of the earth at night what a ride.
Anonymous
Kill me or Tranq me. Otherwise you couldnt do it.
photobear6
which method I use? lol
Anonymous
but will you succeed? lol
Schuyler
But it's a physical thing. I wish it weren't there, but it is. Maybe it could be conditioned out of a person, I don't know. On the other hand, I used to be a commercial diver. I took the equivalent of the US Navy diving course. On one of our qualifying dives the biggest, most macho guy freaked out at 100 feet and had to be pulled back. I cannonballed down to 220 feet where you can only see sparks in front of your eyes coming from your own brain. I loved it.
But, ya know, no one else in class called this guy a wuss. They saw his fear was real and left him alone. A class act.
photobear6
the farthest I was ever down was 180 on air always wanted to take a deep diving course just never had the money.
ecaman
When I was in California in the 1960's I used to go down off of Pacific Grove and 17 Mile Drive. We had no equipment except bathing trunks. We would grab the biggest rock we could find and jump in, and look around at everything. It was really fun. Once a big grouper came up and got right in my face to see what the hell I was - what a rush! Sometimes we'd take a tire tool and a gunny sack with us, and pop abalone off of the underwater cliffs - extremely illegal, but boy they were good to eat.
Now I can't stand to have my head underwater in a swimming pool. I just stay away from water except to shower.