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| Description (above photo as of 15 February 2004) | |||
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| Description (undergoing restoration, above photo as of 16 March 2002) | |||
| Manufacturer: | Hughes, McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) | ||
| Designation: | OH-6A/HO-6 | ||
| Version: | A | ||
| Nickname: | Cayuse, "Loach", Defender | ||
| Type: | Light Observation Helicopter (L-O-H, or "loach") | ||
| First Flew: | 1963 | ||
| Specifications | |||
| Length: | 30 ft 10 in | 9.4 M | |
| Height: | 8 ft 1.5 in | ||
| Rotor Span: | 26 ft 4 in | 8.03 m | |
| Empty Weight: | 1,229 lb | Kg | |
| Cargo Gross Weight: | 1000 lbs | Kg | |
| Max Weight: | 2,700 lb | Kg | |
| Propulsion | |||
| No. of Engines: | 1 | ||
| Powerplant: | Allison T63-5A turboshaft | ||
| Horsepower (each): | 252.5 shp | ||
| Performance | |||
| Range: | 265 miles (380?) | 428 Km | |
| Cruise Speed: | mph | Km/H | Kt |
| Max Speed: | 150 Mph | Km/H | 119 Kt |
| Climb: | Ft/min | ||
| Ceiling: | Ft | ||
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 (left) 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 (right) door opening. The OH-6A replaced the Korean era OH-13 Sioux and OH-23 Raven light observation helicopters. The Hughes (model 500M) international military version was sold in ten countries and built under license in Italy and Japan. The Cayuse had a single articulated four-bladed main rotor and a metal two-bladed tail rotor. 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).
Two special operations versions of the OH-6A are the Hughes (model 500C) AH-6 "Little Bird" armed variant, and the MH-6 transport/utility version. These advanced versions feature a quieter five-bladed main rotor, minimal-cavitation tail rotor, and a distinctive T-shaped tail.
The two photos of 68-17252 above were taken in 1970. They were provided by Bill Haney, who flew our helicopter in Cambodia.
The OH-6A helicopter above, serial number 68-17252, was built by Hughes and delivered to the US Army in Oct 1969 to the 25th Infantry, Vietnam. In 1971 it was assigned to the 1st of the 9th Cav "C" Charlie troop, Vietnam. It returned stateside later in 1971 after accumulating approx 1,340 combat hours. During this time it was shot down 4 times and had 2 non-combat accidents. It was repaired and as of 1988 was still flying in the New York Army Guard. It was donated to the museum on 5 March 2001 by the Riverside County Sheriffs Dept. (along with two other OH-6's, S/N 68-17331 and S/N 69-15971)
This historical helicopter is rare and is a proud addition to the museum's collection. It 's restoration (non flying) was completed in 2004. It is in the colors of the 1st/9th/C, the last unit to fly her in combat. For more information on air cavalry, click here to link to Charlie Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Air Cavalry, or, click here to link to Bravo Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Air Cavalry.
This little bird was also a member of the Silver Eagles Demonstration Team! It's assignment in 1973 after Vietnam was to the USAAPDT (U.S. Army Aviation Performance Demonstration Team), Ft Rucker.
Silver Eagles listings are given below, based upon Ned Gilliand's book "Dancing Rotors", which documents the various helicopter demo teams:
FY SERIAL C/N POSITION # SEASON
68-17252 1212 SHIP 6 LEAD MAY-OCT 72
68-17252 1212 EAGLE 1 LEAD NOV 72-NOV 73
68-17252 1212 EAGLE 4 1975
68-17252 1212 EAGLE 4 1976
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