In , the concept of helicopter-borne fighting forces was still new and largely untested, and units in Vietnam invented tactics on the spot. The U. Army began to use Bell OH Sioux and Hiller OH 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. Units in Vietnam began sending UH-1Bs outfitted with rocket pods and machine guns to circle over the scouts at around feet and attack anything that might interfere with the imminent troop landing.
But the Hueys proved too slow to do the job properly, and the need to replace both scouts and protectors was immediately evident. Within that same year, help was on the way. The Cobra was fast and deadly.
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. 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 It had no hydraulic system and its electrical setup was used primarily to start up the engine—simple even by s standards, which for practical purposes meant it was easier to maintain and harder to shoot down than other helicopters.
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 systems—like the people inside. Loach crews regularly walked away from crashes that would doom others. As the Hs were phased out, Loaches were paired with Cobra gunships.
Loaches, usually with a pilot and observer and sometimes a door gunner aboard, flew as little as 10 feet above the treetops at between about 45 and 60 mph, scouting for signs of the enemy. Cobras, nicknamed Snakes, flew circles 1, feet above the scouts, waiting to pounce on whatever the Loach found.
But the Vietnam War was unlike any previous American conflict; there were few real definable frontlines, and combatants needed to know what was happening all around them, all the time. Missions began every day at dawn, when crews were briefed on where to fly and what to look for. To hunt for encampments, bunkers, or other signs of the enemy, commanders would deploy a flight of one scouting Loach and one supporting Cobra, called Pink Teams. Scouts were known as White Teams and Cobras as Red; the two colors combine to become pink.
In some areas, Purple Teams—one Loach and two Cobras—were also common, as were other variations. Moses, a year-old draftee, arrived in Vietnam in July for the first of two year-long tours, and later worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs as a therapist and administrator.
Even trampled grass was a clue; it meant that enemy troops had passed through the area within eight hours, the time it took for grass to dry upright. 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. I could see a cigarette butt still burning. I could tell how old a footprint was by how it looked.
Spektrum Smart Technology Ecosystem. Spektrum Smart Batteries. Spektrum Smart LiPo batteries feature a Smart memory microchip that uploads their unique parameters and health to Spektrum Smart Chargers. Spektrum Smart Chargers. Spektrum Smart chargers recognize unique Smart battery data for safe, easy and accurate charging.
Shop SAFE Technology equipped Blade helis where you can choose the right amount of assistance with the flip of a switch.
Blade Helis employ Spektrum AS3X Technology to provide a responsive, predictable and stable flight, right out of the box. RealFlight 9. Fusion Kit.
Fusion Smart Power Combo Kit. Shop Parts and Accessories Compliment your passion for RC flight with our full line of replacement RC helicopter parts, batteries, motors, tools, accessories and more. Electronic Speed Controls. Rotor Blades. Fly it in RealFlight. The previous Keycopter information portal is now part of AirbusWorld, a collaborative platform dedicated to our customers. Close close Search search. Civil helicopters The world's largest civil range.
Military Helicopters Mission ready. ACH Arrive anywhere. Pre-owned Buy or sell.
0コメント