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McDonnell-Douglas OH-6A 'Osage'

Description
Notes: Light observation helicopter with 4-BLADE rotor. Used for reconnaissance, target acquisition, command/control.
  Manufacturer:McDonnell-Douglas
  Base model:H-6
  Designation:OH-6
  Version:A
  Nickname:Osage
  Equivalent to: HH-55
  Designation System:U.S. Tri-Service
  Designation Period:1962-Present
  Basic role:Helicopter
  Modified Mission:Observation
  Crew:Pilot, Student

Specifications
  Length: 22' 4" 6.8 m
  Height:8' 3" 2.5 m
  Wingspan: 25' 3" 7.7 m
  Empty Weight: 1,008 lb 457 kg
  Gross Weight: 1,850 lb 839 kg

Propulsion
  No. of Engines: 1
  Powerplant: Lycoming HIO-360-B1A
  Horsepower (each): 180

Performance
  Range: 204 miles 328 km
  Cruise Speed: 66 mph 106 km/h 57 kt
  Max Speed: 86 mph 138 km/h 74 kt
  Ceiling: 11,500 ft 3,505 m

Known serial numbers
65-12916 / 65-13003, 66-7775 / 66-7942, 66-14376 / 66-14419, 66-17750 / 66-17833, 67-16000 / 67-16686, 68-17140 / 68-17369 , 69-15960 / 69-16075 , 69-16076 / 69-16079 , 676427 , 676649

Examples of this type may be found at
MuseumCityState
Empire State Aerosciences MuseumScotiaNew York
March Field Air MuseumRiversideCalifornia
National Warplane MuseumGeneseoNew York
New England Air MuseumWindsor LocksConnecticut
Pima Air & Space MuseumTucsonArizona
Quonset Air MuseumNorth KingstonRhode Island
United States Army Aviation MuseumOzarkAlabama
Virginia Air and Space Center / Hampton History CenterHamptonVirginia

OH-6A on display

National Warplane Museum

New England Air Museum

United States Army Aviation Museum
  


 

Recent comments by our visitors
 Dave Rosendale
 , MA
The OH-6 at Bradley was my aircraft in the Mass Guard 67-16127,It last served in the Mass army guard stationed at westover AFB, D troop 1/110th Air Cav I delivered the aircraft to the museum on a flatbed trailer. I served for 8 years as a 93B aeroscout in D troop. I was first introduced to this aircraft in 1985 and I maintained it and flew as a scout in it until its retirement to the museum. the unit had a total of 8 OH-6's ranging in age from 66 up to 68, one of our aircraft, 68-17206 was also involved with the army silver eagles aerobatic team back in 72 and still had the silver /blue paint scheme under the carc paint. Hope you enjoyed viewing it as much as i did flying in it.
10/21/2008 @ 11:41 [ref: 22893]
 CW4 N. Helmke (US Army Ret.)
 Cresco, IA
Your information and specs are wrong for the OH-6A. Having 1,076 combat hours in the OH6A in Viet Nam I'm pretty familiar with it. The specs you have posted are for TH-55 which I'm also extremely familiar with having flow 756 hours as a primary military flight instructor at Ft. Wolters, Texas.

As pointed out in a previous posting by another party, the OH-6A was powered by an Allison turbine engine not a Lycomming piston engine as stated in your specs.

Having flown many other types of Army helicopters, the OH-6A was by far the favorite as it was fast, highly manuverable, and hard to hit.
07/23/2008 @ 12:31 [ref: 22231]
 GVeno
 Brighton, MI
A/2/17 Cav, 101st (RVN '71) - As some have stated, the OH-6A was the best helicopter you could strap on your back. Any confusion with the TH-55 seems unimaginable. But, everyone has to learn somehow. Ex Scout pilot (not "Loach" driver) interested in restoring a static display OH-6A for school, parade, vet and airshow showings. Any "leads", interest, guidance appreciated.
04/14/2008 @ 18:58 [ref: 20557]
 roger searcy
 , KS
As an aside, again, the Oh6 was designed for a Military contract, versus the Bell Oh5..and I think Hiller had a prototype, OH4...civilian use was only an after thought...re- the 369.....If you own a true OH6, then you are fortunate...IF you have a 369 or 500...then that is cool too.....
Roger
01/12/2008 @ 00:46 [ref: 19264]
 roger searcy
 , KS
As an aside, again, the Oh6 was designed for a Military contract, versus the Bell Oh5..and I think Hiller had a prototype, OH4...civilian use was only an after thought...re- the 369.....If you own a true OH6, then you are fortunate...IF you have a 369 or 500...then that is cool too.....
Roger
01/12/2008 @ 00:41 [ref: 19263]
 roger searcy
 , KS
I do not know why ANYONE is comparing the Loach with the 55...Like saying the Puma is the same as a Bell 206....The OH6 is a very fine Bird.....And as far as Combat,, a finer bird you could never strap on....saw a post that someone said they flew the bird in combat...Who with?....Me? B TRp 3/17 Air Cav, Viet Nam...
Roger
01/12/2008 @ 00:00 [ref: 19262]
 Fritz
 , IL
To Herb,
I don't know who you tried to go through, but I fly an OH-6 that has a Standard Catagory Certificate, issued in 2001. I do know that it is rare to see it done, but it can be done. The factory tried to buy it from the owner when they heard that it was a Standard Catagory.
05/29/2007 @ 15:24 [ref: 16657]
 Herb OH6 Owner
 , NJ
It's a darn shame Howard Hughes made this aircraft for civilian use.Catagory H3WE The DOD bought them for military use.Some military alterations changed them to non civilian catagory All that was done was the knotts indicator was changed to MPH and a dimmer switch was changed. to put them back you would have to re-install the original equipment and make application to the FAA. At one time civilians were able to buy these aircraft and put them back in normal Catagory. Our tax dollars paid for these aircraft,Now thanks to Mr Roger Carlin of MD Helicopter we can no longer do this because he won't support them any longer.Write your Congressmanand defense department not to buy MD Aircraft till this is changed. you dont make aircraft sell millions of dollars worth and in the middle of the game you say I quit you loose
02/14/2007 @ 17:34 [ref: 15521]
 John Roche
 , FL
Was sent to Vietnam not knowing this aircraft was in the Army until I was told I was the crewchief of one. The helicopter was an outstanding vehicle in the war and brings back many fond memories of the many types of missions we performed. It always brought us home. I was awarded thirteen clusters on the air medal and all were in the loach
11/04/2006 @ 15:37 [ref: 14663]
 John Roche
 , FL
Was sent to Vietnam not knowing this aircraft was in the Army until I was told I was the crewchief of one. The helicopter was an outstanding vehicle in the war and brings back many fond memories of the many types of missions we performed. It always brought us home. I was awarded thirteen clusters on the air medal and all were in the loach
11/04/2006 @ 15:36 [ref: 14662]

 

Recent photos uploaded by our visitors