OV-10 Bronco Walkaround Fort Worth Aviation Museum
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- čas přidán 17. 07. 2017
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Jim Hodgson gives us a detailed walkaround of the very cool OV-10 Bronco at the Fort Worth Aviation Museum located at Meacham airport.
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/ erikjohnston
This gentleman does such a great job showcasing this aircraft. He is such a humble guy too. Very cool!
I couldn't agree with you more. Danang 68, Dong Ha 69.
I have actually flown in this aircraft fighting forest fire in Alaska. I think that the OV-10 is one of the toughest aircraft ever built. It was fun getting down low in the weeds and forest with this aircraft. I wish I could own one myself.
My Father, Capt. W.R. "Buzz" Needham,Ret, was one of the Test Pilots for this airframe. He had the first successful Ejection (he didn't die) from this design.
One of the most underrated planes of the era.
@Throwaway Account You should try parachuting out the back of one sometime. Pilot zoom climbs and everyone in back tumbles out.
Here in the Philippines, it is considered a lifesaver of those who are in the frontlines.
In the Marines, we use to jump out the “poop chute” once the OV10 got over the DZ and the pilots would fly almost straight up vertical just to push us out.
You would hear this bird growl through the turns and you could tell it was an OV10 miles away from that same growling sounds in those turns. Great narration of this video and brought back fond memories of the early 1980’s. Semper Fi
Wow!
John, I’m trying to think back, didn’t the OV-10 have a brief appearance in the movie with Gene Hackman and Danny Glover in “BAT21”?
Who closed the rear door after jumping out?
mikehermesmeglio
You know, Mike, I never asked. I just assume that the pilots or ground crews did that after we exit the aircraft.
The other question was regarding the movie, BAT21, with my personal friend, Gene Hackman that retired from acting and now does painting and interior decorating from his home in Arizona and his wife is actually from Honolulu. Gene turned 90 years old this year and this Covid Scamdemic is preventing any travel outside of Hawaii right now. Maybe after Trump wins by a landslide in November, it is my hope that everything goes back to normal again. Good luck and 73’!
@@mikehermesmeglio According to the pilot in this video the tail cover was removed when you had jumpers onboard.
I just don't understand how these aren't still being built and used in General Aviation. They're perfect Utility aircraft.
Yeah there's a high cost involved in maintaining turboprop engines.
@@uncbadguy There's a high cost the second you say "Aviation"
Drones do the work now
Great presentation, no music all knowledge
My Dad was a FAC in Vietnam, he flew a O-1 Bird Dog. He's got some pretty insane 8mm footage of airstrikes and AAA fields.
Our paint scheme on our Cessna 150J (N51305), came from the O-1 Bird Dog.
The grey paint we found later was radar absorbent paint that came from Rockwell International.
This gentleman is extremely knowledgeable, and his presentation is top notch!! After his walk around, I feel like all I need is a checklist and I'd be able to fly solo!
My thoughts exactly! Very good presentation!
My dad SSGT RET Sigmund Odom (Sr) was a mechanic on the OV-10. He spent two tours in Vietnam keeping them in the air. He talked about how at first the OV-10 engines both turned the same direction. He talked about the gear used to turn one engine in the opposite direction.
He talked about things that-that pony could do that it was not designed for. Yeah, he told me things about the OV-10 he shouldn't have. He retired from the United States Marine Corp in 1976 after 20 full years. He always said never cut that bird short. Well he's gone to protect the streets of heaven and I'm sure he would be proud to know the OV-10 is back in service.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
The US Marines have their own Boulevard in heaven.
Our dads are telling the same war stories from different wars to each other...
My grandfather worked on this aircraft as a designer. Nice to see two of them in flying condition still.
I really like the explanation for the high tail, to allow a truck to park behind the plane and make cargo loading easier. This was a very clever design.
Top notch narration and presentation on this one. 👍Much obliged!
I agree...... well done. I have always wanted an OV-10 for the purpose of Search and Rescue around the country especially for missing children and adults. but getting a really good OV-10 in running condition donated to you for that very purpose, would be nearly impossible, especially for an Disabled ARMY Veteran lol
I like the part where he talked about zoom climbing to get the parachuters out 🤣
Absolutely. What a pleasure it was to watch this!
I loved this aircraft and working on it when I was in the Marines 1974-78. The worst thing we hated to have to do was changing out the batteries for service. Nothing like pulling out a battery that weighs 70-80 pounds above your head with your arms stretched up all the way. These things were bad to the bone when they were outfitted with a full complement of guns.
Two of my favorite planes.. OV-10 Bronco and the Cessna OV-2 Skymaster. Saw the OV-10's operate while on detachment to MCAS Yuma, AZ. While in HS I was a member of the local Civil Air Patrol squadron and we had a chance to fly in the OV-2 as cadet observers.
The Army's OV-1 MOHAWK was a OV-1 on steroids.
Saw the OV-10 in action in Vietnam in 1968-1969. WOW! What a great all purpose machine. Thanks for the walkabout. GREAT VIDEO !
Very welcome! Glad you liked it
So only 20 seconds into this video, you get the feeling this man knows what he is talking about, unlike many other narrators on CZcams.
I noticed the Navy bureau number on the tail of this airplane (155426.) It was my pleasure to keep my flight pay flowing by snagging a few hours of flight time when a station ODO in #155424 and #155427 flown by VMO-6 pilots in Okinawa in the early 1970s. Always a hoot to fly in any Bronco!
That very aircraft may have saved my butt at a old French fort just west of Cobb bridge in 1969, My platoon got hit hard one night and I was just back from R&R in Australia, They were great aircraft and should still be in production.
Broncos are back serving as close air support I like these little things lol any kind of air support is dope but the a-10s and broncos can get real close and there accurate af
This has been one of my favorite airplanes since I was a kid, but hearing you describe how well it was engineered for its purpose gives me a whole new appreciation for the Bronco.
I was based in Dian with the 3/17 Air Cav. We used to trade WP rockets for HE rockets and 17 pounders with you guys. Loved you guys! 1967-1969
Did you meet Major Harrison?
Outstanding walkaround! Brings new meaning to "legacy airframe". Even new developments are trying to copy this legend. Hope to visit the fort worth museum in 2021!
served Okinawa in 73-74 MCAS Futenma Air Base, when I was on guard duty had the opportunity to inspect these birds up close.
Mutlap Too cool!! I was born in Okinawa in 1974. At Kadina AFB
I built a model of this when i was a little kid. My three favorite military aircraft are the OV-10, A-1 Skyraider(single seat) and the A-10 Thunderbolt 2
I was at Sembach Air Base 9/82 - 9/84 601 CRS, so I worked on this Bronco. Worked on them at Patrick AFB 549th CAMS
prior to Sembach. I was an Aircraft Structural Repair Specialist(aka tin bender). Pretty easy plane to fix, if you don't like repairing fiberglass, you will not like the Bronco. In my 5 years active duty I worked the OV-10A, O-2A, CH-3, CH-53, B-52G, KC-135A. The OV-10 was my favorite to work on.
Thank you so much for your service! It's because of people like you, we live as we do today!!!!
This comment reads a whole lot differently in September of 2020, lol
Drones can do everything these could do now...No flightcrew getting shot down...Less training time, etc., etc. Then take out the pilot weights and use that for systems or ordnance..
My ears perked up when you mentioned Ed Gillespy. If my memory serves me Ed was retired from the Navy. I knew Ed when I worked at NAA/Rockwell in Columbus, Ohio back in 1983-1988. Ed was our test pilot/tech rep. We wrote the retrofit instructions for the OV-10. I was there writing technical structures repairs for B1B nacelles. It was interesting work. Our offices were on the mezzanine in building 6 which was a gigantic building. The Columbus Facility permanently closed in 1988 after the B1B Program was completed. The OV-10 was a heavy duty aircraft. It was built to endure hard use and it functioned well in multiple roles as you know. TY for bringing back some memories. MH
When I was stationed at Webster Field, MD 1966-69 there two "washboard" runways constructed to test the rough field landing charactistics of the OV-10. There were two different "frequencies" of runway to test that. It was designed as a "COIN- COunter INsurgency" mission airplanes and required to land in any type of ground. So it had "knees" the only one of its type. Cool airplane. Really good presentation Mr. Johnston. Thank you.
Officially a Trailing Beam Landing Gear
I talked to Jim shortly when visited Fort Worth Aviation Museum. This is a very different type of museum, usually we can't get too close, but in this one you can look and touch almost everything, so it gives a very different and closer perspective. The volunteers at museum are great storytellers and my visit was a time-travel through their memories and stories.
Thank you for the feedback! We love our museum!!
Angela Bennett-Engele
President, OV-10 Bronco Association
I was in the 19th TASS in South Korea from 1977-1980. I was a ROMAD (later JTAC) stationed at Camp Casey. I worked with Ov-10's every day, calling in daily practice close air support. We got to ride in the back seat as a observer ( if availability). I flew 2 times, and fired a 2.75 inch rocket at Nightmare range. Good times!
Very cool!
Loved watching the Bronco in 1971 landing at the AF base in CanTho in the delta. I was Army so my base was under the down wind leg of the landing circuit for the west RW at the AF base so we got a good look at them quite often. Thanks for the tour.....
Best and most knowledgeable walk around ever thank you.
I used to jump... slide out of the back of the OV-10 back in my younger days in the US Marines!
Robert Vaughn too cool! So I bet you can relate to what Him was talking about.
That was always my favorite part of the old El Toro Marine base airshow. They had a great OV-10 demonstration!
I was a pilot in VMO-1 (MCAS New River) from 89 to when we deactivated the squadron in 93. You may have slid out the back of one I was flying as we did it fairly often.
I don’t understand, how would that rear cone open in flight ?
@@claska1972 They would take the clam shell off before the flight if we had jumpers.
Came in low at 200, jacked us up to Angels 1, piled out looking almost straight down. We ran a 5 man group, I was last and can attest to stepping off on a fin. Good shit.
This man's knowledge of each airplanes history from memory is amazing. The Army's OV-1 Mohawk was an OV-1 on steroids. More powerful than the OV-1 but more maintenance intensive also. It had more in common with the Gruman A6; it was a small recon aircraft that was over powered with two engines from the C-130 and P3.
Thank you very much for this video , as an EOD tech had a front row seat watching Marine pilots put this aircraft through its paces over impact areas as well as night ops with flares and M-60 machine guns/2.75 in rockets. you made my day!
Brilliant video, love listening to a expert talk on a subject he loves, and especially with such a dry sense of humour!
As a slick driver flying CCN, gained much respect for the special AF pilots controlling us. Never missed a chance to thank one whenever possible.
Much respect, my friend.
A well done presentation. I was one of those maintainers in Viet Nam, and it really was reliable and quite easy to work on. Early morning launches were a bit concerning -- those spun up props would flat disappear from view -- we gave plenty of clearance. One morning an army observer tried out the zero/zero ejection. The aircraft would be started up in covered revetments, then taxied out. The ground crew would signal to pull the seat safety pins. The army officer had a problem; suddenly he sat straight up in the seat and was gone -- safely.
As a former OV-10 Comm/Nav/Crypto troop (USAF, 23rd TASS, NKP) it was great to see one of the old birds I worked on. Living in the Sacramento area I frequently saw these aircraft overhead and always wondered if any were former aircraft I worked on. From your video, I now know this was the case!
Interesting mention of Pave Nail. I was there when Litton did the first installations and testing. Support of the system was made possible by the installations of new technology LORAN C stations in SEA and in the OV-10/Pave Nails as well as F-4s which were the delivery platforms (as mentioned). I remember the OV pilots calling in, giddy with excitement, asking if to drop the laser guided bomb in the front seat or rear seat of an enemy transport vehicle during first testing.
I do have a digitized version of a black and white photo I own of two NKP OV-10s in Cambodian support roles over Angkor Wat I would be happy to provide to the museum if interested.
A very well done, thorough and accurate video, thanks!
Pherd Antler That is so cool!!! Thank you very much for sharing your story. Thank you very much for your service!! Glad you liked the video
Excellent range of info from a pilot who flew them. I especially like how they're designed for maintenance and servicibility. As an engineer and a car guy, that brings a smile to my face!
I see them everyday in California. These things really should be remade in a more advanced form. These things were light transport, attack planes, STOL aircraft, not to mention they could even land on carriers without arrest or catapulting.
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An unsung HERO... The OV-10 is Awesome! Back in the later days of her service in the 80's I rode ballast (that's what they called Observers) in the back seat a couple of times.... These FAC planes could do the job! I have many favorite AC designs, but the OV doesn't get the recognition that she deserves.
I built a model of one of these when I was 10... I loved it.
Mine was a Revel or Monogram. Not sure but cool model kit
When we lived in Niceville, FL (near Eglin AFB) in the mid to late 1960's, one of our neighbor that lived across the street (Captain Carr) flew the OV-10 in South Vietnam. One day we saw an Air Force Officer and chaplain visit the house. We immediately knew what that meant. Captain Carr had been shot down in South Vietnam. It was very sad. He was one of the nicest guy and family man. He left behind a lovely wife and two beautiful children (a girl and boy).
A lot of good women feared for that visit. during SEA. All military wifes were very special people.
Person. All military w
I am very sad to hear such stories. As an officer served in an airborne battailon of SVNAF´s Airborne Division I knew how big the feeling of relief to the ground force, when we heard the familar engine noise of OV-10 Bronco in the sky over the battlefield.... R:I:P, major Carr ! Thanks so much for your service and your sacrifice, Major ! 👍👍👍👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏
The more i research the OV-10 the more i have fallen in love with it. The versatility of this air frame and the many rolls it played . Makes my heart skip a beat. What gets me is , this ole gal still has a roll in our Air force ,Army ,Marines ,Navy and Coast Guard . I dont know about you all. Ov-10 , Ov-1 and the helicoptor with the same type of canopy , All they need is an up grade to the avionics and g.p.s. system . My brain is in over load of all the endless possiblities that this girl still has up her sleeves.
And this old gal was just recently hunting ISIS with APKWS laser guided rockets under the Combat Dragon II program. McCain didn't like them, but Mattis sure does.
Another upgrade is changing out the engines. Or heck just modernizing the old ones, modern turboprops would double the flight time without the need of drop tanks.
@James King I'll never get why we used planes that couldn't loiter for long, and cost millions to fly to hunt guys in caves
still in use in Philippine Air Force today and effective during Marawi crisis last May 2017 czcams.com/video/AqqSxV7uADA/video.html
@@eldermoose7938 Im in love with this air craft. However, I do see the need for those jets. These planes will thier support to work to the upmost effectiveness. They're great planes but still will struggle to stand toe to toe against a jet.
This and the A6 have had the best stories written about them... Total fan of the OV10.. I live in DAllas and didnt know that there was an OV10 in FT worth.
Hi! We would love to see you at the museum! We are open this week on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday! Perhaps you will have time during the holidays to come see us!
Angela Bennett-Engele
President, OV-10 Bronco Association
Years ago, I was a back seat rider on a Cal-Fire OV-10 for a couple of fire seasons. What a great airplane for fire use. After 11 seasons flying in an O2-A, it was quite an amazing upgrade to get an OV-10. Great briefing, I learned a lot I didn't know about this remarkable airplane. Thanks!
Honestly both the O-2 and OV-10 were quite fast and maneuverable. It's just the OV-10 could do CAS missions (even though it wasn't supposed to)if it wanted to. I'm suprised the curator didn't talk about the wing mounts that the Bronco could carry stores on.
Been in the building where these were built. Was more impressed with the history of what was made in there than why I was there at the time. Built a model when I was a kid too
You could also have used the back seat to carry your golf clubs when you flew from Camp Pendleton to USMCAS, El Toro. El Toro had a pretty nice course. Semper Fi
Did construction at el Toro base now live in Canada miss real aviation
outstanding video, chock-full of facts....nobody ever forgets the 1st time they see the broncs rough-country landing gear system in action, i know i didnt..... a real work of art in science. the high-lift ultra-short wingspan most marvel-worthy too.
It's interesting that you mention Sembach AB, Germany. I flew R/C model aircraft at Sembach from about 1974-1978. There were always OV-10s on the ramp. I don't recall them ever flying on the weekends when we would be flying our models. I always loved the OV-10! Thanks for a GREAT walkaround!
You had me at "Sparks on the tracks".
Watched half a Marine squadron of OV-10s deck launch off of USS America in January 1991 on the way to the first Gulf War. Awesome sight. Brave aviators...
In 1974, I was the S-3 NCO for MABS-36, Mag-36, MCAS Futemna Okinawa which was also the home for VMO-6. I used to watch the OV-10's dance around Futemna Airfield chasing Cobras or the Cobras chasing them. They were a very elegant bird.
Excellent walk around video Erik. Thx to Jim Hodgson for a informative tour of the OV10 and for serving this great country.
In Nha Be Vietnam, I watched two or Three of these planes doing CAS just south of us at a fork in the river about three miles out. They reminded me of RC models with their aerobatics. You wouldn't want to do those manouvers in a "real" plane..the ones I saw, I thought, had Mini guns on them. Atleast seemed so. They may have been 60s but the fire support really looked like minis. Watched them at twilight for about ten minutes and was very impressed. Saw one closer on the ground in Vung Tau at the Army set - up down there. Very impressive..would have loved to take one of these home along with an alpha boat..
4xM60 would put out 2-3000 rounds/min combined, similar to a minigun. They could also have had miniguns mounted in gunpods.
The Marines still had these when I was flying out of New River back in the 80s. Really neat aircraft.
V.M.O.1
Read a book about OV_10 FACs back in high school and have always wanted to fly one myself. They just seemed like sturdy, capable workhorses.
i spent my 21st birthday standing under the wing of an OV-10 at MCAS New River while on guard duty.
my Mos was 6060 flight equipment man with H&MS-29, and ended up with 5 successful ejections from the OV-10 using parachutes that i had packed.
Thank you for this video. It brought back a lot of good memories,
So cool! Thanks a lot for your service!!
By the way, the reason i was under that wing was the fact that it was raining, and that was the only dry spot I could find! LOL
@@ErikJohnston It was my pleasure to serve.
Thanks for the walk around. I was fortunate enough to fly the Bronco at NKP from 74 to 75 (Nail 33), just at the end of the Pave Nail program. The equipment had been removed from the Aircraft, but we had a few navigators hanging around finishing out their tour. I look forward to a tour of the museum.
I'm an RAAF ATC/TACP and this walk around has been so fascinating.
They craned about a half dozen onboard USS America (CV-66) in Norfolk, VA and we carried them across the pond. They flew them off when we entered the Med Sea and they flew to Rota, Spain when we were enroute to Dessert Storm in December 1990 and January 1991. We gave them plenty of head wind and they took about 3/4's of the angle deck to take off.
Brilliant. I did laugh when he told about frightening poor train drivers, and then how to get recon Marines out of the utility hold 😂 excellent. Shame nobody's done a documentary about this aircraft. Seems a little overlooked.
May seem odd but I have seen aircraft like this and the O2 at the Lands End airfield in Cornwall U.K.
They did do a documentary about the plane. Air Warriors on the Smithsonian channel, it does a show on all the planes and fighter jets.
All I could think of that was, "What an asshole."
@@celebrim1 lol said exactly that. The suck is real.
Read the books, "A Lonely Kind of war" , Marshall Harrison. Or "Danang Diary" by Tom Yarborough. I was a crew chief on OV-10s in Korea in the 80s, and in the 90s at Davis Monthan AFB. One of my favorites.
I love the OV-10 and I love the videos you do. Always informative, always a lot to learn from. Thank you!
"They'd come right out" 😂 I seen it coming and it still got me.
Another superb win here Erik. Thanks for this one.
One flew over my house watching this. Flying for CAL fire. Such a sweet bird!
What an awesome aircraft. I never even knew about this thing.
Xcellent job sharp pilot, people like you kept us alive in Vietnam. Thank you sir. From old UH1D door gunner.
What a beautiful, rugged aircraft. I would love one of these tough guys. Highly reliable.
That Yuma AZ, Train Comment IS HYSTERICAL!
My Country's AF ( Philippine Air Force) still using the mighty Bronco despite already having the A29 Super Tucano, it was a very capable aircraft until now it was seen action in Marawi , in which performs an effective dive bomb...
I was stationed at FT. Wainwright from 87 til 91. I saw several OV-10 broncos; perhaps this was one of them. I feel like going to texas next summer and seeing it.
I have always been interested in this aircraft. I have on in my Sim hangar and enjoy flying it. Such great visibility! I try to watch all the videos I can on it to learn more, so I really enjoyed this video and learned some more. Thanks so much to both of you. Will definitely stop by next time in the Fort Worth area and check out the museum. Great job guys!
As a Californian I get to see these birds in flight quite often as surveillance planes for wildfires. Definitely an interesting looking design
You are the man,and your mate on the Corsair. The bronco is one of my favourite planes, tha Corsaire has to be a challenge. Coursair lokks like a beast, your fellow pilot is so cool, although a shadow the man is a king, and so are you, mant people do not. Know the precision, and the skill, no yahoo, except in the Corsair, loved every second THANK YOU,X
Jim: thanks for a Very Detailed look at the Fabulous and totally Unique OV-10 Bronco. Amazing Aircraft.
Thanks:
Major Kevin John Simon
Miami, Florida
Thank you Eric and Jim Hodgson! Truly enjoyed the walkaround.
Your very welcome! Glad you liked it
I know almost nothing about planes and stumbled on this today. Oddly I find this plane fascinating and did not know the military had planes with props.
The presenter is awesome. One of my regrets in life is that in 1966 I passed the first test to go to Warrant officer pilot training but did not have the confidence at 22 to go for it. Shit.
At Patrick AFB in the mid 1980's, I was fortunate to get 7 incentive flights in these aircraft. Got to travel incentive flights on many a/c, F-4, T-38, F-15E, etc. This was the most fun.
My wife’s grandfather is proud of the Ov-10 cause he was one of the main architects that designed and built this awesome little plane. We (NAVAIR) we’re looking into using them again for a certain mission set. Awesome little bird.
They work nicely in Syria. They are a joy to work on and very easy to maintain.
Cal Fire is using quite a few of them. And that’s awesome that your wife’s grandfather designed this cool plane.
Kudos to your Gramps for designing this bird...he did an outstanding job and hopefully he was officially recognized for his fine work...!!! (from a former Marine mechanic on this bird)....
I would love a civi version, it's so sexy, reminds me of the P-61 Black Widow.
Philippines is still using those planes.
I was with VMO-6 in Okinawa. Good airplane. The Rockwell rep told me the airframe was good for up to 2800 hp if need be.
I worked as a turnup mechanic on this aircraft. I enjoyed it then and now. Sorry to see it go. I loved it when I got a chance to suit up and take a spin.
Just a great plane and one of my all time favourites.
Great vid.
Excellent, thanks for your service Jim and for the great walkaround.
Thanks for sharing this video, thumbs up Erik!
I love the OV-10. I think that it's an outstanding aircraft. Thank you for such a good walk around.
Brilliant! This guy is so knowledgeable on this plane it was a pleasure to hear him. Cheers from Merimbula, Australia 👍
Talented all round hero, made in America
@@johndavidson305 true. But sadly the war was 'Made in America"
Nice touch putting Capt Bennett's name on the AF OV-10!
Thank you! Capt. Bennett is my Dad! I'm so proud to call this museum "my home"! I'm the president of the OV-10 Bronco Association, the parent company for the Fort Worth Aviation Museum. Come visit us sometime!!!
@@angelabennett-engele8053 So I'm watching this video as I like things that fly and I get to the part where the narrator begins on the Air Force version of the aircraft and I see the name of the pilot painted on the fuselage. Well for obvious reasons I have to know more as I know when a pilot's name is on a plane in a museum there is usually a reason. So I get on the Google machine and read the MOH citation and all I can say is "Well done mate, well done."
I think he and I could have been friends and would delight in messing about with people confusing our names. I hope this finds you and yours well in these days of uncertainty and wish you well.
@@stevenbennett3805 Hello! I am well, thank you! I hope you are, too!! I have to admit when I saw the notice of your comment , from "Steven Bennett" it kind of made me do a double take! Haha! I'm sure he would have loved to have shocked people by the name being the same! I must admit you have a pretty cool name...even though I am fairly biased!!!!
Fantastic Narrative, Love it, would really appreciate to be able to Fly it... ❤️ Thank you Sir for your Service in the Military, Thank you 🙏🏼
Growing up was on my short list of favorites....still is. Thanks for posting. Had a Veterans only function at our church few years back and got into a conversation with a 'Nam vet who worked on them. Talked a good long bit. One of my fondest memories to date.
I worked as an avionics technician for MALS-39 at MCAS Camp Pendleton from 1988-1993 and we supported VMO-2. I loved working on those birds.
I was the base mechanic for CDF in Hemet California, I had the first OV in Hemet #301
the little bronco that could: these things did everything!!
Thank you for this vid eric, and to jim for years of service and knowledge . This craft still surprises me today on the forward thinking of it's designers. They knew bush wars will always be a thing, and this plane could easily stand watch over them all with a little update here an there.
I am just about to start making a diorama of all the American prop powered aircraft deployed during the Vietnam war, coincidentally starting with the OV-10A, so this excellent walk round has been invaluable in having some visual references and additional information coming from Jim, my only dilemma at the moment is whether to base my diorama at one of the Main Operating Bases (M.O.B) or Forward Operating Bases (F.O.B), I am leaning towards the F.O.B because I could have a variety of aircraft at an F.O.B that wouldn’t normally be co-located at an M.O.B, basing my diorama at a M.O.B would require a lot larger base with revetments and ground support equipment, vehicles, and personnel that wouldn’t be realistic in terms of size or accuracy. Oh well, the decision will get made eventually. Thanks again, this has been a big help. 😀👍🇬🇧🏴🇺🇸🇺🇦
P.S, Is it not the Texan that has been selected over the Bronco? I hope I am misinformed, I love the Bronco, it looks good, flys well, and did/does exactly what it was designed for, an updated electronics suite and power plants plus additional self defence systems passive and active and you would have a aircraft from the 60s brought right up to date in the 2020s+, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, why spend a bucket load of money on R+D for a new aircraft when you can put tried and tested systems into the OV-10 “Bronco’s”. Thanks again. 😀👍🇬🇧
P.P.S Was the Lower footstep retractable into the fuselage? and if so was it done from inside, outside or both?, if anyone can save me some research I would be very grateful.
Thanks for the walk around. I was an Air Force turboprop crew chief so technically could be assigned to the OV10, but I worked on the C130 1973-76 before retraining to Air Traffic Control
Great - very intersting review , I served in the German Luftwaffe , the Bronco was used here as a Target plane ( pulling a long sack with sensors inside , behind it ) for Anti air - FLAK shooting practice off the german coast - baltic sea during the cold war .
Semper Fi Mac, and a good riff on what silly things Marines did with the OV-10. Last time I saw them was at Pendleton in 83; always looked like a Hoot to fly!