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War Stories

loh Centaur Aircraft Tail Numbers - OH-6A

by Michael Peake
select aircraft......AH-1G.....OH-23.....OH-6A.....UH-1C.....UH-1D.....UH-1H.....Researchiing

OH-6A - LOH Scout Helicopters - see photos Updated 1Sep2021
AC Model Tail Number Buy Date Begin Unit Begin Hours Finish In Unit Finish Hours Total Hours Remarks (note: MASN = Military Aircraft Serial Numbers-1908 to Present)
OH-6A 66-07915 F Troop. Military Aircraft Serial Numbers—1908 to Present for 1966 shows: Hughes OH-6A Cayuse 66-07915 assigned to B Troop, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment Ruthless Riders Mar 1968-May 1969; Combat damage Jun 15, 1968 South Vietnam and force landed. Later recovered and repaired; Combat damage January 26, 1969 South Vietnam and force landed. Later recovered and repaired; Armed with XM27 minigun subsystem on the left side and a four-tube rocket launcher mounted on the right side; The rocket launcher was not an in-the-field modification but an experimental unit developed by the Rock Island Arsenal; Assigned to 388th Transportation Company (Aircraft Direct Support) June 1969-July 1969; Assigned to B Troop, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment Ruthless Riders August 1969-January 1970; Assigned to 604th Transportation Company (Aircraft Direct Support) February 1970.

OH-6A

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 66-07931 268 6808 252 6903 864 612

D Troop. Destroyed. SP5 Charlie Meyer, Loach Crew Chief D Troop 1968, served as OH-6A 66-07931 "Hard Core" crew chief during his tour of duty and gave the aircraft its name. "Hard Core." Winged Sabers, The Air Cavalry in Vietnam, Lawrence H. Johnson III, Stackpole Books (1990), page 126, shows image of OH-6A LOH (Loach) #66-07931 "Hard Core" with caption "Centaur Aeroscout, in 1968. An OH-6A of D-3/4 Cavalry awaits another mission in its revetment. The troop "Centaur" recognition device can be seen just below the United States Army marking. This particular aircraft has been equipped with a flexible ammunition feed chute for the observer's M60 machine gun. C. M. RICE PHOTO."

1LT Joe Owen Scout Section Ldr standing over new LOH minigun with cowling and CPT Bruce Powell Gun Platoon Ldr kneeling. Probably at Dau Tieng
OH-6A 66-14378 268 6808 263 6902 605 342

D Troop. Two incidents: 3 June 68 log entries shows: D Troop Operations requested ambulance at D Troop. D Troop ship took some hits and one wounded in action. Details will follow Ref Mag #40. Report on D Troop ship: LOH #378 took many hits in transmission and oil line at XT 645293; 1 wounded in action (PFC Gerald W. "Jerry" Toomey) taken to hospital and one man had hot oil splashed on face. VR mission also bringing in airstrike for Division. Copters reported seeing rockets in that location early. Artillery being called in and Cobra team flying over area now.....26 Feb 69 Military Aircraft Serial Numbers —1908 to Present for 1966 shows: Hughes OH-6A Cayuse 66-14378 assigned to D Troop, 3/4 Cav Regiment ;Accident: CW2 Orville T. Failen (pilot flying but was riding in back seat with Centaur IP at controls and CO of FSB Stoneman in right seat) provides that crash occurred at Fire Support Base Stoneman in February 1969 and occurred due to engine failure, not enemy fire. Third and last for that aircraft

 
OH-6A 66-14379 268 6808 324 6810 535 211 D Troop. Military Aircraft Serial Numbers—1908 to Present for 1966 shows: Hughes OH-6A Cayuse 66-14379 noted May 25, 2001 stored at Johnstown, Pennsylvania for possible future display.

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 66-14384 268 6808 242 6903 600 358

D Troop. Sergeant Tim Fegette was crew chief of OH-6A LOH (Loach) #66-14384 and created the name "Paper Tiger" in 1969. An art image by Joe Kline shows OH-6A LOH (Loach) #14384 "Paper Tiger." In Memoriam Page shows SP5 John Dobash was Scout/Observer on OH-6A LOH (Loach) #66-14384 "Paper Tiger" when killed in action Binh Duong Province, South Vietnam April 25, 1969. Pilot LT. Martin H. Jenkins and observer SP5 James R. Walt were both rescued and the body of SP5 John Ernest Dobash was recovered. hear the story VHPA Article

SP5 James R. Walt , Light Scout Observer D Troop 1969, provides image of SP4 Larry "Iggy" Kellum, Loach Crew Chief D Troop 1968-69, standing beside his aircraft OH-6A 66-14384 "Paper Tiger."

CW2 Perry A. Thomas, Loach Pilot D Troop 1967-68, flew OH-6A 66-14384 during his tour. Military Aircraft Serial Numbers—1908 to Present for 1966 shows: Hughes OH-6A Cayuse 66-14384 assigned to D Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division; Named Paper Tiger; Brought down by a possible hand grenade [sic] April 25, 1969 Binh Duong Province, RVN, on a reconnaissance mission and while in orbit.
OH-6A 66-14392 268 6808 341 6809 430 89 D Troop.Military Aircraft Serial Numbers—1908 to Present for 1966 shows: Hughes OH-6A Cayuse 66-14392 listing with no remarks.

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 66-14395 268 6808 202 6810 381 179 D Troop. Centaur 63 CW2 Craig L. Peterson, Slick Pilot D Troop 1968-69, provides photograph of OH-6A 66-14395 as a brand-new aircraft.Tim Fegette states “I also remember a/c 395 and 396. They were destroyed flying under Go Da Hau bridge. One when I first arrived in troop. The other was before I left. I forgot which was first. There was a small cable across the river beneath the bridge. Each loach struck the cable and then went into the river.” hear Bruce Karn tell the story which includes Bill Blair. . Military Aircraft Serial Numbers—1908 to Present for 1966 shows: Hughes OH-6A Cayuse 66-14395 assigned to D Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment; Accident November 1, 1968 South Vietnam.
OH-6A 66-14396 368 6808 271 6810 318 47 D Troop.Tim Fegette says destroyed flying under Go da Hau bridge. One when I first arrived in troop. The other was before I left. 
I forgot which was first. There was a small cable across the river beneath the bridge. 
Each loach struck the cable and then went into the river. 

OH-6A

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 66-14399             D Troop. SGT Michael L. "Mike" Rice, Door Gunner Heavy Scouts D Troop 1968, has my page photograph showing him sitting in left seat of OH-6A 66-14399 in 1968. OH-6A LOH (Loach) 66-14399 is not listed on the VHPA chart of identified Centaur aircraft. Military Aircraft Serial Numbers—1908 to Present for 1966 shows: OH-6A 66-14399 assigned to Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) Flying Circus August 69; October 69; Accident 19 November 69 South Vietnam.
OH-6A 67-17776             D Troop. Thomas "TJ" Lange Slide Show shows Image TJ-208 of OH-6A LOH (Loach) #66-17776.
OH-6A 66-17789 468           F Troop. Military Aircraft Serial Numbers—1908 to Present for 1966 shows: Hughes OH-6A Cayuse 66-17789 assigned to A Troop, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment Ruthless Riders June 1968; Assigned to Headquarters & Headquarters Troop, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment Ruthless Riders July 1968; Assigned to A Troop, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment Ruthless Riders August 1968-May 1969; Shot down March 26, 1969 Pleiku Province, RVN, crashed and burned. Curt Knapp, former pilot of OH-6A #795 for 101st Airborne provides history of the OH-6A 66-17789 as arriving Palomas, Arizona test facility March 26, 1968; Available for test flight March 29, 1968; Commenced test flight same day; Company final flight testing April 13, 1968; Army acceptance April 28, 1968: and License submitted May 3, 1968.

OH-6A

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 66-17795             Photograph provided by Carl W. Betsill shows left-side view of OH-6A Loach 66-17795 sitting in revetment with "Wargasm" painted in white lower fuselage and "Kill or Be Killed" on left cargo door. Author John Brennan, Vietnam Aircraft Nose Art, provides listing showing OH-6A 66-17795 “Wargasm,” F Troop, 1972. Curt Knapp, former pilot of OH-6A #795 for 101st ABN states aircraft “arrived at LZ Sally on Sunday, May 19 and was probably assigned to us on paper a few days before that.” He provides history of the Loach as arriving Palomas, Arizona test facility March 22, 1968; Available for test flight March 26, 1968; Commenced test flight following day; Company final flight testing April 9, 1968; Army acceptance April 12, 1968: and License submitted April 17, 1968.Military Aircraft Serial Numbers—1908 to Present for 1966 shows: Hughes OH-6A Cayuse 66-17795 assigned to 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) Aug 1968-Nov 1970; Loan to AVSCOM [United States Army Aviation Systems Command], St Louis, MS, Dec 1970-Jan 1971; Assigned to Directorate for Maintenance, Sharpe Army Depot Feb 1971-Jun 1971; Assigned to Lexington Depot Jul 1971-Sep 1971; Assigned to 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment Oct 1971-Feb 1972; Named Wargasm and Assigned to F Troop, 4th Cavalry Armored Division [sic] Mar 1972-May 1972; Assigned to Directorate for Maintenance, Sharpe Army Depot Aug 1972-Sep 1972; Loaned to West Point Flying Club, NY, Oct 1972-Nov 1972; Bailed to Hughes Aircraft, Culver City Dec 1972-Apr1973; Assigned to US Army Aviation Systems Test Activity, Edwards Air Force Base, CA Jan 1973; Loan to NASA, Langley Research Center, VA, May 1973-Aug 1973; Assigned to Directorate for Maintenance, Sharpe Army Depot Sep 1973-Nov 1974; Assigned to US Army National Guard Dec 1974; Assigned to US Army National Guard-Virginia; Assigned to US Army National Guard-Tennessee; Registered N992CH to Homestead Police Department, Florida, 1992. Registered N992CH to Vanderwall Aircraft Oct 28, 1998; cancelled Aug 15, 2012 on export to South Africa. Operated by the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation; On April 16, 2000 the aircraft, owned by Vanderwall Aircraft Inc., and operated by the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation, impacted with the ground while landing at the Athens/Ben Epps Airport (AHN), Athens, Georgia. The helicopter was substantially damaged.
OH-6A 67-16035 568 6808 92 6906 961 869 D Troop. “Super Egg.” Tim Fegette indicates Loach #035 was named “Super Egg.” Ed Marble was crew chief. The a/c flew 900 hrs and took only one bullet. It was behind engine in upper tail boom area. It was said to be in a bad place? It was sent to Corpus Christi Texas. Author John Brennan, Vietnam Aircraft Nose Art, provides listing showing OH-6A 67-16035 named “Super Egg” D Troop, 3/4 Cavalry, 1968-69. Military Aircraft Serial Numbers—1908 to Present for 1967 shows: Hughes OH-6A Cayuse 67-16035 transferred to Heli Tech, Panama City, Florida.
OH-6A 67-16036 568 7206 1748 7207 1776 28 F Troop. Military Aircraft Serial Numbers—1908 to Present for 1967 shows: Hughes OH-6A Cayuse 67-16036 registered as N58479 to Desoto County Sheriff’s Department, Hernando, Mississippi, November 10, 1994, current.
OH-6A 67-16061 568 7112 1466 7112 1491 25 F Troop. Military Aircraft Serial Numbers—1908 to Present for 1967 shows: Hughes OH-6A Cayuse 67-16061 Assigned to US Army National Guard–Vermont; Registered N911GD to Martin County Sheriff's Office, Florida December 7, 1994, reregistered Oct 24, 2006; Registration N305AZ reserved June 11, 2005, taken up February 22, 2006, current.
OH-6A 67-16071             F Troop. Named “Boo.” SP4 Harold Wayne "Wayne" Moose, Light Scout Gunner F Troop 1972-73, provides photograph of 67-16071 sitting in Loach revetment at Tân Mŷ. Military Aircraft Serial Numbers—1908 to Present for 1967 shows: Hughes OH-6A Cayuse 67-16071 assigned to South East Asia Night Operations [SEA NITEOPS] July 1968; Assigned to D Troop, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division Light Horse August 1968-January 1969; Named “Boo;” Accident January 2, 1969 South Vietnam. The aircraft was flown back to Dong Tam at a slow speed, where the pilot and crew chief received medical attention. Bailed to Hughes Aircraft, Culver City, California April 1969-November 1969; Assigned to A Battery, 377th Artillery Battalion, 101st Airborne Division December 1969- December 1971; Assigned to 2nd Battalion, 94th Field Artillery Regiment January 1972-March 1972; Assigned to F Troop, 4th Cavalry Regiment May 1972-January 1973; Loan to NASA, Langley Research Center, Virginia, April 1973; Assigned to US Army National Guard June 1974.
OH-6A 67-16082             F Troop. SP4 Harold Wayne "Wayne" Moose, Light Scout Gunner F Troop 1972-73, provides photograph of 67-16082 preparing for lift-off from Tân Mŷ Loach revetment 1972. OH-6A 67-16082 is not listed on the VHPA chart of identified Centaur aircraft. Military Aircraft Serial Numbers—1908 to Present for 1967 shows: Hughes OH-6A Cayuse 67-16082 last reported at Falcon Field, Phoenix, Arizona.

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 67-16092 668 7112 1045 7112 1072 27 F Troop. Captain Terry H. Young, Scout Platoon Leader F Troop 1972-73, provides image of SP4 Joe Black [sic, SGT Joseph M. "Mike' Beck, Scout Platoon Sergeant and Crew Chief] standing beside OH-6A 67-16092 in Scout revetment at Tân Mŷ. The second photograph of Captain Young's shows the same aircraft with a different paint scheme undergoing preflight in a Tân Mŷ scout revetment by Captain Frederick Dale Ledfors, Scout Pilot F Troop 1972-73, and CPT James H. "Jim" Elder, Executive Officer and Loach Pilot F Troop 1972. Military Aircraft Serial Numbers—1908 to Present for 1967 shows: Hughes OH-6A Cayuse 67-16092 Assigned to South East Asia Night Operations [SEA NITEOPS] July 1968; Assigned to Headquarters & Headquarters, 44th Engineer Group (Construction), Korat, Thailand August 1968-October 1968; Assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry November 1968-February 1969; Assigned to Headquarters & Headquarters , 44th Engineer Group (Construction), Korat, Thailand Mar 1969; Bailed to Hughes Aircraft, Culver City, CA July 1969-March 1970; Assigned to D Troop, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division Light Horse June 1970-August 1970; Combat damage June 26, 1970 South Vietnam; The aircraft made a precautionary landing; Accident September 16, 1970 South Vietnam. While en-route to Vi Thanh from Vinh Long, at 1500 feet, the aircraft experienced an engine failure and suffered minor damage; Assigned to 108th Division Training, Army Reserves, Charlotte, North Carolina September 1971; Assigned to C Troop, 16th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Aviation Brigade Outcasts October 1971-November 1971; Assigned to F Troop, 4th Cavalry Regiment December 1971-January 1973; Loan to NASA, Langley Research Center, Virginia, Apr 1973; Assigned to US Army National Guard May 1974; Assigned to US Army National Guard-New York, 1/142 Aviation Regiment; Registered N11572 to Atlanta Police Department July 31, 1996; Cancelled October 25, 2010 on export to Philippines; Registered RP-C4910 to Jans Helicopters, Inc.; Registered N369GF November 7, 2014, current.
OH-6A 67-16152 768 6808 0 6905 772 772 D Troop. Goat crashed this one.
OH-6A 67-16153             D Troop. Centaur 14 1LT Marty Jenkins, Loach Scout Pilot Troop D 1969, provides My Page Image #3 showing him standing beside OH-6A 67-16153 in revetment with mounted minigun left side. MASN shows: Hughes OH-6A Cayuse 67-16153 (MSN 0538) assigned to Headquarters & Headquarters, 44th Engineer Group (Construction), Korat, Thailand Aug 1968-Oct 1968; Assigned Headquarters & Headquarters Battery, Division Artillery, 4th Infantry Division Nov 1968-Jun 1969; Bailed to Hughes Aircraft, Culver City, CA Dec 1969-April 1970; Assigned to D Troop, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division Light Horse June 1970-July 1970; Accident July 4, 1970.
OH-6A 67-16216 768 6812 0 7207 2373 2373 D Troop. "Rosinante." Tim Fegette says that Pooch Johnson intended to name Loach #216 after Don Quixote"s exhausted horse "Rocinante," but was misspelled as "Rosinante."
OH-6A 67-16217 768 6809 2 6905 842 840 D Troop. Destroyed. "Cheap Thrills." Daniel L. "Dan" Mcintyre Photo Album shows Image #5 OH-6A LOH (Loach) 67-16217 "Cheap Thrills" on refuel pad.
OH-6A 67-16308 968 6811 0 6906 848 848 D Troop. Destroyed. Tim Fegette says 308 was named "Snafu" Chris Favata was the Crew Chief. LTC McGowan didn't like to fly in it.
OH-6A ??-16338             D Troop/F Troop.
OH-6A 67-16387 1068 6901 1 6904 502 501 D Troop. Tom Hays shot down. In Memoriam Page shows W01 Thomas Hays was killed in action May 30, 1969 when his OH-6A LOH (Loach) #67-16387 was shot down during operations in Binh Duong Province. In Memoriam Page shows Public Affairs Specialist SP4 Larry Vallelonga was badly burned and evacuated to Japan where he passed away on 30 June 1969 as a result OH-6A LOH (Loach) #67-16387 being shot down May 30, 1969. CW2 John Michael Hohman died of wounds (primarily 3d degree burns) on 31 May while being treated at the 12th Evac Hospital at Cu Chi.
OH-6A 67-16403 1068 6906 714 6906 848 134 D Troop. Destroyed
OH-6A 67-16515 1268 7112 2000 7112 2033 33 F Troop. SP4 Randy Baisden, Light Scout Platoon Sergeant F Troop 1971-72, provides photograph of OH-6A 67-16515 in-flight coming back from up north to refuel and rearm. John Brennan's "Vietnam War Army Helicopter Nose Art," Volume 2, page 24, shows photograph courtesy of 1LT Lloyd E. Goldsmith (71-72) of OH-6A 67-16515, "Andre's Cold Duck-Scouts Kill, Cold Duck Gives COURAGE." M. A. S. N.—1967 shows: Hughes OH-6A Cayuse 67-16515 assigned to F Troop, 4th Cavalry Regiment; Accident July 1, 1972 South Vietnam; Registered N515PD July 25, 1996 to Atlanta Police Department, Atlanta, Georgia; Registered N13PD to Atlanta Police Department, Atlanta, Georgia, March 25, 2004; reregistered January 16, 2007; Registered N368PD to Atlanta Police Department, Atlanta, Georgia January 16, 2007; cancelled July 8, 2014; On November 3, 2012 the aircraft was substantially damaged following a collision with power lines and terrain while maneuvering at Atlanta, Georgia.
(http://centaursinvietnam.org/PhotoAlbums/iPhotoBaisdenRandy.html, Photo Album Image #24.)
OH-6A 67-16545 1268 7206 2258 7206 2286 28 F Troop.
OH-6A 67-16556 1268 6906 388 6907 567 179 D Troop. Transferred & Destroyed

OH-6A
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 67-16563            

F Troop. "For the Love of Freedom."Goldsmith Album 22

Centaur 54 CW2 Robert "Bob" Jones, Cobra pilot F Troop 1971-72, provides photograph of OH-6A 67-16563 flying above the clouds with top of Nui Ba Din, Mountain Of The Black Virgin, in the background. Author John Brennan, Vietnam Aircraft Nose Art, provides listing showing OH-6A 67-16563 named “For Love of Freedom.” OH-6A LOH (Loach) 67-16563 "For the Love of Freedom" is not listed on the VHPA chart of identified Centaur aircraft.
OH-6A ??-??606             F Troop. F4 Yearbook 1971"1972 shows OH-6A LOH (Loach) #606.
OH-6A 67-16632         7202   F Troop. In Memoriam Page shows scout pilot Captain James Madison Hamrick, Jr., age 26, Centaur 10, was killed in action flying OH-6A LOH (Loach) #67-16632 February 20, 1972. In Memoriam Page shows SP4 Don Hamuel Ware, age 21, crew chief for OH-6A LOH (Loach) #67-16632, was killed in action February 20, 1972 when the aircraft was shot down by small arms fire near the Iron Triangle.
OH-6A 67-16660 369 6904 0 6905 218 218 D Troop. Came back to NG
OH-6A 67-16666 369 6905 1 6907 215 214 D Troop. "Bad News." Destroyed. Sergeant Tim Fegette was crew chief of OH-6A #67-16666 "Bad News" in 1968.
OH-6A 68-17149 569 6906 0 6910 628 628 D Troop. "Iron Butterfly." 10/28/69 Mark Jackson Shot down. Photo Album of Gary M. Schmidt, Image #8, shows wreckage of OH-6A #68-17149 "Iron Butterfly" 28 October 1969, with comment "Lieutenant Mark Jackson killed in action from a round to head, crew chief SP5 Stephen J. "Steve" Snoddy and observer/gunner SP4 Rockley J. "Rocky" Rhodes both injured but returned to duty."
OH-6A 68-17150 469 6906 0 7102 1769 1769 D Troop/F Troop. Came back to NG
OH-6A 68-17154 569 6906 0 7102 1700 1700 D Troop/F Troop. "Sweet Carolin". SP4 Daniel L. "Dan" McIntyre, Service Platoon Aircraft Mechanic D Troop/F Troop 1970-71, provides photograph of OH-6A 68-17154 “Pepe Le Pew” in the hangar during August 1970. Author John Brennan, Vietnam Aircraft Nose Art, provides listing showing OH-6A 68-17154 named “Pepe Le Pew.” CW2 Harlan Gray Sparrow's Slide Show Image HS-24 shows OH-6A LOH (Loach) #68-17154 "Sweet Carolin" identified as "Another one of our Loaches" during his tour as Scout Pilot with F Troop 1971-72 ad also shown in Brennan's Volume 2, Vietnam Aircraft Nose Art courtesy of Sparrow. M. A. S. N.—1968 shows: Hughes OH-6A Cayuse 68-17154 Assigned to D Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division June 1969-February 1971. Named “Pepe Le Pew.” Registered as N6187C to United States Border Patrol Air Operations, El Paso, Texas May 19, 1993; cancelled July 8, 2008. On June 15, 1999 the aircraft crashed during the landing approach at Tucson, Arizona. The aircraft was destroyed and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, received serious injuries.
(http://centaursinvietnam.org/PhotoAlbums/iPhotoMcIntyreDan.html, Photo Album Image #41.)
OH-6A 68-17164 569 6907 0 6908 179 179 D Troop. Came back to NG
OH-6A 68-17169 569 6906 0 7010 1491 1491 D Troop. Came back to NG
OH-6A 68-17171 569 6906 0 6906 3 3 D Troop. Destroyed - shot down
OH-6A 68-17175 569 6907 0 6910 457 457 D Troop. "King Rat." Elliott crashed this one once. Came back to NG. Crew chief for "King Rat" was SP5 Stephen J. "Steve" Snoddy.

OH-6A

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 68-17177 569 6906 0 6909 412 412 D Troop. OH-6A 68-17177 SP4 Jim Kreil, OH-6A crew chief D Troop 1969, provides photographs of OH-6A 68-17177 and states "Three days before I left, was being used for a C&C mission. A Bouncing Betty mine hit the ship. It was sent back for a warped airframe." Jim further remembers "After seeing 177 was transferred and destroyed, there was more to it. "It was my first new loch. When I got short I was told not to fly anymore, just get it ready and do log book. LTC McGowan was going to use it that morning going out to night lager. Landing they tripped a bouncing benny and warped airframe. I don't think anyone was hurt but came back and said you and your are going home. Later I got a disc, Vietnam Helicopter History, that said it returned in I think 73 and had engine failure at low level and 3 crew were killed. The disc no longer works but this was the way I remember." Jim. MASN—1908 to Present for 1968 shows: Hughes OH-6A Cayuse 68-17177 assigned to 198th Infantry Brigade. Accident November 26, 1970, Quang Ngai Province, RVN. Burst into flames. The aircraft was destroyed by the crash fire. Photo Album Images #2 & 4)

OH-6A
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 68-17180 569 7112 1686 7112 1704 18 F Troop. "Blind Faith." Thomas Broadbent Slide Show shows battle damage to OH-6A LOH (Loach) #68-17180 "Blind Faith." Goldsmith Album 21

OH-6A

 68-17183 569 6907 0 7008 1490 1490 D Troop Transferred and Destroyed
OH-6A 68-17202 669 7207 836 7207 891 55 F Troop.
OH-6A 68-17204 6905 6907 7103

0 1709

 7102 7207 1709 2309 1709 620 D Troop/F Troop. Luv Bug. Accident case number: 691004031 costing $1,200, 0 fatalities, 0 injuries; Station: Cu Chi, RVN; Unit: D/3/4 CAV; Date: 10/04/1969; Crew Members: Pilot WO1 E. G. Brethen [Eric G "Goat" Brethen]; Accident Summary: On running T/O left skid struck mound of dirt causing skid to collapse icdt damage. Repaired in Theater Combat Incident Report dated 7-18-1970 shows D/3/4 CAV A/C OH-6A tail number 68-17204 was on a recon mission for unarmed recon and while on target attacking at 20 feet and 80 knots took 4 hits from small arms/automatic weapons gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20mm in size (7.62mm), striking bottom causing damage to main rotor system and structure, but A/C continued mission. Goldbook information shows began in-country service with D/3/4 Cav with zero hours Sept. 1969, aircraft transferred to F/4 CAV with 1709 hours Mar 1971, unit temporarily transferred A/C to the 334th AHC with 1834 hours Jun 1971, returned to F/4 CAV Jul 1971 with 1934 hours and transferred to A Trp, 3/17 CAV with 2329 hours Dec 1971 [Centaurs flew 2229 hours]; Departed for CONUS Jan 1972 with 2364 combat hours, last service listed as unidentified National Guard unit Dec 1975. Centaur 52 & 13 CW2 Thomas M. "Sam" Dooling, AH-1G Cobra/OH-6A Loach pilot D Troop 1969-70, provides photographs of OH-6A 68-17204 "Luv Bug" in hangar "getting repaired" in his Photo Album, Images #43, #44 and #45. MASN—1908 to Present for 1968 shows: Hughes OH-6A Cayuse 68-17204 assigned to US Army National Guard-Pennsylvania. On display at Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum, Fort Indiantown Gap, Muir AAF, Pennsylvania October 2007.
OH-6A 68-17215 669 6907 0 6907 11 11 D Troop. "Arkansas Butch." 08/12/69 South China Sea LT William "Bones" Dawson, WO1 Tom Dooling and CW2 Tom Shirley DEPARTED Vung Tau airfield at approximately 11:20 hrs on a 180 degree departure. Shortly after their departure WO1 Dooling asked LT Dawson if they could fly along the back beach area and look at the old sunken tander and old fighting position. As the aircraft entered the back beach area it flew at appooximately 10 to 20 feet above the beach shore line. While flying along the beach LT Dawson threw a purple smoke grenade on the Australian section of the beach. After he threw the smoke grenade the aircraft continued in a southerly direction down the beach where the aircraft was observed making a cycle climb to an altitude of approximately 800 to 1200 feet. The aircraft then did a left turn combined with a dive and never recovered from the dive. The aircraft struck the water 300 meters off the shoreline and sank immediately.
OH-6A 68-17217 669 7003 879 7010 1564 685 D Troop. Came back to NG.
OH-6A 68-17229 669 7102 1285 7102 1305 20 D Troop/F Troop. In Memoriam Page shows PFC Howell W. Burns, an observer on OH-6A LOH (Loach) #68-17229, was killed in action December 12, 1971 when the aircraft was shot down in Cambodia. "PFC Howell W. Burns was an observer on a U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A (tail number 68-17229) from F Troop, 4th Cavalry, 1st Aviation Brigade which was involved in a shoot-down in Cambodia on December 12, 1971. PFC Burns was fatally wounded in the incident. The aircraft crashed but did not burn." see story
OH-6A 68-17253 869 6909 0 6909 59 59 D Troop. Destroyed.
OH-6A 68-17285 969 6910 7 6911 129 122 D Troop.
OH-6A 68-17299 969 6911 93 6911 93 0 D Troop.
OH-6A 68-17303 969 6911 1 7002 360 359 D Troop. 2/26/1970 CW2 Tom Dooling and crew were flying as low ship on a visual reconnaissance mission in support of a Troop, 3rd Squadron 4th Cavalry. The area in which they were working was flat with tall undergrowth and scattered 50-75 foot trees as can be seen in the photographs (tab 6). Dooling was directing the ground element into an area of suspected bunkers and a camouflaged hootch. He marked the area with a smoke grenade, and then went into a right hand turn while looking back at the camouflaged hootch. As he looked up he saw a large tree to his front. At this time he was about 50 knots IAS, 50 feet of altitude, and heading approximately 200 degrees. He steepened his turn and brought the nose of the aircraft up to avoid the tree. The left skid hit a limb of the tree and as the aircraft came around to the right the tail rotor struck the same limb (photographs 1, 2, 3, tab 6). The aircraft started spinning to the right, at which time CW2 Dooling entered autorotation, but the aircraft continued to spin to the right. At about ten feet CW2 Dooling started to increase collective pitch to cushion the landing as the aircraft descended into the bushes 50 meters north of the tree. On impact the skids collapsed and the tailboom was twisted. All safety equipment was in working condition, the resulting injuries were from the decelerative forces.
OH-6A 68-17321 1069 6912 0 7004 547 547 D Troop. "Lil Casper." Destroyed. In Memoriam Info Sheet shows SP5 Joseph Donald Ramey, age 21, crew chief of OH-6A #68-17321 "Lil Casper," was killed in action in Cambodia during an armed reconnaissance mission after helicopter crashed due to small arms fire. Pilot CW2 Richard "Rocky" Reed and observer/gunner Gary Drennen, in the left seat, were both injured in the crash when the aircraft settled on the right side pinning Joe Ramey beneath the wreckage. They were able to extract themselves and lay down defensive fire until assistance arrived to evacuate them. Ramey's body and the aircraft were recovered soon after.
OH-6A 68-17328 1069 6912 1 7003 356 355 D Troop. Transferred & Destroyed.
OH-6A 68-17332             F Troop.
OH-6A 68-17337 1169 6912 0 7101 1089 1089 D Troop. "Proud Mary." "CW2 Rog Johnson [age 20] was flying an OH-6A when he was shot down near Bear Cat in III Corps. His crew members were SGT Mike Petty and SP4 Fred Vigil. They were assigned to D Trp 3/4 Cav, 25 Inf at the time. He was part of a Hunter-Killer team that day. I was aircraft commander of the Cobra in that team. He had spotted an active base camp through a high canopy. In the process of turning around over the camp for another look, he was shot down. Our Blues platoon later determined both he and SGT Petty survived the crash through the canopy. After exiting the burning helicopter, they were shot at close range by Viet Cong. SP4 Vigil died in the crash.""From Hugh "Sandy" McLeod, Centaur 46, D/3/4 CAV 25 INF, Oct 1998. In Memoriam shows gunner/observer Sergeant Michael H. Petty, 21, and "Proud Mary" crew chief Fredrick A. "Fred" Vigil, age 21, were killed in action January 22, 1971.
OH-6A 68-17359 1269 7002 1 7005 336 335 D Troop. 06/09/70 W2 Andrew J. Elliot was a pilot assigned to Troop D, and on June 9, 1970 was assigned a flight to a fire support base at Katum South Vietnam. Aboard the OH6A "Loach" with Elliott were SP5 Steven Lewis Dobry and SP4 Jerry W. McGlothlen, passengers. When the aircraft was about half-way between Fire Support Base Santa Barbara and Katum, WO Elliott radioed that he could not see the road nor Katum. He was instructed by the command and control aircraft to go to Tay Ninh and shut down, that everyone would be called to Koropey as soon as the weather cleared. Elliott acknowledged and said, "I'm going to Tay Ninh at this time." This was the last communication with Elliott. After it was determined that WO Elliott's aircraft was missing, a full scale search effort was initiated and continued for 5 days. On June 24, the wreckage was found and recovery teams inserted into the crash site. The bodies of Dobry and McGlothlen were recovered and positively identified. About 50 meters from the crash site, near the body of McGlothlen, a helmet and chest protector belonging to Elliott were found. It appeared that the body had been dragged to this position from the crash site. A search team remained on the ground 4 days, but were never able to find any trace of Elliott. He was listed Missing in Action.
OH-6A 69-15961 170 7004 26 7004 78 52 D Troop. Came back to Edwards AFB
OH-6A 69-15988 270 7005 80 7010 466 386 D Troop.

OH-6A
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 69-16003 370 7006 1 7102 756 755 D Troop/F Troop. "For God Country & Body Count." photo 19 of Goldsmith Album
OH-6A 69-16004 470 7011 500 7102 839 339 D Troop/F Troop. Photo in Randy Nicholas Photo Album

OH-6A
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 69-16019 470 7006 0 7102 689 689 D Troop/F Troop. "Borrowed Time." Darkhorse Museum in CA. pic 2 shows it with a minigun door gun.
OH-6A 69-16032 570 7011 245 7102 497 252 D Troop/F Troop. "Bol Shoi." Named by Harlan Sparrow
OH-6A 69-16040 7006 7107 317 7202 648 341 F Troop: (VHPA) Accident case number: 710809071 costing $1,300, 0 fatalities, 0 injuries; A/C hours at time of accident: 396; Date: 08/09/1971; Unit: F/4 CAV; Crew Members: WO1 J. R. White [Jackie R. "Rookie" White]; Accident Summary: On takeoff left skid shoe caught PSP during transitional lift, which resulted in an engine over torque, overtemperature and minor damage to aircraft; Shipped to CONUS March 1972 and last noted service with unidentified National Guard unit December 1975. Centaur 57 CW2 Ray E. Stanton, Gun Pilot Dec 1970-Dec 1971, Slide Show Images RayS-28 and RayS-35 show in flight photos of OH-6A 69-16040. MASN—1908 to Present for 1969 shows: Hughes OH-6A Cayuse 69-16040 assigned to D Troop, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry, 4th Infantry Shamrock Mar 1971-Apr 1971; Transferred to US Navy as 696040; Modified as TH-6B, MD Helicopters Model MD369H; Assigned 1993 to US Navy Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, MD as TPS #40, SOC 2008. [NOTE: OH-6A 67-16040 was identified as Lost to Inventory in February 1969.]
OH-6A 69-16043 670 7011 192 7102 521 329 D Troop/F Troop. CW2 Edward Lewis "Louie" Mortimer, Jr., age 21, was piloting OH-6A LOH (Loach) #69-16043 on a reconnaissance mission in the area along the Saigon River called the Mushroom when the aircraft was downed by extensive enemy fire resulting in CW2 Mortimer taking a round through his leg, which severed an artery, and crew chief SP4 Glenn Randy Nicholas having his back broke in the crash. Despite his severe injuries, Specialist Nicholas extracted the injured pilot from the aircraft and directed Cobra gunships against enemy targets. Although both men were recovered by rescue aircraft, Ed Mortimer died enroute to the hospital from loss of blood. SP4 Randy Nicholas later received the Silver Star for his heroic actions in trying to save CW2 Mortimer.
OH-6A 69-16045             F Troop. Centaur 14 CPT Ronald A. Radcliffe pilot. SP4 William "Crank" Labore crew chief. Military Aircraft Serial Numbers—1908 to Present for 1967 shows: Hughes OH-6A Cayuse 69-16045 assigned to F Trp, 4th Cav Regiment. Registered as N505RC to Rabun County Sheriff’s Department, Clayton, GA, June 10, 1996. Registered to Brown Helicopter Mar 2, 2009; cancelled Nov 25, 2014.

NOTE: All data acquired from images found in the Centaur List of Photo Albums, Slide Shows, Yearbooks, My Page entries and Rosters War Stories Essays/Discussions, are cross referenced with chart provided by VHPA found in War Stories Discussions-Centaur Aircraft Tail Numbers augmented by a database of unknown origin provided by Tom Dooling.

Also check out Aircraft Names without tail numbers and the Aircraft History Section - see just photos