tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post4338012024929797700..comments2024-03-28T04:08:45.199-05:00Comments on Bayou Renaissance Man: The OV-10 Bronco rides again?Peterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10595089829300831372noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-60873426642862603542016-03-26T19:20:08.505-05:002016-03-26T19:20:08.505-05:00A very complete history of aircraft in service: ht...A very complete history of aircraft in service: http://www.blackpony.org/history.htmGlenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09826464928376433382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-35577397159587046022016-03-25T11:51:28.519-05:002016-03-25T11:51:28.519-05:00Air Scan is using OV-02s as surveillance aircraft ...Air Scan is using OV-02s as surveillance aircraft over in the Mid-East.<br /><br />BrassAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-24574718195740449502016-03-21T20:14:38.320-05:002016-03-21T20:14:38.320-05:00I kinda like this variation, http://www.802u.comI kinda like this variation, http://www.802u.comjon spencerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10886632644249920124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-202578501550169022016-03-21T15:27:26.952-05:002016-03-21T15:27:26.952-05:00Because you can deliver jumpers out of the back of...Because you can deliver jumpers out of the back of an OV-10.Jacquejethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00566737254976084503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-54479035733542006102016-03-21T09:47:23.078-05:002016-03-21T09:47:23.078-05:00Raven:
the ATF GOT their Broncos. That was discov...Raven:<br /><br />the ATF GOT their Broncos. That was discovered when they got custom paint jobs, and someone copied the numbers and did a search of owners. IIRC, they had to be demiliterized (pylons and weapon mounts removed), but they were equipped with night vision and FLIR systems, along with various communication/evesdropping systems. Supposedly they've been spotted orbiting over US cities a few times. They didn't refurbish all the allocated airframes, as some were held as spare parts, or in reserve for possible losses.<br /><br />Larry:<br />It is designed for unpaved field environments. The landing gear can handle rough fields that are beyond the crew's ability to tolerate.<br /><br />It's biggest drawback encountered in SE Asia was a lack of sufficient engine power. Some were lost due to being unable to climb as fast as the rising ground did. The reason it is under-powered is the original design was about 1/2 the size of the final version. It was intended to be flown off of normal sized country roads, with a wingspan of ~22ft. TPTB decided they wanted a bigger plane, so it could do more than just observe the enemy. That, and the mandated ridiculously over-engineered landing gear was very heavy. Unfortunately, they then refused to allow the USAF to arm it with offensive weapons. I think the Marines were armed up appropriately, though.<br /><br />For some unremembered reason, it is not survivable when ditched. I wonder if the current user group has been warned about that? Willhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00722792638246578812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-30687341932198363642016-03-20T23:41:51.313-05:002016-03-20T23:41:51.313-05:00As Jonathan H. pointed out, the Broncos can be fit...As Jonathan H. pointed out, the Broncos can be fitted out for a number of mission, including dropping teams behind enemy lines. I've severe doubts about their abilities at exfiltration, but an OV-10X taking full advantage of new targeting devices, engines, materials, props, STOVL aerodynamics (basically making it a mostly new plane), relatively lightweight armor might make it a light, multimission aircraft <i>par excellence</i><br /><br />I've watched them at Clark AB in the 1980's on low-level approaches (it'd be much lower in combat) at max speed suddenly zoom-climbing with 4 (6 if rear doors removed) and dropping 4-6 SF troopers out the back. They already had their parachutes partially deployed on static lines on the ceiling (IIRC -- someone please correct me if that was just a story making the rounds). They just slid out in a group on the climb, the OV-10 immediately rolled to one side or the other and dove for the deck.<br /><br />Tucano would be cheaper, but nowhere near as versatile (unless we went back to WWII Soviet "paratroopers"/partisan liason being dropped without parachutes from underwing pods without parachutes into snowdrifts in early 1942 and hoping for the best...Larryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13296988746956477216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-55448386604312370592016-03-20T21:27:31.431-05:002016-03-20T21:27:31.431-05:00There's definitely something to be said for ke...There's definitely something to be said for keeping things low-tech when possible.<br />Charlie Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14711194082485871790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-56822864517251653092016-03-20T21:03:33.254-05:002016-03-20T21:03:33.254-05:00Makes sense. Of course the F35 only has ONE engine...Makes sense. Of course the F35 only has ONE engine...because reasons. *sound of head slamming into wall, repeatedly* Bibliotheca Servarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11643412827583261562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-82084313671879025802016-03-20T20:59:30.578-05:002016-03-20T20:59:30.578-05:00For the same reason they "need" a privat...For the same reason they "need" a private, heavily equipped, army. Because they may be a tax agency, but they like to pretend they're law enforcement. Heck, the same reason the department of education has a private army, or the EPA! Heck, when you come down to it, the same reason the FBI exists: because the constitution is just a piece of paper, the contents of which only apply when it's not too inconvenient. Bibliotheca Servarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11643412827583261562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-62976319744822292522016-03-20T17:31:07.710-05:002016-03-20T17:31:07.710-05:00If observation is the name of the game, the Bronco...If observation is the name of the game, the Bronco has a much better cockpit than the Turcano.Rolfhttp://www.thestarscameback.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-1817737565159265242016-03-20T17:13:34.527-05:002016-03-20T17:13:34.527-05:00I, for one, would want two engines for that job! ...I, for one, would want two engines for that job! One engine is just too risky with that sort of mission.Larryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13296988746956477216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-64462519491770648442016-03-20T16:19:10.651-05:002016-03-20T16:19:10.651-05:00Reminds me quite a bit of the Sadler Piranha:
htt...Reminds me quite a bit of the Sadler Piranha: <br />http://www.sadlerair.com/piranhaman.pdf<br /><br />Could probably field a half dozen of those for the cost of one of the larger craft you wrote about.Phssthpoknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-74697603831569797812016-03-20T15:32:05.773-05:002016-03-20T15:32:05.773-05:00I believe that a pair of broncos was pulled from t...I believe that a pair of broncos was pulled from the boneyard, rehabbed/upgraded, and fielded to support SEALS as part of a test in Afghanistan as the <a href="http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/combat-dragon-ii-demonstrates-ov-10g-bronco-capabilities/" rel="nofollow"> Combat Dragon II</a>. These aircraft may be the same as the ones in Syria.Rnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-84054847274066790112016-03-20T15:07:20.433-05:002016-03-20T15:07:20.433-05:00From what I understand, the Navy pretty much requi...From what I understand, the Navy pretty much requires all their aircraft to be twin-engine just in case one engine fails over water.<br /><br />BrassBrasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01081758039388579803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-16049343349518090842016-03-20T14:22:25.662-05:002016-03-20T14:22:25.662-05:00Some of the Broncos were outfitted with cargo area...Some of the Broncos were outfitted with cargo areas that were used for equipment deliveries and for paratroopers - it could be that they wanted a fighting aircraft with cargo capacity, or as mentioned above they might be used with recon or elint gear as well as weapons. Since they go low and slow, they also could be serving FAC or observation missions too. <br />As mentioned in the articles, they have been widely used for counter insurgency roles throughout the world. <br />I wonder if they were in US markings at the time? Since some Middle Eastern countries did (or do?) operate the type, they could have been used to blend in with other aircraft and not appear overtly US.<br />Jonathan Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10476185257203343474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-539575676707755132016-03-20T13:32:54.926-05:002016-03-20T13:32:54.926-05:00The FAC capability is the key here, because the af...The FAC capability is the key here, because the aft fuselage can be fitted with a fair amount of electronics, so the ground troops can have a good overhead spotter. Grognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-30050617253785287402016-03-20T13:31:00.009-05:002016-03-20T13:31:00.009-05:00The Black Ponies ride again... Noted that they wer...The Black Ponies ride again... Noted that they were flown by NAVY pilots! :-)Old NFOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16404197287935017147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-18905378865058637412016-03-20T13:02:58.682-05:002016-03-20T13:02:58.682-05:00The OV-10A is an exceptionally robust aircraft. I&...The OV-10A is an exceptionally robust aircraft. I'm a fan of that airframe in the same way that I favor the Warthog. Low intensity conflicts scream for a FAC aircraft like the OV-10 where you have a pilot and an observer.LLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05538854359365988863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-19834916366063858542016-03-20T12:27:10.758-05:002016-03-20T12:27:10.758-05:00Some years ago the BATF was trying to get hold of...Some years ago the BATF was trying to get hold of the OV-10's.<br /> Apparently there was some concern about why a tax agency needed counter-insurgency aircraft. They got shot down on that one. <br /><br /> ravennoreply@blogger.com