Jump to content
SASS Wire Forum

The OV-1 Mohawk and the OV-10 Bronco Similar But Very Different


Recommended Posts

  • Sedalia Dave changed the title to The OV-1 Mohawk and the OV-10 Bronco Similar But Very Different

The OV-10 was a badass airplane, but not quite as much as that video makes it out to be. The rear mounted M197 shown was tried, but never adopted. There was a plan back in the late 80s called the D-SLEP plan. The D was the version of the OV-10 that was the latest upgrade, having advanced electronics in the nose that included RADAR and FLIR systems. It looked like R2D2's head mounted upside down. Part of the plan was to extend the wingtip several feet and mount Sidewinder rails on them. While the OV-10A had provisions for Sidewinders on the wing stations, they were replaced by regular bomb racks on the D model. But the part that had most people, especially the pilots, was to mount a turret from a Cobra helicopter under the fuselage that would be controlled with the FLIR system. Unfortunately, this never came about. The Marine Corps was all about Fast Movers, (jet aircraft), and helicopters, so the OV-10 was treated like a redheaded stepchild. I'm pretty sure that that attitude is what lead to the OV-10's removal from service.  

The red circle shows the FLIR on the nose.

image.thumb.png.ccf9b3326d0e4c2f4ef193e9a64aeaea.png

This shows how the OV-10D SLEP would look.

 v4-yov10d395.jpg

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have flown both of these and each is fun to fly. YEs they are quite different and I would not like to fly combat missions in either one. Most of my in-country missions were controlled by OV-10s (Hostages out of Marble Mountain). Those pilots and all the helo pilots were some of the best aviators I've ever seen . I don't know how they were able to get into their birds because they all had huge balls. 

 

PF

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was assigned to a OV-! company in RVN in 1971-72. I wasnt an aviator so I only got to fly in them a few times. It was a very capable airplane.

 

Imis

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.