Sarathi S. Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 It would be nice to see some pictures of the "external fold down seat" the article talks about. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Loach Driver Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 Yes, a photo of the "external fold down seat" would be nice. My guess is that they first carry out the rescue using the rope ladder and get the rescued pilot to land. Then he is able to strap into the seat while the helicopter is on the ground. It doesn't look like the rescued pilot is able to scale the ladder and get into the seat while in the hover. LD. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AH6C-SIP Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Yes, a photo of the "external fold down seat" would be nice. My guess is that they first carry out the rescue using the rope ladder and get the rescued pilot to land. Then he is able to strap into the seat while the helicopter is on the ground. It doesn't look like the rescued pilot is able to scale the ladder and get into the seat while in the hover. LD. Well, having done these overwater extractions a time or two, I can tell you it's not easy to be plucked out of the water. Procedure is to mark your location in the water using a chem light. In the LB Guns of yesterday we carried a scaling ladder rolled up on the right side, attached to the floor in back. The pilot has to reach around from the right front cockpit and release the "D" ring which is keeping it rolled up. After it is released the ladder rolled out over the r/h rocket pod and was drug through the water slowly until the downed pilot could grab the bottom rung and attach the "D" ring on his vest to the ladder. Then you turn into a sling load. It's very difficult to climb the ladder, all wet and all with gear. Don't know how the kids do it today, but I suppose it's somewhat close to this procedure. I think you all can appreciate what talent this takes, under NVG conditions, only some 15 feet off the water. We always use to joke about floating there, waiting for the ladder, with that chem light glowing... what could be attracted. Especially when we did training off Virginia Beach! Regards to all, GT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AH6C-SIP Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 (edited) As the photo shows, the side exhausts were used on later than C-model Little Birds. John Hairell (tpn18@yahoo.com) Hi John, The first batch of T Tail had the exhaust as you can see from these Sept 1981 photos. The photo could be Grenada... the fellow on the left appears to be holding and AK-47. I put some additional photos that Ray scanned for me up on Photobucket. =131474221&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=16"]My link Regards, GT Edited January 13, 2014 by AH6C-SIP Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Loach Driver Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Thanks for the info on water rescue ops with the AH-6, GT. It is always good to hear it straight from a Night Stalker. LD. P.S. Check your private messages, GT. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sky Dancer Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 Hi everybody, After seeing the separate and fascinating thread about Littlebird motorcycle racks, I thought I'd check through other sites on the web for other photo's as, to be honest, I had no idea what these actually where. While doing this I found some excellent photo's posted on www.fencecheck.com by 'Flynavy', not of motorcycle racks, but of a 160th SOAR deployment to Virginia Beach in May 2013. MH-47's, MH-60's and Littlebirds - they are all there, showing their 'load-outs'. "Flynavy" has some great photo's, some of which really caught my eye. The most interesting for me was a MH-60 sling loading an expired Littlebird. This airframe appears to be painted red, or international orange, and appears to be a genuine, time expired, airframe rather than a training "shape" or "boilerplate". I don't want to steal 'Flynavy's" thunder, so I'm not going to post them on here and I can't seem to insert a link to them. Could I invite you to visit www.fencecheck.com, then go to forums, click military aviation photo's, click 'exercises'. Then go to Page 2, and you'll see the title "160th SOAR Night Stalkers VA beach detachment 5/2013. (Sorry for the instructions, rather than a direct link - wife just got a Mac and I don't know how to use it yet) Does anyone have any info. about this airframe? Or any other photo's?? I feel a diorama coming on....... All the best, Michael. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Loach Driver Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Michael, thanks for the link to those photos. There is certainly a lot going on in those images. A guy sitting on the armaments wing, a Little Bird with a fuel nozzle strapped to the auxiliary fuel tank and what appear to be dual pitot tubes on the FLIR mount. It is possible these are Block II Little Birds. As for the red Little Bird, it does look like it is based on a genuine airframe and doesn't appear to be a mock-up. Perhaps it is now a general use airframe that they use as a ground instructional airframe for the maintainers, sling-load test rig and perhaps they also use it to test-fit mock-ups of any new modifications planned for the MELB fleet. LD. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Loach Driver Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 (edited) Here is a photo that appeared on the Military Photos website. (Copyright holder unknown.) Apparently this photo dates from the first Gulf War. I'm not sure which version of the Little Bird this is but it is either a late AH-6G or an early AH-6J. It's interesting to see an operational Little Bird with the FLIR fitted. LD. Edited February 1, 2014 by Loach Driver Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Here is a photo that appeared on the Military Photos website. (Copyright holder unknown.) Apparently this photo dates from the first Gulf War. I'm not sure which version of the Little Bird this is but it is either a late AH-6G or an early AH-6J. It's interesting to see an operational Little Bird with the FLIR fitted. LD. Has there been much released about the role Littlebirds played in GW1? I haven't been able to find much online, just a few vague references to "scud hunting". I would think by now some of the details would start being de-classified. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Loach Driver Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 It seems that the Little Birds in Iraq on scud-hunting missions is generally accepted to have happened but I guess they want to keep these missions in the dark for whatever reason. There is little or no mention of Little Bird missions in the first Gulf War in Michael Durant's book either. Someday we might know more....... LD. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FM-Whip Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 (edited) DUPE POSTING - DELETED Edited February 4, 2014 by FM-Whip Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FM-Whip Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 (edited) DUPE POSTING - DELETED Edited February 4, 2014 by FM-Whip Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FM-Whip Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 (edited) It seems that the Little Birds in Iraq on scud-hunting missions is generally accepted to have happened but I guess they want to keep these missions in the dark for whatever reason. There is little or no mention of Little Bird missions in the first Gulf War in Michael Durant's book either. Someday we might know more....... LD. I've compiled the Little Bird serial numbers from the Feb 91 US Army Gold Book, and sorted them in several different ways. The listings show the type, serial, acceptance date (if an AH-6G/MH-6G/MH-6H/MH-6J), and the current location (I formatted this nicely but ARC is taking all of my formatting out - aaaarg!): --------------------------------------------------------------- LITTLE BIRD SERIALS FEB 91, SOURCE: US ARMY GOLD BOOK BY TYPE: MH-6B 68-17140 45 INF BDE MH-6B 68-17167 45 INF BDE MH-6B 68-17175 45 INF BDE MH-6B 68-17195 45 INF BDE MH-6B 68-17320 45 INF BDE MH-6B 68-17334 45 INF BDE MH-6B 68-17341 45 INF BDE MH-6B 68-17346 45 INF BDE MH-6B 68-17348 45 INF BDE MH-6B 68-17358 45 INF BDE MH-6B 69-15977 45 INF BDE MH-6B 69-16015 45 INF BDE MH-6B 69-16057 45 INF BDE AH-6C 68-17168 S+T DET 160TH SOA AH-6C 68-17191 S+T DET 160TH SOA AH-6C 68-17249 S+T DET 160TH SOA AH-6C 68-17258 S+T DET 160TH SOA AH-6C 68-17298 F CO 160 SOAG AH-6C 68-17307 S+T DET 160TH SOA AH-6C 69-15973 S+T DET 160TH SOA AH-6C 69-16018 S+T DET 160TH SOA AH-6C 69-16031 F CO 160 SOAG AH-6C 69-16052 S+T DET 160TH SOA AH-6C 69-16054 S+T DET 160TH SOA AH-6C 69-16058 S+T DET 160TH SOA AH-6C 69-16072 S+T DET 160TH SOA MH-6C 68-17155 S+T DET 160TH SOA GP MH-6C 68-17290 S+T DET 160TH SOA GP MH-6C 68-17332 S+T DET 160TH SOA GP AH-6G 84-24319 ACC: 06/83 B CO 160 SOA AH-6G 84-24679 ACC: 06/83 B CO 160 SOA AH-6G 84-24680 ACC: 06/83 B CO 160 SOA AH-6G 84-24683 ACC: 11/84 B CO 160 SOA AH-6G 84-24684 ACC: 11/84 B CO 160 SOA AH-6G 85-25346 ACC: 01/86 B CO 160 SOA AH-6G 85-25347 ACC: 01/86 B CO 160 SOA AH-6G 85-25348 ACC: 01/86 B CO 160 SOA MH-6H 81-23629 ACC: 06/81 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6H 81-23630 ACC: 06/81 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6H 81-23632 ACC: 06/81 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6H 81-23634 ACC: 06/81 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6H 81-23648 ACC: 07/82 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6H 81-23649 ACC: 07/82 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6H 81-23651 ACC: 12/81 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6H 81-23652 ACC: 12/81 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6H 81-23653 ACC: 12/81 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6H 81-23654 ACC: 12/81 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6H 88-25349 ACC: 12/88 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6H 88-25350 ACC: 02/89 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6J 81-23631 ACC: 06/81 A CO. 160 SOA GP MH-6J 81-23635 ACC: 06/81 A CO. 160 SOA GP MH-6J 81-23636 ACC: 06/81 A CO. 160 SOA GP MH-6J 81-23650 ACC: 12/81 A CO. 160 SOA GP BY SERIAL: MH-6B 68-17140 45 INF BDE MH-6C 68-17155 S+T DET 160TH SOA GP MH-6B 68-17167 45 INF BDE AH-6C 68-17168 S+T DET 160TH SOA MH-6B 68-17175 45 INF BDE AH-6C 68-17191 S+T DET 160TH SOA MH-6B 68-17195 45 INF BDE AH-6C 68-17249 S+T DET 160TH SOA AH-6C 68-17258 S+T DET 160TH SOA MH-6C 68-17290 S+T DET 160TH SOA GP AH-6C 68-17298 F CO 160 SOAG AH-6C 68-17307 S+T DET 160TH SOA MH-6B 68-17320 45 INF BDE MH-6C 68-17332 S+T DET 160TH SOA GP MH-6B 68-17334 45 INF BDE MH-6B 68-17341 45 INF BDE MH-6B 68-17346 45 INF BDE MH-6B 68-17348 45 INF BDE MH-6B 68-17358 45 INF BDE AH-6C 69-15973 S+T DET 160TH SOA MH-6B 69-15977 45 INF BDE MH-6B 69-16015 45 INF BDE AH-6C 69-16018 S+T DET 160TH SOA AH-6C 69-16031 F CO 160 SOAG AH-6C 69-16052 S+T DET 160TH SOA AH-6C 69-16054 S+T DET 160TH SOA MH-6B 69-16057 45 INF BDE AH-6C 69-16058 S+T DET 160TH SOA AH-6C 69-16072 S+T DET 160TH SOA MH-6H 81-23629 ACC: 06/81 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6H 81-23630 ACC: 06/81 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6J 81-23631 ACC: 06/81 A CO. 160 SOA GP MH-6H 81-23632 ACC: 06/81 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6H 81-23634 ACC: 06/81 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6J 81-23635 ACC: 06/81 A CO. 160 SOA GP MH-6J 81-23636 ACC: 06/81 A CO. 160 SOA GP MH-6H 81-23648 ACC: 07/82 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6H 81-23649 ACC: 07/82 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6J 81-23650 ACC: 12/81 A CO. 160 SOA GP MH-6H 81-23651 ACC: 12/81 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6H 81-23652 ACC: 12/81 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6H 81-23653 ACC: 12/81 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6H 81-23654 ACC: 12/81 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP AH-6G 84-24319 ACC: 06/83 B CO 160 SOA AH-6G 84-24679 ACC: 06/83 B CO 160 SOA AH-6G 84-24680 ACC: 06/83 B CO 160 SOA AH-6G 84-24683 ACC: 11/84 B CO 160 SOA AH-6G 84-24684 ACC: 11/84 B CO 160 SOA AH-6G 85-25346 ACC: 01/86 B CO 160 SOA AH-6G 85-25347 ACC: 01/86 B CO 160 SOA AH-6G 85-25348 ACC: 01/86 B CO 160 SOA MH-6H 88-25349 ACC: 12/88 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6H 88-25350 ACC: 02/89 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP BY SERIAL WITHIN ACCEPTANCE DATE FOR AH-6G/MH-6G/MH-6H/MH-6J: MH-6H 81-23629 ACC: 06/81 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6H 81-23630 ACC: 06/81 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6J 81-23631 ACC: 06/81 A CO. 160 SOA GP MH-6H 81-23632 ACC: 06/81 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6H 81-23634 ACC: 06/81 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6J 81-23635 ACC: 06/81 A CO. 160 SOA GP MH-6J 81-23636 ACC: 06/81 A CO. 160 SOA GP MH-6J 81-23650 ACC: 12/81 A CO. 160 SOA GP MH-6H 81-23651 ACC: 12/81 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6H 81-23652 ACC: 12/81 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6H 81-23653 ACC: 12/81 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6H 81-23654 ACC: 12/81 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6H 81-23648 ACC: 07/82 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6H 81-23649 ACC: 07/82 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6G 84-24319 ACC: 06/83 B CO 160 SOA AH-6G 84-24679 ACC: 06/83 B CO 160 SOA AH-6G 84-24680 ACC: 06/83 B CO 160 SOA AH-6G 84-24683 ACC: 11/84 B CO 160 SOA AH-6G 84-24684 ACC: 11/84 B CO 160 SOA AH-6G 85-25346 ACC: 01/86 B CO 160 SOA AH-6G 85-25347 ACC: 01/86 B CO 160 SOA AH-6G 85-25348 ACC: 01/86 B CO 160 SOA MH-6H 88-25349 ACC: 12/88 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP MH-6H 88-25350 ACC: 02/89 FT. INDIANTOWN GAP --------------------------------------------------------------- John Hairell (tpn18@yahoo.com) Edited February 4, 2014 by FM-Whip Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 I've compiled the Little Bird serial numbers from the Feb 91 US Army Gold Book, and sorted them in several different ways. The listings show the type, serial, acceptance date (if an AH-6G/MH-6G/MH-6H/MH-6J), and the current location (I formatted this nicely but ARC is taking all of my formatting out - aaaarg!): John Hairell (tpn18@yahoo.com) Interesting list. What's with the 45th INF BDE? Were they a guard unit flying decommissioned Littlebirds? Same thing with regard to the Gap. What is the connection between that place and Littlebirds? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FM-Whip Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Interesting list. What's with the 45th INF BDE? Were they a guard unit flying decommissioned Littlebirds? Same thing with regard to the Gap. What is the connection between that place and Littlebirds? As far as the 45th INF BDE, in the 80s/90s there was an NG unit with SOA functions, the 45th Aviation Battalion. Those Little Birds in the list belong to them. The 45th later became the 145th. There's a book about the unit: http://books.google.com/books?id=JSvIIjIl4XMC&pg=PA188&lpg=PA188&dq=45th+aviation+little+birds&source=bl&ots=6xmeKeD4WC&sig=h4wVb1aR7ciJ05PxV3XrhdAWvak&hl=en&sa=X&ei=vnvyUoDsKcKSkQeng4DIAg&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=45th%20aviation%20little%20birds&f=false Indiantown Gap - I believe the LBs in the list are shown as being there at the time the list was generated were probably coming back from the Middle East though that post - but others may know more. John Hairell (tpn18@yahoo.com) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thatguy96 Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 (edited) Just to note, there is still at least one ARNG aviation battalion with SOA functions, 2-135th Aviation. This unit, with headquarters in Colorado in the CO ARNG, is spread across a number of states and is involved in SOA functions, counter-narcotics, and disaster relief functions. The CH-47F that was carrying the SEAL QRF when it was shot down in 2011 in Afghanistan was from 2-135th Aviation (as were some of the crew). Edited February 5, 2014 by thatguy96 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Loach Driver Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 (edited) Here is some info on the 245th Aviation Regiment. I can't recall where I found these pages. More to follow. LD. Edited February 6, 2014 by Loach Driver Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Loach Driver Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 (edited) It looks like some of the 245th's OH-6As were outfitted with a similar antenna fit to the standard AH-6Cs that GT flew. It is also interesting that they used OH-6As as lift-ships. I think one or two of the 245th's OH-6As went on to serve with a couple of US Sheriff's departments. I hope this is of use. LD. Edited February 6, 2014 by Loach Driver Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FM-Whip Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 It looks like some of the 45th's OH-6As were outfitted with a similar antenna fit to the standard AH-6Cs that GT flew. It is also interesting that they used OH-6As as lift-ships. I think one or two of the 45th's OH-6As went on to serve with a couple of US Sheriff's departments. I hope this is of use. LD. LD - thanks for posting. I remember the articles as being in an Army special ops magazine. Working from memory I got the later unit designation wrong (145th versus the correct one, the 245th). I don't know if it's true but I remember hearing that the 45th/245th Little Birds were "austere" compared to the 160th as far as equipment fittings. One of the more interesting photos of a Little Bird from the 245th shows it balancing on a roof top, but ACROSS the top of the pitched roofline, i.e. at a 90 degree angle to the tip of the roof, balanced at mid-skid. John Hairell (tpn18@yahoo.com) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Loach Driver Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Thanks for that list of Little Bird serials, John. Here is a photo of the Harrison County Sheriff's Office OH-6A which looks like an ex-special ops bird and is, I believe, an ex-245th helicopter. Photo from Helispot. OH-6A 66-07817. I believe that Harrison County still fly this helicopter today but the Blackhole IR exhaust system has been removed. LD. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AH6C-SIP Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 It looks like some of the 245th's OH-6As were outfitted with a similar antenna fit to the standard AH-6Cs that GT flew. It is also interesting that they used OH-6As as lift-ships. I think one or two of the 245th's OH-6As went on to serve with a couple of US Sheriff's departments. I hope this is of use. LD. Wow, LD, thanks for the trip down memory lane! What you want to bet I gave CW4 Bob Lane, in the article, his checkout in 1983. Regards, GT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AH6C-SIP Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 LD - thanks for posting. I remember the articles as being in an Army special ops magazine. Working from memory I got the later unit designation wrong (145th versus the correct one, the 245th). I don't know if it's true but I remember hearing that the 45th/245th Little Birds were "austere" compared to the 160th as far as equipment fittings. One of the more interesting photos of a Little Bird from the 245th shows it balancing on a roof top, but ACROSS the top of the pitched roofline, i.e. at a 90 degree angle to the tip of the roof, balanced at mid-skid. John Hairell (tpn18@yahoo.com) You mean like this John! http://s1172.photobucket.com/user/stevensgt33/media/GTHovers_zps05979dad.jpg.html Regards, GT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Loach Driver Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 You mean like this John! Regards, GT Another brilliant photo, GT! OK, we've had the story behind the Navy Radar Van shoot-up, can you tell us what the story is behind this photo and the shack you are sitting on? Why did you use that particular house for toe-in practice? Did you have to drop in vertically onto the roof, with all those trees around, or did you you have enough space to transition in and out? Did you have to stay really light on the skids or could you lower the collective and unload the rotor a little? Thanks. LD. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nt161822 Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 (edited) Some shots ive taken in the past few months........ Some guys with them............ Edited February 8, 2014 by nt161822 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 (edited) Some shots ive taken in the past few months........ Great pictures. Is that a fuel cell under the starboard plank? Interesting higher viz "US Army" marking on the tailboom. Thanks for posting. If you don't mind - where were these pics taken? I'm assuming these are all training missions, with the closed-off aft cabin (and the pilot sporting a full beard in the pic above). Edited February 9, 2014 by 11bee Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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