Does anyone know what is attached to the starboard side of this aircraft?
Also, I recently saw a picture of four Little Birds and four Blackhawks on the airfield runway at Point Salinas in Grenada on the morning of October 25, 1983. The Little birds had the “Y” tail of the OH-6, not the “T” shaped tail of the MH-6. They appeared to have the plank system, but the picture was taken from a distance and it could have been rocket pods as well. I was wondering if anyone knew if the aircraft are modified OH-6’s, and if so, were there any distinctive modifications? I’ll post the pic as soon as I get a chance to scan it.
I’d love to modify the DML OH-6 kit if I can get some information on this. Thanks.
Hmmm… might be a SLAR pod. I don’t know why a Little Bird would be carrying Side Looking Radar, but I suppose its a possiblity. It is interesting to note that’s an MH-6M. Six bladed rotor. Would love to see a side view!
As for the Y tailed -6s, SOAR still uses some as trainers for incoming LB pilots. They’re designated MH-6Cs. They have a more powerful engine than the A model did and a few other mods, but its still a Vietnam Era Loach.
I think I got that pic from the AUSA website. 160th SOAR had an exhibit at the Nashville convention. I edited it, here’s the original pic.
I’ve seen it around on a couple sites, but nobody’s asked what it was.
Here’s the other pic. The focus is on the operator in the foreground, but you can clearly see what I’m talking about with the LB’s behind him. Too bad the picture’s not better quality.
My first thought is that it could be a speaker for PSYOPS missions. As for the Grenada Little Birds, the 160th first used OH-6s from the 101st Air Assault Division which were modified for night flying and special operations. In fact, the 160th still uses MH-6Cs with the V tail as trainer and proficiency aircraft.
One of the thngs I thought it might be was some sort of baggage container, but that didn’t make sense. It’s too big for a guitar case, but it could be a cello case. Of course, why wouldn’t you keep a cello inside the helicopter. Everyone knows there’s always room for chello.
I said EAPS (External Aerial Protection and Survivability or Engine Air Particle Seperator-the neat filter on the top of the MELB) and had a senior moment. It is an EPS(External Personnel System), fuel saddle tank/externa troop seat for the MH-6. Troops sit on the top like the plank system and it holds fuel. It is not, as my esteemed snakemeister says, a .50 pod. Go back to the garage and sit in your Mohawk snake. Smiling.
Yup, Hugh is right. My mistake as it looks much the same as the enclosed gun pod the OH-58D uses. Guess that’s what happens when you try to guess on a poor detail quality picture…
