quick oh-6a question

Modeling Subjects Helicopters
1

Hi fellas,

Just building up the Italeri 1/72 loach. quick question for you all. Was the M60 the spotter used completely free and hand held or was it hung froma bungee inside the helicopter itself. I can’t seem to make it out from the pics I have…and while I’m on, any pics of the ammo drum used to supply the mini-gun.

Cheers, Rich

2

Gunners choice. Usually he was suspended by a bungee, but not his weapon.

-60

3

I have seen them both way, with a bungee cord, and without. As m60a3 said, gunner’s preferance. Either way is accurate to model.

4

many thanks for those replies.

Rich

5

6

Thanks Empeter, you’ve come up trumps again.

Just modelling the small version before tackling the big one!!!

Cheers, Rich

7

Hi Rich,

Good luck with your LOACH build! [:)]

Here’s another picture of the minigun installation, for your files…

Take care,

Frank

8

I would think the gunner was scured by a “monkey” harness or seat belt and not risk his falling out secured by a bungee cord! In the States our Med Unit we used “monkey” harnesses. On flare missions in Nam flying “slicks” our guys usually had a seat belt hooked to the tie down rings in the floor so they could sit on the open edge of the doorway and be somewhat secured to the helicopter.

9

Thanks fellas for your replies and pics. They’re all filed away for reference.

Cheers, Rich

10

The M-60 free gun in the right rear of the OH-6A was almost always supported by a bungee or a canvas strap. Observers in the front left seat (when flown W/O the M-27 carried either a short 60 or a M-16. The 60 was heavy and as I said, almost always supported or secured to the aircraft on a sling or hinge mount through the door in the upper forward portion of the door frame. Most gunners fired it with their left hand which was more practical. Ammo was a smoke grenade box with about 2000 belted 7.62

If you need shots, email me and I would be glad to help.

Hugh Mills, old 6 Driver, occasional gunner

11

PS, the gunner was secured to the ship by a monkey strap but he also had a seat belt which was rarely used. The underside of the seat, when used, often had armor plate strapped to it. When they sat on the floor, they often sat on armor plate with padding over it.

Hugh