John
Hello to you and your cousin.
I spent some 7 years as an OH6A IP, then moved to Cobras. Actually, I enjoyed the OH6A more than the Cobra. Sorta the difference between a true sports car, and a souped up, high performance, yet lethal, delivery truck. Of course my most enduring memories remain with the UH1H Huey, in Vietnam. The things we did there, in support of our brothers and sisters, were well worth the risks we took, and the personal experiences are the reward of a lifetime.
For those who may wonder about helicopters, the UH1H "Huey" that I flew in Vietnam, Germany, and stateside, was perhaps the most reliable, dependable, flyable and useful tool, deployed in that conflict. The Huey was designed to carry eleven passengers and two pilots. I have had as many as 34 people aboard my Huey in combat, and under fire. There were perhaps 45 or more on or in the aircraft when it left the ground. That number was whittled down to 30 ARVN and our crew of four Americans, after we went through the trees. Probably exceeded every last operating limitation associated with power, torque, and RPM but, we all survived. That was just some of what the Huey was capable of delivering, from her 1400+ shaft horsepower Lycoming gas turbine, when you asked her nicely.
Welcome home to all my brothers and sisters, from every era.
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