Where is my old OH6-A Tail # 67-16423 Vietnam Era?

Whiskey 6 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 20, 2007 8:14 pm

It looks like you guys really know your stuff.
I am wondering how I can find out about an OH6-A helicopter I crewed on in Vietnam. I have the Army Tail number as 67-16423. I understand the records on her were not reported after a number of years. Can anyone help me find her or direct me to the best place to track the aircraft?

Larry Kraus · **Posted:** Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:03 pm

Whiskey 6,I assume that you've checked out the following links?

http://www.bluemax-ara-assoc.com/bills/67-16423.HTM

http://www.bluemax-ara-assoc.com/D21aircraft.htm

I flew in C 1/9 Scouts in 1969-1970 in OH-6A's 67-16143 and 67-16443

Whiskey 6 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:07 pm

Yes. I found those WebPages years ago. Do you have any other pages I can search?
As you know the OH6-A was just incredible to fly . I served in places like Kontum, An Khe, Dak To, Phan Thiet, Pleiku and many other nameless places. Cmbodia was a very scary place to recon. Welcome home brother, Thanks for your service. After I flew scouts nothing else would do. LOL

Larry Kraus · **Posted:** Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:56 pm

Maybe somebody can figure a way to track your bird from the last known location,which appears to be the Sharpe Army Depot (Stockton,CA) in March of 1970.I haven't figured out how to do that yet,but I'll keep checking.

When I flew a B-17 firefighting airplane out of Fresno in the mid-70's,the National Guard had a Loach based there,but I don't know the serial number.Unfortunately,I imagine that most of the Vietnam survivor series 1&2 OH-6A's were probably scrapped,but I have no real proof of this.67-16423 might still be hiding somewhere.Those were some tough machines.

I owe my life to flying in Loaches.If we'd been in OH-58's (we called them Death Rangers in the 1/9),I'd have been killed the first time that I was shot down.That was December 12th 1969 in 67-16143.I know where what was left of that OH-6 is located.I also agree with you that Cambodia was a bad place.By the way,I just checked out your website.Very nicely done.

mrhenniger · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:48 am

I dropped serial 67-16423 into the search engine...

http://users.rcn.com/jeremy.k/serialSearch.html

...for Joe Baugher's lists. It came up with...

67-16000 ... 67-16686 (EXACT MATCH)
Hughes OH-6A Cayuse

...but does not list the individual airframe 16423.

I would recommend contacting the Air Force Historical Studies Office. You can find the contact information via this link...

https://www.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil/f ... dcards.htm

I don't know if they would have the record card for an army airframe, but since they used the same numbering system, they might. From that card you may be able to determine the disposition. For contact info for other services visit...

http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/Links.php#ResearchAids

If anyone knows of an Army historical office where a request for a record card can be made please let me know.

Hopefully Andy Marden reads this thread. If your bird is displayed some place his book may list the serial number. I have a copy, but it doesn't allow you to search by serial number. You can find a link to where you can order a copy at...

http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/LocatorCredits.php

...just scroll down to "Books".

I hope this helps.

Mike

Whiskey 6 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:54 am

Larry,

The website is brand new and will be a work in progress forever.

I don't know if you looked at this OH6-A video.

Mail Call Video" A Must See. http://216.130.162.192/mailcall.htm

Whiskey 6 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 7:02 am

mrhenniger,

Thanks for the info, I'm on it.

N3Njeff · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:13 am

You never know where they are. Most of VTARNG Oh-6's ended up with Police Departments.

FAA registry shows nothing for 67-16423

Welcome Home!!

Whiskey 6 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 12:42 pm

Jeff ,
Thanks for the information. I located 4 OH-6A's that were in my Cav. unit. Two are privately owned, one is commercial for an electric company here in Florida and one is deregistration. It was a Border patrol helicopter that was destroyed. "My baby" tail # 67-16423 is not listed.

N3Njeff · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 5:06 pm

Hmmm wonder if that Border Patrol OH-6a is the same one that I had seen come in one day when I was doing a oil change on a Banner Cub.
He came in HOT and landed outside there fence at North Perry Airport, the pilot flying with no doors was a older gentilman with a Flight Suit packing a .45 in a shoulder holster. He climbs out and walks with a stern swagger with the blades still spinning down. OD helmet still on and Sun visor down. He was definat AIR CAV!!!!!!
I will never forget it.

Whisky 6. You ever mess with the truckers on QL19???? Thats the Highway that was in the higlands from Pleiku to Qui Nhon. I chat with those boys quite a bit. here is my site

http://linehaulrvn.tripod.com

N3Njeff · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 5:10 pm

Also got a good friend that is also CAV. 3/16 C troop. His bird, Ms Clawed is hanging up at Ft Rucker. He was crew chief/door gunner 71-72.

maxum96 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:38 pm

When I was a U.S. Border Patrol Agent I got the opportunity to fly in OH-6's. I even got the chance to get about 30 mins of stick time in one when the pilot let me fly it. What a blast! I know OH-6's were Vietnam vets as they had bullet hole patches! :shock:

Even though we had MD-500's and at that time new MD-600 NOTAR helos, the pilots all preferred the OH-6's. They said they were more nimble and faster than the newer birds.

Warbird Information Exchange

Where is my old OH6-A Tail # 67-16423 Vietnam Era?

Who is online