OV-10 Bronco at Reno

[wendovertom]

Dear All,

I was surprised to see the Specline OV-10 Bronco pictures from Reno! Cool plane - can anyone out there tell me more about this plane - will it be attending shows? Anyone have a contact number?

Thanks,

Tom P.

[Mike]

At Reno last month.....

[Tulio]

One or two years ago tops, there was an ad on the web, for at least one former Venezuelan AF OV-10.

Is this that airplane? It was being sold in Florida.


Saludos,


Tulio

[Rob Mears]

I simply love the OV-10!

Tulio, if you ever hear of any OV-10's coming up for sale south of the US border, please let me know. I'd hate to see a single airframe get scrapped that could otherwise have been saved.

[wendovertom]

I have a schematic and photo in an older "Modern Military Aircraft" book -(can't remember the editor) that shows the Bronco with a gun turret mounted under the chin. I wonder if that ever made it on to many production planes.

Tom P.

[TimAPNY]

I have a schematic and photo in an older "Modern Military Aircraft" book -(can't remember the editor) that shows the Bronco with a gun turret mounted under the chin. I wonder if that ever made it on to many production planes.

Tom P.

Was it a FLIR? I know the later models that the Marines used had them under the nose.

[wendovertom]

HUmmmm. . . I'll check but I could swear it was one of those small three barrel gatling type gun turrets. Seems likethe write up included a statement about the plane being redesigned for "brushfire" wars - perhaps the A-10 made the futher development unneccesary. Will check tonight.

Tom P.

[airnutz]

I have a schematic and photo in an older "Modern Military Aircraft" book -(can't remember the editor) that shows the Bronco with a gun turret mounted under the chin. I wonder if that ever made it on to many production planes.

Tom P.

Might try here Tom, all Bronco's all the time, lotsa FAC links too
www.ov-10bronco.net


Tulio,
This OV-10B (converted and liveried to a Marine SEA, A-model circa late
60's) is one of 2 former-German Air Force B-models owner Rick Clemens
imported.

Contact at: Specline at aol.com


The Bronco is yet another of my favorites...the ballsy little buzz-saw..
watched 'em fly outta North Island in the early 70's..marvelous machines!
Still wanna hang contra-Griffons on one when my Paul Allen day happens!
But of course to maintain the buzz-saw sound...Napier Sabre's would be
the only way to GO.

This aircraft is featured in the Oct. 2005 issue of air classics...

[airnutz]

edited in the correct bronco-site address, that's what the effin preview
button is for! Sorry for any confusion!

[Tulio]

Tom:

I have seen the photo that you mention (or was it an illustration?) and I recall the acronym being "NOGS" or something like that.

Rob, Guys:

From my files (no web address though)

Date: Sat, 07 Dec 2002 07:50:31 -0600

"We have acquired seven OV-10 airframes.

Three are former US Air Force A models that where damaged at Homestead AFB during hurricane Andrew. The other four were shipped in from Venezuela.

Two are OV-10 E's that were sold new to the Venezuelan Air force and two were former US Air Force A models.

Three of the four Venezuelan broncos received battle damage
during the 1992 Coup D'Etat attempt that was led by their current President, Hugo Chavez.

We have been acquiring Bronco parts for six years and finally have all of the necessary components to put together
the only flyable non government owned Bronco in the US."

"We also have a very good second project package that will include one good, nearly complete, OV-10A fuselage that was damaged in hurricane Andrew and one Venezuelan fuselage, with chain of title & data plate, that was damaged in Coup D'Etat. This project will also included two wing assemblies (one with minor damage and a second wing for parts), a complete set of flight controls, a complete set of landing gear, and a pair of damaged (but repairable) tail booms."


"Look for more information on our second project including pictures soon! "

"Interested "principles" [sic] only please contact Norman Earle (904) 692-5951"


Saludos,


Tulio

Apologies for the odd formatting of the text in the message.

Credit for the photos: Norman Earle.

[Tulio]

Some of the German OV-10s had a jet engine on top of the wing, correct? And were used as target tugs.

Now, NOGS: I was correct, Nigth Operations GunShip; two examples (not samples, please!) were delivered to the USMC.

Another good link:

http://www.warbirdalley.com/ov10.htm


Saludos,


Tulio

[Roger Cain]

This particular OV is part of a new squadron that's been forming in Carson City Nevada called the Cactus Air Force. They have around 10-11 warbirds in their stable, and also had a Cessna AT-37 wearing Vietnam markings at Reno also.

[Mike]

.........had a Cessna AT-37 wearing Vietnam markings at Reno also.

[Roger Cain]

Okay, you need to throw in a picture of the matching Skyraider too.

[Originalboxcar]

I have a schematic and photo in an older "Modern Military Aircraft" book -(can't remember the editor) that shows the Bronco with a gun turret mounted under the chin. I wonder if that ever made it on to many production planes.

Tom P.

Was it a FLIR? I know the later models that the Marines used had them under the nose.

quote from same site:

The OV-10 Night Observation Gunship (NOGS) was a USMC OV-10A modified to include a turreted FLIR sensor and turreted M-197 20-mm gun slaved to the FLIR aimpoint. Successful in combat in Vietnam, NOGS evolved into the NOS OV-10D, which included a laser designator.

regards,

t~