OH-58A Question

Rotorwash you may have hit the nail square on teh head. I will have to check the decal sheet tomorrow morning to confirm the serial number, but the the markings on the one with the sabers on the nose looks like the bird I am building! Thank you sir! BTW, it looks like those side armor panels off the seat are hinged, is that correct? I can scratch thos pretty easily I think...

BTW, I have rode in both, and much preferred the Hughes.

The OH-58A was found to be a very substandard replacement for the OH-6 very early in it's deployment to Vietnam.  In fact, I have yet to talk to a pilot who flew both that didn't immediately rate the OH-6 as a far superior machine.  That being said, most OH-58's were relegated to non-combat work such as ash and trash and ferrying personel.  here are afew pics.  As you can see the cav bird seems to be fitted for a recon mission.  Most photos I have seen of OH-58's flying in Vietnam have all the doors removed. However, you can see that the bird in the last pic has the doors installed, but is unarmed.  I have no idea which unit that is either as there are no markings on the helicopter visible.  Anyway, I hope these help.

 Ray