"AH-58D" Kiowa Warrior?

Trigger

Member since
February 2004
From: Moooooon River!

"AH-58D" Kiowa Warrior?

Posted by Trigger on Sunday, November 21, 2004 12:53 PM

I picked up that 1/35 OH-58D from my LMS the other day for $7.50 (!) and even though I won't get to work on it until next year some time, I'm starting research on it anyway (sometimes that's my favorite part!).

Anyway, I seem to recall reading about Kiowas operating in the Persian Gulf during the late 80s being painted black and designated AH-58, but otherwise being unchanged from your standard OH-58D. Is there any truth to that or is my memory faulty?

Thanks

------------------------------------------------------------------ - Grant "Can't let that nest in there..."

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Cobrahistorian

Member since
December 2002
From: Aaaaah.... Alpha Apaches... A beautiful thing!

Posted by Cobrahistorian on Sunday, November 21, 2004 3:09 PM

Trigger,

In US Army light divisions (10th Mtn, 82nd airborne, 25th ID) the OH-58D is tasked with all attack helo ops since they're smaller and easier to transport than the Apache. Usual armament is a 7-shot rocket pod or 2 Hellfires on the right side and a .50 cal MG on the left.

"1-6 is in hot"

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Trigger

Member since
February 2004
From: Moooooon River!

Posted by Trigger on Sunday, November 21, 2004 6:36 PM

Thanks for the help!

------------------------------------------------------------------ - Grant "Can't let that nest in there..."

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Rob Gronovius

Member since
December 2002
From: Fort Knox

Posted by Rob Gronovius on Monday, November 22, 2004 11:38 AM

You are correct. Several AH-58Ds operated off of US Navy warships during the Iran/Iraq war of the 1980s. This was at the same time when we reflagged Kuwaiti oil tankers to prevent them from being fired upon by both the Iranians and Iraqis. Another incident you may recall is the USS Stark being fired on by Iraqi Mirage fighters with Exocet missiles.

We used the Kiowa Warriors to attack several Iranian gunboats and the oil rig platforms they used as staging areas.

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Trigger

Member since
February 2004
From: Moooooon River!

Posted by Trigger on Monday, November 22, 2004 12:29 PM

Yup, that's what I was thinking of. I knew a lot about Prime Chance was declassified, but not much has been written about it (at least, to my knowledge).

So am I correct then, that the AH-58D is the same thing as an OH-58D?

------------------------------------------------------------------ - Grant "Can't let that nest in there..."