Flying the OV-10 Bronco. "Spike" Benyshek

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0:00 Intro - if you’re not familiar with Spike, you should be!!
3:00 Order of business
5:00 Introducing the OV-10
12:48 Intro to FAC
16:30 Genesis of the OV-10 as a FAC platform
22:41 The floater! - unrealised requirement
24:20 The wing and other aerodynamic quirks (and a minor principles of flight lecture!)
30:20 Back to the show and how Spike got into Broncos
37:45 An admission of having many funny stories - they need to be on YT too!
37:50 Patrick AFB - 549th
39:02 FAC-U and TASS-holes
42:10 Off to California and George AFB
47:50 A dirt simple airplane - fixed sight etc
50:50 Vegas baby!
54:10 A pretty sweet model!
55:35 Not for Afghanistan
57:00 Systems
58.38 Handling characteristics
1:04:45 FACing & Flying
1:06:45 Building the SA picture
1:10:00 OV-10 in European theatre?
1:11:55 Waiting for follow-on fighter assignment
1:14:20 Flag story…
1:24:25 The Best of the Best!

[@MikeC-ry1dk]

Liked the interview. Was assigned to the 20TASS in Vietnam, (1970-1971). The OV-10a couldn't maintain altitude on one engine. We lost two aircraft, (same crew each time), they found a valley that was a bathtub with no outlet. The first time they had one engine shot out and couldn't climb out. Had to eject. Two weeks later they had a repeat performance. When ejecting from an OV-10 you punch through the canopy. The seat has a rocket and all the wires for the instrument panel run under the seat. It really pissed off maintenance if a crew did a zero Zero eject and the aircraft survived. We had that happen twice. I loved the sound effects of Spike. In Vietnam I could identify an aircraft by the noise it made flying overhead. Our jeeps were M148s and we seldom used a trailer to carry radios. Always love to hear what the OV-10 did after Vietnam. I know one was shot down by an F-16 in South America.

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

Thanks, Mike! And yes, the OV-10 that was shot down was during an attempted coup in Venezuela. 😬😕 (Gunned him…ouch). I never knew this until just now: the Bronco pilot ejected, and survived! Venezuelan Air Force F-16, piloted by Lt. Beltran Vielma, shoots down a rebel OV-10 Bronco near El Libertador Air Base during the second coup attempt of 1992, on November 27. Vielma used the M61 Vulcan cannon of his F-16 to destroy the light attack aircraft. The rebel pilot, Lt. Carlos Mictil, ejected safely and was arrested later. The Venezuelan coup attempts of 1992 were attempts to seize control of the government of Venezuela by the Hugo Chávez-led Revolutionary Bolivarian Movement-200. The first coup attempt took place on 4 February 1992, and was led by Chávez. A second coup attempt on 27 November 1992, took place while Chávez was in prison but was directed by a group of young military officers who were loyal to the Revolutionary Bolivarian Movement-200. On 27 November 1992, the OV-10s were widely used by mutinous officers who staged the second attempted coup against former President Carlos Andrés Pérez. The rebels dropped bombs and launched rockets against police and government buildings in Caracas. Four Broncos were lost during the uprising.

[@MikeC-ry1dk]

@@brrrtbacheniraq873 I didn't know they lost 4. I may have worked on some of those OV-10s. I know I worked on the F-16s involved. They stopped at McDill AFB before delivery and we inspected them.

[@sharizabel2582]

In Vietnam one Lt Hill while flying the OV-10 landed and rescued one Lt Morehead. Later LtGen (Ret) Wally Morehead after retirement in 2006 ish became a mentor for one of the AF Wargames. Lt Hill, now Mr. Hill, was a contractor working that wargame. They hadn't seen each other since that rescue. I was the Deputy Director of the wargame. A small world.

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

That is awesome. Tactical aviation is a small world. 🙂

[@kenlanier2131]

Great video. I was a Parachute Rigger at Nellis 88-92. I was always intrigued by the OV-10 and A-10 (CAS mission). The 66 ARS (PJs) came to Nellis while I was there so we started working more with the ground folks. Later more CCT, TACP, SF folks. I know the battlefield is alot more complex now adays but I think it would be cool to still keep the OV-10 and A-10 in the toolbox.

[@goratgo1970]

Was phase mech. 35th 87-90 big hangar eastside. Loved seeing-hearing the Broncos and can hear the evening test runs on the line to this day. Only time I was their end of the flightline was using the hushhouse. Most bag on George, but I made the best of it and miss it all the time. Thanks both, good to learn the details of where you were flying!

[@silverwings1843]

I flew with a guy that had 3 tours in Nam as a FAC. The first 2 were in the Bronco. The last was in the Dragonfly. He said the Bronco was far superior for vicinity loiter, hanging in the tree tops for popup and for sure visibility. Also felt he could defend himself a bit. The Dragonfly was a whole different story in always fighting to stay close and visibility. Other than the small target marking rockets it was basically unarmed.

[@Nahlol72]

I cannot wait for an interview on other types Spike has flown !

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

😎 Thanks! Probably do a T-38 one next.

[@kenlanier2131]

LOL I like the story of the SJAFB F-4s sneaking up on the Patriots. I lived in Goldsboro (SJAFB) before joining the AF. They still had F-4s then before switching to F-15Es. Man I getting old.

[@billyking7397]

Thank you for the memories. I was stationed at George AFB in 1962 as a two striper. thank you for your service. I was newly married and 20 years old. Now at 82 enjoyed your presentation

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

Thanks, Billy, and thank YOU for your service! George was a special time for me, too. Sad place now, though. 🙁 I will have one more podcast on the T-38 sometime soon.

[@brianthomas9254]

Great interview! The OV-10 was my dad’s favorite airplane in Vietnam (recon marine in 70’) and he had great stories about it. I got to see them still flying in 93’ at MCAS New River :)

[@Tregrense]

Thanks Guys. An absolutely brilliant presentation. I hope for more from both of you.

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

Thanks! Planning on a T-38 episode in the near future.

[@robertsonjam]

All your guests are amazing Steve. Spike is no exception, what a guy; brilliant. Such rich content and sprinkled with humour. Absolutely superb.

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

Many thanks! 😌

[@REDMAN298]

I was stationed at Camp Pendleton in early `70s. There were a couple OV-10s. C-130s landed shorter than them.

[@laMoort]

Thank you very much for the history of ov-10 and all the stories, plus for all the sound FX adding to the ambiance! great job on the RC model btw. 😎 Looking forward for the t-38, cheers.🍻

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

My pleasure!

[@anthonymaddison9588]

The best aero interview channel on you tube, but i repeat myself.

[@garypiont6114]

The corvette if fix wings. Love it. Thanks

[@milesobrien2694]

This was THE BEST dissertation on an aircraft that has fascinated me for more than a decade. I have built scale models since I was 12, I'm now. I have built an OV-10 A AND an O2-A 1/48th scale! In fact I have one of each of these aircraft in the retail boxes ready to build again. For some reason I mostly do twin engine planes. I love the P3 Lightning, B26 Marauder, and various British 2 engine planes Thanks so very much for taking the time to do this. Most of the photos you showed I have never seen before.

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

Thanks, Miles! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@pjotrtje0NL]

7:19 the log was the Mark 6 (with various modifications). I believe the definitive one was the Mk.6 (Mod.3)

[@wkhelv]

Great video ! Spike comments that the civilian operated Bronco around 12 minutes in is operated in Germany, due to the markings, it is actually based in Belgium with Tony De Bruyn,operating at airshows as the Bronco Demo tem.

[@bb.1062]

Spike! Getting to this late but great to see you on the channel again. Awesome show on the OV-10. What an airplane! I remember sharing the traffic pattern with the Broncos when our F-4 B course was going through training. Your airspace brief brought back memories. I went super for the first time in what was then 4 West with Major King on a BFM separation. Wild parties at the house on Spring Valley Lake of Roy, Chip, Skippy and me! Cheers! 😂 🥃🍻

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

Thanks, Jason!! It’s been fun finding all the pics and auch to tell the story. Had overlooked the term “4 West.” 🙂Will be at least one more show in the works for the T-38. 😎

[@user-ck6dh2oy3g]

Thx for super video story. I was Aviation Ordnance (E-5) with OV-10 Marine Squadron VMO-4 at SANG MI from '69-'75. Had a few hrs backseat time but never blew my lunch.

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

Thanks, and you are a man of steel! 😎😝👍🏻

[@sedlo]

I imagine the airborne FAC has got to be one of the most complex jobs in the airforce. Keeping SA, juggling 3 radios and flying the aircraft all at the same time. And, yeah, I think you joined the right service ;)

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

😎😝 And: FIVE radios! UHF, VHF, 2 FM, and HF!!

[@sedlo]

@@brrrtbacheniraq873 yikes!

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

@@sedlo 😝👍🏻

[@nickforster748]

Agreed, I had my hands full in a 2 seat fighter-bomber let alone dealing with what the FAC(A) had to contend with! Respect!

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

@@nickforster748 We’d sometimes mockingly say “Time-Life books operator, how may I help you?” 😂

[@wrap239]

Holy crap Spike! I’m in that picture! It’s been 40 years! Good interview.

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

😝 Which picture?!?!?

[@wrap239]

@@brrrtbacheniraq873 The class photo from the 549th at 38:10. I’m the 24 year old buffoon trying to do what looks life a Fonz impression!😂

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

@@wrap239 🤣 Well, not sure which one qualifies as the Fonz…3rd from the right?

[@wrap239]

That’s the one! Yeah, not a stand out impersonation. Should have said the guy that looks like a clown 🤡 😅

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

@@wrap239 😝👍🏻What did you fly after the Bronco, and what are you doing now? 🙂

[@Aruchan16]

Unbelievable stories ! Thank you both of you !

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

Thanks!

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

For all: This is “Part 2” of the Bronco video. It was so long, Steve took the cockpit tour (middle portion) and made it a separate video. And, I made the cursor bigger for the audience, but somehow, in the Zoom process, it ended up small on Steve’s computer.

[@IWSFODD]

Thanks Spike! I am 1/3 through and I had to pause because there are so many good info that required some brain focus, which I can't share with work at the moment. This deserve a full dedicated time for itself. Also, if able, we would be very happy to see you in our little "circus" on Discord where Starbaby definitely talks some mad shit that needs to be tamed!

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

@@IWSFODD Thanks!

[@matthayward7889]

Outstanding video, thank you!

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

@@matthayward7889 Thanks, Matt!

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

@@matthayward7889 Thanks!

[@jakeb7087]

Good video. The interesting tail design was also required because it is the same height of a trucks bed. So you can back the truck up to the tail and push whatever you needed to carry. My grandfather flew with the 20th TASS in Da Nang in ‘72. I am also a member of the OV-10 Bronco Association and volunteer with the Ft Worth Aviation Museum which houses two Broncos and the original wooden Mockup that was designed.

[@jakeb7087]

Tony De Bruyn did not die in his crash a few years ago, but he did get beat up really bad.

[@albonyo]

@@jakeb7087 hi jake.theres an elusive independent ov-10 bronco documentary where kp Rice is interviewed . Might you know the title?

[@jakeb7087]

@@albonyo “In a 2009 video documentary (made as a thesis for a master of fine arts degree by a student at the University of North Texas)” Looks like it was a thesis. You may check “One Tough Bird” as well

[@albonyo]

​@@jakeb7087thanks it's titled "one tough ride". I can only see a trailer though.where can I stream it?

[@jakeb7087]

@@albonyo that’s it! And I’m not sure to be honest

[@mattbushman9622]

Steve that was one of your best out of all your amazing content, Spike is one helluva storyteller, gives Paco a run for his money 🍺😊

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

😝 Thanks! The episode was broken into two parts due to length. The middle portion is the cockpit tour…also up on 10% this week!

[@jcheck6]

@@brrrtbacheniraq873 Great vid Spike, I was part of the initial group from DMAFB (23rd TASS) that went TDY to George in the early '80's to set up the 27th TASS. Was the 602nd Wg/CC's IP in the OA-37. Every UPT guy was guaranteed a fighter as you mentioned and our guys got what they wanted. All now are retired airline captains.

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

@@jcheck6 Did you ever know John Lambo Lamb? Great bud of mine, and a zillion hours in the SuperTweet…including 400 combat sorties. 😲 I know he flew the A-37 at DM, but I can’t remember what years. Phlew Phantoms with him at Spang.

[@jcheck6]

@@brrrtbacheniraq873 Everyone knows Lambo! He was at DM with me '81-85 and gave me a quick AAR check out in the Dragonfly. I flew RF-4C previously (Zweibrucken). Friend saw him recently and said he was having some health issues but still active. Didn't know he went back to the F-4 and glad you had a tour in Germany...great assignment.

[@jcheck6]

BTW, had orders for Sembach but at Patrick they asked if I would go to DM instead for the "new" A-37's...they didn't have to ask twice.

[@migalito1955]

Nice narrative. I actually like the job of FAQ. I'd probably even place it #1 on my dreamsheet....

[@stevyb1958]

Nicely done. Very interesting.

[@scottherrmann9050]

FANTASTIC INTERVIEW! Well done, Spike! I was stationed at GAFB from '84-'88. P.O.L. We almost cooked a Bronco while refueling a center line tank!! Gotta love those "Over-the-wing" hoses & grounding cables! Operational Readiness Exercises were the most fun in the desert whilst donning a chem suit... I've a '93 Jeep Cherokee that I've themed as a Wild Weasel, complete w/ TAC tail emblem, MIG kill stars & ejection seat triangles at each window! Did you do an additional interview w/ Spike regarding his F-4 WW days?

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

Thanks, Scott! Yes, look in the description above. One is a cockpit tour, and another is flying in Desert Storm, with me narrating lots of pictures (and stories).

[@stuartb9194]

Spike rules! Thanks guys, very entertaining

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

Thanks! 😎

[@michaelallen1396]

I saw the parachute exit at El Toro, the OV-10 put on a good show.

[@jimmcmichael9383]

Nice video bro. Good job

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

Thanks, Gweed!

[@forthwithtx5852]

Loved it!

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

Thanks!

[@garypiont6114]

As a peon I like the canopy.

[@gascan1201]

You mentioned D.L. Hendricks Spike.....he and dad flew together in the Cheetahs before he went to TASS land. We had been stationed with he and his family at Moody, and at Holloman. Loved that life

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

DL was a hoot to work with and a great guy. Chicken Funderburk was also in the squadron. As a Lt, he was a FAC in Vietnam…and killed a TANK with a Willy Pete during the Tet Offensive…his shot went in the driver’s hatch!!

[@gascan1201]

@@brrrtbacheniraq873 that is awesome. Loved seeing those Broncos enter the pattern at George, they looked cool when pitching out. Did my FAA commercial written out there in 2016. I think the FBO is in the old 21st building. Before DL left, he was the scheduler, his office was by the duty desk. Floor plan had changed, but that office was still there. I think DL had mentioned the 100+ pilots in the TASS. He got stuck taking up an Academy senior when he was still in F-4s, he said the kid screamed the entire takeoff roll, lol

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

@@gascan1201 😝👍🏻 that sounds like DL!

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

@@jcheck6 Air Force even did a story in him in a magazine….might even be able to find it online. 😎

[@boggy8557]

Great interview. Thanks for your time, effort and entertainment Spike. I was wondering , would you log backseater time in the Bronco? If so, would that be logged as P2 time?

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

We would share the Primary time, based upon how much each guy flew…I’d say 60/40, favoring the FCP guy.

[@boggy8557]

@@brrrtbacheniraq873 thanks Spike. Oh , you may know this guy: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJqVmJ6oipumiM0si=KscAD6TXkNTAL15M

[@boggy8557]

@@brrrtbacheniraq873 thanks Spike! Oh, there is an interview at the Aircrew Interview channel with Garry Goff about the OV-10. There is also a guy on KZbin called Russ Barlow who did some reviews on OV-10 flight simulator models and showed the Sambach airbase with some interesting pics and stories. You may know both of them. I tried posting the links here but KZbin won't let me.

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

@@boggy8557 I know Gary; we overlapped at George AFB for a year or so. 😎👍🏻

[@boggy8557]

Hi Spike, I have a nerdy , ops question. When FACcing for fast jets, with such a big speed difference between the OV-10 and the fast movers how would you time the rocket mark to ensure deconfliction? Would you use rules of thumb like 8 NM/minute for the fast mover, and have him hold at 8-10 NM then tell him to push as you roll in to mark? What about off target maneuvering? Would you clear the target in the opposite direction as you've instructed the cas a/c for deconfliction?

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

Excellent questions! Really, the answer depends on whether it was low-threat, or high-threat CAS. High Threat: Fighter would hold 10 or so miles from the fight. The FAC would give him a specific Initial Point (IP) and heading to the target. We knew roughly where he’d be, and we would avoid that axis. If we gave him a specific pull-off direction, that also added to the deconfliction. We might ask him to “call inbound.” (Departing the IP). With that call, we might then decide when or if to shoot. Typical fighter speeds, 8 or 9 miles a minute….not a great difference if the target run was 10 miles or less. We might throw a smoke for high threat, typically by Loft (shooting upwards; say 30 degrees). But, accuracy there would be poor. If we could chance popping up to assess the smoke, we could tell the fighter to call departing the IP, pop ourselves, and tell him the correction. But as I recall, high threat WPs were not common. Low Threat: have the fighters orbit in an area, or altitude, where they could observe, but not be threatened. FAC rolls in and marks, applies corrections (“Hit 100 meters West of my smoke”), and tell the fighters where the FAC would be, or which way we wanted them to go. Smokes for Low Threat were a given, unless we were out of smokes.

[@boggy8557]

@@brrrtbacheniraq873 thanks Spike. Very interesting. So if you did need to mark the target with willy Petes/smoke would you do your run in , lay down the smoke/fire the WP and then once you're off target make the call for the CAS aircraft to run in? Or was it generally done differently? How long would a WP rocket smoke last for? The other thing that I find fascinating about the FAC(a) role is the ability to do your own attack with WP, assess the direction and distance to the target and relay that to the CAS units. All this whilst flying . I'm in awe.

[@boggy8557]

I probably best read the JP3-09.3 FAC(a) chapter. 😉

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

@@boggy8557 😝😎👍🏻🎯

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

@@boggy8557 In low threat CAS, we’d tell the fighters we were rolling in to mark, shoot, and get out of the way. They would generally be close enough, they could see it hit. Time of flight on the rocket was probably 10-15 seconds. Bang and small explosion/fire, then a well-defined white cloud of smoke….which would change quickly, depending on wind. It would both move…and dissipate into a large blob. I would say under the best of conditions, the smoke was only good for 30 seconds. In high winds, maybe just 5 seconds…he’d need to see it hit. For high threat, where it might take about a minute for the fighters to run in from the IP, if they gave a “departing IP” call, we could assess when or if to pop up and shoot a smoke. But as I said, we often didn’t or couldn’t in high threat. Loft rockets could go about 3-4 miles when I was flying the Bronco, but right after I left, the unit got Canadian rockets (CRV7, I believe they were called), and they could go 5-7 miles. Time of flight on a loft was closer to 30-40 seconds.

[@larrysouthern5098]

FAC University.............. Yep... 😮

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

😎😝👍🏻🎯

[@averagejoe1943]

The only reason why Mach is said around the OV-10 is for laughs!

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

😝

[@garypiont6114]

Why were the wing ends so abrupt?

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

Because: (1) easier/cheaper to manufacture, and (2) for an aircraft with low wing-loading, vortice-losses at the tips are relatively small.

[@garypiont6114]

@@brrrtbacheniraq873 thanks, I thought it might be for strength

[@blindtrace7220]

Why not a biplane?

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

Too slow, and lower wing would limit visibility of targets on the ground. 👍🏻😎

[@garypiont6114]

Why so many gauges? Egads

[@brrrtbacheniraq873]

One for everything that needs to be monitored!! 🤷‍♂😎😝

[@morrisdyer9560]

That is what happened in Ukraine some of the Patriotic batteries

[@royalaxe]

it wasnt hard to find, but next time can you put a link in the video when you mention another video by a pilot?

[@10percenttrue]

It’s in the description

[@morrisdyer9560]

Ha, comrade. army here don't be a woooose. Out there camping by your self with others