The OV-10 Bronco: Designed by Marines, Built for COIN Ops

The OV-10 Bronco is a unique airplane in military aviation. An Observation/Light Attack aircraft, the Bronco served for decades and was especially effective in Counterinsurgency or COIN operations. Learn about the development, operational history, and interesting features of this flying horse.
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Credits/Attributions:
"The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement."
Department of Defense
Northrop Grumman
Lockheed Martin
Boeing
Raytheon
Pratt & Whitney
General Electric
German OV-10 Bronco: Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
3D animations are produced by me, Tog. Some Scenes were made using Digital Combat Simulator (DCS) You can download it for free here:
www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/
Bronco OV-10 mod used: splitair.gumroad.com/l/fwzxn
Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of the DOD, any government or company, now you know!
- Tog
#OV10 #Bronco #COIN

[@PilotPhotog]

Use promo code KZbin to get 5% off any model on the Thomas Gunn website, you can see the full range of models here: www.jumpthegunn.co.uk/

[@aking-plums6985]

Great video as usual. Daft question, how much input do pilots have when new planes are being designed?

[@PilotPhotog]

@@aking-plums6985 thank you and my guess is that pilots get involved at some point in the process. Especially test pilots.

[@barryborton6732]

Bien Hoa pronounced Ben Wah

[@dogfightdiary5712]

On a day patrol off Hill 55 in early 1971, our squad of Marines got caught out in an open area of sand and were pinned down on the opposite side of the Arizona Territory at the Song Vu Gia river by an NVA ambush. The arty on hill 55 almost hit us with Willie Peter. I called for air support and got an OV-10 out of Da Nang with the callsign "HOSTAGE FANG." After he understood what side of the river we were on, he said, "Put your heads down, gents. This stuff bounces." He then proceeded to blast that side of the river and after that we were able to walk away without another hostile shot being fired at us. Brother, if you are out there and see this, many thanks. I will never forget. L/Cpl. P. D. "Gov" Regan, Mco 3/1 1st MARDIV. 👍

[@painmt651]

Demoed Fi!

[@thetdchannel]

Good story!

[@johnmoriarty6158]

@dogfightdiary5712 One of my relatives call sign was Hostage Six. VMO-2

[@simtalkayak]

So.. am I the only one that thinks that utilitarian vehicles are aesthetically pleasant ?

[@GeorgeRuffner-iy7bm]

No! 🙈🙉🙊 😎 🇺🇸

[@PilotPhotog]

Not at all, I think the OV-10 is a beautiful airplane and very much enjoyed making this video - thanks for commenting!

[@donrush5311]

Nope. My favorite plane for most of my life was the DC-3/C47.

[@michaelslack4937]

Nope

[@bobverick]

A-10, OV-10, A-29 are all beautiful aircraft.

[@leolyon2373]

My brother Leon served two tours in Vietnam in the back seat of an 0V10. Unfortunately, he and his pilot were killed in South Korea, in 1978, while on deployment. Thank you for for remembering. Rest in peace Lt. Leon Gingras.

[@PilotPhotog]

Rest in peace Lt. Leon Gingras and thank you for sharing

[@BillyJ244]

I'm sorry for the loss of your brother. May he rest in peace. God bless all of the veterans.

[@kennethbrooks4425]

RIP to your Warrior brother.

[@leolyon2373]

@@kennethbrooks4425 Thank you on behalf of my brother and my family.

[@TheUsmc0802]

I promise you, no one has forgotten about the bronco!!!!

[@brianb-p6586]

I don't know how it could be forgotten... I can't go a week without seeing OV-10 Bronco videos in my KZbin suggestions and posts in by Facebook feed.

[@jerrymclean8075]

Im glad they are bringing back the videos on the OV-10! They need to bring it back!! and live by the words if its not broke then dont fix it !​@@brianb-p6586

[@giantfactory]

I haven't. Then again, I never even knew about it till now...

[@whyjnot420]

As shown by another reply, it is simply unknown by some people and you can't forget what you never knew. A lot of people. I get why. As awesome as it looks to anyone who knows what it is for, it really isn't anywhere near as sexy as an A-10 or AH-64 or really any other attack style platform. Not when a person is making some video that just needs something catchy (youtube, tv, streaming, doesn't matter, anything even just some random website). Especially once you get things that are so ludicrously iconic as brrrrrrrrrrrt.

[@TexanUSMC8089]

Semper Fi. I saw Ov-10's flying in the 80's. It was always fun watching how maneuverable they were.

[@willdavis7966]

The Bronco is not forgotten... Only improperly utilized. Semper Fi 🇺🇸

[@doughoward6401]

Saw one do a zippy run in Vietnam!!! Never forget it !!! Loved it .

[@CorePathway]

Sure seems like they would have been perfect in A-Stan.

[@johnarnold893]

@@CorePathway Maybe not since the Afghans had Manpads which the Cong didn't.

[@CorePathway]

@@johnarnold893 well, it’s a drone world now

[@higgs923]

I had the privilege of serving with VAL-4, the Black Ponies, in 1971-'72. The OV-10 still has a place in my affection. It was the most willing little aircraft.

[@PilotPhotog]

My thanks to you for your service, and the highest praise I can ever receive is from individuals such as yourself who were there and served with these incredible machines.

[@dogfightdiary5712]

I salute you, sir. Semper Fi! 👍

[@fearless_ambassador_ambo]

From the son of a HAL-3 Seawolf - thanks for your service. My pop was there at Binh Thuy at roughly the same time.

[@AlistairGale]

@@dogfightdiary5712 don’t you get tired of saluting the military industrial complex?

[@pablopeter3564]

Thanks for your service Sir. Greetings from Mexico City.

[@Broticulus]

I remember this plane very well. My father worked at North American Aviation in Columbus Ohio and was a wing fabricator for the OV-10 and many many other aircrafts. During the Vietnam War, I was in junior high in 1965 when my father first started mentioning him working on this plane. By the time I reached high school in 1968 as a 15 year old, with cousins, uncle and a brother all fighting in "Nam", I had a lot of interests in the machinery and equipment used to fight that war. I felt proud my Dad was helping to contribute to that effort. I joined the Air Force in 1972 and my father continued his efforts in building aircrafts that helped fight that war.

[@robkirk6623]

My father and uncle worked there also. Remember seeing them being built in the high bay area during open house at the plant.

[@anthonyhayes1267]

Did your dad happen to know a man named John Hayes? He was my grandfather and worked there as well.

[@BMF6889]

I was a US Marine platoon commander in Vietnam 1968-1969 and the OV-19 occasionally supported us by controlling airstrikes on enemy positions that were difficult for us to observe from our ground positions. Loved when an OV-10 was overhead.

[@PilotPhotog]

Thank you for your service, Marine! My father was US Army 66-68, you were there during the thick of it. I am glad the OV-10 helped you and your fellow Marines on the ground and your comment - from someone who was there - is the very best kind of feedback I can get.

[@PilotPhotog]

Thank you for your service, Marine! My father was US Army 66-68, you were there during the thick of it. I am glad the OV-10 helped you and your fellow Marines on the ground and your comment - from someone who was there - is the very best kind of feedback I can get.

[@henriyoung3895]

WELCOME HOME. SGT DOUG, RECON, 101ST, RVN 68-69 LZ SALLY

[@backandforthupanddow]

Great video, but the comments from vets sharing their personal experiences is pure gold.

[@PilotPhotog]

Thank you and to me that’s the best indicator that I did an airplane justice in my videos, I am honored by them sharing their experiences here. Thanks for commenting!

[@hanschristianben505]

much thanks for making this video! my dad flew OV-10s for the Philippine Air Force before he honorably left the service to fly as a civilian, and I was able to watch them fly in and out of our home air base almost on a daily basis, and even get to enjoy seeing annual live fire demos 🤩🤩 the particular plane that bore his name when it first arrived in the PAF fleet (ex USAF 67-14636) is still flying to this day, and has been wired to employ GBU-49 laser JDAMs... one of the planes in the PAF fleet that he also flew, ex USAF 67-14639, was actually one of the planes that exchange pilots from the RAAF flew during the Vietnam War, and was one of the air assets employed during the infamous BAT21 CSAR mission... after 639 was prematurely retired due to extensive airframe corrosion, the PAF donated the airplane to the Australian War Memorial museum in Canberra, where it was fully restored for display, painted back into the original USAF scheme it wore during the conflict...

[@1975KyleDavid]

I'd love to own one of these for their simplicity. They are truly beautiful.

[@slartybarfastb3648]

Gotta be fun to fly as well.

[@MrAjmay1]

Saw one for sale at Oshkosh 2 years ago.... If I had the kind of "FU money", I would absolutely love one.

[@bobwilson758]

Two buds , traveling in real twin performance ! Wouldn’t that be cool ? Personal urine bottle is necessary - Now , if I can get my AV - Nut brother in-law to fork over his half !

[@bobwilson758]

I would think of-10 had AM receiver also - Very handy to catch the game ! 😊

[@bobwilson758]

They did more than just mark an area with those w/p rockets !

[@secondhandlyon2603]

The OV-10 to me is one of the most interesting aircraft designs ever.

[@tomclayton6875]

Like they said 'the Swiss Knife of the air'.

[@FlightSimHistorian]

We have three Broncos at the museum where I work (including one of the original factory mock-ups), one of which is painted in memory of Captain Steven Bennett, the only Bronco pilot to be a recipient of the Medal of Honor.

[@PilotPhotog]

Thanks for commenting, what museum? I'd love to visit and see a real-life OV-10

[@FlightSimHistorian]

Fort Worth Aviation Museum in Fort Worth, Texas.

[@glenn_r_frank_author]

I have seen the Cal Fire (California's Wild Fire Service) OV-10s acting as aerial spotters and guide planes for the larger water tanker planes which drop water and retardant on wildfires here! Love the OV-10... great second life in the fire-fighting role!

[@danmiller7079]

My wife and I were driving through Hemet, Ca. the other day when we saw a CalFire OV-10 Bronco taking off from Hemet airport. She asked me what kind of plane it was and I said “That’s an OV-10 Bronco, one of the best planes the Corps used during Vietnam”. I was a L/CPL aboard Camp Hansen Okinawa from 3/75 to 4/76 and had OV-10s flying over our training all the time. We even had a couple land on the USS New Orleans (LPH-11) when we were at sea. They were some cowboys for sure. I saw those boys push that plane around like nothin. Uhrahhhh! Semper Fi!

[@spikespa5208]

Hearing one circling the area around my home with, S-2ATs nearby, is an attention getter in the summer. But sure glad the CAL FIRE air attack bse base is only 5 miles away

[@schmittbox7616]

When CalFire switched from the O-2 Skymaster to the Bronco, our Air Attack Officers’ biggest complaint was that they would arrive over the fire scene before they had time to get their maps out.

[@coser293]

​@schmittbox7616 My uncle had a civilian skymaster. Haven't seen anybody talk about it besides an O-2 being at the Dayton Air Force Museum in one of the hanging displays. Always gives me joy seeing someone mention it so they're not completely forgotten

[@capt2be]

Great piece. Love the ridiculous versatility of the Bronco. Grew up seeing it at a base near my home. Bien Hoa = “Be-in wha” in the north and “Bean wha” in the south.

[@GeorgeRuffner-iy7bm]

I always remember hearing "Ben- wah". 🙈🙉🙊 😎 🇺🇸

[@capt2be]

@@GeorgeRuffner-iy7bm Agreed. I think that’s the pronunciation our American troops adopted.

[@robertweldon7909]

I just happen to be one of the Navy Aviation Ordnance men (AO) who worked on the OV -10 (I was assigned to VS-41) when the first 2 Broncos were delivered (air frame numbers 155470 and 155472) to the Navy. I don't think that there is an AO who worked on Bronco's that did not enjoy the experience. VAL- 4 went on to be the best known OV-10 squadron, I am proud to have been a small part in their history. The Navy still has an OV-10. 155472 now lives at the Navy Air Museum in Pensacola, Florida. I don't know if this is still true, but 155470 was at one time used for mosquito suppression in, I believe, the coastal area of South Carolina, as it was, minus the M-60's. Very nice video, ;-)

[@higgs923]

Spent some time in VS-41 FRAMP on my way to Vietnam. You folks did a great job. It was fun for me because I finally was able to work on a Stoof.

[@robertweldon7909]

When were you there? I was at VS-41 1/1967 thou 9/1969

[@longrider42]

But them Skeeters down there are pretty big, might want them guns back :)

[@robertweldon7909]

@@longrider42 very funny

[@stevengilbert3530]

I can confirm that the OV-10 is currently used in South Carolina. A bit unnerving the first time it came over at what seemed like a very low altitude- the county (Beaufort) lets people know when it will be operating.

[@mrico523]

COIN is the least of our worries since we've found out that the age of full-scale war is back. That being said, the Bronco was an awesome piece of kit 😁

[@sambojinbojin-sam6550]

I don't know. It wouldn't take much to have shaped radio jammers on it, just crashing UAVs out of the sky. There's better platforms for that, but if push came to shove, the Bronco might ride again in some role.

[@Yuki_Ika7]

i adore the OV-10, one of my favorite planes of the Vietnam war era

[@raymondswenson1268]

I worked at US Forces Japan from 1980-1983. In 1982, a flight of two OV-10s was flying in formation from Osan Air Base, Korea to Yokota Air Base, Tokyo, Japan, to participate in the annual Yokota Air Show. As the approached the coast of Jaoan, they ran into thick clouds and the wingman l9st sight of the lead plane. Rather than pull away to ensure separation, the wing pilot got obsessed with switching to instrument flight, allowing his plane to drift too close to the lead plane, his left propeller cutting the right tail.boom of the lead plane. The lead plane came apart, pitching nose down. The pilot hit the ejection seats, but in that odd attitude the parachute for the passenger (a TSgt maintenance crew member being rewarded for outstanding performance) got wrapped around the ejection rocket of his seat and.burned up. It took about 5 minutes for him to fall to earth. The wing plane's engine came apart and the crew ejected. I served as legal advisor to the aircraft accident investigation board comvened by the brigadier general commanding USFJ/ 5th Air Force.

[@AlbertSantoso]

Growing up in Indonesia, I love the OV-10 Bronco. It was one of the first aircrafts I learnt about. Thank you for making this video.

[@PilotPhotog]

Thank you, very happy that you enjoyed my video.

[@exsanguinenation]

I always wanted a Bronco. I think it'd make a blast of a civil aircraft.

[@jeffreyzaleski412]

I remember this from my PJ RESCUE OF DAYS IN VIETNAM. It was a small but very durable ACFT.. TOOK A LOT OF BALLS TO FLY ONE IN MY OPINION.

[@PilotPhotog]

Thank you for your comment and for your service, PJ rescue takes a lot of intestinal fortitude as well - cheers!

[@scallopohare9431]

Those pilots were said to be the best of the best. Only a few hundred such craft.

[@thegeneral5716]

My father was a Mustang & served 26 yrs in the Corps (Enlisted at 17 & was a B.A.R. Gunner in Korea & Retired a Maj after two tours in Vietnam w/ 4th Bat/12th Mar/3rd Mar Div '66-'67 & 4th Bat/11th Mar/1st Mar Div '70-71') and I loved and remember in the late 60's & early 70's him taking us often to watch the Bronco's operating at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, Orange County, CA. As we lived at US Navy/USMC Pacific Heights Housing Annex, San Pedro, CA., which now is USAF Housing Annex, Pacific Heights.

[@PilotPhotog]

Thanks to him for his service - I hope this video brought back some fond memories for you. If I ever start another channel the B.A.R. and John Browning would definitely be a topic I'd explore in a video. Greetings from Texas!

[@killerkane1957]

I assure you, Victor Charles will never forget the Bronco.

[@rainsilversplash4376]

Never worked on or flew an OV-10, but as a flight sim enthusiast, the OV-10 has always been one of my favorite aircraft. Its striking appearance first attracted me, but the performance of the craft in simulation kept me coming back for more.

[@ogearbox6132]

I was a Marine rigger for OV-10’s serving with VMO-6 out of MCAS Futema OK in 74-75. This was a great plane and I was fortunate to fly many test hops on it. It was a joy to fly and a few of my fellow pilots allowed me to have a hand at flying them. Very cool lil bird indeed.

[@steveparsons6324]

We must have served together. I was in VMO 6 from Dec ‘74 to Jan 76. Was Leonard your NCOIC. I still have the infamous VMO 6 Christmas Cards from 74 and 75. Edit: that may have been Bill Leopold. It was a long time ago.

[@byronharano2391]

I saw this aircraft flying a lot as a child in Hawai'i. My uncle who was still fighting in Vietnam told me about this wonderful aircraft. 💖

[@williambarnebee40]

I grew up at Camp Pendleton. I lived seeing these flying all over.

[@anthonyglickman6245]

Used to see these occasionally over our house in SoCal in the mid and late 1980s. Always low enough to see the pilots wave.

[@gulfmarine8857]

I was VMO-2 Marine. Seat shop. It's a great bird.

[@williambarnebee40]

@@gulfmarine8857 my dad was the Flight Surgeon for VMO-2 back in the day.

[@densealloy]

When I was a Camp Pendleton in the early 1990s, it was so cool to see an OV-10 pull up into a climb and see a bunch of Recon Bubba's parachute out the back. Very cool aircraft.

[@rojoloco3911]

Haha awesome! I was in BCo. 1/1 outta Camp Horno 90-96. As I was watching this video I was thinking Jesus I think I remember seeing a couple of these things dropping a couple guys out the back… No maybe I’m making that up?? Then I saw your comment.Semper Fi.

[@johngalt2506]

The Nevada Division of Forestry used it as well. There was a privately owned one based at Carson City Airport i used to see flying around from time to time.

[@timbaskett6299]

There are a few with the NIFC (National Interagency Fire Center) in Boise, ID. In my opinion, this is the best non military use for the Bronco.

[@troybullard9631]

I've seen quite a few OV-10's flying over "hot spots" in California sporting CDF paint jobs.

[@richwalter3107]

Ok. Was a great airplane in its day... So, take a look at the OV 1 MOHAWK.

[@slartybarfastb3648]

Back in the 90s, DynCorp was granted a contract to spray the coca fields of Colombia (and possibly other ops) to deny the FARC of their revenue sources. DynCorp decided surplus OV-10s were the platform of choice. They also determined Daytona to be the ideal midpoint for refueling and staging. It was two years of Daytona becoming a defacto base for OV-10 operations. They have a distinct sound of high RPM props with 60s jet screech. Coincidentally, this was also around the period when Daytona was also a primary base for post-Hurricane Andrew relief efforts. Those efforts saw massive use of CH-47 Chinooks flying in and out in long streams of 12 or more. It was a great time to be an aviation freak.

[@MichaelDonahue-kn8tg]

Being assigned to VMO-4 from 1977-1980 , thanks.

[@joshtroutman1462]

My dad was an U.S.M.C. avionics tech around 1970 or so. He worked on the OV-10, AH-1 Cobra and KC-130. He has many fond memories of those aircraft.

[@grob25]

I got to see them, once, in the early 90's. I was awestruck when I saw them.

[@C.Mc.]

The OV-10 has always been one of my favorite aircraft. When I was a kid, my older sister bought me a "Wings of the Marines" book as a gift. The OV-10 was featured heavily in the pages. At first I was surprised that the Marines were still flying a boring old "prop job". To my preteen mind, jets were way cooler. But even still, I found myself trying to learn everything that I could about the strange little twin engine aircraft, the bronco. Learning about anything aviation related was much harder in the pre-internet era. According to everything that I could find at the time, many pilots didn't consider the bronco to be as sexy as a jet, but they loved flying the bronco anyway. Mainly because of it's mild flying characteristics, and it's unrivaled versatility. I was hooked. I remember going to an air show with my dad, and a few broncos were there. I bee lined straight to them. My dad was like, "what about the AV8b harrier"? Nope, I didn't care, I had to see the bronco in person! It was an awesome experience, I will never forget seeing it and talking to the pilots. I wanted to fly it! I have loved it ever since. My mind always imagined WW2 scenarios, where an OV-10 somehow found itself in the Pacific, fighting alongside the Corsairs. Kids will imagine the craziest things.

[@mothmagic1]

One of the most underappreciated aircraft ever built. Definitely earned its spurs. One very valid comment in this is "the value of a human in the decision chain. Humans can react to unexpected situations and make decisions on the fly which AI can't.

[@pinoruggiero1805]

Incredible, thank you for bringing this very well done informative piece of flying history. I wasn’t aware of the OV-10. I truly enjoyed watching, I could have taken in a whole lot more info. Again thank you us, the ones that didn’t know about this amazing aircraft.

[@PilotPhotog]

Glad you enjoyed it, and I am glad you learned about a new airframe - aviation is fascinating and I will work on finding more unusual aircraft to make videos of. Cheers!

[@markcollins2666]

As a military aircraft, I'm afraid that the Bronco's day is done. The Philippines are phasing them out, replacing them with Super Tocanos. They are maxed out in weight, decreasing performance. And there is the unfortunate fact that no aircrew has ever survived ditching one.

[@slartybarfastb3648]

They're also 65 years old.

[@txvet7738]

I would have to disagree, if you modernize a Bronco to today standards, it would be a better performing and economical option over the Tucano in my opinion. Just look at the AH-1, UH-1, and CH-47s, all have been and still are being upgraded and are far superior than when they first came out!

[@paulsteaven]

​@@txvet7738the problem is, North American is no longer existing unlike Bell and Boeing to make a new version of OV-10 Bronco. COIN aircrafts were dominated by Embraer's Super Tucano.

[@massmike11]

North American is part of Boeing now.

[@markcollins2666]

@@txvet7738, that depends on who, if anyone, is willing to do it. The Philippine Air Force wasn't. The last ejector seat modification added 1,600 pounds to the airframe, maxing it out. Too much time and effort, to modify, when they could simply buy brand new, and at a sweet price, at that. And that last niggling little "fun fact", was the final straw, that truly hung the millstone around the Bronco's neck, here. And keep in mind that two civil wars are happening here, one against ISIS, the other against Communists. The PAF has no time to wait around.

[@Warlock2018a]

VMO-2 at Camp Pendleton was my first parent squadron in 1983. I was an Avionics Tech stationed at Camp Pendleton. We would watch the OV-10's dropping Marine paratroopers out of the back of the broncos. They would remove the rear hatch and put 5 Paratroopers in the back tunnel. The last guy had his feet and legs hanging out the back. The pilot would fly along level and when it was time to drop the paratroops he would pull up sharply allowing the 5 Marines to slide out the back.

[@polaris5250]

I was with MALS-39 from 89-93 & 96-98 and deployed with VMO-2 to Oki as they were being decommissioned. When they flew over Area 33 (Magaritta?), we would have to look away so they wouldn't fall out of the sky! 🤣 j/k. They sounded like flying lawnmowers. Also, I seem to remember more D models than A during that time.

[@scottnj2503]

Again I learned more Juan. Thanks for another great post. My father worked with Bronco's as FAC and following some mission, would fly post mission assessments with his buddy, an OV-10 driver. Pop loved the Bronco. Bronco, kinda the forefather of the of Warthog, but Bronco didn't take as high dose of steroids, took the seventies to up the dosage. LOL p.s. I work with a fellow that few OV-10s and OA-10s as FAQ n the desert wars.

[@PilotPhotog]

Thank you Scott, and I didn't realize your father had time in the OV-10...very cool. I'm going to make an AC-47 video soon

[@havocmwf]

I am Scottish and lived in the Philippines for 10 years and used to see the Bronco at a number of local airports, mainly in the South. They were used extensivley for COIN ops against the Islamic Terrorists in the region. One of my Fav aircraft.

[@markarca6360]

It has been used in airstrikes during the Marawi conflict.

[@austism1]

My dad was one of those Marines who use to parachute out the back of them. He said the pilot would just pull the nose up and they would all slide right out 😂

[@edwardbrown9831]

Bill Beckett was my older Cousin. Whenever I was around him, I was always asking him about stories concerning his history of flying and building planes. He was also a member of the Black Sheep Squadron in WWII

[@GoaTrex2531]

I was at Camp Pendelton in 1991 and saw it use with Marine recon. It would go vertical slightly and dump out parachutists. Very cool.

[@MaSterChOu1]

« A LONELY KIND OF WAR » written by Marshall harrison. If you want stories about the OV10 Bronco, it’s one of the best read about vietnam and about aviation I have ever had. Very nice video, the 3d views are very interseting. The models looks nice too. Great channel. Thank you.

[@deebee2854]

Add "Flying Black Ponies" by Kit Lavell and "Da Nang Diary" by Tom Yarborough to the list. Agreed, Great video. Well done. This from a person that loves the OV-10, truly my favorite airplane. Although, the closest to flying it has been with a simulator that rhymes with "explain." 😂 Saw plenty of them at work, though: USMC 1980-1990.

[@MaSterChOu1]

@@deebee2854 I’ll look for it, thank you very much.

[@ielbow208]

I loved the P-38 then I saw the OV-10 Bronco. Instant love what a beautiful airplane.

[@blockchainreaction762]

I have 3000 hrs on this bird and I love it! So versatile and at the same time very forgiving. You forgot to mention it has counter rotatating prop hence no tourqe and can still climb with a single engine. We also used this for cloud seeding operations. I miss this bird and can proudly say I am a bronco jock!

[@BlackLizrd]

Was there any special procedure in the event of a bailout in order to avoid that vicious looking tail wing/stabilizer thingy?

[@dgsantafedave1]

These badass planes fly everyday during fire season in California they are the eyes, ears and FLIR for the firefighters on the ground!

[@allankleidon6437]

It's always good to see such a versatile and still capable aircraft, conceived decades ago. Still being of practical use today.

[@TheCrapman50]

we use the OV-10's here in the Philippines as a bomber for COIN ops in Mindanao and other parts of the country with rebel insurgents. I never thought those where such a beauty and also a beast of an aircraft!

[@DSP49]

Considering I fly on the OV-10A in the course of my duties, I can confidentiality say that it is an aircraft still very much in use. Funky plane with some unique characteristics, but perfect for the ATGS role. You can expect them to keep flying for at least another 20 years; we did just aquire 5 additional D model airframes this year.

[@THEoriginaljmelford]

I worked on and supervised the maintenance of the OV-10A for 6 years in the U.S.A.F after I transferred from C-130's. Love that plane! easy to work on and always enjoyed wathing the take off and landings. Msgt. USAF retired

[@xfirehurican]

Back in the mid-80s, night spatial disorientation was presumed to be the probable cause of an OV-10 crash in the vicinity of MCAGCC 29 Palms. It took us til early dawn to locate the crash site. The practically straight-in impact was so fierce that the largest recognizable objects recovered from the crater were half of a flight helmet and one intact flight boot.

[@glenjohnson9302]

Although it loosing relevancy, it been one of my favorite aircraft in history. A beautiful bird. It sets up there with the A10 and so many more.

[@tbolt2948]

As a military historian I've known of them since the 60s.Brovos, Birddogs and Sandys did an outstanding job in their time. These days, given the SAM envelope, they just aren't viable.

[@ReLax-ru2pk]

@@jamesjrossI’m sure Mexico could utilize them well against cartels , they already use minion mounts in helicopters

[@ReLax-ru2pk]

Minigun

[@rampant_1644]

The air base, Bien Hoa (bee-en, wah, short “a”) was a major air base in III Corps, near Saigon. It’s where I landed and left Vietnam back in 69-70. Most troops for the south landed there to be shuttled off to Long Binh (long, bin), 90th Replacement for assignments. After assignment, you’re shuttled back to Bien Hoa to fly out to wherever your new unit is based. Mine was Phuoc Vinh (fook, vin), 31st Combat Engineers. They were assigned to support the 1st Cav. Good video.

[@Brouk331]

Thank you for sharing this amazing and enjoyable film about the OV-10 Bronco designed by the Marines and built for COIN Ops. I liked it a lot. PEACE. --- Merci d'avoir partagé ce film étonnant et agréable sur l'OV-10 Bronco conçu par les Marines et construit pour COIN Ops. Je l'ai beaucoup aimé. PAIX.

[@LordEvan5]

Wow that German Bronco sure did look like something out of world war 2

[@MayheM_72]

I was always fascinated by the Bronco. Small, agile, armed, it just sounds like a down and dirty wild ride!

[@MultiCconway]

Loved the video. You hit all the missions dead on target. Can you imagine a modern Bronco with new engines, scimitar 5-bladed props, synthetic construct, and winglets on the wing for better efficiency and control at low speeds in landing. A Modern Digital Bronco would be a very versatile, effective, efficient aircraft. It should have been revisited in the competition of AT-6 / A-29 Light Attack Aircraft. These type competitions are just waist of money trying to make something we already know and own.

[@rufusaardvark5894]

Among my earliest memories are the sight and sound of these things flying over my house.

[@FuzzyMarineVet]

In 1977 I was posted to Camp Schwab, Okinawa when I was buzzed by an OV 10 on the coast road, just for fun. I have seen an OV-10 land in less than 100 ft on an expeditionary airfield.

[@martineastburn3679]

In the final discussion - the Bronco with drones could search to find someone and land to pick up while the drones watch for others attacking. Therefore, it is also capable of Rescues.

[@kennethbrooks4425]

The Air Force had these in Korea in the 70s. They were all mounted with quad 60s. Awesome aircraft and my favorite to watch during exercises.

[@user-ji2nv2vd6r]

They need to bring them back. Great video. Thanks for sharing, and have a wonderful day

[@PilotPhotog]

Thank you too and agreed!

[@slipstream5542]

always lived the bronco SEMPER FI 🫡

[@mtssman]

Two Marines, in a desert, thinking about aircraft. 🤣🤣🤣

[@remalm3670]

... should have been about crayons ... ;-)

[@Sacto1654]

I tnink a highly modernized new-build version with a stronger composite structure and new engines could be a very effective counter-insurgency plane.

[@CraigCholar]

MANPADS would still be a deadly threat.

[@GeorgeRuffner-iy7bm]

I was going to bring up MANPADS but you have it covered. Thanks. 🙈🙉🙊 😎 🇺🇸

[@potatoradio]

I was in the Army when the OV-1 Mohawk was flying. Unfortunately the OV1 committed the sin of killing a Mig. So it got it's claws pulled for sensors only.

[@bradbo3]

Love the Bronco…lived at Camp Pendelton in the early 80’s and there was a squadron of them….always flying over base housing. Awesome little plane.

[@peter-radiantpipes2800]

I’ve seen it a few times over my house for firefighting spotters here in California. Was so excited to see just overhead. I was aviation geeking out. :)

[@mikestaihr5183]

My father worked for North American Aviation from the mid 50s until the early 70s. I remember from my childhood the OV 10A as well as the XB-70 aircraft from that period.

[@Mariner311]

Worked with Broncos in the late 1980s as a Naval Aircrewman - even got some flight time while going through Naval Gunfire Spotting School - and later flew in the SH-60B Seahawk during Desert Shield/Storm in coordination with the Bronco. These days - the Bronco still flies with California's Department of Forestry as a CALFIRE spotter aircraft - coordinating tanker-drop aircraft and providing aerial supervision of all wild-fires -

[@rolandharrison5651]

Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I was assigned to VMO-1 in 1976 through 1981. Such a versatile and valuable A/C. I wish I had one. Gunny USMC (Ret)

[@shannonchurchill4556]

Love the Bronco. Just such a cool looking plane, and so capable and versatile. I loved going to the El Toro air show back in the 90's and watching the MAGTF demo. a pair of OV-10's would come in right on the deck, pull straight up, and at about 1,000 feet, 6 troopers would stream out the back while still in the vertical

[@jessemidgett1648]

My 737 NASA 515 was parked next to Langley's OV-10 when I was a mechanic there in the late 90's. Always loved that plane!

[@concernedaussie1330]

Defending somewhere like Australia I find it hard to find anything better. Capable of taking off & landing just about anywhere is fantastic. With vast oceans surrounding Australia with a relatively safe interior to operate in , shuttling SF & other small squads & equipment around the coastline or islands. Having the ability to carry decently sized missiles or drones over littoral waters or dropping sea mines or underwater drones or other littoral based weapons is a perfect environment for a twin engined light aircraft.

[@TexanUSMC8089]

An OV-10 at low altitude was incredibly maneuverable. It may have been more of a target in the desert, but not in the mountains or jungle.

[@MrPetercooknh]

I loved the Bronco and used to build models of it as a kid. Later as a Marine I used to watch them drop Recon Marines out the back while training for insertions. Very cool aircraft. I think we may see them or a variant once again as our tactics change in the future.

[@user-ed2wq4wu8c]

We had a squadron of OV-10's at NKP Royal Thai AFB in 1970-1971 and they did an awesome job. USAF

[@anthonyhayes1267]

My grandfather worked on this project when he was at NAR. I actually found a report he prepared on flyover acoustic characteristics.

[@h.r.puffnstuff8705]

Broncos had been out of service for over half decade so I was shocked to see a few parked behind a hangar at a remote Nevada airfield. They were all painted in an unusual dark green hue that’s popular with sec ops dedicated squadrons nowdays. I loved the Bronco so I had to have a closer look and snap some pictures. When I got closer I noticed they all had M60 belly packs, no markings not even bueno #. Then I noticed all the patched bullet holes on the low side of airframes. Most were patched over with round tire patches. Several holes were fresh enough no patch no corrosion. I decided to put my camera away. Next day they were all gone. A few months later I ran into the four at a remote Central America airfield. Each one had a few extra fresh holes in them.

[@rexxsimba]

An amazing Aircraft that is extremely relevant , especially in today's low intensity conflicts... Imagine the bang for buck if 100 of these were deployed at an approximate cost 600K each ..😊👍🔥

[@ledenhimeganidleshitz144]

I serviced one at SJ AFB while working transit support. It looked nice. it was easy to do simple stuff like fuel and oil. It seems to have had it's day. Being a bit slow and some other problems. I suspect many lessons were carried into newer designs.

[@khyron6]

I had a model of the Bronco Oh in about 1971 I was about 7yrs old. Really cool model. It is one worth building. :)

[@gregorycasey3347]

I first saw them in the Philippines in the 80’s and later saw them in California. I always loved the OV-10. Just think they are so cool.

[@wrightflyer7855]

While stationed at Ubon Thailand in 1971 I decided to spend my day off at NKP, just to check out the arrivals and departures. Besides the always impressive Caribou, one hotshot OV-10 pilot did a fast downwind, then with wings almost vertical turned base and final over the end of the runway, hit the deck and stopped on a dime. It was the best carrier landing I've ever seen.

[@danielgarlock2074]

Thanks for this. I remember building a 1/48 scale model of this craft while in high school in the 70's, don't recall if it was a Revell or Tamiya. I became interested in twin boom designs since my uncle was a P-38 pilot in the European Theater in WW2. I think CalFire still has a few of these, remember seeing one painted white & red a few years back over Oroville.

[@cerberus276]

The Canadians are bringing back the OV-10 with a built from scratch model. Really cool looking too if you're a fan of the aircraft. Marine Corps aviation really doesn't get the credit they deserve, but with the Bronco fewer aircraft have been a blueprint for modularity and diversity of purpose than the OV-10.

[@johnstipetich2512]

I flew the OV10 from Feb 1971 until 1972 during my 2nd tour. Great plane. Flew 4B most of the time. Then I went onto flying the C5 Galaxy which my son now flies too, but his are the C5M's (smile) Flying it was like being a fish in the sea, you could go up and down, left and right with no problem. Great plane. Wish I could still fly them. But, alas, at 77 years of age, who would let me, ha, ha?

[@Riceball01]

I've always liked the Bronco, there's something that's just really cool about it. If I had a pilot's license and could afford it, I'd buy a Bronco as my personal airplane.

[@paintedman8261]

Love this plane, reminds me of the Cesna 337 Super Skymaster, another crazy little plane that saw action in Vietnam.

[@nightsailor1]

Another excellent platform for a movie.

[@donaldsteigel1962]

"Black Pony" OV-10 Broncos, was used by the USN for close air support TF-116. Many thanks from this PBR sailor.

[@Nicolas-zw5ex]

I love the OV-10, by just looking at it, it reminds me of the IA-58, another of my favorite planes

[@edl617]

The US Navy The U.S. Navy formed Light Attack Squadron Four (VAL-4), the "Black Ponies", on 3 January 1969, and operated in Vietnam from April 1969 to April 1972. The Navy used the Bronco OV-10A as a light ground-attack aircraft, for interdiction of enemy logistics, and fire support of Marines, SEALs, and naval riverine force vessels. It succeeded in this role, although the U.S. Navy did lose seven OV-10s during the war to various causes.

[@xpump876]

The' knuckled'' shock absorber performance on the corrugated runway at the 14 min mark was just amazing. What an incredible aircraft.

[@shoman0042]

I was stationed at NAS Atlanta reserve Base from 82-90 when the Marines that were also station their reserves went to desert storms and they took their Corba's and OV-10s. I really like The OV-10. They would sound like a pair of mustangs at high speed when they came past the over the run way and make the final brake

[@henceldeanon9233]

Another Iconic aircraft worth not to be forgotten... Praying for new OV-10 Bronco II with more advance avionics and more offense/defense capabilities.