What is an OV-10 Bronco?

[OV-10Bronco]

This is a reply to Vetkin's question. The short answer is that its a twin engine turboprop aircraft once used by the USAF for forward air control (FAC). Yes, it can carry bombs, but was usually armed with just smoke rockets and the 4 M60 machine guns. Some other countries do use it like a fighter/bomber by the USAF didn't; although a Bronco saved the day in the Miagueze (spelling?) incident by taking on a quad fifty cal. AAA that was chewing up the helicopters. I actually flew that particular OV-10 and it had about 30 patches on it, all just aft of the canopy and engines. Anyway I digress, I picked the name because I flew the airplane for the USAF and enjoyed it very much. As far as SPWAW and aircraft close air support I can render somewhat informed questions for those who have them. Thanks, Mark Schwendeman alias OV-10 Bronco.

[tracer]

R U sure? I thought it was the part # of a muffler clamp for a Ford SUV. :p

[Daniel Oskar]

Also flown by the USMC until the early 90s as a FAC(A) platform. (Forward Air Controller Airborne)

[Belisarius]

For those of you too lazy to imagine, here's a pic:



Bet she flies real good.

[Akmatov]

You can, or used to could - not sure, see a couple of Bronco tails over the fence at the Tucson Boneyard.

[fullmetaljacko]

Howdy first post, but another forum i go to that deals with firearms and all had a few people looking for pictures of the ATF and Department of energy with certain weapons, maily mg's. And a bunch of info was shared about the DoE having .50 cals and all that but it was also found out that some time ago the ATF purchased a few of the Marine Bronco's or upgraded versions. Why the ATF would need one of these is unknown.

Neat little aircraft though, I've seen pics of a version that they had a hatch on the back and could drop 2 paratroopers out of. The things the government tries and does.

[Randy]

The OV-10 could also carry a couple of paratroopers for a clandestine insertion. I think the Bronco was last used in the first Gulf War.

[Vetkin]

Not a bad looking aircraft, although the bubble canopy looks a little bit too exposed to flak, etc. So did you kill anything with the OV-10?