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MUSEUM OF AVIATION ADDS AN OV-10 BRONCO VIETNAM-ERA COMBAT AIRCRAFT TO ITS COLLECTION

Warner Robins, GA, February 29, 2008. –The Museum of Aviation will take possession of a Vietnam-era forward air control aircraft tomorrow known as the OV-10 Bronco. The twin-turbo prop twin-seat short takeoff and landing aircraft was used in combat during the Vietnam War and also saw action flying tactical air control missions in Germany and Korea during the 70s and 80s. It was retired in 1991 and was acquired by the Museum of Aviation from another Museum in Amarillo, Texas. Two airmen from the 653^rd Combat Logistics Support Squadron at Robins Air Force Base helped the Museum disassemble the aircraft and transport it from Texas to Georgia on a flatbed trailer.

A total of 157 OV-10s were produced for the U.S. Air Force from 1967 to 1969 by North American Rockwell. The Bronco’s missions included observation, forward air control, helicopter escort, armed reconnaissance, gunfire spotting, utility and limited ground attack. It was equipped with four machine guns in the fuselage plus 3,600 lbs. of external stores. Adding to its versatility is a rear fuselage compartment with a capacity of 3,200 pounds of cargo, five combat-equipped troops or two litter patients and a medical attendant.

The Museum of Aviation plans to restore the aircraft to its Vietnam-era paint scheme and markings and display it along side other Vietnam-era aircraft in its collection like the UH-1 helicopter gunship, and the O-1E Birddog and O-2A Skymaster forward air control aircraft.

The Museum now has more than 120 aircraft, missiles and cockpits in its collection.

Source: Museum Of Aviation