Warplanes of the USA: North American OV-10 Bronco

(USAF Photo)

An air-to-air right side view of an OV-10 Bronco aircraft firing a White phosphorus smoke rocket to mark a ground target. The aircraft is used by forward air controllers in support of ground troops.

The North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco is an American twin-turboprop light attack and observation aircraft. It was developed in the 1960s as a special aircraft for counter-insurgency (COIN) combat, and one of its primary missions was as a forward air control (FAC) aircraft. It can carry up to 3,200 lb (1,450 kg) of external munitions and internal loads such as paratroopers or stretchers, and can loiter for three or more hours. (Wikipedia)

(USAF Photo)

Two U.S. Air Force Rockwell OV-10A Bronco aircraft from the 601st Tactical Air Support Wing, based at Sembach Air Base, Germany, in flight during exercise "Reforger '82" on 1 October 1982.

(USAF Photo)

A U.S. Air Force Douglas EC-47Q (s/n 43-16029), a Sikorsky CH-53C and a North American OV-10A-40-NH Bronco (Serial No. 67-14690) in flight near Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in June 1974.

(USAF Photo)

North American OV-10 Broncos from the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base 1 May 1990.

(Acroterion Photo)

A USMC North American OV-10 Bronco and US Navy A-7 Corsair II at Naval Air Station Atlanta, Georgia, 1 May 1978.

(USMC Photo)

An Hoa: Captain Calvin A. Lloyd (New Berlin, New York) and 2d Lieutenant Courtney C. Schron (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) (atop the aircraft) check their OV-10 Bronco Observation Aircraft for possible damage from enemy fire. The Marine aviators had just landed at the An Hoa airstrip after flying in support of the Marines fighting on the ground in Operation Taylor Common, 22 miles southwest of Da Nang.

(USAF Photo)

A U.S. Air Force North American OV-10A-30-NH Bronco (s/n 67-14659) in flight with two North American F-100C Super Sabre of the 136th Tactical Fighter Squadron. The 136th TFS was a New York Air National Guard unit that was assigned to the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing at Tuy Hoa Air Base, Vietnam from 14 June 1968 to 25 May 1969. The OV-10A 67-14659 was later shot down near Trapeang Veng, Cambodia, on 7 April 1973 while in service with the 23rd Tactical Air Support Squadron, 56th Special Operation Wing.

(USAF Photo)

A U.S. Air Force North American Rockwell OV-10A Bronco (s/n 68-3826) from the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron fires white phosphorus rockets to mark a target for an air strike during tactical air control training near Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, on 22 May 1989.

(Rob Schleifurt Photo)

North American OV-10 Bronco (Serial No. 67-14666) was stationed at Sembach (West Germany) with 20th TASS until 1984, when it joined the 27th TASS at George AFB, California. 23 January 1987.

(USMC Photo)

Provisional Marine Aircraft Group 39 [MAG-39] Marines inspect the Marine Corps’ newest visual observation and reconnaissance plane, the OV-10A Bronco, during the aircraft’s first stop at the Quang Tri Air Base. The Bronco, assigned to MAG-16 at Da Nang, landed at Quang Tri to rearm with 2.75 inch target marking rockets, 17 July 1968.

(USAF Photo)

Two U.S. Air Force North American OV-10A-25-NH Bronco aircraft (s/n 67-14649 in front) from the 22nd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Wheeler Air Force Base, Oahu, Hawaii (USA), on 22 August 1984. The aircraft were taking part in exercise "Opportune Journey '84".

(USAF Photo)

A U.S. Air Force North American Rockwell OV-10A-5-NH Bronco (s/n 67-14608) and a Cessna O-2A-CE Super Skymaster (s/n 69-7636) flying past the Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida (USA), in 1984.

(Mike Freer - Touchdown Aviation Photo)

North American Rockwell OV-10A Bronco (Serial No. 66-13556), 601st Tactical Command Wing based at Sembach AFB, Germany, 22 May 1979.

(Mike Freer - Touchdown Aviation Photo)

North American Rockwell OV-10A Bronco (Serial No. 155454), ex VMO-2 based at MCAS Camp Pendleton, California, 12 Oct 1992.

(Mike Freer - Touchdown Aviation Photo)

North American Rockwell OV-10A Bronco (Serial No. 66-13562), 601st Tactical Command Wing, Sembach AFB, Germany, 2 August 1975.

(Mike Freer - Touchdown Aviation Photos)

North American Rockwell OV-10A Bronco (Serial No. 68-3797), 601st Tactical Command Wing, Sembach AFB, Germany, 1 June 1980.

(Mike Freer - Touchdown Aviation Photo)

North American Rockwell OV-10A Bronco (Serial No. 67-14674), 601st Tactical Command Wing, Sembach AFB, Germany, 24 June 1977.

(USAF Photo)

Two U.S. North American OV-10A-1-NH Broncos of the Missouri Air National Guard ready to taxi out to the runway at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, USA. They were attached to the 110th Tactical Fighter Squadron. Both aircraft (Serial Nos. 66-13557, and 66-13558) were later sold to the Venezuelan Air Force as FAV 4523 and FAV 0068. In the background is the McDonnell Douglas F-4C-25-MC Phantom II (Serial No. 64-0928) which was retired to AMARC as FP0077 on 20 May 1987.

(Mike Freer - Touchdown Aviation Photo)

North American Rockwell OV-10A Bronco, 601st Tactical Control Wing based at Sembach AB in Germany, 12 September 1981. Presently preserved at Fort Worth, Texas.

(Anidaat Photo)

North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco, (Serial No. 66-13562), 321-11, 601 TCW US Air Force, 17 July 1983.

(USMC Photo)

A U.S. Marine Corps North American Rockwell OV-10D Bronco (BuNo 155499) from Marine Observation Squadron VMO-2 The Angry Two equipped with an AN/ALQ-144 infrared-red countermeasures pod, during tests at the Pacific Missile Test Center, Point Mugu, California (USA), in 1983. This aircraft was finally retired to the AMARC as 1V0051 on 10 June 1993. It is today on display at the Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, Arizona (USA). In the background is the U.S. Navy Douglas NRA-3B Skywarrior (BuNo 142667).

(USMC Photo)

A U.S. Marine Corps North American OV-10D Bronco aircraft from the 1st Marine Observation Squadron 1 (VMO-1) at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina (USA), in 1984

(USMC Photo)

A U.S. Marine Corps North American Rockwell OV-10D+ Bronco observation aircraft as it taxis clear of the landing area onboard aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV-60) during testing flight qualifications off the coast of North Carolina (USA) on 10 September 1985. It was flown by CAPT George Webb, USN, a Navy test pilot flying from the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, MD. He did landing and take-off tests with the OV-10D+ aboard both USS Saratoga as well as USS Nassau (LHA-4).

(USMC Photo)

Two U.S. Marine Corps North American OV-10A Bronco observation aircraft (BuNo. 155472, 155488) of Marine observation squadron VMO-4 on the flight line next to a McDonnell Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk of U.S. Navy Training Wing 3 (TW-3). OV-10A 155472 is part of the collection of the USMC Air-Ground Museum, Quantico, Virginia. 155488 was registered in 1994 to "American Warbirds Inc." at Gaithersburg, Maryland (civil registration "N474AW"). It was leased to the Colombian national police by the U.S. Department of State. Whilst still officially "N474AW", it operated in Colombian police markings with the serial "V-7". The aircraft suffered a loss of power in the starboard engine just after takeoff from Larandia, Colombia, on an anti-drug mission on 6 February 2000. It crashed and exploded, the pilot could eject, but was seriously injured.

(USMC Photo)

A U.S. Marine Corps North American OV-10A Bronco aircraft (BuNo 155443) from Marine observation squadron VMO-1 near Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, in 1982.

(USMC Photo)

28 August 1968: Family Portrait: The Bronco (OV-10A), the newest addition to the Marine air arm, poses with 12 Leathernecks directly connected with its flight over South Vietnam. In addition to the pilot and aerial observer, standing next to the cockpit, the Bronco is supported and serviced by crash crewmen, factory technical representative, hydraulics men, mechanics, flight equipment personnel, metalsmiths, ordnancemen, avionics technicians, and air controllers. Based at the Marble Mountain Air Facility, near Da Nang, the new aircraft’s primary mission is observation.

(USN Photo)

Two U.S. Navy Rockwell OV-10A Bronco of Light Attack Squadron 4 (VAL-4) "Black Ponies" fly in low over the Rung Sat Special Zone, South Vietnam, in search of enemy activity, June 1969.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Rockwell OV-10A Bronco of Light Attack Squadron 4 (VAL-4) "Black Ponies" at an airfield in Vietnam, in late 1969. Note the board in the background "Beat Army 29 November" (1969). However, the U.S. Navy team lost 27-0.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Rockwell OV-10A Bronco of Light Attack Squadron 4 (VAL-4) "Black Ponies" takes off from a Vietnamese air base to provide air cover for a river patrol boat engaging the enemy in the Mekong Delta area, August 1969.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Marine Corps North American OV-10A Bronco (BuNo 155431) from Marine Observation Squadron VMO-2 at Da Nang, Vietnam, circa in 1970. In the background is a U.S. Air Force Douglas EC-47Q (s/n 43-30730) from the 362nd Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron.

(USN Photo)

Four U.S. Marine Corps North American OV-10A/D Broncos aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Saipan (LHA-2), in 1987.

(USN Photo)

A flight deck crewman uses an MD-3A tow tractor to position a North American Rockwell OV-10A Bronco (BuNo 155447) of U.S. Marine Corps observation squadron VMO-1 on the port elevator of the U.S. amphibious assault ship USS Nassau (LHA-4) in 1983. After its retirement this aircraft was leased by the U.S. Department of State to the Colombian national police.

(Alain Rioux Photo)

North American Rockwell OV-10D Bronco, USMC, 28 June 1992. This Bronco was sent to AMARC in May 1993 for storage. It is now registered N34578 with the US State Department. It is probably used in the war against drugs in South America.

(NARA Photo)

Front view of an OV-10 Bronco.

North American OV-10 Broncos preserved in the USA

The production mockup of the OV-10A, c/nNAA-001, made in Columbus, Ohio, is on display at the Fort Worth Aviation Museum, Fort Worth, Texas, along with two other OV-10s.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

(Eric Friedebach Photo)

(Dsdugan Photo)
67-14623 – An OV-10A is on display at the Museum of Aviation, Robins AFB, Georgia.

(Ken Videan Photo)
67-14626 – An OV-10A is on display at the Hurlburt Field Air Park at Hurlburt Field, Florida.

(Valder137 Photo)

(NMUSAF Photos)
68-3787 – An OV-10A is on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton, Ohio.

(FWAM Photo)
68-3825 – An OV-10A is on display at the Fort Worth Aviation Museum, Fort Worth, Texas.

(John Bennett Photo)
152880 – OV-10D on display outdoors at Mid America Air Museum, Liberal, Kansas. This aircraft was originally a YOV-10A. C/N 300-2, on loan from the MCAM.

(Tom Tessier Photo)
152881 – One of the original prototype YOV-10As was on display at the Yankee Air Museum at Willow Run Airport near Ypsilanti, Michigan. It had been fully restored by a former OV-10 crew chief. The aircraft was destroyed along with several other museum aircraft in a fire on 9 October 2004.

(Hector Vazquez Photo)

(Adrian Brooks Photo)
155409 – An OV-10D is on display at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum atSpace Coast Regional Airport in Titusville, FL. This aircraft previously served with Marine Observation Squadron TWO (VMO-2) and was later transferred to the U.S. Department of State Air Wing at nearby Patrick Space Force Base, Florida.

(John Bennett Photo)
155426 – An OV-10A in Marine Corps markings is on display at the Fort Worth Aviation Museum, Fort Worth, Texas.

(USN Photo)

(kitmasterbloke Photo)

(Tomas Del Coro Photo)
155472 – An OV-10D in Navy markings is on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola, Florida. This OV-10 was received by the NNAM on 21 Oct 2004 when it was transferred from the National Museum of the MarineCorps at MCB Quantico, Virginia. BuNo 155472 was originally an OV-10A whichflew with VAL-4 during the Vietnam War, but was later transferred to the MarineCorps and upgraded to OV-10D standard in 1991. BuNo. 155472 is currently repainted and displayed in the scheme of VAL-4. Formerly on display at the Carolinas Aviation Museum.

(OV-10 Squadron Photo)

155493 - OV-10 Squadron, Chino, California.

(Jerry Gunner Photo)

(Author Photo)
155494 – An OV-10D in Marine Corps markings is on display at the Flying Leathernecks Museum at MCAS Miramar, California.

(Author Photo)

(aeroprints.com Photo)
155499 – An OV-10D with Marine Observation Squadron 1 (VMO-1) markings is ondisplay at the Pima Air & Space Museum, adjacent to Davis-Monthan AFB inTucson, Arizona. It is on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum and the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
158301 - 99+25 – OV-10B flying for the Cactus Air Force Museum. This aircraft has been reconfigured as an OV-10A.
158304 - 99+28 – OV-10B flying for Stallion 51 at Kissimmee Gateway Airport in Kissimmee, Florida. This aircraft has been reconfigured as an OV-10A.

North American OV-10 Broncos preserved overseas

Australia
67-14639 – OV-10A at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Ex-Philippine AirForce aircraft donated by the Republic of the Philippines.

Belgium
158294/99+18 – OV-10B at Wevelgem, Belgium. Operated by the Bronco Demo Team asG-ONAA. Previously on display at the Internationales Luftfahrtmuseum Pflumm.

France
158300/99+24 – OV-10B at the Musee Europeen de l'Aviation de Chasse. Registeredas F-AZKM.
158303/99+27 – OV-10B on display at the Musee Europeen de l'Aviation de Chasse.

Germany
158292/99+16 – OV-10B on display at Flugausstellung Hermeskeil in Hermeskeil,Rhineland-Palatinate.
158297/99+21 – There is an ex-Bundeswehr OV-10B on outdoor display at theMilitärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr in Dresden, Germany.
158309/99+33 – OV-10B on display at the Militärhistorisches Museum FlugplatzBerlin-Gatow.

Indonesia
TT-1004 – OV-10F at Karjono Park, Banjarnegara Regency, Central Java.
TT-1006 – OV-10F on display next to the major intersection at Jombang Regency,East Java.
TT-1008 – OV-10F at Soesilo Soedarman Museum, Cilacap Regency, Central Java.
TT-1010 – OV-10F at Museum Bhakti TNI, Cilangkap, East Jakarta, Jakarta[83]
TT-1012 – OV-10F on display near Trunojoyo Airport, Sumenep, Madura Island,East Java[84]
TT-1013 – OV-10F on display at Abdul Rachman Saleh AFB, Malang, East Java.

(Museum Pusat TNI AU Dirgantara Mandala Yogyakarta Photo)
TT-1015 – OV-10F at the Dirgantara Mandala Museum, Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta.
TT-1016 – OV-10F on display at Abdul Rachman Saleh AFB, Malang, East Java.

Thailand
158405 – OV-10C with Royal Thai Air Force markings is on display at the RoyalThai Air Force Museum in Bangkok.[88][89]
An OV-10C is on static display next to the main gate at Wing 5 in the town ofPrachuap Khiri Khan about four hours South of Bangkok. It is open to the publicevery day.
158138 – Unidentified variant OV-10 on static display at Kasetsart Universityin Sakon Nakhon province.

United Kingdom
158302/99+26 – OV-10B under restoration to airworthiness at Duxford, England.Owned by the Bronco Demo Team.
158308/99+32 – OV-10B at Duxford, England. Operated by the Bronco Demo Team asG-BZGK. This aircraft crashed at Cotswold Airport on 10 July 2012.

‍North American OV-10 Bronco