High Gallery
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U.
S. Military Aircraft Bell OH-58D KIOWA Photo by Salamander |
| In response to the Army's 1960 requirement for an observation helicopter, Bell responded with its model 206. This was evaluated as the OH-4 Against Hiller and Hughes prototypes in the LOH competition won by Hughes machine that entered service as the OH-6. Some 4,000 units were planned, but as the Hughes production rate slipped and unit coast rose, only 1,434 were bought. The LOH contest was reopened in 1968, and this time was won by the improved model 206A. The type entered service in May 1969 as the OH58A Kiowa. |
TECHNICAL DATA
| Description | Specifications |
|
Manufacturer: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. |
Height: 9 ft. 6.5 in. |
| First Flight: Unknown | Empty Weight: 1,585 lb. |
| Model: OH-58C | Max. Weight: 3,200 lb. |
| Crew: Two | Armament: Provision for one 7.62-mm multi barrel machine gun. |
| Nickname: Kiowa |
Dimensions |
| Basic Role: Light Observation. | Main Rotor Diameter: 35 ft. 4 in. |
| Other Versions: AH-58D, AH58A , COH-58A, OH-58B, OH-58C, OH-58D, | Length Overall Rotor Turning: 40 ft. 11.75 in. |
| Principal User: Austria, Canada, Israel, Spain, and USA. | Main Rotor Disk Area: 980.56 sq. ft. |
|
Performance |
Propulsion |
| Range: 350 miles. | Power Plant: Allison T63-A-720 turbo shaft. |
| Max. Speed: 138 mph. | Horsepower: 420-shp. (313 kW) |
| Ceiling: 18,900 ft. | No. Of Engines: One |
| Climb Rate: 1,780 ft. per minute. |