recon/attack
two
650 hp
41' 2"
12'
10"
35' 0"
3,290
lbs.
5,500 lbs.
110 US gals.
92 mph
144 mph
1,615 fpm
20,500 feet
345 miles
12/11/62
1969
The
OH-58 Kiowa, produced by Bell, was the first U.S. military helicopter
with an all glass cockpit.
The Oh-58
Kiowa has two-place pilot seating, and two place rear seating. The
controls for the left seat are removable in order to seat a passenger
in front.
While serving in Vietnam,
the Oh-58 Kiowa was armed with a 7.62 mm machine gun remotely
operated by the pilot.
The Oh-58 Kiowa
model D features an upgraded engine and transmission, plus a new
4-blade main rotor that enables quieter operation.
The Oh-58 Kiowa has a sight mounted on the mast at the top
of the rotor system. The entire system is kept stabilized by the
helicopter main
gyro. This provides a base for a weapons range
finder that uses lasers for pinpoint accuracy. Also located in the
mast is an infrared imaging system.
With
its latest avionics, the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior is able to perform its
missions with all weather capabilities.
OH-58 Kiowa helicopters were deployed in the Vietnam War,
Afghanistan and most recently in Iraq. They are currently operational
in many countries around the world.
A
total of over 2,200 OH-58 Kiowa helicopters of all types have been
manufactured to date.
Development History:
Oct. 1961 - The U.S. Army proposed a Light Observation
Helicopter that eventually would be the OH-58 Kiowa.
Nov. 1961 - Bell proposed their Model 206 (YHO-4A).
1962 - The U.S. Army evaluated five Bell
models.
Dec. 1962 - The U.S. Army
rejected Bell's proposal due to engine problems.
Jan. 1966 the
civilian Model 206A flew for the first time.
Feb.1967
the Army again asked for proposals under the
Light Observation
Helicopter program when other contractors
couldn't meet their
manufacturing performance obligations. Bell
responded.
1968 - Bell was awarded a
contract.
1969 - The OH-58 Kiowa
military version was ready for deployment.
The
OH-58 Kiowa by Randy Swanson.
We
haven't found many OH-58 Kiowa helicopter versions for sale. It seems
that if someone wants a larger OH-58 Kiowa, they may need to
start
with one of the 206 fuselages or kits.
Pictured above is the fantastic OH-58 Kiowa built by Randy
Swanson. It is 54" long and 18" high. Power is by a
O.S. Max .91 heli engine driving a Uni - 2000 system.
Pictured first below is the OH-58 Kiowa fuselage for sale by
Heli Hobby. It is made from polystyrene and will fit Blade CP and
micro helicopter models.
The next
picture below is the Vario Sky Fox for conversion to a OH-58 Kiowa.
Length is 58". For power you will need a 11.5 cc engine.
The third picture below is of a turbine
engine Vario rc helicopter for conversion to a OH-58 Kiowa. It has a
fuselage length of 98
1/2". You can power it with a
number of turbine engines.
The last
picture is of the great looking OH-58 Kiowa built by HoverDown3K of
RC Groups. It uses a 1/18 scale Blue Box toy fuselage that was
modified to
accommodate Shogun Belt Drive electronics. Weight is
around 19 oz.
If you have a favorite
OH-58 Kiowa, please email us
about it.
Bell OH-58 Kiowa
