USAF North American OV-10A Bronco

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The North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco is a 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 pounds of external munitions and internal loads such as paratroopers or stretchers, and can loiter for three or more hours. The aircraft was initially conceived in the early 1960s as a rugged, simple, close air support aircraft integrated with forward ground operations. At the time, the U.S. Army was still experimenting with armed helicopters, and the U.S. Air Force was not interested in close air support.

The OV-10 has a central nacelle containing pilots and cargo, and twin booms containing twin turboprop engines. The visually distinctive feature of the aircraft is the combination of the twin booms, with the horizontal stabilizer that connects them. The OV-10 served in the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Navy, as well as in the service of a number of other countries. In total, 81 OV-10 Broncos were ultimately lost to all causes during the course of the Vietnam War, with the Air Force losing 64, the Navy 7, and the Marines 10 aircraft each.

The OV-10A is an original production version of the aircraft with an enlarged wing and two 715 hp T76-G-10/12 engines. Distinguished by a long-wire high frequency (HF) antenna between the center rear stabilizer and the central nacelle, 114 were delivered to the United States Marine Corps and 157 for the United States Air Force.

This North American Rockwell OV-10A Bronco, 13533 aircraft was assigned to Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque New Mexico for general utility purposes in August of 1973.

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