Tag Archives: North American Aviation OV-10A Bronco

16 July 1965

The prototype North American Aviation YOV-10A Bronco counterinsurgency (COIN) aircraft made its first flight at NAA’s Columbus Division in Ohio, 16 Jul7 1965. The aircraft in this image is the third prototype, Bu. No. 152881. (North American Aviation

16 July 1965: The prototype North American Aviation YOV-10A Bronco, U.S. Navy Bureau of Aeronautics serial number (“Bu. No.”) 152879, made its first flight at the NAA Columbus Division, Columbus, Ohio, with Chief Test Pilot Edward Allan Gillespie in the cockpit. The Los Angeles Times reported:

AEROSPACE: North American says first flight of OV-10A plane is success

FIRST FLIGHT of the new OV-10A counterinsururgency aircraft was successfully performed Friday at North American Aviation’s Columbus (Ohio) Division, the company announced. The twin-engine turboprop aircraft’s maiden flight lasted one hour. Pronounced a complete success by North American Aviation officials, it came nearly two months ahead of contract schedule and only nine days after formal rollout ceremonies.

Los Angeles Times, Vol. LXXXIV, Saturday, 17 July 1965, Part II, Page 8, Column 1

North American Aviation YOV-10A Bronco, Bu. No. 152879, during a test flight near Columbus, Ohio, 1965. (North American Aviation)

There were four YOV-10A service test prototypes built.

The North American Rockwell OV-10A Bronco is a two-place, twin-engine light observation and ground attack airplane. It was built at North American Aviation’s (later, North American Rockwell) Columbus, Ohio, plant. It was rolled out 8 July 1965, and made its first flight 16 July. It has a high wing, two tail booms and a high mounted horizontal stabilizer and elevator. The Bronco is 41 feet, 7 inches (12.675 meters) long, with a wing span of 40 feet, 0 inches (12.192 meters) and height of 15 feet, 1 inch (4.597 meters). The OV-10A has a gross weight of 10,250 pounds (4,649 kilograms), and can carry up to 3,600 pounds (1,633 kilograms) of external stores.

The cruise speed of the OV-10A is 223 miles per hour (359 kilometers per hour), and its maximum speed is 281 miles per hour (452 kilometers per hour). The service ceiling is 26,000 feet (7,925 meters), and the range is 1,240 statute miles (1,996 kilometers).

The OV-10A Bronco is powered by two Garrett-AIReseach T76-G turboprop engines, which drive three-bladed propellers. The T76 has a two-stage centrifugal compressor section and a three-stage axial-flow turbine section. It is rated at 715 shaft horsepower (533 kilowatts). The T76-G is 3 feet, 7.0 inches (1.092 meters) long, 2 feet, 3.0 inches (0.686 meters in diameter, and weighs 341 pounds (155 kilograms).

The Bronco is armed with four M-60C 7.62 mm machine guns, and up to 3,600 pounds (1,633 kilograms) of bombs or rockets.

Three-view illustration with dimensions

YOV-10A Bu. No. 152879 was damaged 7 June 1973 and withdrawn from service. It was then displayed at the Naval Air Warfare Center, China Lake, California.

A total of 360 OV-10 Broncos were built. They remained in service with the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, most recently as the OV-10G in 2015, under Operation Combat Dragon II.

Edward Allan Gillespie was born 28 July 1928 at Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was the second of two sons of Arthur Vernon Gillespie, a sign writer, and Rhea Gladys Seybold Gillespie.

Edward A. Gillespie (MEGA ’46)

Gillespie attended Ann Arbor High School, where he was the president of both his junior and senior classes. He participated in football, swimming and track and field. He graduated in 1946.

He became a licensed pilot at the age of 16 years, and joined the United States Navy at 17, 7 May 1946.

While a member of the Aviation Midshipman Program, he attended Syracuse University and Western Michigan, University, majoring in engineering. He began undergraduate flight training in 1948.

Gillespie began Navy flight training in 1949 with a North American Aviation SNJ Texan advanced trainer at NAS North Whiting Field, Florida, in March 1949.

After completion of flight training Gillespie was commissioned as an ensign, United States Navy and designated a Naval Aviator, 2 June 1950. After transitioning to turbojet-powered fighters in Lockheed TO-1 Shooting Stars, was assigned to Fighter Squadron 11 (VF-11) and flew flew 80 combat in McDonnell F2H Banshees from  aircraft carriers during the Korean War.

A McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee, Bu. No. 125663, of VF-11 (“Red Rippers”), over Wanson Harbor, Korea, 20 October 1952. (U.S. Navy80-G-480436)

On  1 September 1950, Ensign Gillespie married Miss Janette Deans Tait at Duval, Florida. They would have four children. They divorced 11 February 1997 after 46 years of marriage.

Ensign Gillespie was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, junior grade (j.g.), 2 June 1952.

Lieutenant (j.g.) Gillespie attended the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School, NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, graduating in 1954.

Lieutenant (j.g.) Gillespie was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, 1 July 1955.

Gillespie remained in the United States Naval Reserve, but entered the civilian sector as a test pilot for North American Aviation in 1956. As a reserve naval officer, Gillespie often flew test flights for U.S. Navy aircraft at NAS Patuxent River and NAWC China Lake, California. He commanded a Douglas A-4 Skyhawk squadron and served as an instructor at the USN Test Pilot School. He was also the reserve commanding officer of NAS Brunswick, NAS Oceana, and NAF Loges in the Azores.

Lieutenant Gillespie was promoted to the rank of commander, United States Naval Reserve, 1 July 1961.

Lieutenant Commander Gillespie was promoted to the rank of commander, 1 July 1967.

CAPT E. A. Gillespie USNR

Commander Gillespie was promoted to the rank of captain, 1 January 1974. That same year, he was named a Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.

Ed Gillespie retired from the Navy with the rank of captain, in  July 1982. After 30 years with North American Aviation and North American Rockwell, he retired in 1986.

Captain Edward Allan Gillespie, United States Navy (Retired), died at his home 9 July 2015 at the age of 86 years.

TDiA would like to thank regular reader Matthew Merrell for suggesting this topic.

© 2024, Bryan R. Swopes

Medal of Honor, Captain Steven Logan Bennett, United States Air Force

Captain Steven L. Bennett, United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force 090617-F-1234P-040)

Medal of Honor

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

CAPTAIN STEVEN L. BENNETT
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, Pacific Air Forces.
Place and date of action: Quang Tri, Republic of Vietnam, 29 June 1972.

For service as set forth in the following Citation:

Capt. Bennett was the pilot of a light aircraft flying an artillery adjustment mission along a heavily defended segment of route structure. A large concentration of enemy troops was massing for an attack on a friendly unit. Capt. Bennett requested tactical air support but was advised that none was available. He also requested artillery support but this too was denied due to the close proximity of friendly troops to the target. Capt. Bennett was determined to aid the endangered unit and elected to strafe the hostile positions. After 4 such passes, the enemy force began to retreat. Capt. Bennett continued the attack, but, as he completed his fifth strafing pass, his aircraft was struck by a surface-to-air missile, which severely damaged the left engine and the left main landing gear. As fire spread in the left engine, Capt. Bennett realized that recovery at a friendly airfield was impossible. He instructed his observer to prepare for an ejection, but was informed by the observer that his parachute had been shredded by the force of the impacting missile. Although Capt. Bennett had a good parachute, he knew that if he ejected, the observer would have no chance of survival. With complete disregard for his own life, Capt. Bennett elected to ditch the aircraft into the Gulf of Tonkin, even though he realized that a pilot of this type aircraft had never survived a ditching. The ensuing impact upon the water caused the aircraft to cartwheel and severely damaged the front cockpit, making escape for Capt. Bennett impossible. The observer successfully made his way out of the aircraft and was rescued. Capt. Bennett’s unparalleled concern for his companion, extraordinary heroism and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Air Force.

(Signed) GERALD R. FORD

Steven Logan Bennett was born 22 April 1946 at Palestine, Anderson County, Texas. He was one of six children of Elwin Bennett, a seismic surveyor, and Edith Alice Logan Bennett.

Bennett graduated from Youngsville High School in 1964, then went on to attend Southwestern Louisiana Institute, Lafayette, Louisiana. He earned a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering. While at the Institute, Bennett underwent military training as a member of the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (AFROTC). He was commissioned a second lieutenant, United States Air Force Reserve (USAFR) on 12 August 1968.

Lieutenant Steven L. Bennett married Miss Linda Virginia Leveque on 7 September 1968 at the St. Louis Catholic Church, Glenmore, Louisiana. They would have one child, Angela Noelle Bennett.

Selected for pilot training, Lieutenant Bennett was assigned to Webb Air Force Base, Big Spring, Texas. He next was trained as a pilot in Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bombers at Castle Air Force Base in California. He flew combat missions from air bases in Thailand.

A Boeing B-52DStratofortress crosses the perimeter fence on approach to U-Tapao Airfield, Thailand. (U.S. Air Force)

Lieutenant Bennett returned to the United States where he was trained as a Forward Air Controller (FAC) at Cannon AFB in New Mexico, then returned to Southeast Asia in 1972.

SOLEMN CEREMONY — Vice President Ford pats Angela Bennett Thursday after presenting her mother, Mrs. Linda Bennett of San Antonio, Tex. with the Medal of Honor on behalf of her husband. Air Force Capt. Steven Bennett was killed in Vietnam while attempting to save another’s life. The ceremony took place in the Blair House. (UPI photo)

Vice President Ford presented the Medal of Honor to Mrs. Bennett in a ceremony at Blair House, 8 August 1974. In addition to the Medal of Honor, Captain Bennett was awarded the Purple Heart with one oak leaf cluster (two awards), and the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters (four awards). For his effort to save his fellow airman at the risk of his own life, Captain Bennett earned the Cheney Award.

MV Captain Steven L. Bennett (T-AK 4296)

The Sealift Incorporated container ship, MV Capt. Steven L. Bennett (T-AK-4296), was named in his honor. It served as a Military Sealift Command logistics prepositioning ship for the U.S. Air Force.

A North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco launches a white phosphorous rocket. (TSGT Bill Thompson, USAF DFST8505744)

The aircraft flown by Captain Bennett on 29 June 1972 may have been North American Rockwell OV-10A-40-NH Bronco 67-14700.¹ The North American Rockwell OV-10A Bronco is a two-place, twin-engine light observation and ground attack airplane. It was built at North American Rockwell’s Columbus, Ohio, plant. It made its first flight 16 July 1965. It has a high wing, two tail booms and a high mounted horizontal stabilizer and elevator. The Bronco is 41 feet, 7 inches (12.675 meters) long, with a wing span of 40 feet, 0 inches (12.192 meters) and height of 15 feet, 1 inch (4.597 meters). The OV-10A has a gross weight of 10,250 pounds (4,649 kilograms), and can carry up to 3,600 pounds (1,633 kilograms) of external stores.

The cruise speed of the OV-10A is 223 miles per hour (359 kilometers per hour), and its maximum speed is 281 miles per hour (452 kilometers per hour). The service ceiling is 26,000 feet (7,925 meters), and the range is 1,240 statute miles (1,996 kilometers).

The OV-10A Bronco is powered by two Garrett-AIReseach T76-G turboprop engines, which drive three-bladed propellers. The T76 has a two-stage centrifugal compressor section and a three-stage axial-flow turbine section. It is rated at 715 shaft horsepower (533 kilowatts). The T76-G is 3 feet, 7.0 inches (1.092 meters) long, 2 feet, 3.0 inches (0.686 meters in diameter, and weighs 341 pounds (155 kilograms).

The Bronco is armed with four M-60C 7.62 mm machine guns, and up to 3,600 pounds (1,633 kilograms) of bombs or rockets.

Three-view illustration with dimensions

¹ Sources state that 67-14700, assigned to the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, was shot down by ground fire 8 miles (13 kilometers) southeast of Quang Tri on 30 June 1972. The discrepancy might be due to the International Date Line.

© 2022, Bryan R. Swopes