OV-10F Bronco: The American Wild Horse with Soviet bombs

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“Si Kampret” Indonesian OV-10F Bronco

Hello everyone! Today I would like to suggest one of my favorite aircraft, the Indonesian OV-10F Bronco. This is an export version of the OV-10A for Indonesia, but without the AIM-9 missile as well as some other domestic upgrades, making the plane a strictly Close Air Support aircraft. This suggestion is mainly to complement the already suggested Indonesian Aviation Sub-Tree.

The OV-10 is an American twin-turboprop light attack and observation aircraft. It was developed in the 60s for COIN combat. The Indonesian OV-10F is armed with 4x 7.62mm M60C machine guns(later upgrade uses 4x 12.7mm M2HB Browning) and beside its standard armament, such as FFAR or Mark 80s, it can also carry soviet bombs, such as OFABs, FABs, and ZABs!

OV-10F's nickname

The aircraft has two nicknames, the more official one is “Si Kuda Liar” (See couh-duh Lee-ar), which translates into “The Wild Horse”. But pilots often called the aircraft “Si Kampret” (See come-prat), which has no direct translation to english, but has the meaning of “The Bastard” or “The Fucker”.

When conducting missions in east timor, the plane would usually be referred to as such. Additionally, the Indonesians called the machine guns “Merica” or “Pepper”, the FFAR as “Lontong” which is a dish, and the bombs as “Nangka” or “Jackfruit”

A. Background

Details

The OV-10 Bronco’s development started with the lessons learned during World War 2, when the U.S. Marine Corps refined close air support using light aircraft. After the war, as low-intensity guerilla conflicts became the focus, the U.S. military recognized the need for a cheap and versatile aircraft. Secretary of Defence Robert McNamara pushed for a common aircraft for all branches for uniformity and reduced costs. In around 1963, a Tri-Service Committee was formed to create a new Light Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft (LARA) for all branches. North American Aviation’s OV-10 Bronco, a twin-einged, short takeoff and landing turboprop aircraft, was chosen rather than Convair’s Model 48 Charger. The Bronco made its first flight in 1965 and entered service in around 1969.


The first OV-10F to be delivered to Indonesia

The Bronco was brought in by the Indonesian Air Force as a replacement for the P-51 Mustangs as they were thought to be the most optimal aircraft for fighting against insurgents across Indonesia. The OV-10F Bronco was brought in by the Indonesian Air Force in September of 1976, alongside the F-86 Sabre. Indonesia obtained around 16 units, when they first arrived they were put into 3rd Air Squadron. They were then transferred to the 1st Air Squadron. Throughout its service years, the number of Broncos gradually deteriorated, they were then transferred again to 21st Air Squadron to house the remaining OV-10s.

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Indonesian Kopasgat Paratroopers

The Indonesian Bronco is one of the most decorated aircraft in Indonesian Air Force service. The most relocation, the longest in service and participated in the most military missions, including missions in the East Timor, Papua, Riau, Maluku, Natuna, Sulawesi, Aceh as well as training missions with other nations. It was used primarily as a ground attacker but they were also used for dropping paratroopers. The Broncos were grounded and retired in 2007 after a fatal crash in July. All of the Broncos have been replaced by the EMB-314 Super Tucano and they now serve as museum display piece or gate guardians.

B. Specifications

Details

Schematics and parts

Details


Schematics


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Parts

General Specifications

  • Wingspan (m) : 12.19
  • Length (m) : 12.67
  • Height (m) : 4.62
  • Empty Weight (kg) : 3,127
  • Maximum Weight (kg) : 6,552
  • Powerplant: 2x 715shp Garrett T76-G-410/412 Turboprop engine
  • Max Speed (kph) : 452
  • Service Ceiling (m) : 7,315
  • Range (km) : 358
  • Crew (human) : 2 (+5 troops or additional fuel tank on aircraft’s rear)

Engine and Fuel

Details


Cutout of the engine


Fuel load and location of fuel tanks

Instruments

Details

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Pilot’s left console

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Pilot’s front console

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Pilot’s right console

Armor

  • Bulletproof armor plates on front canopy and cockpit floor

Armament

  • 4x 7.62mm M60C machine guns (Early models) OR 4x 12.7mm Browning M2HB (Later models)
  • Ammunition (M60C) : 500 rounds per gun, 2000 total
  • Ammunition (M2HB Browning) : 200 rounds per gun, 800 total
  • FFAR rockets (7 rocket per tubes, LAU-32 B/A or LAU-68A/A rocket pods)
  • S-5 rockets *(S-5 or S-5M)
  • up to 500kg of total bombs (Mk 81, Mk 82, OFAB 100/250, FAB 100/250/500, ZAB100/250/500, RBK 250)
  • 300gl drop tank under fuselage
  • Cannot carry Aim-9s

Armament images

Details

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M2HB Browning machine guns on later models

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LAU-68A/B


Description of the armament as displayed on a museum in Indonesian (4 unit of 12.7mm, LAU32B/A rocket, LAU68A/A, Mk81 bomb, Mk82, FAB, OFAB, NAPALM)

C. More Images

Details

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OV-10F’s camouflage

Three Indonesian Air Force Broncos based at Madiun AFB conducting routine formation flight training

OV-10Fs of 3rd Air Squadron based at Abdulrahman Saleh Airbase, Malang

Squadron of OV-10F Bronco arrived in Indonesia on September 1976

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Squadron of OV-10F on a military operation

OV-10F dropping off Indonesian Kommandos in Indonesian-Thailand exercise “Elang Thainesia” at Surattani AFB, Thailand in the late 80s

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All of the Broncos had been grounded and now serve as a museum piece or gate guardian

D. Sources

Details

Additionally, you can check out more suggestions from Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries in the thread below!

EDIT:

1. (25/09) Armament addition and correction, Source: Operasi Udara di Timor Timur by Hendro Subroto

6 Likes
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yes the game missed this great plane

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I’d prefer the 12.7mm version, but either is good! +1

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well it can be both! the 12.7mm browning can be a researchable module that you unlock

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5

Works for me!

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COIN aircraft don’t fit the WT meta of high intensity combat. Its performance would put it amid early WWII planes. Ie: another annoying “time machine” that breaks immersion and game experience.

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Correction regarding the ammo count for the .50 cals, according to Operasi Udara di Timor Timur by Hendro Subroto, the aircraft didn’t carry 800 rounds per gun, instead it’s 800 rounds total for four guns, so each gun only has 200 rounds. The source also mentioned that the .50 cals machine guns were Chinese made(?).

The same source also mentioned that the OV-10 could also carries RBK-250 cluster bomb, Soviet napalm bomb (unspecified), S-5 and S-5M rockets.

Here’s the source:

Spoiler

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Oh and also, “Kampret” literally means microbat, although figuratively those that you’ve mentioned is also correct. “Kampret” was the codename for the OV-10 during missions over East Timor, other example is the B-26’s codename was “Kalong” (fruit bat).

3 Likes
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Yes indeed, the .50 cals should be researchable upgrade, like those found on later Bf 109s and Yak fighters

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9

very interesting, I didnt know that it can carry the S5 since the museum plaque didnt mention them

also the unnamed incendiary bombs are probably the ZABs

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Just found out about this “unspecified Soviet napalm”, it turns out to be Swiss-made napalm called “Opalm”, which was long thought to be of Soviet origin. Its characteristics were “Burns targets with a heat of +/– 1,725°C for 15 minutes in a radius of 600m”.
Source: Napalm from the Alps: How the Swiss developed a lethal incendiary agent - SWI swissinfo.ch

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5 Likes