North American OV-10 Bronco USAF

North American OV-10 Bronco airplane model. The OV-10 was a twin-turboprop short takeoff and landing aircraft conceived by the U.S. Marine Corps and developed under a U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps tri-service program. The first production OV-10 was ordered in 1966, and its initial flight took place in August 1967.

The Bronco's missions included observation, forward air control, helicopter escort, armed reconnaissance, gunfire spotting, utility and limited ground attack. The USAF, however, acquired the Bronco primarily as a forward air control aircraft. Adding to its versatility is a rear fuselage compartment with a capacity of 3,200 pounds of cargo, five combat-equipped troops or two litter patients and a medical attendant.

The first USAF OV-10s destined for combat arrived in Vietnam in July 1968. A total of 157 OV-10s were delivered to the USAF before production ended in April 1969.

Mahogany Wood. Scale: 1/32. Wingspan 15 inches, Length 17 inches.