Bronco Blog
OV-10 Squadron: Pioneering the SpaceX Starship Program with Blue Air Training
In the dynamic world of aviation, where innovation meets tradition, the OV-10 Squadron has taken center stage with an exciting new venture—the SpaceX Starship Program. Tasked with range clearing and debris tracking, the squadron's Aircraft 474, a storied Black Ponies...
Blue Air Strafe on Razorback Range
OV-10 Bronco Takeoff and Employing Live BDU-33 and Strafe on Razorback Range!FLIR 380 footage of Blue Air Training conducting close air support. Providing additional support for our nation’s war fighters and allies conducted in Smokey Hill and Avon Park with OV-10s...
Legendary Bronco Historian Mike Verieramri Shares an Interesting Story
We received an interesting email from legendary Bronco historian Mike Verieramri with some findings. Thanks Mke! "I note you have recently uncovered Cliff Acree's name on '418 - attached a picture I have come across showing the original aircraft and names - thought it...
For the Sake of Ceremony
The United States Navy has a longstanding tradition of using Forward Air Controllers (FAC) to coordinate air support during military operations. These personnel are trained to communicate with pilots in the air and guide them to their targets on the ground. However,...
Autoevolution talks about the “Holy Terror” Restoration Project
Benny Kirk of Autoevolution covers the story behind our restoration project, nicknamed "Holy Terror". Kirk compares the project to standard car repairs. "The team started a grueling restoration process that makes the average classic car resto-mod look easy and even...
Pilot Names Revealed on OV-10 Restoration
Exciting News! We are back in production restoration on 155418. During some fuselage sanding a new set of names was revealed. Pilot Lt Col C.M. Acree, Commanding Officer of VMO-2, and AO, CWO-4 G.L. Hunter. Both ejected 32 years ago on January 18th, 1991 while flying...
Dedication Event at Gold Star Family Monument
Dedication of the Gold Star Family Monument At the Riverside National CemeteryJanuary 28th 2023 What is a Gold Star Family? Gold Star Families are American Families who have endured the loss of a loved one who died in military service or from other military-related...
OV-10 Belly Cam – Takeoff
The view is even better from the cockpit.
OV-10 Belly Cam – Pattern Fly-by
Have we got some awesome video content at OV-10 Squadron? Wow!
OV-10 Re-Flight Project
From the boneyards back to the sky, Mike Manclark of Newport Beach, CA is regenerating an entire squadron of OV-10 Broncos back to the sky. An interest in one aircraft led to a fleet of eight with three having already completed restoration. Two are currently serving...
“White Lightning” has sold to a private individual in Europe and soon she’ll be flying “over the pond” to live with her new owner.
Bronco 155474 fought hard against the NVA from 68-73. Her nation called her again in 1991, flying an epic 10,000-mile ferry flight to Kuwait where she attacked Iraqi armor and called in the 16-inch gunfire from the USS Wisconsin. Then in 1999, pulled from retirement...
The narrative of the Black Pony pilots
The narrative of the Black Pony pilots who distinguished themselves in the Mekong Delta during the Vietnam War includes sad, comical, horrifying, and heartbreaking elements. Using their turboprop Broncos to fly "down and dirty, low and sluggish," they killed more...
Frederick Wallace Smith – The Man Behind FedEx
Photo Credit: U.S. Army Many of us know about Frederick Wallace Smith, the founder, chairman, and CEO of FedEx. However, not all of us know about his beginnings, the idea that cemented the birth of FedEx, and where he learned the needed skills for commandeering the...
Bare Bones Flying
Our boney friend enjoying a little stick time around Sleepy Hollow. Happy Halloween!
Never Forget: Why our OV-10 Squadron Mission is More Important than Ever.
When we founded OV-10 Squadron, our mission was two-fold. To protect and rebuild as many of these legendary aircraft as possible. And to keep the memories alive of American men and women whose lives were connected to them. Since we started down our path, we’ve been...
Top 5 Things We Love About the OV-10; In Memory of KP Rice who passed away December 26, 2019
America lost one of the good ones. One of the designers of the original OV-10 Bronco, KP Rice, passed away over the Christmas holidays. An aviation trailblazer who was also known for his efforts to bring the flying car to a two-car garage near you, we simply can’t...
Why the OV-10 Bronco May Be the Ideal Plane to Combat ISIS
In May 2015, the Pentagon initiated a secret program dubbed Combat Dragon II. Its purpose: to test the viability of the low-cost, Vietnam-era OV-10 Bronco in combat scenarios against ISIS. Enjoy this well-produced documentary by Smithsonian Channel. Photo: Will...
VAL-4 Black Ponies Operating the OV-10A Bronco
Val4usn provides footage of the US Navy's VAL-4 "Black Ponies" operating the OV-10A 'Bronco' throughout the Mekong Delta of South Vietnam 1969 - 1972 Video by val4usn
Capt. Bill Paulson
From a recent conversation with Capt. Paulson, he recalls "the 19 shot pods were all Willy Pete (white phosphorus) for marking and the seven shot pods were HE (high explosive) to keep their heads down. The M60s in the gun sponsons added much to the noisy mix." Keep...
Airshow Posters
Thanks Will Campbell for the amazing photos of the Bronco displayed at Reno Airshow 2019. We've proudly displayed these specs posters at our following airshows. Check 'em out if you missed us at the show.
OV-10 Featured in VintageFilmArsenal
Below is a home video featuring the OV-10 Bronco. Home movies filmed by an Ordnance Specialist serving in Chu Lai & Danang in 1967-68 (VMFA-542) and in 1970-71 (VMO-2), plus footage from the early 1960s with the US Army 3rd Inf. Div. in Germany. Video by...
Black Pony OV10A Bronco Aircraft
Two VAL4 'Black Pony' OV10A Bronco Aircraft Launching from Binh Thuy Air Force Base in South Vietnam. Video by val4usn
OV-10: Rear Cargo Bay
The OV-10 is many things. One thing that is not mentioned much is its rear cargo bay. The cargo bay has many uses, including providing additional carrying space for munitions and fuel . When not in combat, the Bronco would be used as a liasion, airdrop, or medevac...
OV-10A, “The BRONCO”
AVhistorybuff talks about the first aircraft designed for close combat battlefield support operations, the OV-10A code name "The BRONCO".Checkout the video for more information. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j88gapwmpoU&feature=youtu.be OV-10A,"The Bronco" by...
