Bronco Blog
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...
The Aviation World Lost a Legend Colonel KP Rice (Retired), A Creator of the OV-10, Passes Away in Laguna Beach California
As devoted fans of the OV-10 Bronco and its countless contributions to America’s military, we wanted to honor one of the visionaries who made it all happen; KP Rice. KP Rice passed away on December 25th, but not before leaving a huge mark on the aviation world. A...
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...
OV-10 In Perspective
AVhistorrybuff gives us an overview on some of the capabilities of the OV-10 Bronco. Checkout the video for more information. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfC3ChIjCcQ&feature=youtu.be OV-10 In Perspective by AVhistorybuff
North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco, Dittingen 2013
Take flight with the Rockwell OV-10 Bronco featured on an airshow by Dittingen Flugtage, filmed by Yannick Barthe Films. Checkout the video for more information. North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco, Dittingen 2013 (Clip version) from Yannick Barthe Films on...
Giving History a Hand with Vintage Aircraft Restoration
by Denice Rackley Reprinted from https://www.kcet.org/blue-sky-metropolis/giving-history-a-hand-with-vintage-aircraft-restoration Desire and purpose have fueled the aircraft industry since the first planes took flight. Nowhere is that more evident than in Southern...
Popular on FlightAware
We're particularly proud to be among the Popular Photos category in this edition of FlightAware's newsletter. Thanks for the great photo there, Habujet!https://flightaware.com/…/2…/staffpicksweek/sort/date/page/1 FlightAware's Popular Photo
Historic Vietnam Aircraft Takes Flight as part of World’s Largest Private Restoration Project
Entrepreneur Mike Manclark celebrates first of seven restored Broncos as their original Vietnam pilots watch on in wonder. CHINO, CALIFORNIA, USA, July 18, 2019 -- The Chino skies were filled with a little piece of American history today as the first of seven, OV-10...
OV-10 Pilots Visit Chino Restoration
When you restore a classic turboprop warbird, you never know who will show up. Here's a couple team players with intimate knowledge of their former aircraft, and a passion sustained for fifty years. This week we're honored once again with VAL-4 pilot Lyn Henish,...
Mark Your Calendars: We’re coming to Oshkosh Air Show
It’s not every day you see an OV-10 Bronco. And it’s even rarer when you see it at its very first event since being restored. So, if you’re in Wisconsin from July 22-28th, come out to the Oshkosh Air Show and see “Holy Terror”, the first of seven OV-10s being fully...
The Case for Restoration – Why Spending on TLC Makes Sense
Owning a new aircraft has never been more accessible. But no matter how many new models come out every year, there will always be demand for historic aircraft of the past. Although many aircraft restorers will tell you it’s a labor of love, there’s also a great...
