The Hughes OH-6 was originally designed to meet the needs of the US Army's Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) competition, but it gave rise to a large family of commercial, corporate, and private helicopters. The OH-6A Cayuse first flew on February 27, 1963 and defeated the Bell YOH-4 (which eventually became the Bell 206 the most successful commercial helicopter ever made) and the Hiller YOH-5 (FH-1100).
Light, nimble, and easily maintained, the MD500, as it became most known, is designed to carry four or more passengers in a small but comfortable cabin.
Many different versions have been built for both the military (Series 369) and civil markets (Series 500) for a variety of missions and requirements. Was built under license in Argentina by RACA, in Japan by Kawasaki, in South Korea by Korean Air and in Italy by Breda Nardi.
In 1966, it established a new record of major distance in a straight line for an helicopter: 3561 Km / 2212 m.
Produced by McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems from 1984, and MD Helicopters from 1999
Light, nimble, and easily maintained, the MD500, as it became most known, is designed to carry four or more passengers in a small but comfortable cabin.
Many different versions have been built for both the military (Series 369) and civil markets (Series 500) for a variety of missions and requirements. Was built under license in Argentina by RACA, in Japan by Kawasaki, in South Korea by Korean Air and in Italy by Breda Nardi.
In 1966, it established a new record of major distance in a straight line for an helicopter: 3561 Km / 2212 m.
Produced by McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems from 1984, and MD Helicopters from 1999
369 / 500 / H-6 News |
28,000 Flight Hours for Argentine Helicopters in Cyprus
24-Jan-19 - Argentine Air Force helicopters in Cyprus, part of peacekeeping mission UNFICYP achieved 28,000 flight hours since started operations in 1994 #UNFICYP
50 Years of the OH-6 Helicopter
19-Jul-13 - The first Hughes OH-6 Cayuse light-observation helicopter (LOH) prototype first flew on February 27, 1963, beginning a rich heritage as the most heralded and versatile scout helicopter in the world Derivatives & Versions of 369 / 500 / H-6 |
| Model | Year | History |
|---|---|---|
| OH-6A Cayuse 1963 | 1963 | Winner of the US Army Light Observation Helicopter competition, eventually in May 1965, against the Bell OH-4 and the Hiller OH-5. An initial Ar ...  |
| 369A 1965 | 1965 | |
 KHI 369HS 1965 | 1965 | |
| 369HE 1969 | 1969 | |
| 369HM 1969 | 1969 | |
| 369HS 1969 | 1969 | |
| 369C / 500C 1970 | 1970 | |
| Breda Nardi NH500 1970 | 1970 | |
| 369D / 500D 1975 | 1975 | 369 military and 500 civilian variants. 500MD Defender variant was equipped with TOW missiles |
| 369E / 500E 1982 | 1982 | Pointed nose and various interior improvements. Built by Hughes between 1982-1984. Then as McDonnell Douglas MD500E.
369 Military and 500E civ ... |
| Mc.D.D md500 1984 | 1984 | Aircraft produced by McDonnell Douglas between 1984 and 1997. See Hughes and MD Helicopters for others |
