In 1970, two OV-10A Bronco aircraft were modified to evaluate their night time combat capabilities. The modification was designated NOGS—Night Observation Gunship System. The aircraft received an extended nose section with a turret housing a forward-looking infrared system and laser rangefinder (FLIR) in its lower half. Under the mid-fuselage, engineers mounted a turret with a 20mm General Electric M197 three-barrel cannon, which was aimed using FLIR. In late 1970, both aircraft were sent to China Lake Air Base for testing, and by April 1971, they were deployed to Vietnam for combat trials.
Operating as part of the light attack squadron VAL-4 "Black Ponies," the aircraft conducted evening and night missions. The YOV-10D aircraft flew in various configurations: either in pairs, paired with an OV-10A, or with an escort of two OV-10A aircraft. During their Vietnam deployment, they completed 207 missions and demonstrated exceptional operational effectiveness, earning positive combat performance evaluations. At the end of August 1971, both YOV-10D aircraft returned to the United States to undergo further testing with slightly modified equipment configurations.
Key Features
- Special version of the OV-10 attack aircraft, modernised as part of the Night Observation Gunship (NOGS) program
- Equipped with a 20mm M197 three-barrel cannon mounted in a special under-fuselage turret, plus unguided rocket pods
- The model features precise geometry proportions matching the real aircraft, including specific fuselage details unique to the YOV-10D NOGS variant
- Decals and paint schemes represent aircraft from various operational periods
Markings Available
- YOV-10D NOGS 155395, Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, 1971
- YOV-10D NOGS 155396, Naval Support Activity Binh Thuy, Summer 1971
- YOV-10D NOGS 155395, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, August 1973
- YOV-10D NOGS 155396, Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, 1975
Model Information
- Scale: 1:48
- Number of Parts: 233
- Length: 280 mm
- Width: 255 mm
- Includes detailed assembly instructions
- Highly detailed sprues with high accuracy made from quality plastic
- Box size: 410 x 260 x 55 mm
