North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco
North American Rockwell · United States · first flew 1965 · fighter
A twin-boom, twin-turboprop light attack and observation aircraft built for counter-insurgency and forward air control.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 12.7 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin tail booms joined by a high tailplane
- Two wing-mounted turboprops on a straight high wing
- Stubby central nacelle with an extensively glazed cockpit
The twin-boom layout with a high connecting tailplane, two wing turboprops and a glassy central pod is distinctive — like a scaled-up, militarised observation aircraft.
Specifications
- The North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco has a length of 12.7 m (42 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.2 m (40 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 452 km/h (281 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The OV-10 first flew in 1965 and entered US service to meet a counter-insurgency requirement, serving widely in Vietnam as a forward air control and light strike platform. Its excellent visibility and short-field performance suited low-level battlefield work.
Variants
Versions include the OV-10A, the German OV-10B target tug, the OV-10D night-capable variant and various export models.
Where you'll see it
Never a British military type and not UK-based, though preserved and warbird Broncos occasionally appear at UK airshows.
Related aircraft
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