Did I see an OV-10 Bronco in France ?

Jesper, further to previous posts may I just add this?: If you put your foot in it and upset someone on here (rest assured we all do at some point) you’ll be surprised how quickly you are forgiven if you just appologise and admit your mistake. They really are a very toplerant bunch on here. Just as well really as I have a habit of opening my mouth and puttting my foot in it.

[QUOTE=bazv;1146618
Not always,it can get very entertaining on this forum with some subjects 😉
It has been fairly polite recently(almost boring ???):diablo:[/QUOTE]

Welcome to forum. As for what Bazv said, its probably because I havent been up to my usual tricks of putting my foot in it like I normally do. Enjoy the forum and I sometimes like to watch how long it takes for people to answer threads. Ive seen some really obscure questions answered in just a few minutes!!! All the best, Bex

[QUOTE=Jesper;1145169]Hi
And the friendly, helpful and polite tone among you gentlemen (Guess no ladies around here either? 😉 ) is just nice to watch.

Not always,it can get very entertaining on this forum with some subjects 😉
It has been fairly polite recently(almost boring ???):diablo:

Bager, thanks for updating me on that. I was unaware that anyone still operated them in their original role.
Frank, thanks mate, I knew that they did operate them as fire sspotters but wasn’t sure if they were still using them. With their nimble handling and good field of vision I would imagine they are well suited to the job.

Don’t forget another actual operator of the Bronco: The Californian department of forestry (CDF / CalFire) that uses them as fire spotters.

Known operators of the Bronco:
Colombia
Germany (six OV-10B and 18 OV-10B(Z) )
Indonesia (16 OV-10Fs)
Korea
Morocco (6 OV-10 As)
Philippines
Thailand (32 OV-10Cs)
United States
* US Air Force
* US Marine Corps
* US Navy)
Venezuela (16 OV-10Es)

While the Bronco was retired from the USMC in 1995, and from the USAF/USN well before that, several countries do still operate in in their militaries as of early 2007.

The Philippine Air Force flies Broncos on search-and-rescue and COIN operations in various parts of the Philippines. These are operated by the 15th Strike Wing based in Sangley Point, Cavite. Recent modifications by the PhAF included upgrades in the engine and propeller (now sporting a 4-bladed propeller), and flight controls and sensors.

Indonesia and Thailand still fly COIN operations similar to the U.S. Navy’s Vietnam missions with their Broncos, but have retrofitted .50-calibre (12.7 mm) Browning heavy machine guns in place of the light 7.62 mm (.30 calibre) machine guns.

Venezuela and Morocco also still operate it, but I believe Germany retired theirs quite some time ago… as did Korea?

Hi Jesper,

Welcome to the forum. Nice to know we have a Dane on board. I was over in your lovely country a few weeks back and visited a few aircraft museums. This included the magnificent caste as Egeskov (pure coincidence of course that they have some aircraft in their museum) and the excellent technical / aviation museum up at Helsingor. I was disappointed to find that the beautiful red Dragon Rapide that they used to have on display was not present. Do you know where it is now – has it been put in storage?

Tim

Jesper, welcome to the mad house. How right you are, there is so much information spread among the members of this forum that I am convinced that you can get an answer to just about any question on historic aviation you care to ask. As proof have a look at the obscure question I raised in reference to the An-2. I think you can safely call the Bronco historic now as I don’t think there have been any in military use for a good few years. By my reckoning an aircraft qualifies as historic when the last one is withdrawn from its intended role. Mind you that definition is a little blurred by the likes of the DH Beaver and the AN-2 which are both still active in their intended role but by their age are definitely historic

Man! That is just a 100 km from were I was! Actually thought of going there . . . but I could not persuade the rest of the family to go (Don’t share my enthusiasm for the subject 😉 )

But, thanks for the help. Maybe next year, I’ll go there 😎

Welcome to the forum. Don’t let your lack of knowlegde stop you from participating, I know it hasn’t stopped me! Participation is what makes it work.

There are a few ladies that are on the forum from time to time, though greatly out numbered.

Bronco in France? Did a little googleing and this is what popped, so there is at least one airworthy in-country.

“Jean-Loup Cardey (jlcardey@club-internet.fr)
Jean-Loup Cardey is one of the pilots of the only Bronco in flying condition in France, based at Montélimar with “Amicale des Avions Anciens de la Drôme”.