Vietnam War Helicopter Model Dioramas ∙ by Ned Costa                        OH-13S  Sioux

OH-13S Sioux was derived from the commercial Bell Model 47G-3B.  The OH-13S helicopter was some sixteen inches longer than the standard H model Sioux and was powered by a turbo-supercharged 260 hp TVO-435-25 piston engine. It could accommodate two persons in addition to the pilot, and had a gross weight of 2,855 pounds.

The OH-13S Sioux saw service during the early days of the Vietnam War before the introduction of the OH-6A Cayuse in early 1968. The Sioux had a single, two-bladed main rotor and a metal two-bladed tail rotor. This aircraft had a top speed of 106 mph (92 knots). Although the Casper Platoon OH-13 helicopters were used mainly for observation and reconnaissance missions, a few of the Sioux were armed with a twin M-60C 7.62mm machine gun system and were nicknamed "Hot Stuff.".  An optional twin M-37C .30 caliber system was also available.

                                                                                                                                                                                             1:35 Revell OH-13 Sioux

"Back At The LZ"

1/35 OH-13 Model Diorama

This model was built from the Revell M*A*S*H* 4077th Bell H-13H Kit.  It is the only 1/35 scale OH-13 model that closely resembles the OH-13S. This model kit is discontinued and difficult to find.  The model diorama displays the helicopter sitting on the ground at a "Landing Zone" (LZ) somewhere in the Central Highlands of Vietnam in 1966.

Sandbag, ammo boxes and barrels were often used as revetments. This was done to help protect the aircrafts and men from enemy gun fire and/or mortar attacks. 

The above model proudly displays the Casper Platoon "Casper Ghost" insignia on the bubble of the aircraft.

The nose art varied on the Casper Aviation Platoon aircraft.  "Casper The Friendly Ghost" was our original call sign. It was later shortened to "Casper" in 1965.  Several different versions of Casper have been painted on the nose of our aircrafts.  However, it was also common to see the little "Hot Stuff" Devil painted on some of the early OH-13 bubbles as shown on the model to the left and real helicopter below.

The model to the left is one of the Casper Platoon OH-13S "Scout" helicopters.

Casper was assigned nine of the OH-13S Sioux helicopters and flew them from 1965 to early 1968.  Several of these birds were hit by enemy fire. The one below had a tail rotor failure and crash landed in Dak To in 1968.  The pilot walked away with no major injuries to him or the observer.

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