Roden Aircraft 1/48 OV1A/JOV1A Mohawk Vietnam/Later era Armed Observation & Intelligence USAAF Aircraft Kit
The first production OV-1A arrived with the US 7th Army in Germany in February 1961. The main task of early version aircraft was photo reconnaissance. A KA-60 high-resolution camera, with night photography capability, was installed inside the fuselage. Some design changes were made in response to the requests of pilots and service staff - now the front part of the fuselage could be opened, the undercarriage was reinforced and the electronics were improved. The Mohawk was the first turbo-prop aircraft received into service by the Army.
Later, new requirements were formulated for this aircraft - the ability to mark specific targets with the help of smoke pots, as well as the ability to withstand ground fire. At first the aircraft had only two pylons underneath its wings, intended for use with additional fuel tanks; shortly afterwards 54 aircraft were returned to service stations for additional pylon installation.
As a result, the modified wing design provided six pylons, able to carry containers for 2.75-inch missiles, 500-pound bombs, or 5-inch Zuni missiles. Six modified aircraft, known as the JOV-1A, were sent to Vietnam where they underwent tests with the 23rd Special Aviation Group.
This short experience persuaded the Army commands that an air force is a more efficient operator of aviation than the Army, and a decision was reached that the JOV-1A experiment should be stopped. The aircraft was renamed the OV-1A and it no longer performed the duties of army air support, although it was decided not to remove the pylons. The OV-1A Mohawk was still conducting photo reconnaissance missions, and it was frequently fitted with armament for self defense purposes.
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