Beech/Sud SE-117 Voltigeur in RAAF service

[MAD]

It is 1966, and the Australian Task Force Vietnam, has expanded its commitment in the war in Vietnam, in both its troop numbers and its active role in defending the Republic of South Vietnam.
This expansion in Australian numbers and firepower was in response to a near military disaster at the 'Battle of Long Tan' of August 1966.
During and leading up to this significant battle, was the fact that the Australian intelligence had both underestimated its enemies strength and proximity to its own base.
This battle, which could have to easily have ended in disaster for the Australians, had it not been for the courage and discipline of the soldiers of 'D Company, 6 Royal Australian Regiment', and the fact that the pouring tropical rain, of that afternoon and evening confused and deceived the Viet Cong 275 Regiment into thinking that they had encountered a far greater force of Australians than there actual was.

I Australia, both the politicians and general public rightly asked how and why the ATFV had been put at such risk to an enemy so large and powerful, after they had been told time and again by the Australian military in the news that the enemy was being worn down and destroyed.

To appease both the public and political opposition fears and questions about the risk and capability of the ATF, the Government of the day instructed the Army to submit a comprehensive report.

After three-weeks of investigation, the Australian Army submitted its report.
In the report it was identified and highlighted that at its most critical time of need, 'D Coy' call for close air support (CAS) couldn't be answered primarily because the target was unable to be identified accurately in the conditions by the United States 'fast movers' high-speed fighter bomber aircraft that were on station at the time.
It was dissimulated by troops of 'D Coy', that this CAS could have and would have made all the difference to breaking up and demoralizing the Viet Cong`s drive.

In a public announcement on television back in Australia, the Government had given the RAAF the green light to put out an urgent Request for Proposal (RfP) to the aviation industry of the world for a dedicated Counter Insurgency (COIN) / Close Air Support (CAS) aircraft.

The aircraft that the RAAF looked at were –
Douglas A-1 Skyraider
North American OV-10 Bronco
Cessna A-37 Dragonfly
North American AT-28

It was quickly concluded by the RAAF, that its favored solution was the Douglas A-1 Skyradier, for its simplicity, endurance on station and its massive offensive payload, which could be delivered so accurately.
But as much as the Skyraider was wanted by the RAAF, it had long been out of production, its reliability and want had taken a toll on the airframes and wings and radial engines that powered them.
This was compounded even further, with the USAF, USN and the VNAF reluctance to hand over any of their beloved and horded Spads.

The USAF in good faith to its Australian ally (and with the prospect of doing business!) donated two of its North American OV-10 Bronco`s to the RAAF for evaluation in the theatre of Vietnam.
But although designed purposefully for just this type of war, the Bronco`s proved to be some what light in airframe and landing gear structure, for the RAAF`s want of operating from rough makeshift runways at Nui Dat. It was also quickly assessed as being a little light on for offensive payloads.
The RAAF with much gratitude handed back the remaining Bronco it had been loaned by the USAF, with apologies regarding to the other loaned Bronco, which had been lost to enemy ground fire, while giving CAS to Australian ground forces (Thankfully with both pilot and observer being rescued with only dented prides as their only injuries)

The Cessna A-37 Dragon fly assessment was quickly concluded, almost as quick as it had started – primarily due to the designs ability to operate from rough makeshift runways, and the landing distance required.

The North American AT-28 Trojan was quickly assessed as being a basic and unconvincing cost effective adaptation of a basic trainer.

At the eleventh hour, when the RAAF and the Army thought that they had failed in their opportunity and need with obtaining an effective COIN / CAS aircraft, the RAAF were approached by an unsolicited bid by an unexpected contender.

It was in the form of a joint French/U.S. bid of the purpose designed and built Sud SE-117 (Beech PD 183) Voltigeur (Skirmisher), which had been unsuccessful in gaining French orders, due to France's withdrawal from Algeria, and the COIN war that it was fighting their.
At first the RAAF was reluctant to take up this unusual and unsolicited bid, due to the fact that the aircraft being proposed was not in production.
Beech and 'Sud' desperate to gain a customer for this durable and purpose built aircraft, especially by a military that is as distinguished as that of Australian RAAF.
The consortium even went as far as offering the RAAF the loan of two of its three prototypes (the third prototype being that of the original SE-116 piston engine powered variant).
This RAAF was even surprised further when 'Sud' stated that it could have production up and running in 3-months, with first delivery in 7-months.
As an even greater sweetener, Beech/Sud offered the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) or the Government Aircraft Factory (GAF) exclusive production rights for the Voltigeur, if the RAAF was to purchase forty plus aircraft.

The RAAF after consultation with the Australian Army agreed to access the Voltigeur in combat condition, so long as they were not made financially accountable for the damage of loss of any aircraft, to which the Beech / Sud consortium agreed.
Very quickly both the RAAF and Australian Army found the Voltigeur a most rugged, versatile and hard hitting platform.
The RAAF liked the designs ability to be serviced in the field, and its ability to take damage from enemy ground fire.
The Australian Army on the other hand liked the fact that the Voltigeur was only minutes away, thanks to its forward basing capability and the stopping power of its two-30 mm DEFA cannons and the variety of bombs and rockets it carried and delivered from its six – underwing weapons pylons.
During its trials in South Vietnam, the two Voltigeur's were trialed in support of a couple of Australian SAS operations.
Carrying a five man SAS team to their designated drop zone, behind the enemies lines, the Voltigeur`s after parachuting their cargo of SAS teams into their AO, were able to loiter for some time within the area, so as to give close air support if needed by the SAS teams on the ground.
On more than one occasion, the Voltigeur gave escort to RAAF UH-1D Iroquois helicopters carrying out CSAR and medivac missions, with great success.
One of the most notable missions flown by a RAAF trial Voltigeur, was in support of a USAF 'Jolly Green Giant' CSAR mission, which had been tasked with recovering a downed USAF Douglas AC-47 'Puff the Magic Dragon' crew, which they had suspected they had been drawn into a Viet Cong/NVA anti-aircraft ambush.
For when the USAF`s A-7D Corsair II's flying 'Sandy' and Jolly Green Giant arrived at the extraction site they had come under heavy AAA fire, from very well prepared and fortified gun positions, which the A-7's found both hard to find and silence with their 20mm cannons.
The USAF were surprised and impressed with the penetrating power of the RAAF's Voltigeur's 30mm cannons and AS.11 guided air-to-surface missiles which was credited with tacking out some of the suspected 37mm AAA cannon, which allowed the downed aircrew crew to be recovered.
From that time on the RAAF`s two Voltigeur would be christened 'friend of Sandy's' by the Americans.

So impressed with the performance of the Voltigeur, was the RAAF and Australian Army, that they elected to take up the Beech / Sud consortium offer, which would mean that there would be a much longer wait than anticipated, but it was deemed worth the wait.
The first RAAF production variant of the Voltigeur (named 'Wedgtail' in Australian service) would be an additional month late than promised by Beech / Sud, but this was due to some of the modifications that the RAAF demanded, which took time.
Whilst the production of new airframes and service entry of the Voltigeur was being carried out, the RAAF purchased the two trial prototypes for use as trainers.

The service of the Voltigeur in RAAF service in Vietnam would reward and vindicate Beech and Sud`s gamble, when the United States Government under the Military Assistance Program (MAP) purchased an initial twenty Voltigeur from Australia for service in the VNAF, as replacements for their warn out Skyraiders, which was followed by an additional thirteen airframes, six months later.
The consortium of CAC and GAF were kept busy with order from the United States Government under its MAP for -
Thailand (18)
Argentina (16)
Philippines (19)
Honduras (10)
Guatemala (6)

Other countries that purchased the Voltigeur for their military were -
New Zealand (12)
Britain (12 for the RAF operations in Belize)
Sri Lanka (9)
Portugal (10)
Malaysia (12 + 8 ex-RAAF supplied by Australia as military assistance)
Papua New Guinea (6 supplied as new by Australian Government)
Indonesia (16 ex-RAAF supplied by Australia as military assistance)
Australia (42 produced for the RAAF – production being suspended for the RAAF, with
               the end of its involvement in the Vietnam. The RAAF's Voltigeur`s
               ('Wedgetail`s') would go on to serve in deployments to Butterworth airbase,
                Malaysia.
               
The Voltigeur would serve in RAAF service into the 1990`s in the countries
Far North, supporting NORFORCE operations

Total production by Beech /Sud was 1 x SE-116 prototype
                                                          2 x SE-117 prototypes
                                                        12 x SE-117 AUS

Total production by CAC / GAF was 193 x SE-117 AUS

I would very much appreciate anyone willing to do some profiles of the Voltigeur in RAAF, VNAF etc..........


M.A.D

[Lawman]

Another possibility you seem to have missed was the armed version of the OV-1D Mohawk! It seems to have had a lot of potential, with good performance, pretty rugged, and the added benefit of commonality with US Army stocks. It was capable (though for obvious reasons limited by the USAF/Army treaty) of carrying a good range of weapons, e.g. 7/19-round 2.75in rocket pods, 4-round Zuni pods, 500lb bombs, napalm, gun pods (including 20mm and possible 30mm ones) and a lot of other stores. It also had a pretty convenient layout, with side by side seating allowing a good view, and general convenience.

Equally, the OV-10 Bronco would have been a great option, with excellent rough field capability, and excellent weapons capability. They would be a good match for the Bushranger gunships; and given the timing, even AH-1 Cobras would be a possibility!

There are a whole wide range of possibilities:

- OV-1D Mohawk
- OV-10 Bronco
- AH-1 Cobra
- MB-326
- A-4 Skyhawk (common with the RAN)
- DHC-4 in a gunship form, a la AC-47/-119/-130

Perhaps a mix of systems - OV-1Ds or OV-10s for close co-operation with ground units (alongside more Bushranger gunships); and A-4 Skyhawks for heavier support, perhaps with a mix of TA-4s to help with FAC duties; and gunship conversions of the DHC-4 Caribous. This would be an excellent mix of capabilities.

My concern about the Sud Voltigeur would be that it seems very much like the Pucara, and would be a pretty easy target for ground fire (agility probably wouldn't be as good in it as for the Bronco). The Bronco was tough enough, and could carry a pretty respectable warload, yet still operate from dirt strips. Post-war, they would be a good, cheap asset, perhaps being operated partly by reserve crews, a la Air National Guard. Skyhawks would give good strike ability, and commonality with the RAN, and perhaps allow for the Mirage fleet to be moved to primarily air-to-air work. By the late '70s, the fleet mix would be Mirages for air-to-air, Skyhawks for strike, F-111s for heavy strike, and OV-10 Broncos with the reserves, for close support.

[ysi_maniac]

Could Voltigeur be done from a Pucara Well I admit it would need serious PSR

[GTX]

Cool - never knew of this aircraft until now.  Would look cool in the same scheme as the Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porters:




Regards,

Greg

[Lawman]

Perhaps the PC-6s could just have been bought in greater numbers, and fitted out like the AU-23 Peacemaker (i.e. a US-built PC-6 gunship). They had a pretty mixed review, but were at least pretty well armed, and fairly sprightly with the turboprop engines. If given a pair of rocket pods, and the side mounted 20mm gun, they would have been pretty useful. Alternatively, they could have been rigged to drop mortar shells, something that the Huey was actually used for on an experimental basis in Vietnam. With the 81mm mortar round weighing around 10lbs, the PC-6s could have carried a few dozen, to supplement the 20mm gun.

It might even have been possible to rig the DHC-4 Caribous to drop the mortar bombs, and have a door-mounted 20mm; by making it a kit, that can simply be slid into a normal 'bou, you make it a lot easier. The 'bou should be able to carry a few hundred rounds, and drop them out, either through a chute in the side door, or a chute over the rear ramp; the side door would probably be better, since it allows airspeed to be kept up, improving safety. The Caribou would then fly over, dropping a line of mortar shells along its path, in a smaller version of the way B-52s flew over the fields surrounding Khe Sanh, guided in by radar.