THE FEAR OF THE AIR FORCE’S WRATH

THIS POSSIBLE VENGEANCE had dogged the Mohawk for 14 years, ever since the Army decided in 1956 to create the first designed-for-the-purpose “battlefield reconnaissance” aircraft since the North American 0-47 had flown in 1937.

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OV-1A Hawk 9 sits on the flightline at the 131st Aviation Co.'s ramp in Phu Bai before a mission into Laos. (Photo by Ken Lee.)

To understand this problem, a bit of background history is required. The Grumman OV-1 Mohawk was firmly in the tradition of what was called “Corps Reconnaissance” in WW I, and “Army Co-Operation” in WW II, in that it was a purpose-built aircraft to work with the land forces. Some more famous of this type are the WW I de Havilland DH-4 and Bristol Fighter and the Lysander and Storch of WW II.