Our Aircraft’s History

Bell OH-58A Kiowa (S/N 69-16153; MSN #40374) ~ This Bell helicopter was built in Fort Worth, Texas and delivered to the US Army on July 17, 1970 then integrated into the Headquarters and Headquarters Troop (HHT), 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR), Nurnberg, Germany.  Here is her known history:

  • October 1980 – Company D, 3rd Aviation Battalion (Combat), Kitzingen, Germany
  • February 1982 – Company A, 3rd Aviation Battalion (Combat), Giebelstadt, Germany
  • January 1985 – 225th General Support Aviation Company, Giebelstadt, Germany
  • December 1986 – Company B, 70th Transportation Battalion, Sandhofen, Germany
  • June 1987 – HHT, 4th Squadron, 4th Calvary Regiment, Sandhofen, Germany
  • June 1989 – HHT, 3rd Squadron, 4th Calvary Regiment, Sandhofen, Germany
  • September 1992 – Corpus Christi Army Depot, Texas
  • November 1992 – Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Aviation Brigade, 38th Infantry Division, Indiana Army National Guard (ANG), Shelbyville, Indiana
  • June 1995 – 4th Squadron, 107th ACR, Ohio ANG, North Canton, Ohio

The next year, in September 1996, the US Army loaned the to MAPS Air Museum for static display. This Kiowa was repainted in the summer of 2001, courtesy of Redhorse Aviation. Currently, Crew Chief Jim Boyea leads the maintenance of the Kiowa. 

Museum display notes: its markings are displayed as it was assigned with the 4th Squadron, 107th ACR, Ohio Air National Guard, North Canton, Ohio in the mid 1990’s

Specifications/Performance:

  • Crew: 1 (or 2nd observer)
  • Role: Observation and reconnaissance 
  • Manufacturer: Bell Helicopter
  • First flight: January 10, 1966
  • Entered Service: May 1969
  • Status in the United States: In service
  • Produced:1966-1989
  • Number Built: 2,200
  • Unit Cost: $6.7 million (1990)
  • Engine: 1 x Allison T63-A-700 turboshaft, 317 shp
  • Rotor diameter: 35 ft 4 in
  • Length: 32 ft 2 in
  • Height: 9 ft 7 in
  • Empty weight: 1,583 lb
  • Max weight: 3,000 lb
  • Cruise speed: 117 mph
  • Max speed: 138 mph
  • Range: 299 mi
  • Service ceiling: 19,000 ft

    Armament, notable:

  • Guns: 6-barreled 7.62 mm M134 minigun or
  • M129 Grenade Launcher

Designed to replace: Bell H-13 “Sioux”

Replaced by: Boeing AH-64 “Apache”

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