Australia retires the Kiowa
The Australian Army formally retired the Bell 206B-1 Kiowa on 18 October, a date that also marked the 50th anniversary of the service’s Aviation Corps.
The Kiowa fleet flew for 47 years in the army, and an example performed its final flight on the occasion.
Australia originally hired eight OH-58A Kiowa helicopters from the US Army in 1971-72, these were used in the Vietnam War.
In 1971, Australia had selected the Bell 206B-1 ahead of the SA 341 Gazelle as its light observation platform. The 206B-1 is a military variant of the 206A Jet Ranger with uprated engine, lengthened rotor
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