North American OV-10 Bronco Book Review
By David L. Veres
| Date of Review | January 2024 | Title | North American OV-10 Bronco |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Mike Verier | Publisher | Guideline Publications |
| Published | 2023 | ISBN | n/a |
| Format | 104 pages, softbound | MSRP (GBP) | £28.00 |
Review
Author Mike Verier succinctly surveys the unique and fascinating North American OV-10 Bronco in the 140th Warpaint title from Guideline Publications.
And what a terrific tale he tells. Spanning just 104 picture-packed pages, format follows the popular series’ proven prescription.
Coverage kick-starts with the vision of USMC Majors K.P. Rice and W.H. Becket for purpose-designed, counterinsurgency (COIN) warplanes.
Both officers were aeronautical engineers – and innovative problem-solvers. Rice, for instance, originated the brilliant, now-ubiquitous Multiple Ejector Rack (MER), thereby significantly boosting the ordinance capacity of each weapons pylon.
In combat conditions of local air superiority, converted trainers and older, obsolescent warplanes had previously fulfilled most COIN duties. Now Rice and Becket championed a new, field-maintainable platform with superior short takeoff and landing (STOL), reconnaissance, loiter, and weapons-carrying capabilities.
Several U.S. aerospace companies responded to September 1963’s RFP for a “Light Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft” (LARA). And the contest eventually distilled to a fly-off between the Convair Model 48 Charger and North American NA-300 “Bronco”, winner of the “OV-10” production order.
From there, Verier capably charts OV-10 development, modifications, combat operations, variants, and worldwide use – including non-military government and civilian roles.
Fascinating facts tincture text.
Did an OV-10 ever fire a Sidewinder air-to-air missile “in anger”? Page 62 supplies the surprising answer. And did North American’s Bronco entry really win the initial fly-off?
Hundreds of images further season the study.
Illustrations include color and B&W photos, archival art, and 1:72-scale plans. Profile and plan views survey the vibrant swath of Bronco schemes. And extended, explanatory captions accompany most.
Tables and specifications also augment the account. Three pages of close-ups explore the subject “in detail”. And in a welcome departure from previous Warpaint content, coverage concludes with a handy “camouflage” section – complete with U.S. Federal Standard and German RAL matches.
Modelers will love it.
But the possessive of “it” is its – not “it’s”. And South America’s northernmost nation is Colombia – not “Columbia”.
Robustly recommended!
My sincere thanks to Guideline Publications for this review sample!