picture 178414

Both the FAS and the Contras flew Hughes helicopters during the Contra War. The FAS took over at least two OH-6As left over from the former FAN. A reconstruction of one (serial 259) is shown on the left side: the original olive drab colour was crudely overpainted with sand and dark green, the large service title applied on the boom, and the serial on the gear-box cowling. The Contras also flew two Huges 365 or OH-6As. US mercenaries flying for the Contras active along the border with Honduras operated at least two Huges 500s (right illustration) – of which one suffered technical problems and had to be cannibalized to provide spares for the other – in 1984: both were painted in olive drab or dark green overall. (Artworks by Tom Cooper)