The Royal Danish Air Force retired the Hughes OH-6A (H-500) today after 34 years.
Six (of 12) were still operational. The "Hightimer" with 7.800 hrs. Many with over 5.000. The "Lowtimer" (I forgot how much) was rebuilt three times!
I know it had built in "crashworthiness" as a Vietnam War Scout. But was the "Hughes 500 = 500 expected flying hours" story true?
They will be up for sale. Hughes trophy for "best maintained helicopter in the world" - in 1982
http://forsvaret.dk/ftk/
P.S. From 1971 to 2003 they were Army operated.