ski6502

Tank, You're absolutely correct about the "single grey" color scheme. When I was at Bastion/Leatherneck, ALL of the -53Ds were a semi-gloss or even gloss gray that differed greatly from what the -53E's were "wearing". I'm not sure why all the Hawaii-based D squadrons wore the glossy scheme (maybe easier to wash off exhaust/oil staining that the -53s are notorious for?). At any rate, the single color grey is correct for the Delta squadrons. Semper, Ski

How about some "West Coast" Marine Hueys and Cobras? No offense to my brethren in New River, but if I see one more version of HML/A-167's markings.... Counting the training squadron, there are five (count 'em, FIVE) Huey and Cobra squadrons at Camp Pendleton, and one in Hawaii. What's more, for the past few years, most of the SAME BuNo aircraft have been in Afghanistan; the only changes have been what squadron's markings are on the engine cowlings. You could literally cover a few OEF BuNos on one decal sheet, and just include the markings of HMLA-169, -267, -367, -369, -469.... The poss

Greetings All, As the title says, I'm looking for some spare decals from Academy's CH-46A/D Marines boxing. Specifically, I'm looking for the Tiger heads from the HMM-262 version. Please contact me if you have any you can spare, and thanks for looking! Semper, Ski

Don, Thanks a million, you're truly a stand up guy! I'm continually amazed at the kindness and generosity of the folks in this hobby, thanks for all your help! PM inbound.... Semper, Ski

Hey Don, That would be perfect, thanks a million! Please let me know what you'd like in return, is PayPal okay??? Thanks again! Ski

Greetings all, As the title and description state, I'm looking for a few 4-shot rocket pods for a 1/48 Scale AH-1J. Please PM me if you can help, PayPal preferred. Thanks! Semper, Ski

Nope. No ablative coating on BDU-45s or Mk 83/84 Inerts. I have seen some static display thermally protected weapons with two blue stripes around the nose, but never seen them loaded (and that was a loooooooong time ago!) Semper Ski

No worries, think nothing of it! Great find with the pictures by the way. I would imagine that it's only a matter of time before we see a SuperCobra at the Pensacola museum, there are already a few Zulu's flying at Pendleton! Semper, Ski

Like I said, TOW/Hellfire are interchangeable on Stations 1 and 4, but I can tell you that operationally, we prefer to fly them on the left side. That way, should the wirecut logic fail on the TML, at least the wire is not on the tail rotor side (bad things can happen...) . But, honestly, whatever you think looks best. I'm not looking to make a flamewar out of this thread.... Semper, Ski

Concur with grandadjohn. While it is possible to carry TOW/Hellfire on either side of the a/c, the left side is preferable, due to the tail rotor being on the right side. Semper, Ski

Like it says in the title, I'm looking to build a "Polka Dots" Corsair, but I see that Meteor Decals is no longer around. Anyone know of a distributor that still sells the sheets, or if someone has these markings in their stash? Thanks! Ski

Like the title states, I'm looking to build a "Polka Dots" Corsair, but I notice that Meteor has since gone out of business. Anyone know if someone still distributes their sheets, or has these markings in their spares box? Semper Fi and IYAOYAS! Ski

We were using green nose/tail kits as recently as '06 over in Al Asad. At the time, I was an Ordie with VMFA(AW)-332, and all of our bombs were BLU-series (all grey bomb bodies). Every now and then, we'd see grey guidance kits, though... IYAOYAS!!! Ski

There are always exceptions to the rule, but about 90% of the Mk 80 series bombs you will see on Marine "D's" will have the ablative coating, and all the BLU series. If you see any non-thermally protected bombs, they are usually Mk 83s or 84s, and pretty old. If you are planning on modelling a Hawks jet from their most recent OIF deployment, a typical loadout would have been: St.1 AIM-9 St.2 AGM-65 St.3 Drop Tank St.4 Empty St.5 Litening Pod St.6 Empty St.7 Drop Tank St.8 GBU-38 JDAM OR CVER w/two GBU-12s St.9 AIM-9 I was with VMFA(AW)-332 in Al Asad, and -533 relieved us over the

Unless you come in under an aviation contract, specifically UH/AH engine mechanic, it will take some time before you are permitted to start your AO/Gunner syllabus. Most occupational specialties will not permit you to fly unless your quals in your specific MOS are up to speed, but school trained Crew Chiefs go through aicrew candidate school at NAS Pensacola, FL (also a somewhat lengthy process). Were you to join the Marine Corps, you are looking at no less than 13 weeks of recruit training, 4 weeks of Marine Combat Training, and several months at Pensacola before you even see your first hou

Ben, Just to echo on what's already been said, I would waste no time in getting started on this, or you'll "what if" yourself to death the rest of your life! In addition to my regular duties, I am an Aerial Observer/Gunner on Marine UH-1N Hueys, about to transition to the four-bladed Yankee. I had a bit of a "mid-life crisis" myself a few years back, and was seriously considering a lat move to the Army WO program. But, already having more than 14 years in the Marine Corps at the time, I felt I was too invested to start all over again. So, I did what I felt was the next best thing and got

First pic is a captive AGM-122 Sidearm anti-radiation missile, sans wings and fins. Dead giveaway is the larger, white dome vice the narrow, glass seeker head. Semper, Ski

Scale? I know Creighton Henthorn had some East Coast squadrons available on the MAW decals website. West Coast HMLA markings are usually generic enough that if you can't find some, you can usually piecemeal together something without too much difficulty, then figure out a way to paint the squadron designator symbol (-169:Iron Cross, -267:Spade, etc...) However, if you want to do a MEU aircraft, check your resources. You can likely get away with a 1/72nd scale -46 or -53 sheet if you're doing a 1/48th UH-1N, I believe Dave Roof's and Creighton's sites both have offerings... Hope this help

Yep, that's the newest IDAS (Improved Defensive Armament System), vice the old DAS mounts.

Just to note on the pic of a/c 742, the GAU mount on the number two side is the old style (no longer used), but with the new DAS mounts, so that would date that photo as mid-war. With rare exception, all OIF I/II Hueys should have the "horns" on top of the cabin. Ski

As of the past few years, the "horns" for the detection suite have been removed as the sensors are now incorporated elsewhere. Regarding the "Spade", that is my unit, HMLA-267 out of Camp Pendleton! Semper, Ski

AMAZING WORK!!! The helmet and boom mike are spot on, (as is everything else!). You really have raised the bar for the rest of us, I am completely enjoying this build... Semper, Ski

As of late, most photos of Snakes in Iraq show two Hellfires on an HML and a single-stacked TML. Weight and endurance issues notwithstanding, the quick and easy answer is: we're just not shooting enough to warrant carrying four of each weapon. I am currently in an HMLA, and all of our Cobras have a single stack TML on St.1, LAU-61 St.2, LAU-68 St.3, and HML St.4. However, you can double-stack the TML with a LAU-61 inboard. Hope this helps! Ski

I'm glad somebody else shares the sentiment! I have a 1/35 USMC DAP in the works right now, although I'm a UH-1N lover, I think it makes more sense than the Yankees they're giving us! Semper, Ski

If you want a historical perspective, pick up "Hornets Over Kuwait" by Jay Stout. He was in -451 during Desert Shield/Storm, and his book outlines their view of the war in great detail. Handfull of good pics, too... Semper, Ski