Loach Driver

Apologies for resurrecting an older thread but this seems like the best place to come with my query. Can it safely be assumed that any USMC helicopter bearing an MX code on its tail is an HMX-1 helicopter, dedicated to supporting US Presidential Marine Corps helicopter operations? I have found a picture on the web of what appears to be a CH-53D in standard USMC green with high-viz markings from 1975. It is bearing the code "MX30" on the tail along with "30" on the fuselage sides and nose. I have found a second photo of a Green-top CH-53 (possibly an HH-53C) and in the

I'm actually surprised there haven't been further posts complimenting you on this model. Thanks for sharing your research into this unique H-3. I think I might attempt it in 1/144 with the AFV Club kit using your build as my main reference. It would make a suitable companion for a model of the US Army VH-3A from President John F Kennedy's visit to my home town in 1963. 👍 LD.

Thanks, Andy, for digging out those scans. Didn't realise the 67th were also involved in providing SAR/Recovery coverage for these missions. A 67th HC-130 will be added to my list in place of a 33rd ARS one. I'm not sure what kit to get though, the Minicraft one is apparently not very accurate while the AModel one looks like a challenging build! Another one to add to my list is USCG HH-52A, 1445, which was used during hoist training for the crew of Apollo 9. 1445 was attached to Air Station Houston at the time. I have an HH-52A in 1/144th scale that is 3-D printed, and it's tiny!😬

Yes, the selection of 1/144 does reduce the possible options for aircraft I can choose for this project but space is a big issue as is time. However there are still plenty of aircraft that can be built in this scale depicting many of the aircraft involved in supporting the various American space programs. And yes, my use of the term "directly" is open to interpretation but I suppose I am referring to aircraft that were deployed in support of the various missions at the time the missions were occurring (very often USMC, USAF and Navy aircraft) as well as predominantly aircraft from the NASA fle

Thanks for this info. I think I have found pics of the HC-130s deployed for operations in support of Gemini XII. Also found a pic online of the C-141 that brought the Apollo 11 isolation unit, with Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins inside, from Hickam to CONUS. 👍 LD.

An "early-years" 1/144 sheet would be very interesting and sounds like a great idea! LD.

Thanks for the info in relation to the ARIA aircraft. I am hoping to build these aircraft in 1/144th scale. With so many of these aircraft being large four-engined types, my house wouldn't be big enough to accommodate them all in 1/72 scale! I see that Welsh Models did a kit of the C-135 ARIA in 1/144 so might try that option. Another type that I can add to my list is the Boeing HC-97G. Two were deployed to Pearce Air Base in Australia in support of the Apollo program. 53-0126 and 53-0122 were the aircraft concerned. https://www.airhistory.net/aircraft/3823/Boeing-HC-9

Lovely model of a very interesting USAF CH-3. One to be proud of. LD.

Thanks for the replies. I should have mentioned the NKC-135 ARIA but it looks like its outside of my ability to convert a standard C-135 kit, sadly. The CORONA satellite program is a US space program, albeit not a NASA one! There is also the JC-130B and HH-53C of the 6594th test group. Thanks. LD.

This is a query about aircraft as opposed to space craft! However, this might be the best place to ask this question. I am trying to compile a list of aircraft that have been directly involved in support operations for the various space programs run by the USA/NASA over the last 65 years, from Project Mercury until the present day. Not all aircraft would have been operated by NASA, as my list illustrates. These are the aircraft I have identified so far as being directly involved in the support of US space programs. These can all be built in 1/144 currently and that is my plan.

Great work on that model. LD.

Really coming together. LD.

Phenomenal work as always. LD.

Great to see new helicopter books coming out. Good luck with this project. LD.

Very interesting build. Looking forward to seeing it completed. LD.

Congrats on a fabulous build of a rare and fascinating aircraft. LD.

It is only a minor detail, given the quality of your build. Great model of a Little Bird! LD.

In relation to the question about the instrument panel, the AH-6F panel is based on the slimmer pedestal of the civilian Hughes 500D. The AH-6C is the T-shaped one found on the OH-6A. Nice work on your model, by the way. LD.

That is off the hook! Another great build with superb levels of scratch-building. LD.

I'm seeking some advice on 1/48 scale AH-64 kits for a few possible future build. I purchased an Airfix 1/48 AH-64 Apache recently for a very good price. It was the first 1/48th AH-64 ever released and it accurately depicts the Phase II Pre-Production Hughes YAH-64. Looking at the kit, it got me thinking, wouldn't it be cool to attempt to build all the various versions of the AH-64 that the US Army has flown over the years since service entry in the early 80's? And so, here are the various versions that have flown with the US Army Phase II pre-production prototype Hughes YAH-64

Does this video help in any way? Probably not but perhaps enough to help with your model. LD.

Lots of work obviously went into your Lynx. One to be proud of. LD.

This sounds very interesting. Looking forward to the LOH photos, especially any OH-6A pics! And hopefully you do get the opportunity to post up the flight test reports. LD.

I've been doing a little research into 1/48th scale AH-64s. The Airfix 1/48 scale kit is in fact a Phase II Pre-production Prototype. It was the very first 1/48th scale AH-64 model kit to be released. It is now one of those kits that you either love or hate. You'll love it, if like me, you want to construct a prototype AH-64. You'll probably hate it if you want a production-standard AH-64A. I purchased one recently at a very good price and it looks to be quite nice but bear in mind that this is a kit from 1983. That being said, that period was possibly the golden era of production

Impressive build! LD.