Rob Mignard

Rob, haven't seen the wire models, but it was (is?) Soviet/Russian doctrine to walk through the mission on the ramp prior to flying the mission. It's really goofy to see, but that's what they do. Here's some shots from Syria. Rob

The new AMP OH-6A arrived today. There's a lot to like here. AMP have really upped their quality. This is a very well detailed kit (in the box). Their surface detail and clear parts are as good as Eduard/Tamiya. The sprue gates are small. I'm very impressed. They provide a photo-etch fret, masks, and decals for three different versions of the same airframe! (101st Airborne, 11th Armored Cav Regiment (where it got it's red/white/blue tail feathers) and F Troop 4th Cavalry. You can get pictures and a history of this helicopter at: https://www.centaursinvietnam.org/WarStories/WarEssa

Here's Mk-79's on Skyraiders. I think they were only used early in the conflict. I don't recall ever seeing them on Air Force Spads. I believe the napalm tank you asked about are in the photo you posted

I’d recommend the book “my secret war” and the website skyraider.org as good starting places. Mig

John, I'm aware of the different tailbooms on the H-13; I was only trying to demonstrate the engine basket. There are myriad differences (including the tailbooms) in the various Bell 47 models. It appears Italeri measured an Augusta Bell AB-47G3 for their 1/48 kit. That makes sense; the Italians flew them. I can't bring myself to make an S model out of that kit. There's only a few inches difference in the cabin width, but to me, it just doesn't look right. I've built a jig to make more in scale tail booms for the H-13 kit and a mold for the narrow S cabin. I haven't finished one yet, but still

You also need to check if the helicopter you're depicting has a C model tail boom (with the cambered vertical stabilizer). Many B models that had been in country for a long time had them. Why? They ran out of B model replacement tail booms at the depots and used the C model booms they had.

Here's a few more illustrations with additional information. I'll stop posting further stuff until you get started and have specific questions.

You're correct; but the engine basket is the same.

This may help too.

It’s OD overall with replacement parts. The sync elevators appear to be weathered zinc chromate. There doesn’t appear that there was a standard Army helicopter olive drab. Our (92nd AHC) hueys ranged from a medium tan to almost black. Replacement parts were used as-is and not repainted.

Here you go!

Here's what the bare engine section of the frame looks like:

Here's a couple of photos with some additional information. The closeup of the empennage shows that the Fort Rucker ID number also is painted on the top of the syncronized elevator. These numbers on both the tanks and empennage were glass beaded so they glowed at night if you shined a light on them. The rear right quarter view (taken at Shell Army Airfield) shows how the VHF Omni Nav antennas (look like towel racks) are attached. The plates are flat and are braced at the bottom to make them vertical. Looking from the top, they follow the taper of the tail boom. You can also see the main rotor

Here's some illustrations that will help figure out what individual components look like:

Here's the tail rotor, the main rotor, and the synchronized elevator: