Rob Mignard

Neomega makes a very nice 1/48 scale kit; all resin (of course) with vac-formed canopy. Mig

OK, thanks. I'm an Air Force guy; not used to seeing stuff like that. Mig

What’s with the missing refuelling probe cover? Mig

It was still an HH-53B. If you look at Andy’s earlier post with the photo of the four Air Force folks, it will confirm that. Mig

I believe they were OT&E flights. I was flying HH-3E’s at the time and wasn’t involved with 53’s. Sorry.

Glad to be of help. I was just lucky enough to be at Kirtland when she was there. I'd like to do it in 1/48.

I agree 100%. SOME aircraft are easy to shoot, others are nearly impossible. I took over 1000 photos on my first trip; mostly detail stuff. Mig

I recently purchased this kit from the Brothers. After I started Building it I discovered that it has the wrong clear sprue. My kit came with the original “J” clear sprue instead of the correct “U” sprue; the problem being the original windscreen can’t be used with the streamlined cowling. You may want to check your kit. Mig .

If you’re planning on taking photos be aware that the buildings are aircraft hangars and are not well lit. Additionally the partitions are covered with black cloth which soak up your flash. The aircraft are also mostly jammed together so depending on the aircraft you’re attempting to shoot it can be difficult to impossible to get a picture of the entire aircraft. Not trying to wave you off from going just trying to prepare you. It’s a great museum; It took me three days the first time I went. Mig ’

Here are the color photos. I took all of these photos at Kirtland AFB, NM in May, 1978

Here's some photos of 433 when she first arrived at the 1550 ATTW at Kirtland AFB. I've got some color photos that I'll have to search for and will then post. Mig

Great information, Thanks. Mig

You may also consider twisting the blades. Like propellers, helicopter rotors have approximately 18 degrees of twist and for the same reason. Washout (the official term) equalizes lift across the span of the rotor (or length of a propeller). Since the blade tip is traveling through the air faster than the root, it requires more negative twist (incidence). You’ll want to twist the leading edge of the rotor blade down at the tip. Most airplane wings also have washout (most easily seen on A/F-18s). On airplanes, it’s typically used to ensure the wing tips (and ailerons) stall last giving the pilo

The cargo hook “box” doesn’t really exist. You can look up through the hell hole and see up past the transmission and out through the top. The screened area is an air vent for the engine oil cooler. The interior is generally interior green. Mig

Sven, after additional research by my good friend and Vietnam Veteran Michael Campbell, he came up with this narrative from the 187th: To amplify the information previously provided the following data pertaining to the unit's name and name change was extracted from the 187th AHC's official records. 31 March 1967 - The Blackhawks returned to their Tay Ninh Roost after two weeks of training with the 11th and 145th Combat Aviation Battalions. On 1 April 1967, with from 50 to 60 hours experience under their belts, the Blackhawks began flying as Aircraft Commanders and Pilo