Michael A.

GCA333, Welcome to the forum! We generally discuss our hobby and favorite aircraft here as opposed to politics. Yes even Blackwater has their owna aircraft now! However, I detect from your tone that you have obviously never been caught on the X in an insurgent ambush and need an extra gun to extricate yourself. Stay safe, enjoy the hobby and life in Motor City. Regards, Michael A. Regards, Michael A.

Attention all serious helicopter builders! This is a sweet little kit. If you are building or plan to build a late model "F" this is a must. The particle seperator has the finest detail you would ever expect to find in any scale. For a total of $13.00, that includes domestic postage this kit can be on your work bench in about ten days. Contact Floyd via direct at: fwernerjr@comcast.net for additional details. Regards, Michael A.

IMC 1/32 scale Jet Ranger If I recall correctly this kit took 1st in catagory at the IPMS Nationals in Atlanta circa 1978 / 1979. Much work was done to bring it up to the standards of the day. I expect that even more work would be required to accomplish that same task today. The kit represented an OH-58A as it appeared during this time frame. Modofications included; military instrument panel and detailed interior. All doors were removed as was the tail rotor drive shaft cover. Drive shaft was detailed as were the hanger barrings. Brass tubbing was fabricated into skids and cross tubes.

Jon Have Gun Will Travel: Not the above mentioned [picture] aircraft from 11th ACR. Name in 3" possibly 4" stenciled letters on left side under gunners canopy. Painted in Chromate Green which did not show up real well against the origional OD paint. More research required! NETT Cobras / Replacement Aircraft Looks like two AH-1G's went directly from the Cobra NETT to C 2/17 Cav in February 1971. Lam Son 719 was a good place to get your helicopter broken, or worse. 68-15021; Survived the war. 68-15201; Was damaged in April 71, during a bad hovering autorotation if I remember correctl

Jon, [Hey Floyd, that last Cobra you posted has got me a bit confused. Is it from the 5th Avn Det or is it from B/2/17th Cav? It has markings for both! ] This may help with regards to the photo posted by Floyd. Aircraft appears to be a replacement for losses incured during Lam Son 719. It is possible that two aircraft from the Cobra NETT may have been assigned to the various units within the 101st. I can not prove that at this time however. AH-1G; 67-15572, was assigned to A 2/17 Cav as a replacement during this period of reconstitution. She was named "Have Gun Will Travel" and I beli

Early days of IR Paint The dark IR paint was origionally identified by MIL-SPEC prior to being assigned an FS Number as I remember. It was initially used in SEA during the late 1972 / early 1973 time-frame as I recall. The paint was issued to vrious units and they applied it within their respective organizations. Some AH-1G's were seen with the dark IR paint as well as sharks teeth and CAV Flags. Likewise some OH-6A's sported the IR Paint and detenctive organizational markings. If a little IR paint does a little good, then a whole lot if IR paint will / should do a lot of good! Not exac

De-modified TH-1S Surrogate? I have studied the Ft. Campbell museum Cobra and would like to offer the following opinion. It is quite possible that this is an early AH-1S, 15 of which were modified as PNVS Surrogate trainers for the AH-64A Transition Course at Ft. Rucker in the 1984 / 85 time frame. The aerodynamic farring on the nose replaces the now removed PNVS system. The TH-1S was not armed and only had an aerodynamic shape where the chin turret should be. The museum example has had an add-hock turret added but the 40mm grenade launcher and mini-gun are only representations of what th

I would very much like to see a new tool kit of the Vietnam Era AH-1G in both 1/72 and 1/48 scales. Imagine if you would, the year is 1980 and no decent kit of a WWII P-51 mustang is available in these scales. Here we are almost 35 years after the end of the Vietnam War and no decent kits of the AH-1G available in these scales. Regards, Michael A.

Joe, The latest (November) Squadron Flyer shows a 1/48 scale, 7 x shot rocket pod on the rear cover. This is a resin kit that may well meet your needs. Michael A.

Once Upon A Time In Iraq Two standard CH-47s landed in the night and were on the LZ for a long time, 20 -30 miutes. The next morning the parking lot had two new HUMMVs. They were the convirtable model with no roof and the windshields were in the down position. I did not see the opertion but they were supposed to have arrived via CH-47. Perhaps additional researh will help confrm this. Regards, Michael A.