Sarathi S. Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 So, I'm planning on converting an Italeri MH-53E kit I recently received into a what-if next-gen Pave Low gunship for supporting special-operations forces after transporting them in. (Yes, I know the Pave Low isn't normally a gunship, but hear me out) I'm not sure if I should stay with the larger sponsons that come with the MH-53E or scratchbuild the smaller sponsons of the actual Pave Low and CH-53E. I'm not really sure what would look better with the load of Hellfires I plan to give it. (I may add extra pylons for Hydras as well) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andre Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 That'd be pretty intimidating - I say go for it! Cheers, Andre Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sarathi S. Posted February 3, 2012 Author Share Posted February 3, 2012 So should I go with the large sponsons, or the small ones? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hajo L. Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 I´d say small sponsons, but thats just me... ;) HAJO Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pminer Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 So, I'm planning on converting an Italeri MH-53E kit I recently received into a what-if next-gen Pave Low gunship for supporting special-operations forces after transporting them in. (Yes, I know the Pave Low isn't normally a gunship, but hear me out) I'm not sure if I should stay with the larger sponsons that come with the MH-53E or scratchbuild the smaller sponsons of the actual Pave Low and CH-53E. I'm not really sure what would look better with the load of Hellfires I plan to give it. (I may add extra pylons for Hydras as well) Hmmmm...I'm not sure either. Maybe test fit both...then decide. And why would you scratch build the smaller sponsons? You can just get those from another Italeri kit. They make a CH-53E you know. For me....I'd definitely go for what would look the best. I mean...the meanest and the most loaded for bear. Paul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sarathi S. Posted February 6, 2012 Author Share Posted February 6, 2012 I unfortunately do not have access to another Italeri stallion. I could never find their CH-53E. So, my only feasible option is to scratch build them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
arkhunter2002 Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 I saw the MH-53J on Lucky Model the other day.... Just sayin... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sarathi S. Posted February 6, 2012 Author Share Posted February 6, 2012 (edited) I saw it too. I'm still trying to justify buying it when I can just scratchbuild it. XD EDIT: Also, I ordered from Luckymodel for the first time yesterday, but for some reason they're saying I haven't paid yet, while Paypal says otherwise. Is this a common problem for any of you? Edited February 6, 2012 by Sarathi S. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pminer Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 I unfortunately do not have access to another Italeri stallion. I could never find their CH-53E. So, my only feasible option is to scratch build them. I see them at swap meets pretty often. Then there's eBay...and Amazon. Just sayin... Good luck! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sarathi S. Posted February 6, 2012 Author Share Posted February 6, 2012 I've been searching on eBay and Amazon for years, and unfortunately there are no swap meets near here that I know of. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sarathi S. Posted February 6, 2012 Author Share Posted February 6, 2012 Besides. I remembered last night that when I had originally had the idea, I would use the large sponsons so as to save pylon space for weapons while retaining fuel capacity. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Challenge Accepted Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 So, I'm planning on converting an Italeri MH-53E kit I recently received into a what-if next-gen Pave Low gunship for supporting special-operations forces after transporting them in. (Yes, I know the Pave Low isn't normally a gunship, but hear me out) I'm not sure if I should stay with the larger sponsons that come with the MH-53E or scratchbuild the smaller sponsons of the actual Pave Low and CH-53E. I'm not really sure what would look better with the load of Hellfires I plan to give it. (I may add extra pylons for Hydras as well) This sounds like a great idea, I was actually thinking of doing this for my next project. As for sponsons, I'd go for the smaller ones as I think they look much better (in my opinion). Good luck Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Diamondback Six Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Whoa, warped minds think alike... :P I'm doing something similar in 1/48, though mine will be even more of a beast since it uses the wings of an A-10 Warthog for extra kick, kind of a "Hind From Hell." Couple threads here and at What-If that may inspire you... http://s362974870.onlinehome.us/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=205208&hl=ch-53e&st=0 http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,28562.60.html My own threads for build-planning the "MH-53X" (it's got twice the power "stock" thanks to an uprated CH-53K powertrain and engines, with plans to add a 4th engine for even more)... http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,34407.0/topicseen.html http://s362974870.onlinehome.us/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=235675&st=0&p=2247034&fromsearch=1entry2247034 And this bird is conceived as being able to lift and AIR LAUNCH a fully armed Tomcat-21... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sarathi S. Posted February 7, 2012 Author Share Posted February 7, 2012 Haha, I did use yours and Vindicator's builds as inspiration. Probably not going to go as far as Warthog wings, though. :P Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Diamondback Six Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 The What-If build isn't mine, but it is inspiring it a bit--I'm thinking that instead of external gun-pods, my beast will have a pair of GPU-5 30mms concealed in the drop tanks... I'm also planning to attach the wings with magnets, so that way I can pop 'em off for display in other than "Bring The Pain" config. Good luck! Maybe we can get some "cross-pollination" going... I'm planning to use the imaging head off a LITENING G4 pod (rest of system integrated "inside the skin") to replace the old AAQ-10 FLIR, for one. Why just look when you can also feed targeting data to others too? :D BTW, the Pave Low's sponsons are slightly smaller than the -E, ditto the drop-tanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sarathi S. Posted February 8, 2012 Author Share Posted February 8, 2012 Thanks for the heads up. I think I'm going to go with the larger sponsons so as to save pylon space for weapons instead of using them up for fuel tanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ST0RM Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Back in the mid 90's, this was proposed to AFSOC as a competitor to the Osprey. Sikorsky said they would offer new MH-53Es (USAF), with the full PAVELOW package for only $6Mil more per helicopter. Of course the operators were all in favor of this, but in the end, the V-22 won out. Sounds like a cool Whif project. Not so sure about the offensive weapons, but I'd like to see how you work it in. Good luck! -Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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