Hero medic in Afghanistan - possible to model her UH-60?

[Clumber]

Hey all and thanks in advance.

We just watched the "Air Warriors" program on the Blackhawk and they too briefly touched upon the Distinguished Flying Cross missions of medic Sgt. Julia Bringloe (now Stalker) in Afghanistan. So some further research (Googling) and I cannot believe we've not heard of her before, and I would like to model her bird. (Link below)

1. I prefer 48th scale but as a previous fan of the UH-60 I attempted the Minicrap kit a few years ago and it lead me to wanting to burn my workbench to the ground. So for a good kit that doesn't inspire me toward arson I am willing to expand to other scales. Suggestions? Is the HB one any good?

2. Markings - Can anyone point me toward figuring out what markings her bird would most likely have worn on the missions leading to the DFC?

Many thanks and I apologize for the lack of knowledge I have about units and such. The only major regret I have in life is that I never served in the military. I insisted on working on, flying, or gunning with Cobras but while at "prime recruiting age" they wouldn't even consider letting women work on big scary gun-toting helicopters and none of the university recruiters would promise me that the ban on women in combat would be lifted in my lifetime. Bleh.

thanks

~~Tracy, reluctant civilian, LOL

http://taskandpurpose.com/unsung-heroes-this-army-medic-overcame-gunfire-and-a-broken-leg-to-save-14-soldiers/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=tp-facebook&utm_campaign=culture

[11bee]

Hey all and thanks in advance.

We just watched the "Air Warriors" program on the Blackhawk and they too briefly touched upon the Distinguished Flying Cross missions of medic Sgt. Julia Bringloe (now Stalker) in Afghanistan. So some further research (Googling) and I cannot believe we've not heard of her before, and I would like to model her bird. (Link below)

1. I prefer 48th scale but as a previous fan of the UH-60 I attempted the Minicrap kit a few years ago and it lead me to wanting to burn my workbench to the ground. So for a good kit that doesn't inspire me toward arson I am willing to expand to other scales. Suggestions? Is the HB one any good?

2. Markings - Can anyone point me toward figuring out what markings her bird would most likely have worn on the missions leading to the DFC?

Many thanks and I apologize for the lack of knowledge I have about units and such. The only major regret I have in life is that I never served in the military. I insisted on working on, flying, or gunning with Cobras but while at "prime recruiting age" they wouldn't even consider letting women work on big scary gun-toting helicopters and none of the university recruiters would promise me that the ban on women in combat would be lifted in my lifetime. Bleh.

thanks

~~Tracy, reluctant civilian, LOL

http://taskandpurpose.com/unsung-heroes-this-army-medic-overcame-gunfire-and-a-broken-leg-to-save-14-soldiers/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=tp-facebook&utm_campaign=culture

Hi Tracy, thanks for sharing such a great story, wasn't aware of this before. I'm not a Blackhawk guy but I'm guessing that some other folks on this thread can assist. If you can figure out what unit that Blackhawk was from, you might be able to have someone print out a set of custom decals for you. I just built a kit using some awesome custom decals from Fireball Modelworks.

Good luck on your project!

John

[HeavyArty]

Great story. Our Soldiers do some pretty amazing things on a day to day basis that you never hear about.

Basically there are two MedEvac Black Hawk versions in the US Army. The most common is a standard Black Hawk out-fitted as a MedEvac, usually a UH-60A or UH-60L. These have a litter stacker added to the cargo compartment that can hold 4 litter patients and four seats along the back wall for 4 ambulatory patients, along with the two medic/crew chief seats forward in the gunner/CC windows.

UH-60L MedEvac

The other, less common version, is the HH-60L or HH-60M. This is a specifically built air ambulance with advanced life-saving equipment and a special interior designed for medical evac and transport. It has a redesigned interior with six litter racks on the outer walls, vital sign monitors, oxygen systems, etc. The interior layout is different with the litters forward and crew/medic seats to the rear. It also has no gunners' windows and a nose-mounted "Platypus" FLIR. The "Platypus" FLIR is available from Werner's Wings in 1/35.

HH-60M MedEvac

My guess (from the one pic) is that her's was a standard UH-60A or L MedEvac.

I built a UH-60A MedEvac in 1/35 a few years ago, using the excellent Werner's Wings products and Academy's 1/35 Black Hawk. I also used some of the Cobra Company detail sets and Eduard PE to dress mine up. You can see it here.

And a review of the 1/35 Werner's Wings MedEvac set here.

Werner's Wings also provides a comprehensive Black Hawk decal set in 1/72, 1/48, and 1/35 that includes a bunch of MedEvac birds. If her's is not on it, I'm sure you could piece the decals for it together from the set.

For 1/48, I recommend the Academy/Minicraft UH-60L kit (unfortunately still the best out there), along with the Werner's Wings products. WWs stuff are really nice and easy to work with. I know the modeller who mastered the MedEvac parts and he did a great job on them. I reviewed the 1/48 MedEvac Interior set here too.

With a little work, you can come up with a stunning model. Good luck with it and be sure to post your progress here.

Edited October 13, 2015 by HeavyArty

[Clumber]

Thank you!!! :worship:/>

Your info is exactly what I was hoping for! I've wanted to find a good reason to use the WW products for a few years, they look awesome and he clearly LOVES those machines! I will do more research on the kits and thanks for the links too! I already have a Lilya Litviak Yak built, the kit and decals for "Killer Chick's" A-10 (pre- being shot all to hell and manual control surfaces), and I am excited to add this project to my plans as well.

Great story. Our Soldiers do some pretty amazing things on a day to day basis that you never hear about.

Basically there are two MedEvac Black Hawk versions in the US Army. The most common is a standard Black Hawk out-fitted as a MedEvac, usually a UH-60A or UH-60L. These have a litter stacker added to the cargo compartment that can hold 4 litter patients and four seats along the back wall for 4 ambulatory patients, along with the two medic/crew chief seats forward in the gunner/CC windows.

[snipped for space saving]

[HeavyArty]

You're welcome. Hope to see the build soon.

Edited October 18, 2015 by HeavyArty

[Clumber]

AND I discovered that she is also local to me! Well heck, I am always a total sucker for locally-related projects!

Still weighing if I want to go 35th with the Academy or try again with the hell the Minicrap 48th was for me several years ago.

[salvador001]

Blackhawk experts,

I am this close to start my hawk in 1/35, havent decided yet which to build, but im very interested in a medevac bird.

My question is, can a medevac bird be armed with the door guns? Are all medevac birds A models?

Thanks.

Rod.

[Tank]

My question is, can a medevac bird be armed with the door guns?

I am under the impression once the bird is wearing the cross it can't be armed but you can be armed and be on medevac a mission but not display the cross.

[HeavyArty]

I am under the impression once the bird is wearing the cross it can't be armed but you can be armed and be on medevac a mission but not display the cross.

Technically, yes, it can be, but only w/defensive weapons, in accordance w/the Geneva Convention. The US chooses not to arm them at all to save weight and space for more medical gear/equipment and patients. As per the Geneva Convention, with the red crosses displayed, it is not supposed to be fired upon. Also, there is always either an attack helo or a slick w/guns escorting and providing fires if needed.

Edited October 22, 2015 by HeavyArty