jacksdad Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 (edited) I am building a number of helicopters used by 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment of the U.S. Army, more commonly known as the Night Stalkers. As I have just finished one of the Blackhawks used during Operation Gothic Serpent ( Blackhawk Down incident ) and I am also building one of their MH-47G Chinooks, I thought I would build a Little Bird next. There are quite a few I plan on building so I thought I should start with one of the first Little Birds used by them. This is the one I will be building. I will be using this kit, which is cheaper and easier to get than the Dragon OH-6A Cayuse. There is not a lot in the box. Close up of the fuselage. Quite a good rendition of the rivet strewn sides of most helicopters. Here is a picture which, if you look closely, shows the fabricated bracket used to attach the rocket pod to the side of the fuselage, along with a support rod (with white cable) Edited October 30, 2015 by jacksdad Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jacksdad Posted October 30, 2015 Author Share Posted October 30, 2015 Cutting off the rear door's. As the fuselage is open fronted and big enough I have glued the two fuselage halves together. I have a couple of Dragon Little Bird's, one of which will be getting the CMK interior, which meant I have a spare cockpit. The Dragon one is much better detailed than the Revell one so it will be used. I am expecting to have to shim the sides in places as the Dragon kit is 1/35 and the Revell is 1/32. I am also using the rocket pods from the Dragon kit as one of them will be built using the Black Ops MH-6J conversion. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HeavyArty Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 This should be an interesting build. I am looking forward to seeing how she comes out. Good idea to use the Dragon cockpit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jacksdad Posted October 30, 2015 Author Share Posted October 30, 2015 Thanks. Any idea on how to sort the title? I've tried in 'edit' but it won't let me. I need to change the AC to AH. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Loach Driver Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 Good luck with this build. Click on the "Full Editor" tab and you should be able to change the title. LD. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jacksdad Posted October 30, 2015 Author Share Posted October 30, 2015 Click on the "Full Editor" tab and you should be able to change the title. Thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
salvador001 Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 (edited) Cant wait to see how it builds up, keep it on! Check the forum, 11bee made this same bird a while ago, using the Dragon 1/35 Cayuse, a perfect and detailed build! Rod. Edited October 30, 2015 by salvador001 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jacksdad Posted October 30, 2015 Author Share Posted October 30, 2015 Check the forum, 11bee made this same bird a while ago, using the Dragon 1/35 Cayuse, a perfect and detailed build! Rod. Thanks for the heads-up. I've checked it out and taken lots of notes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
salvador001 Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 (edited) I build a while back an MD500E that has the same armament as the one you are building. I scratchbuilt the rocket pod mount, the pod itself is from Fireball Modelworks, minigun body and ammo box is scratch, so as the minigun sight, the barrell of the minigun is from RB model. I have more photos if you like. Greetings. Rod. Edited October 30, 2015 by salvador001 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jacksdad Posted October 30, 2015 Author Share Posted October 30, 2015 Thanks. My understanding is that 17298 had rocket pods on both sides. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Loach Driver Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 Anyone know where to find a 1/20th scale Minigun and rocket pod? A Nichimo H500 could be converted into GT's Gun Bird with some work.......at least that's what I daydream about when I look at the Nichimo kit! LD. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rotorwash Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 (edited) Looks like a great project. I do want to mention that the images you posted are from our very own Graham Stevens (AH-6C SIP) who was kind enough to share his images with me and allow me to post them here. We have the best AH-16C refs around here on ARC thanks to GT. Ray Edited October 31, 2015 by rotorwash Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jacksdad Posted October 31, 2015 Author Share Posted October 31, 2015 You are quite right Ray and it was very remiss of me to forget to mention that. We are indeed very lucky to have such a great source of info in Graham. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jacksdad Posted October 31, 2015 Author Share Posted October 31, 2015 This morning I used some of the Eduard etch set to add some detail to the front cockpit. As the rear cabin floor on the Dragon part was to low and to narrow I added some plasticard with some square rod to bring it up level with the bottom of the rear door area. The rear cabin of 298 has a metal box with what appears to be some kind of mounting for a comms box. I have added the box and a mount on each side. There will also be some baggage added later. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jacksdad Posted October 31, 2015 Author Share Posted October 31, 2015 Forgot to add that I am now going to use the rocket pods from the Academy OH-58D as they look better. Thats them on the left. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rotorwash Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 (edited) Nice work so far, Steve. One thing for sure, you have a clean slate to work with there! Ray Edited October 31, 2015 by rotorwash Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jacksdad Posted October 31, 2015 Author Share Posted October 31, 2015 Its great fun Ray. Its nice to do some 'proper' modelling now and again. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 Thanks. My understanding is that 17298 had rocket pods on both sides. Pretty sure that the weapons configuration could vary. This is a subject that is near and dear to me, will be following with interest. Great start so far! John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jacksdad Posted October 31, 2015 Author Share Posted October 31, 2015 Thanks John. I am going by the notes on Floyds sheet that states that 298 had M-260's either side. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AH6C-SIP Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 Looks like you are coming right along nicely. Just a note, 298, nor any of the original six AH-6C's had two pods. They only had one intervelometer. And for authenticity sake don't put that silly M27 sight on your build... we used a grease pencil X on the canopy to sight with. Regards, GT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jacksdad Posted October 31, 2015 Author Share Posted October 31, 2015 Thank you GT. Well that will put a hold on completing this as I don't have Floyds XM-27 just now. I'll have to try and muddle along just now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AH6C-SIP Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 My linkThat bag in the back is shown here Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jacksdad Posted October 31, 2015 Author Share Posted October 31, 2015 My linkThat bag in the back is shown here Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Loach Driver Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 Jacksdad, keep up the great work on this AH-6C. Even if you don't have a minigun on your bench right now, there is still plenty to be getting on with and the cabin detail you have scratch-built so far is top notch. GT, did the AH-6F ever fly or test-fly with a second rocket pod replacing the minigun on the left side? I've never seen a rocket pod mounted on the fuselage below the left rear door but I guess it wouldn't be impossible to rig it up. I'd guess the one-pod-and-one-gun was the most versatile combination for real world missions. LD. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rotorwash Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 Looks like you are coming right along nicely. Just a note, 298, nor any of the original six AH-6C's had two pods. They only had one intervelometer. And for authenticity sake don't put that silly M27 sight on your build... we used a grease pencil X on the canopy to sight with. Regards, GT And that's why we have the best AH-6C info on the net! Nothing like good intel. Whoever invented that M27 sight must have never had to fly with it. Freaking stake perfectly positioned to go through your head! Ray Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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