Italeri VH-71 "Marine One"

When I was at Patuxent River, I got a chance to fly on the EH-101 that was entered into the competetion for the new Marine One aircraft.  Great helicopter.  Had a large cabin, folding rotor head, folding tail pylon.  It was not so much the "cost overruns" that killed the EH-101, as it was the NAVAIRs desire to re-engineer the whole airplane. 

Bringing the airplane into actual compliance with the published requirement for a new presidential helicopter would have been a monumental cost undertaking.  The manufacturing of the aircraft was really the downfall of the EH-101 as a viable candidate for Marine One. AW, and Lockheed Martin could have fixed most of the issues we found during the tech-eval, but again cost would have been a huge factor in not just re-tooling their line, but changing their manufacturing mindset as well.

Yes, I am a Sikorsky guy, flew 53's my whole career, but when I was at PAX we flew the EH-101, the VH-3D and the VH-92 (S-92) platforms against each other.  The S-92 was by far a better helicopter, from both the mission stand point, as well as the maintainability of the platform. Soooo...the president will fly in a Sikorsky helicopter, and fly in a Boeing airplane.  Lockheed Martin ended up buying Sikorsky anyways, soooo.

Just one guys opinion, and i know how those are!  LOL

Gy Dan

gregbale

Don't know about the 'real thing,' but I built the kit in its presidential markings (with a full scratchbuilt cabin interior) a few years ago.

If you would possibly anticipate doing that kit scheme, be warned that wrapping the 'United States of America' decal on the stbd. side around the bulging surface detail is extremely tricky. I made a hash of mine, and had to do some not-so-subtle paint touch-ups to try to correct.

Other than that, it's an impressive scheme...and quite a sweet build, as I recall.

Cheers

 

Don't know about the 'real thing,' but I built the kit in its presidential markings (with a full scratchbuilt cabin interior) a few years ago.

If you would possibly anticipate doing that kit scheme, be warned that wrapping the 'United States of America' decal on the stbd. side around the bulging surface detail is extremely tricky. I made a hash of mine, and had to do some not-so-subtle paint touch-ups to try to correct.

Other than that, it's an impressive scheme...and quite a sweet build, as I recall.

Cheers

The VH-71 was canceled in 2009 because of massive cost over-runs.  Maybe you can find some decals for a Canadian Forces CH-149?  I think that's the closest in its outward appearance, compared to other variants of the AW101.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AgustaWestland_CH-149_Cormorant