Aurora Chinook Survey

If I had a choice I would pick an "A", I do have the kit and would like to build.
John
helicopters don't fly, they beat the air into submission

I think I'd have to go with the D model, but then I'd have to try and find one of those Aurora kits. The vicious cycle begins again.

Still, I'd like to have a hook in 1/48 someday.

Put me down for a "D" model. But then I'll also be looking for the kit as well.

Yeah i know these kits are hard to come by. It took my nearly 2 1/2 years to finally find one. I know Robert's Models offers up a 1/48 Chinook, which is basically a vacuum-formed model of the Aurora kit. Sells for about $60 bucks, and i'm sure any AM parts would still work just the same.

http://www.swiftsite.com/rosemonthobby/robch47.htm

Hmmm... Not sure... There was a time I wanted to build a 48th -47... that was a while ago... Working on the real thing over in the desert during GWB II has really cooled my enthusiasm for the aircraft in general. I really hope the powers-that-be deliver on their promise to send of the money that was earmarked for the now defunct Comanche into the CH-47 community. If I had to make a choice, it would be the D, mainly because thats the only model I've ever worked on.

Chris Ishmael

Hmmm.... seeing as how the Chinook has been around for so long, there are loyalties to each version. I'd estimate the Cobra Company would sell just as many "A" model updates, as they would a "B/C", and "D" update. (including new Chin Bubbles, regardless the version)

Whatever company decides to move on this particular subject if any actually does, will get my vote, as the CH-47 has been the most neglected of any current/prolific Army helicopter! Thousands and thousands of former/current Chinook Crewmembers (and/or modelers) all around the world are forced to make due with what they can scrounge together, just to scratch something that will be similar to what they were once a part of! Not to mention Accurate Unit markings, Nose Art, Tail Number decals for Hook units.... forget it!

Will there EVER be an accurate larger scale representation of the Army's "B-52"/"DC-3", or at least AM update sets? I doubt it.... as long as manufacturers can pop-out more and more and more Huey, Blackhawk, and Apache updates, the Chinook doesn't stand a chance.

(Do you hear me manufacturers? I dare you!) If MRC or Nightflight or Panda or somebody would produce at least a 1/48 example of this aircraft (would almost have to, since the old Aurora kits are getting harder *more expensive* to locate), and a place like Cobra Company produce update sets (like they do for other Army helicopters), it would create such a market explosion, they'd be hard pressed to keep up with all the demand for the first few years after release!

I wish I had the investment capital to put a project like this into motion, but I'm just here like the rest of you are... watching and waiting. Getting my hopes up, then watching them get dashed again..... not just me, but ALL who have gone home with the smell of Hydraulic Fluid on their clothes!

Sorry for the rant.... but it's not the end of it!

Take care,
Frank

Just an observation, so please don't flame me, but I think making a conversion for the old Aurora kit would be a money losing venture. There aren't enough Aurora Chinooks left. It would be hard for them to sell enough conversions to justify production costs.

A new Chinook kit in any scale would be nice though.

The path to serious conversation about what kits to produce has been established. MRC/Academy released the UH-60 series and the recent CH-46 with input from the modeling community. When they ask, the manufacturers have found the right sources for suggestions on what is missing from the scale kit scene that may produce a viable product. They choose from that point and we assist in them in development. We DO NOT call the shots but we offer our best advice. Trumpeter has ears in the community too, don't count them out of anything. Panda is an enigma- but they remain a possible player even if in another box. Build what you have on hand in order to distract your self from wishing, the wishes might eventually come true.

Chief Snake

Amen Frank. Couldn't have said it better myself.

Being an ex-CH-47 man myself, i too get frustrated at the lack of attention this aircraft gets by manufacturers. The best idea they can come up with at the moment is to release a 1/72 "toy" just to appease the masses. I think it's high-time for them to reconsider their views on this aircraft given that it is still in the Army inventory; and still the Army's workhorse at that!

Sure they're going to go where the money is and pump out Apache's, Cobra's, Blackhawks - but i'm tired of these 'glory birds' getting all the attention. I take great pride in this aircraft, and having flown on them. Not to mention all the blood and sweat i sacrificed.

Frustrating to say the least.

Maybe if i rub the budda's belly our wish will come true?

Maybe rub the bald head of a manufacturer?

Snake

How many here at the FSMForum were alive when this picture was taken? How many at MRC/Academy, or whomever?



And to think, the Chinook is still actively churning away in todays world!

One would think the linage alone would be enough to garner interest amongst manufacturers.

Hi Chris, nice seeing you again!

Take care,
Frank

QUOTE: Originally posted by oldhooker How many here at the FSMForum were alive when this picture was taken? How many at MRC/Academy, or whomever? And to think, the Chinook is still actively churning away in todays world! One would think the linage alone would be enough to garner interest amongst manufacturers. Hi Chris, nice seeing you again! Take care, Frank

I'm all for ANY different helo kits!!!!
Yea! I've got my favorites. But, I like ALL helos!!!! And since my vision is now 1/35-1/35 the smaller birds would have to be in 1/35 but, a chinnok would work in 1/48.
So, in case you haven't figured it out yet. I'm all for a new 1/48 or 1/35 Chinook!!!!
By the way, Frank? When WAS that picture taken? I can't tell you if I was alive or not!!

Randie

QUOTE: How many here at the FSMForum were alive when this picture was taken? How many at MRC/Academy, or whomever?

Not me. Cool pic, Frank.

I know I would love to see a new-tool 1/48th CH-47 Chinook kit, though I have to admit I would like to see the goodies for the MH-47E/G included as that is the version I have the most interest in. Any variant would be welcomed though.

Cheers,
Albert

Even though I never had the opportunity to fly in them (spent a lot of time in the cousin, CH-46E), I did see them a lot in Afghanistan. Being a "hover lover" by trade and choice I definately would love to see more of them in 1/48 and possibly 1/35 scales.

I was alive when that picture was taken, never flew in one (don't know if I trust a helo with two rotors and a black box telling them to miss). Would like a good new kit in 1/48th maybe they could even plan for variants. By the way the HUEY is older and still flying.
John helicopters don't fly, they beat the air into submission

QUOTE: Originally posted by chopperfan By the way, Frank? When WAS that picture taken? I can't tell you if I was alive or not!! Randie

Ooops...

The picture above is the very first Chinook mechanics class, held at the Boeing factory at Ridley Park, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 1962. They are standing in front of #59-4984, the third prototype YHC-1B Chinook, B-003.

QUOTE: grandadjohn wrote: By the way the HUEY is older and still flying.

You're right, and there's also various high detail kits/AM Sets available for the Huey. Even though there will be plenty of Huey's flying when I'm dead and gone, the Chinook's active duty (military) life will exceed all others.

Speaking of old Chinooks, if anyone would like to read a stirring account of a 1968 mission flown by a couple 147th "Hillclimber" pilots near An Nhut Tan, Vietnam , go to the URL below: (talk about everything going wrong at once!!!)

http://www.147thhillclimbers.org/AnNhutTan.htm

Take care,
Frank

QUOTE: Originally posted by oldhooker QUOTE: Originally posted by chopperfan By the way, Frank? When WAS that picture taken? I can't tell you if I was alive or not!! Randie Ooops... The picture above is the very first Chinook mechanics class, held at the Boeing factory at Ridley Park, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 1962. They are standing in front of #59-4984, the third prototype YHC-1B Chinook, B-003.

Thanks Frank. Now I can tell ya!! Yes, I was 10 years old.
And you are so right about the Hueys. We've got at least three very well detailed Charley kits in 1/35 and a backdate set from Cobra Co. to make one a Bravo.
Then there is the old Revell Delta/Hotel kit in 1/32. I WOULD like to see a newer, better detailed kit of this particular Huey.
Then, if you can still find 'em, you got Panda's 1/35 Delta/Hotel and their November version too.
I would like to see a Chinook and anything else that is not out there now.
By the way, I was watching the "Heavy Metal" series on the History channel the other afternoon on the B-52. They say that it is slated to soldier on until 2045!!!!!!! That will be damn near 100 years of service for the old girl!!!!!!!

Randie

With all this talk about the Chinook...it wouldn't be a bad idea for it to be the next GB after the blackhawk GB. I know I would be in, I've been looking at my 1/72 ACH-47A for some time now. What do you all think?

A 1/72 Chinook GB would definitely be fun. Unique to say the least.

I've got two kits here, one of them being the old Matchbox kit i've been meaning to build for a while. Only problem is, is i'm so absorbed with my current project, i may not be able to dedicate any time to the GB.

**Jeff**... you've got mail.


Frank

I've got a Revell of Germany 1:144 scale CH-47D that is a neat little kit. I also have the old Matchbox 1/72 scale Chinook that I would build for a group build. As long as the experts don't pick on me for building it OOB.

Hmmm... I have three projects in the "Group Build" oven as we speak, but I'd probably be interested in doing the "Model 347" conversion with the 1/144 "D" Model (that I posted about a couple weeks ago), if the End-Date is far enough down the road. Or maybe I'll just have to buckle down and start building faster!



Take care,
Frank

I thought the "347" project was a "go"? Or were you just getting us excited for nothing?

QUOTE: **Jeff**... you've got mail.

So do you.

I also have some GB's to finish off but if we set a start date right after the new year we should all be okay. Would do you guys think of a Jan 2nd start date and the finish to be the end of April or May?

Only if i can include my current project in the GB Which would mean i'm WAY ahead of you guys already. *hehe*

QUOTE: Originally posted by Hooker06 Only if i can include my current project in the GB Which would mean i'm WAY ahead of you guys already. *hehe*

... Yeah, *hehe*, you're doing what may very well become, the most intense build-up you're likely ever to do... or at least equal to the most intense. I didn't build another model for close to a year after finishing "Birth Control"; I just put everything away and caught up on some Art projects I was behind on. It was during this "down time", that I done the painting: "Go-Go's Last Stand", so one hobby is substituted for another, to maintain an even keel.

QUOTE: by Hooker06 I thought the "347" project was a "go"? Or were you just getting us excited for nothing?

Lets just say it's in the "GO" stack! I drew up the plans in order to get an idea as to what would be required to convert it... I posted the drawing the day I put it in the stack.

I'm currently working one of the old Revell 1/570th Titanic kits for my Daughter; super detailing it with 8 different PE sets, including interior/exterior lighting, and mounting it diorama style, as it appeared at 1:20 am on the night it sank. Then it's on to the 1/72 Aurora Aero Commander modification/diorama (GB), then the AMT 1/48 GS-17 Staggerwing (GB), then the Hobby Craft 1/48 Piper J-3 (GB), THEN, I should be ready to start the "Model 347"! I need to get everything up TO the "347" completed before Christmas, so a start date of the first part of January works good for me.

Who's going to moderate this GB?

Take care,
Frank

I guess since I brought it up I'll be the one. I'll set up the thread in the GB forum as well as guidelines by the end of this weekend. I hope we can get a good group on this one!