Did They? Or Didn't They?!!!!!

QUOTE: Originally posted by Avus I don't have the copyright on that sheet, but I'd like people to know I made it.

Don't worry. Gave you full credit on that great set of decals. I wouldn't even know how to build them.

No problem HeavyArty. I was just kidding.
I like to see that my work is useful to the comunity. As the freeware guys say: You may distribute my work to anyone as long as you keep the copyright info intact.
I don't have the copyright on that sheet, but I'd like people to know I made it.

Hey Gino!!
Umm Hmm........ Well that stuffs that idea then *#%&.
Oh well see what else i can come up with???
Damn That!!!
Cya Robert

All,
I have not used the newer decal file with the black background on the helo yet. I have tested them on a black painted scrap of plastic and they seem to work just fine.

Avus,
I can neither confirn, nor deny any breach in security.

Sorry if I leaked a secret, it is a great file set though!! Good job.

QUOTE: I had a friend of mine who actually took the black background out of the picture and when i go to print them out all that will be printed is the actual marking itself.

Wooty,
You will find this will not work. The black background is needed to cover up the white decal paper that they have to be printed on in order to give the decal enough opacity so the green markings do not disappear on the black painted model. We already tried just printing the marking on clear decal paper, and it doesn't work. The marking disappears into the black paint. Trust me, we have been working on this problem for a while now.

I've chimed in on past discusions concerning the color of 160th birds in the past so here goes again, and please understand that this is in no way a dig or questioning anybody elses experience. I will qualify this by saying that I've operated in, out and around 160th birds over the past 14 years including 6 months in Somalia. Bottom line is that I've seen Killer Eggs and Six-Pax, MH-47's, and MH-60L/K's painted flat black, Army Helo Drab, Gray and once even Tan. I will say that the majority of the time I remember them being Flat black or a faded flat black, but I have seen them in the other colors as well. And I'm not talking pictures on the web, I'm talking about operationally and during CAPEX's and FTX's.
Now it is possible that I've suffered from too many feet-face PLF's, but that's what I recall.

No. was at 50th at Campbell

Hey Mogwa, off the subject but you ever spend time with 54th Med in Ft Lewis??

Hey Guys,
I have just finished painting my MH-60L, i used MM US Army Helo Drab with a little Tamiya X-18 (Black) in it aswell. It gives it that new paint look.
Anyway i have a set of the decals you guys are talking bout aswell but not telling how i got them???? I had a friend of mine who actually took the black background out of the picture and when i go to print them out all that will be printed is the actual marking itself. Anyway i will try to get some pics on here if i work it out????
Cya's All....
Robert

These are the clearest pics I can find showing the color as Black on Task Force birds and not helo drab

HTH
Mog

They get a little lighter as they fade, but the base color is flat black.

Hey, hey! People are talking about me!
Trigger reported correctly the decal-situation: no news except the black backgruond variation.
(BTW: Now I know who leaked the black version ... naughty Major!)

I know there have been discussions in other topics about the 160th Blackhawks colors. I beleive they are not quite black (due to the weathering?) but a very dark OD. So I was considernig the following procedure (when I will be making my DAP): paint my model in flat black, apply the black-backgruond-decals and dry brush the whole model with OD.

HeavyArty

I've got the original set of MH-60L markings Avus came up with and my using them is on hold until the opacity problem is solved. I asked Avus the other day if he ever solved it and he said he hasn't looked at in a while, but sent you a modified set of those decals (black background?) as a trial.

Have you tried them out yet and if so, how'd they work?

Thanks,

Hey Guys,
Sorry 'bout the confusion there i should of said it was a 160th bird!!!
I just wasn't to sure if the 160th Blackhawks carried all the standard markings that the typical UH-60s carried?? Sorry there Mog!!! And Gino, All i have to get is some decal paper and print them out and i'm on my way.
I do have some progress pics but can't work out how to post them to here???
Thanks Again to all of ya it all helps!!!!

Robert,
Mogwa pretty much has the idea. There are no Special Forces helicopters. The only Special Ops dedicated helos in the US Army are in the 160th SOAR (Special Operations Aviation Regiment). They transport Rangers, Delta Force, SF, and operators from the other US Military as well. The helicopters are painted a flat black with dark green markings. They do carry all the markings found on a normal UH-60 varient, but most are in the dark green stenciling. Here is a site that shows some:
http://www.specialoperations.com/Aviation/Black_Hawk/Photo_Gallery/Default.htm

PS: Yes, all the markings I sent you do go on the aircraft. It looks like a lot, but the MH-60 is a big bird. Hope it comes out well.

Umm...I'm not sure what you mean when you say Special Forces helos. A typical U.S. ARMY Blackhawk is helo drab. A Bied from 160th SOAR is typically Flat Black with O.D. Green Markings typical of all Blackhawks ie. UNITED STATES ARMY,etc There are probably other folks that can tel you more about Navy and UAF birds.
HTH
Mog

All the picture's I've seen show standard Army color (helo drab) wtih standard Army markings, some show name's painted on engine cowl. According to Durant's book, the Army did paint some helo's gray to match Navy helo's in the gulf during the late 80's. I would keep checking, should be more source's out there.
John
Helicopters don't fly, they beat the air into submission