1/35 MH-6J MELB finished, pics

All I am getting are the terrible red x's, Gino.
I'm sure it looks great, as I have viewed your other builds and they look great.

Nothing but red X's over here too, Gino!

Sorry. Not sure why the dreaded Red "X". Take a look in HeavyArty's Showcase II on page 3 to see the pics. Or you can click here:

http://www.hkngallery.org.uk/hkngallery.nsf/0ad8b7e3f00ae88480256b9600463ec8/a7fdb4775cbc299480256f5300655119!OpenDocument

It would be nice to see, but the photos don't download. Cobra Company doesn't mention a joystick to control FLIR because there isn't one. The FLIR is aimed using the coolie hat button on the Cyclic grip.

Chief Snake

Nice work as always, Gino!

Maybe MSN doesn't allow linking?

Ah, NOW I see it. Nice work.

Chief Snake

QUOTE: Originally posted by Chief Snake Cobra Company doesn't mention a joystick to control FLIR because there isn't one. The FLIR is aimed using the coolie hat button on the Cyclic grip. Chief Snake

Chris,
I must have seen an older/newer version at Hunter AAF, it had a joystick on the center console.

QUOTE: Maybe MSN doesn't allow linking?

JHulk,
Has worked before, not sure what the problem is.

Very nive MELB Gino! That's a great finish you've done.

About the decals, looks like the OD markings worked well on the black finish. - Did you guys run into any opacity problems like with the DAP decals?

QUOTE: Originally posted by Trigger74 Very nive MELB Gino! That's a great finish you've done. About the decals, looks like the OD markings worked well on the black finish. - Did you guys run into any opacity problems like with the DAP decals?

Thanks Trigger74,

We solved the decal problem by making the decal file on black background, then printing them on white decal paper. That is how they are on the MH-6J. It worked just fine. Have made the same for the DAP, still on the to do list, soon, maybe.

Thanks, I'll give that a try!

Wow looks great!
I'm glad to see the parts I sent you were useful and helped to make such a well built and painted model.

Heavyarty, I hope you dont mind but I took the liberty to fiddle with one of your pics to see if I could get it to post. No problems. The only thing I can think of is I looked at the properties of your red x's and their linked to an MSN group photo album. MSN does not host images that can be linked. The pics have to be stored on an online hosting albumn like http://rongeorge.com/modules/Gallery/albums.php or www.photobucket.com
I hope Im not preaching to the choir on this, just trying to be helpfull. Awsome build BTW. I have a buddy in 160th SOAR and I sent him the link to build. In his words "You've done the NightStalkers justice"

Avus,
As you can see, the decals work great. The FLIR turret is awesome as well. Thanks again.

Thanks for the comments all.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Awood23 MSN does not host images that can be linked. The pics have to be stored on an online hosting albumn like http://rongeorge.com/modules/Gallery/albums.php or www.photobucket.com

Awood23,
Nope, not the case w/the MSN site. Worked on 3 other websites that I posted the pics to in the same way. FSM is the only site I can't get them to work on. Same happened w/ M7 BFIST photos. Must be conflict w/MSN and FSM sites.

Gino,
It's very likely that the case is two different setups. The aircraft used as the masters subject had been fully upgraded and rewired and the FLIR was aimed via the coolie switch on the grip. The one that you saw must not have been through that upgrade and retained the earlier configuration for aiming the FLIR. The upgrade aircraft could be spotted by the lack of the BAT WING antenna, it was replaced with the smaller X bar type. They also were fitted with a shorter support beam which moved the minigun and rocket pod closer inboard on each side. The newer MELB generally fit the composite personnel planks and the older aircraft retain the some what heavier style plank.

Chief Snake

Chris,
Thanks, that must be the case. I guess mine is a hybrid. Old style antenna, old style FLIR control and new planks.

Gino,
In the end, what is usual is that nothing is the same!

CM

Just as I suspected in my first post, Gino. Great build!!!!

You're welcome HeavyArty!

Just to stir up the discussion, Chief Snake: I was told that the X-type SatCom antenna is the older one and the batwing-type the newer one. Infact Academy's Pavehawk (wich is supposed to be a more modern helo) has a batwing SatCom and the DAP (actually a MH-60L, recalling the birds in Somalia) has an X-shaped one.

That information is incorrect. The BATWING is the early version antenna, the X type the second. The Academy PAVEHAWK is based on information provided to them regards DESERT STORM deployed aircraft circa 1991 . The DAP aircraft model is the easy way to put something on the market using existing molds with a few new trees thrown in. The aircraft deployed to Somalia in 1993 were in transition for upgrades and had not been brought up to the standard represented by the DAP kit. The RAZORS EDGE markings are for Super 68, SOUTHERN COMFORT was photographed in the US at an airshow and was not part of the Somalia operation. Remember, their objective is to sell kits while being "somewhat" accurate in the depiction. Cobra Company associates were the prime providers of data for the entire line of MRC/Academy UH-60 based airframe kits. Doing things 100% right is not always in the manufacturers mind, being close at reasonable cost is. We offer the best research we can, ultimately the manufacturer makes the decisions.

Chief Snake

If a new Little Bird crashes and burns is it MELB Toast?



.... ducking and running for the door!

I see Chief Snake and I admit I didn't think about marketing policies. I only stated what I had been told.

This is Off Topic: My father is going to Bethesda for work. Do you know if there is a hobby shop selling Cobra Company kits in that area?

QUOTE: Originally posted by Cobrahistorian If a new Little Bird crashes and burns is it MELB Toast? .... ducking and running for the door!

(audience reaction) http://buzz.ifas.ufl.edu/487ss.wav

AVUS,
Granddads Hobby shop is the only one in the area that sells Cobra items. Your Father can contact me direct and come to my shop if he prefers.

Chief Snake

Well I thought long and hard about this, since I DEFINATELY don't want to get on Chief Snake's bad side and love his products, but.......Our HH-60G's are coming back (and have already come back) from Depot painted gray, HF antenna removed and a brand new most recent version of the DM C-175-5 UHF SATCOM antenna. And it's a batwing. The Comm folks tell me that the batwing is the most current duel mode (high and low angle) UHF STACOM antenna out there. But then again we're talking USAF. Maybe the Army is diferent, maybe it's budget issues, maybe my unit's Comm troops are smoking something, but I do know the system onboard the aircraft that I fly in to do my job....and I know that we've got the most current batwing antenna's on our Pavehawks.
The MH-60L's I worked with at Desert Rescue last year (NAS Fallon) had batwings as well.
Not trying to start a pissing contest.

For the record, I personnaly use the AN/PRC-117 (we've got 12 of them in the section) but there a bitch to hump around with all the other gear we have.

Now that I probably ticked you off, hey Chief Snake...what are the chances we could get you to produce some 1/48 & 1/35 scale ski's for Helo's???? Like the ones we use up here in Alaska the UH-60, CH-47D, HH-60G. I've also seen them on Dutch CH-47's. I did a survey on this site and everyone said they would purchase them.

sheesh.... guess no one's heard of melba toast....

salbando,

oops, hit the wrong key. Anyway, Not going to******me off. I've been around enough to know that things change and that people often refer to things with a different definition. Sort of like sitting in circle of 50 people, whispering something to person next to you and telling them to pass it on. By the time it gets back to you it's totally different. Ever experience that? The ARMY and the USAF frequently use different things for a specific reason. As I've looked through some photos in my library I've noticed that the USAF was using the dish antenna and now have switched to the BATWING, so to them it's new. The ARMY switched to the X type antenna in the mid to late 90's. Get the picture?

Chief Snake

QUOTE: Originally posted by Cobrahistorian sheesh.... guess no one's heard of melba toast....

Sorry Jon, couldn't resist!

MELB(a) Toast is an insidious plot to control mankind! I wish I had a dollar for every package of the stuff I handled in the 1980's and 1990's!

Rob Savage!