Chinook

COOL!

I will try to get some pics for you tomorrow....I haven't worked on my hook since this time last year. and after hearing of the Panda Hooks I lost most interest.....except it will be pretty darn cool to compare kits ....not to mention all that HARD WORK! and I wouldn't have had a prayer without a copy of the Aerofax number 27 Boeing CH-47 Chinook BOOK! VERY NICE! and LOTZ of PICS!

I just hope that when Panda releases the "Nam" HEAVY version they offer enough DEACALS to do all FOUR HOOKS from the GO GO's...that would be cool!

I was at Pendelton Air field last month with my Wife and after they opened a NEW memorial for the Doolittle raiders four HOOKS flew by very low and you just gotta love that pounding from the rotors you feel in your gut! YES! man seeing those hooks fly later that day as part of the demonstrations ....those bad birds can fly alot faster and better than I remembered from my Army days at Fort Jackson 84-85.

Up here for a while we had one of the only excisting HOOK group that was able to keep their Name from Nam...the 102nd HOOKERS. at Pain field Wa. State. Now they are all down at Ft. Lewis. ( I could be wrong about the 102nd part ) A Warrent Officer I knew there Flew Hueys for 3 years in Nam with the 173rd Robinhoods. ( Slicks) Drop off and Pick up runs mostly....their Heavy's were called the Crossbows...Cobras and heavy Huey's. A real nice guy last name Combs.

Keep your sunny side up.

Troy.

Howdy, Howdy!

Us "hookers" are a rare breed these days aren't we??

You are correct - it was the MRC project that i was referring to. Too bad it fell through or i'd have a whole hanger full right about now! Just glad someone decided to follow-up (and through) with the idea.

I've had to put my Chinook project on hold for a while (a while going on a year and a half now). I guess all modelers suffer through lack of interest at some point or another, but i'll get back into it.

That being said, all i have thus far is the floorboard layout, reworked the outside a bit, and some of the cockpit done. I'm trying to track down scale seats, and instrument panel without having to scratchbuild them - know of any good leads? Anyways, i'm going full-blown with this sucker....gonna try to put the forward and aft pylon work stations down to expose the forward x-msn (transmission), and aft swashplate area. Gonna also open up the clamshell doors and scratchbuild the C-Box (combining transmission). I'm sure i'm biting off more than i can chew - but that's been my intention from the start with this kit.

Would love to see what you've done with yours, so if you have any pics - let me know.

I've been to Frank's site many times. The pics of his completed Aurora kit have been quite helpful.

2 Burnin' - 6 Turnin'

A DUDE after my own heart!

HEY HOOKER! whats up?!

Yep the PANDA 1/35 AH-C HOOK is due at any time now....Ive heared they are in transit as we speak.....lets hope.

I also have the Aurora hook and I built up the avionics and cabin heater section between the Cockpit the storage area....of course I covered the heater with soundproofing.....most Nam HOOKS didn't use them anyways, that, all the floors and all the EXTERIOR panel lines and corrections I custom etched using a panel scriber. Too bad the foward faring is so incorrect!

That other HOOK rumor you heared a while back was the MRC project that fell through. I had pics here once from those MOLDS....I got the pics from a fella nammed Jim Ketcham a X HOOK crew member from Nam who was with the GUNS A GO GO team......Him and a few other Vets are avid builders as well and on thier site they have a section aside for folks who want to show off thier Helos and Hooks! This guy was talking with MRC when they were planning their 1/35 HOOK and recieved the mold pics from an Engineer then......who knows.....maybe the Panda Molds are the ones made fro MRC back then?

Do a google search for THEY CALLED THEM GUNS A GO GO....you will love it! A Pilot and a gunner from that group live near me in the Seattle area. Lots of HOOKS here to! North of Saettle and at Fort Lewis.

I actually have one of the old Aurora HC-1B kits. Bought it off of Ebay for $110 bucks (a bargain if you ask me). From what i can figure it's 1/48 scale, although the box says that it's 1/4 scale (HA!, don't i wish!!!)

Obviously these kits are very rare, so if you can find one, snatch it up - it's a no-brainer. In fact, i just came from ebay and there is one on there right now.....already built and straight from the factory. Hurry boys before she's gone!!

I actually crewed Chinook's from '89-'93 with the 101st - even got to play in the sand during Desert Storm. I'm currently converting the Aurora kit into a D-Model, based on my aircraft during my time in. A lot of scratchbuilding, and a lot of time.....much like what Frank White did.

On another note - Exciting news to hear someone is making a 1/35th scale chinook. I heard this rumor floating around about 8 years ago when they starting coming out with the 1/35 scale series Huey and Cobra. Guess i'll have to set aside a few $$$ for it when it's released......can't wait!!

You might find this interesting!.....I just recieved this note yesterday!......otherewise there ARE NO OTHER 1/35 CHINOOKS at all!.....Aurora models released a 1/48 Chinook A in 1964 I think? and then again in 68 - 72? It goes for 50.00 to 200.00 on ebay.


Hi Troy,

Hope this finds you well.

Guess what? I got an email back from the VLS people and the 1/35th Chinook Models are in transit, they should have them next week!!! I was trying to find out how much they are but I haven't got that info yet. Man this will be great. I'll have to build an addition on to the house for this one! (smile)

Take good care,
Frank

This was sent to me by Frank White a crew member from the origianal "Guns a go go" heavy Chinook group in Nam....I told him about these 1/35 hook kits over one year ago and he has been about as sleepless as I since then. He is such a hook model kit freak He even was on MRC's heals when they were taling about a 1/35 scale Chinook 5 years ago! they even sent him pictures of the clay mold negitives....( that just might be waht Panda used? ) I just hope that Panda made some kit quality improvements since the UH-1D's. but then again 1/35 Chinooks? WHO CARES!

Panda is supposed to be doing it this year sometime. There is a thread here on the helicopter forum on it.
Lee