Just got my Italeri 1/72 CH-47 Chinook.. Im in love!

Here's a link to a nice build:
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Gal3/2701-2800/Gal2762_CH-47_DeTora/gal2762.htm

Congratulations Chris... will look forward to seeing your Aussie AF come together! I've built a couple of the ACH-47A Italeri versions, but not the Slick, so I can't be much help to you in those regards.

Thanks and good luck!
Frank

Hey Frank.. I have never built a Chinook before, so please forgive my ignorance.. What is a slick.. When I hear slick, I think of landing slicks and not wheels?.. Growing up with Chinooks, I have only ever seen wheels?.. Or is the comment related to the kit in some way?
Cheers, Chris in Japan

The term "Slick" was usually referring to UH-1's that weren't armed. I really don't know how or where it originated but I thought of them as "slightly armed troop carriers". The aircraft also appeared "clean" compared to all the armament hanging off the gunships.

Yep, like Mel said. We always referred to troop carriers as "Slicks", also meaning without bristles (guns), also. I guess since I had referred to the ACH-47 in the post, I called the D Model a Slick... non gunship.

Take care,
Frank

Oh ok, thanks for that.. I was a little confused on the meaning!.. The good thing about this kit, is that it allowes you to do it in A-B-C or D configuration.. So as the Australian Army uses the D, then thats what I will be going with!... Just a troop carrier in the dark green...

Rob, thanks for that build up page.. Its great to see someone else doing something similar.. Would like to see more if they are available.. I really want to do a good job on this one!

Frank and Mel, thanks for the clarification!

Chris in Japan

I have a question about the real Chinook.
I know that they are used on board ships sometimes. Does this mean that they have foldable rotors?

Remko

Not an expert, but isnt the CH-46 the one for marine operations?

Chris in Japan

Yup, normally it is, in the US Navy at least!! But sometimes the CH-47 is also used on ships. The Royal Navy for example has them on their carriers. And the new Type-45 Daring class will have a flightdeck big enough to accommodate a Chinook, and many JMSDF ships use Chinooks. I just can't find any info on a rotor folding system, which leads me to believe that it doesn't have one.

Remko

Well, my Chinook has been sitting for the last few days since I got it, and I have decided to get started on it tonight.. I really dont know why, but I am really excited about doing this one!.. I guess as I said earlier, growing up with them, they really have held fond memories for me!.. I have done a dry fit, and put it next to my other Aussie choppers, and she just looks sweet! Definately back door down!.. But cant decide on a gunner or not? Anyone know about the Australian version having gunners when it is troop carrying?

ps: here are a few progress pics!








Chris in Japan

Remko


A direct-action shock absorber is attached to the blade and to the pitch-varying housing. When the inboard end of the shock absorber is disconnected, the blade can be folded in either direction about the vertical hinge pin.


*
and
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Here's a picture of a VNAF Chinook being pushed off the deck of a ship in the South China Sea during the United States withdrawal from Vietnam.


Hope this helps,
Frank

PS: Great looking progress on your build, Chris, thanks for sharing your pics! You asked about a "Gunner".... I'm not familiar with Aussie procedures, but generally there's a Crew Chief and Flight Engineer included in the crew. (probably who those two fellows are in the door in your picture) In my experience, on aircraft that had MG's, the Crew Chief usually manned a gun position and infantry types on any other guns, but the Flight Engineer rarely did. You could usually find him standing in the companion way (tunnel) on a routine flight.

Thanks Frank, that does help a lot!!
Chris, that built looks great!!
For reference, here's a page dedicated to the Chinook in Australian Service: http://www.chinook-helicopter.com/history/aircraft/australian/australian.html
It might help you finish your model.
BTW, has anyone seen that Cargo handler!! He is almost hanging upside down out of the hatch to see if everything's getting attached correctly!! Even though he is in restraints of some sort, it must be scary as hell!! Especially when you have to do it for the first time!!

Remko

Also Remko... notice the tubular device on top the fuselage to support the rotor blades. Here's a more detailed view of the "kit".
http://www.chinook-helicopter.com/chinook/images/MH-47_with_blade_folding_kit_master.jpg

Take care,
Frank

God I love you guys! Thanks for the help!

One more sleep, and I am back home to Australia for a weeks of golf and warm weather!

ps: a couple more update pics.. I was up late last night.. I simply cant drag myself from it!




Chris in Japan

Sorry to be a spoilsport, but I just could not help myself!!

The rotors are turning the wrong way....

The front one always turns counter clockwise, and the rear opposite (Obviously).

That is called the "american rotation".

Again, sorry to be a spoilsport

good looking build thier chris.i see your about to start to build some f-18s watch ot on them intakes thay can be a bear and some times not so easy to make a good fit.

oh i see your going on a holiday to. i think i could find something better to do than chase a white ball around 18 holes like chase them aussie honies around. have a good a safe trip see ya when you get back

Yes Chris, you'll need to swap rotor assemblies between pylons.... and also, I'm guessing those are the rotor blades that came with the kit? I'm not talking about being on the opposite pylons, but the blades them self... they look like the thinner "C" Model blades.

Compare what the kit supplied to the picture you posted earlier, "259bcafc.jpg"..... see how the blades in the picture are tapered at the root, and have a wider chord? Can you imagine that, a manufacturer not getting something right! I bet that's never happened before!

"Anyone have a spare set of 1/72 D-Model blades?"

Take care,
Frank

Yes, you are correct.. I didnt notice that!.. Shark, your not being a spoilsport, as I would never have realised it myself, so thank you for the heads up.. Its good when we can be honest with each other. Its how we learn!.. Basically I assembled them per the instructions....

Hook, they were the rotors with the kit..So yeah your correct about companies making mistakes! hehehe... That was something that I did notice mate.. I found it a bit odd that they would give you the assembly pieces and avionics to make it a D model, but they made such a spoof with the blades?.. But I have enjoyed building it, and I promissed myself that I wouldnt bag Italeri with this one... All in all, its been a good kit..Again, you guys have been a great deal of help to me, so I appreciate it immensly!

ga.modler. Yes will start the F-18's when I get back from Australia.. Now that I have done the modern Australian Army choppers, I will be getting stuck into my modern Australian RAAF jet collection.. Just purchased the Hasegawa FB-111A yesterday, and I will be doing it as a G to represent the "PIGS" at RAAF base Amberley where I grew up! I will then do a one seater A, and a two seater B F/A-18 from 3 squadron. One high Vis, the other low vis... And am about 40% done on my BAe Hawk trainer.. Although not modern, I have purchased a Mirage III kit, and will get another F-4 Phantom to add to the collection aswell... To represent days as a kid!.. Agaian mate, thanks for the heads up about building the 18.. I am sure I will be trying to pick your brains about it soon!

Update pics..Still using my video camera, so please forgive the quality...

The Fleet

Hey Chris...

You know what you could do if no other blades turn up? It won't be exactly, but the profile will be there......



Just thinking outloud, regardless, you done a fantastic job and she looks good sitting with the others!

Take care,
Frank

Thanks Frank, I will do that when I get back.. Again, something that I never even thought about!

Chris

Great looking kit Chris! I've built a couple chinooks as well. They don't look nearly a s good as the one in the link. I hope someday I can have an Australian Helo collection like yours. Oh, and don't forget to get an A-4 Skyhawk too for your Modern Australian Aircraft:

Hey Duke.. I am already one step ahead of you!.. I picked up a Skyhawk aswell as a new Hasegawa F-111 the day before I left Japan for Australia.. I will be heading back home to Japan on Sunday!.. All I have to do with the hello's is put the Army markings on them, and they are done.. Then I will be doing my Australian RAAF Jets, and then will do my Skyhawk for my Navy collection.. Australia only used them in the Navy... But in between that, I have to do my T-33, as its the last jet left that I need to complete in order to finish my Japanese jet collection...

Chris in Japan

Awesome Chris! Man I feel like I need to rush just to keep up with you! I gotta get building!

Well sometimes I bite off more than I can chew, and should probably spend a bit more time with the family.. I am on holidays for 2 months, so will be ok during the day, but I will be cutting the builds down a bit I think..

Chris in Japan