1/35 Trump Hook on the shelves! (Japan)

To confirm your sighting J-Hulk, here's a japanese site that also shows the  instruction sheet:

http://www.1999.co.jp/asp/GoodsDetails_e.asp?Bno=&It_c=10045586&Typ1_c=102&Typ2_c=161&Typ3_c=625&Spage=1&SC=0&app_url=top_right102_e.asp

I had a look at the instructions and ... WOW impressive helo!

Cant wait to see a "delta" or even better an "echo" version. The "echo" would complete my 160th lineup, since I already have (some still boxed) two Little Birds (AH and MH) and a Blackhawk.

 Thank you for the link.

I would like to hear Franks input on the instructions layout.

I'm a bit surprised that Trumpeter has done what all model makers have done in the past.....make the sound proofing perfectly straight with NO sags, lines or even missing hook points :-(

Q: Help me out here but I'm pretty sure that most Hooks in Nam did not use the sound proofing and the communications/avionics and the cabin heater area was wide open in the passage way to the cockpit or was that just the heavy armed GO GO group? ( and also the HEAT in Nam was ...well you know )

Its nice to see that they included the cabin heater upper details at least.

WOW! that cargo floor looks pretty good so far! and the option for the main cargo Hook!At 1/35 you would think that they could have given us seperate stringers and inner wall details :-(

NO troop bench options...not even in the stowed position :-(

I could be wrong but it looks like the only way to make the blades retract is to make the 'shock absorbers' or Lead/Lag dampers un hookable, heck thats the way they did it anyways...manually.

Other than the obvious goofs the kit looks pretty good!

On the shelves...

   Troy, in reference to your comment;   

On Step #19:  The "A" Model had only the two aft vents in the top of the engine cover. 

On Step #17:  For reference, the "A" Model did not have a vent on the top of the fwd pylon. *example: http://www.147thhillclimbers.org/z40.jpg

On Step #15, use "K4" & "K8":   (The "A" model didn't have an observation glass (bubble).  (Also, normally on Nam Hooks, the aft side window glass was left out to serve as a gun port.)

On Step #31, part "H8", was what hookers called the "Cat Whisker", which had a longer antenna than the one illustrated in the instruction sheet.  example: http://gunsagogo.org/132ndArt.jpg

The kit shows a "D" model cargo hook installation instead of an "A" model.

Yes, the Go-Go Birds omitted the the cabin heater installation, but most slick hooks had them. 

Most in Nam removed the sound proofing material inside the cabin because it made battle damage much harder to locate.     You take a couple hits while on  a mission, and the FE's tearing sections of sound proofing out trying to find out if anything vital has been hit... some of it got thrown out the back end just to get it out of the way of a frustrated FE!       Here's a shot of the interior of one of the "Hillclimber" A models; http://www.147thhillclimbers.org/z36.jpg       (oh yeah, what about those cabin bench seats?   99.8% of A models had them)

For those who are interested in making this build accurate, here's a reference picture of the aft pylon and closed ramp door: http://gunsagogo.org/trumphook1.jpg, and here's one the shows the comparison of the aft lateral fuselage area: http://gunsagogo.org/lateralfus.jpg (note how the fuselage gently slopes down from the back of the engine to the upper ramp door rim), and here's one that shows comparison photos of the front: http://gunsagogo.org/trumphook2.jpg.

Thanks for the post,

Frank

Papa-Echo-64 wrote:

Thank you for the link. WOW! that cargo floor looks pretty good so far! and the option for the main cargo Hook!At 1/35 you would think that they could have given us seperate stringers and inner wall details :-( NO troop bench options...not even in the stowed position :-( I could be wrong but it looks like the only way to make the blades retract is to make the 'shock absorbers' or Lead/Lag dampers un hookable, heck thats the way they did it anyways...manually. Other than the obvious goofs the kit looks pretty good!

A few other things I noted about the kit based on the photos... It looks as if they have included swashplates as well as rotor heads, that means if the forward and aft pylons are opened up, it is something that wont need to be scratchbuilt, but I didn't see any pivoting or swiveling actuators, push pull rods, transmission (for the forward pylon) or bell cranks. I also notice the access panels for the synch shafts are molded seperately which means no seams to fill on the top of the aircraft,(unless a person wanted to open those panels up and that would mean scratch building synch shafts, shaft hanger bearings and mounts(AKA "Lord Mounts") push pull tubes and pressure and return lines for the forward transmission oil cooler and wire bundles for all the electrical and avionics gear.)

I didn't see the kit part but in the instructions it looks as if the cargo hook is the set up as found on the D instead of the "hook and beam" setup found on earlier aircraft (no big deal and easy enough to fix)

On the left side of the area between the cockpit and cabin (where the lower flight controls would be) It looks like they used sound proofing which would be wrong (again an easy fix, just sand all the texture down and scribe panel lines in to replicate flight control armor).

So, all you "Hookers" out there, do you have your wire, solder and tubing ready to replicate all the lines and hoses coming off the utility hydraulic, #1 and #2 flight boost systems, not to mention the utility and fl;ight boost accumulators, APU, hydraulic cooler, #1 and #2 generators, ramp actuators and all the rest of the 'crap' on the ramp from station 482 aft? Oh yeah, I almost forgot the "P.T." stick, sometimes called the utility hydraulic system manual pump handle. Any one who has had to charge the system from 0 PSI to 3000 PSI will know what I'm talking about.

Troop seats should be easy enough to replicate if you use the ones in the Eduard Chinook detail set as a guide as they are pretty close to being accurate.

As far as blade fold goes, in the 17 years I was in CH-47s, I saw it done once. The book shows how to do it, but we used to pull them completely off when loading them on C-5s or trying to pack a hangar.

This ought to be more fun than the Academy '46s!

Jonathan Primm

Thanks for the great info gents!

A dang shame that they did not do their Homework on this one

Q:  Did the D and later models have a different trailing edge line?

I betya that better sized tires can be found in some 1/48 aircraft model kits or maybe in aftermarket sets?

I'm still gonna build this one mainly for fun and there is a Spring contest coming up.....most average folks don't know the fine points of a CH47-A anyways.

I wish I can say that this is a CLASS A kit but ....man what a drag.

Q: What is that color for the 1970 Hook in the original link above.... it looks almost black? or is that just the weathered OD?

Hi Troy,

     Q:  Did the D and later models have a different trailing edge line?

     If you're speaking of the Aft Pylon, only the "A" Model had the sharp trailing edge.   

"B" and all that followed have the blunt trailing edge.

  Q: What is that color for the 1970 Hook in the original link above.... it looks almost black? or is that just the weathered OD?

   I haven't located the picture you're referring to yet...

I'm still gonna build this one mainly for fun and there is a Spring contest coming up.....most average folks don't know the fine points of a CH47-A anyways.

   I've entertained the thoughts of doing one as a "cut-away", building up the stringers & formers without the skin in *strategic* locations...

Take care...

Take care,

Frank

Hey guys,

Since the kit's been released, I took my camera to work today for all of you.  Frank, I just came across your collection in the archives.  Haven't had a chance to look it over yet, but I've pulled it so I can! 

Great pics Jon.  I have saved them away for the Trump Hook.  Thanks. 

We want more.

heh heh heh!

Lemme know what you want and I'll shoot it. Right now I've got 36 shots of this bird alone.  I've also got shots of the High Speed Testbed outside. 4 Bladed rotors and wings!

Thanks for the great pictures of old #451!    A true relic!

So, my stuff's in the archives is it?      Oh well, at least someone's getting to see it.

Speaking of #451, here's a picture of her Sister ship, #450.     #450 is the aircraft Aurora used to model it's 1/48 release back in the day.     

#60-03450 was assigned to the US Army Aviation Test Board at Cairns Army Airfield (AAF), Fort Rucker, Alabama when it crashed near Hartford, Alabama, 19 March 1965, killing both pilots, flight engineer, and the Crew Chief.

Take care,

Frank

Jon after seeing those GREAT photos its going to be very difficult to build this thing out of the box 'more or less'

Thanks Frank! Good to hear from ya.  Its always sad to hear about Aviation accidents and lives lost or changed for ever.

Q: How would one go about sizing up or fitting stringers in a kit like this?

Hook Fans:

Looks like Trumpeter also failed to place a couple of M-60s in the box.  For $100 plus you'd think they could get that right...

Sad indeed...

Back when I did the other one, I used a contour gauge against the inside of the fuselage half, then cut it from a piece of sheet styrene (for the Stringers), and dental floss (for the Formers).       You gauge every scale Stringer placement, build/fit the Stringer, and mark it for proper placement.     

For the area along the aft lateral fuselage, (in a cutaway) I would guage the inner curve, then just mount the Stringers progressively lower along the side until it meets the upper ramp lip.     Man, talk about a LOT of scratch building!!!

Take care,

Frank

Thanks for the advice.

 Even after seeing them several times.....I can not believe the work you put into your 1/48 HOOKS...  WOW!!!!

Oh yeah....in doing a search for that Boeing CH-47 book by Aerofax on Amazon I saw your feedback.  Couldn't help but notice your site address.

I also just remembered that I have that complete HOOK service manual on disc! SWEET!  I'm waiting for the D kit to go crazy on the details!

Thanks,

    A good portion of my eyesight went with that d**n project... makes me shudder when considering a 1/35th example!!          "Go crazy with the details" is an accurate statement, and the Trump Hook is just begging for it!  

Yeah, the entry on Amazon was done back in the "Atomic Net" days... you know, I had the entire Go-Go site cramed into 5 megs at Atomic.. haha     

Take care,

Frank

Frank,

My name is Rick Horn, the last name used to be Daniels.  I'm not a FineScale modeler, but I came accross your post while doing some general searching on the internet.  My dad's name was Richard Daniels,  he was a civilian test pilot aboard the #450 pictured above when it crashed.  I've never been able to find out many details about the crash or its subsequent investigation.  In fact, I've never even seen a picture of the helicopter until just now.  I would be very interested if you had any other information about the crash, the crew, the accident investigation, or any suggestions about  where to look.  Thanks for taking the time to read this.  Best regards,

Rick

Hello Rick,

Sorry to hear about your Dad.

I'm sure that Frank will answer as soon as he see's this.

Take care.

Troy.

Hi Rick,

    First of all, I want to offer my condolences for the loss of your Father.      Yes, it is ironic sometimes how/when/where we come across information that we've sought after for years.

    Here is the information I was able to obtain concerning #60-03450.       I am personal friends with one of Boeing-Vertol's test pilots from the 60's, and will mention your Father's name to see if he may have known him.

I hope this helps some...   

Take care,

Frank

You're a good man Frank.  Thank you for taking the time to write back.  I had seen the aircraft history/status once I got the airframe number from your email.  The internet makes a small world even smaller doesn't it? Thanks also for the reference to the armyaircrews site.  When I first checked that site after seeing your post, there were no names listed.  I was able to provide his name directly to the site.  I'm glad to see that it's been updated.

Please let me know if your friend recognizes my father's name.  He went by "Dick."  It would be great to find another connection.  I hope all is well with you, and I really do appreciate your time.

If it's easier to reply directly, I can be reached at my office at richard.horn@bracewellgiuliani.com , or(202) 828-5835.  Best regards,

Rick Horn

Troy,

Thanks for the response and thanks for the nice thoughts.  Frank did send an email, and I've responded.  Seems like you've got a good group of folks here.  Kind of a strange place though to run across a picture of the very helicopter that crashed with your dad aboard.  Still reeling a bit from the weirdness of it all. 

Hope you are well, and thank you again for the kind email.  Best regards,

Rick Horn 

RickDaniels wrote:

Please let me know if your friend recognizes my father's name.  He went by "Dick."  It would be great to find another connection.  I hope all is well with you, and I really do appreciate your time.

Hi Rick,

Thank you.

I wrote Dan Dugan this morning and Cc'd you a copy for your files.      I don't know if Dan knew your Father, but those Test Pilots were a pretty tight knit bunch, and I figured he would be a good place to start.       It's a shot in the dark, but some pretty amazing things have come about doing it that way!

Take care,

Frank

You welcome Rick,

Frank has been a BIG help to all of us here more times than I can count.