Ch-47A's .. Any progress, Ideas

Unknownpharoah wrote:

Ok... so we all waited a very long time for this kit. I was really bored last night and looked back at some of our old postings on this forum. Remember the "buzz" we all had. With all that said, is anyone in the process of the build? Pictures? I spent around 2 hours last night researching the GO GO's. The more I  learned about the ACH-47 and its crews the more I respected what they and the aircraft did. What a great time in military aviation history to be involved in. Pretty cool stuff. Is anyone going to attempt a build or do you have other plans for you A model? I'm all eyes. Having a father who served in the 25 I.D. in asia I must say "Thanks" to all of you who served then and today! So lets get to it, whats your ideas on this kit?

Yeah.... I was wondering where all the build-reports are hiding too!      I'm kinda holding off to see what the new Italeri release looks like before making my mind up on which one to get.

You're right, the fellows who rode the ACH-47's into combat sure were at the front of the line when it came to hazardous duty pay, that's for sure!      I was able to get a piece of "Easy Money" when they were restoring her up at Ft. Eustis, and I'm thinking about including it in the display somehow.

Take care,

Frank

Yeah...I'm in the same boat.....I'm thinking the 1/48 release for a GO GO Hook fer sure and see what Trump does different with the D before I attack the 'A' model.

Mark is going nutz with his but can not seem to post pics.......

Hey Mark!......send me some pics and I will post them on my site.

They used basically the same equipment/weapons as on UH-1B/C gunships.  I think you mean the 2.75" rockets.  Don't think they used 20mm rockets.  So yes, you could use the 19-shot 2.75" rocket pods from the Academy Hueys or MH-60L DAP kits to build a Guns-A-Go-Go Hook.

Here is one that a guy at Armorama is doing.  It is looking pretty good: CH-47A build

Unknownpharoah wrote:

Anyway, couldnt somebody just use any .50 cals from an armor kit of the period? Aftermarket?

Correct again.  Any weapons in 1/35 can be used for weapons on a 1/35 CH/ACH-47A.   If they are aircraft .50 cals, with air-cooling jackets on the barrels, Academy's .50 cal set comes with a couple.  Academy's MH-60G and MH-60L DAP also come with a couple aircraft .50 cals. that the barrels can be used off of.  The reciever portions are lacking though.

Unknownpharoah wrote:

I have had problems with access to Armorama. I guess its fixed now.

It is still in transition to a new server.  It is up and down as they move stuff around.  Should be back up 100% soon.

Thanks for the link Gino!!

OH YEAH!!!  I have waited toooo long for this a kit like this!!

I'm starting mine maybe as early as next week!  as soon as I finish my current project.

Can't wait!!!!  Funny a Jeep is what I was thinking too. 

I went over and viewed the progress on the one being built on Armorama, and glad I did!   I made a comparison montage of the kit and a 1/1 version, and.... isn't that aft Pylon a bit short & fat?     Also, compare the fwd Pylon, especially the width of the Rain Shield..... (or both rain shields)

Hmmmm...

Take care,

Frank

(The 1/48 release is sounding more & more attractive)

Unknownpharoah wrote:

If you look under the #2 gun position there is only 47 rivets holding that panel secure to the airframe. In all reality it has 45. Guess they messed up again! Seriously... I have an SFC in my unit who was a CC on Ah-64's for 7 years. He is also a model builder. He mixed various paint combo's for about a week until he got it spot on! To the average Joe it would have all looked the same. But oh no.. not the CC.. it had to be EXACT. I must say.. it was a beauty. When I walk by his desk I pretend to spin the rotors. He gets pissed.

I certainly didn't intend to come across as a rivet counter.   

The Pylons stand out a little more than the rivets do, but like you say, the average Joe couldn't tell the difference anyhow.

You'd said you researched the ACH-47's... I've got some other stuff in the archives that I haven't put on the site, http://gunsagogo.org, including some killer "in-action" videotapes, which were transferred from 8mm film.

Take care,

Frank

oldhooker wrote:

Unknownpharoah wrote: If you look under the #2 gun position there is only 47 rivets holding that panel secure to the airframe. In all reality it has 45. Guess they messed up again! Seriously... I have an SFC in my unit who was a CC on Ah-64's for 7 years. He is also a model builder. He mixed various paint combo's for about a week until he got it spot on! To the average Joe it would have all looked the same. But oh no.. not the CC.. it had to be EXACT. I must say.. it was a beauty. When I walk by his desk I pretend to spin the rotors. He gets pissed. I certainly didn't intend to come across as a rivet counter.    The Pylons stand out a little more than the rivets do, but like you say, the average Joe couldn't tell the difference anyhow. You'd said you researched the ACH-47's... I've got some other stuff in the archives that I haven't put on the site, http://gunsagogo.org, including some killer "in-action" videotapes, which were transferred from 8mm film. Take care, Frank

grandadjohn wrote:

Pharoah, good way to make freinds and influence people, just spin those rotors away(think he takes his modeling serious)

I get it....    I think what threw me off was the "Check your pms in a second" statement.... now I realize that you were telling me to check my site email after reading your post.    I'm sorry I misunderstood you.

Hahaha... I was thinking when I read that... "PMS... who is this guy????"    "Thought I was going to have to call in a missin to "Go-Go Flight Ops" there for a second!  Hahaha

Sorry again for the misinterpretation.... I will reply to your email later on this evening or in the morning.    In the meantime, here's a little something of interest:

In the picture,  note the "stars & bars" bleeding through the OD paint under the engines....   after the loss of #151 at Vung Tau, they clipped all the wires and gave #145 (which was retained at Edwards AFB for further testing) a quick coat of OD, and hurried her off to southeast Asia as a replacement.

This picture is of #145, "Co$t of Living", made only 12 hours before Her & Her Crew perished, near Bong Son on the 5th day of May, 1967.    

One of life's ironies.... The #2 Gunner on "Co$t of Living", David Knight, DEROS just a few days prior to
the loss, but didn't learn about the fate of his friends until 1998, when he attended his first VHCMA reunion.

Here's Jim Ketcham and myself, holding the Fwd Crown Patch from "Co$t of Living".      Tribute to the crew: http://gunsagogo.org/hicks.htm

Sorry, didn't mean to go on... it's hard to tell just a little bit about those Fellows!

Take care,

Frank

No way Frank .....I do not believe there is a guy here that can ever get tired of hearing any first hand account about Nam or Helos in general.

A big HIP HIP to all who are serving and have served!!

Pharoah

Just giving you a hard time, know you meant no harm.

Frank

Always learn something from your post, please keep them coming