Some more questions about kitbashing Monograms Huey

Here's a  couple of pics of Hobby Worlds UH-1B offering . As I said it's not really that good . You may also notice the Anti-downwash cabin roof strake continue's over the overhead upper windows-"YIKES" . You only get one cyclic stick and no foot pedals and no collective pitch sticks either . Other than using the kit for spare rotors and decals , it probably should be avoided . John

John,

It looks like the Hobby World kit is a reproduction of the original Monogram UH-1B kit (which became the Fujimi kit).  I've actually taken the bellmouth intake off of that kit and grafted it on to my Huey Hog kit for the UH-1A I'm building.  If you're doing a B model, you're clear to use the flex guns and rockets that come in the kit.  I'd modify the mounts a bit, but the XM-16 weapons kit (flex guns and rockets) was the standard on the UH-1B.  Just leave off the Chunker on the nose.  While they did try that configuration stateside, no one has ever been able to prove it actually flew in-country, and knowing helicopters and the environment they flew in in Vietnam, I'd say it would be nearly impossible to get it off the ground with both weapons systems on board.  

I'd check the length on those rotor blades too.  IIRC, the ones on my Fujimi kit are too long for the Hog kit and needed to be trimmed in length and needed to be sanded to a better airfoil shape.

Keep it up!

Jon

I've been searching the Huey threads on FSM forum pages and found this pic rotorwash posted back in 5/29/07 . If I understand correctly what I've been reading , the weapons rack required for the Echo model will need to be heavily modified from what monogram supply in their kit . Also is that a type of sagami bracket mounted against the rear cabin wall to take a M-60 ??? . I'll keep researching for more pics of the TK-2 mounting system . John

The TK-2 is pretty unique.  I guess anything can be modified but it is really different than the setup in the Monogram kit.  Then again, i can't think of anything that is a better starting point. Corgi makes a diecast 1/48 UH-1E that has the TK-2.

I've got some close-ups of the system I'll post tomorrow.  I thought I've posted a line drawing here before but now i can't find that post or my scan.  if i find the originals I'll rescan them but don't hold your breath.

John,

   The TK-2 kit did not use the M23 mounting system that Army hueys did.  A you can see in the photo, the 60's were mounted inboard of the rockets and the rocket pod would have been  a seven shot LAU-59/A, which is essentially the same as the Army's XM-157 pod.  However, you will find pictures of pods pained white as well as OD since the the marines sometimes used air Force pods.  T he mounting system for the 60 inside the cabin is similar to the Sagami mount, but that system was originally developed to be mounted outside the ship and later adapted to the M23 universal mount.  I've never seen one mounted inside before. the key to the Sagami mount is it's swing out design.   

 Here's another picture of that same TK-2 system to give a better view head on of the mount and the 60C's:

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Here are a few Echo's from the Mutza gunship wlkaround (you gotta have that book by the way):

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I like this one with the XM-18 minigun pod:

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 You'll note both these birds are built after bravos not Chralies as was the standard later on 

Hope that helps,

          Ray
 

On the first two pics:  the fairing wasn't typical and the ammo cans were placed in the cabin.

On the last couple of pics, the TAT-101 turret wasn't always installed, depends on unit and time frame. 

I also added pics of the rotor brake - you'll need to add that for an E. 

WOW thanks for all the additional pics guys , there awesome . I do have Wayne Mutza walk around Huey Gunship book . I've been refering to it constantly with my current USAF 1F build . My Green Hornets book should arrive soon too .One think I didn't pick up on untill you guys posted pics of the roof rescue hoist ; is that the hook on the end of the hoist faces to the rear . On my two previous attempts to build a 1E and 1L version in 1/72 scale , I now realize my roof arm brackets are facing the wrong way . I have some new spectacles on order from OPSM , I should get them this week . My first new pair in 8 years and my prescription had changed quite a bit . Hopfully I should be able to see better at what I'm doing and avoid some of the silly mistakes I've been making lately on my helicopter builds . Kind regards john

John,

  Those are some fine looking Hueys none the less.  Another thing I noticed in the photos posted by Supercobra is that there is a "divit" in the roof where the hook rests. that's pretty distinctive and I appreciate those awesome photos!  Good luck with the build.  The Mutza book is a great ref if I do say so myself.

         Ray