Armed Escort Tiltrotor

I'm using the 1/72 sponsors that I carved off.  I'm happy with the wing from that kit as well.  Now, if you know of anyone with some spare hellfires and launchers laying around, we can deal...

That's an interesting idea, hang a chain gun to this side with some type of system to give me a little traverse and elevation.  Maybe even one on each side?  Or I could put a gun pod-type setup on my centerline pylon and then still have two stations for missiles/rockets. 

Heck, I may just go ahead and put one pylon under each wing that can only be used in "helo mode." 

"I didn't want to have to pull rank.  But, I'm with the mattress police, there are no tags on these mattresses."

Hey, really glad to see that you all are making some progress on your configs.  I'd love to see some pictures.  LJ, I bought far to many kits when I was building my Escort, so I have some Hellfire and launchers left over that you are welcome to. 

Phil

Phil, I'll take you up on the offer of those Hellfires, thank you, sir.  I was going to try to come up with something from my current stocks, but I really wanted a missile.  Iron bombs, even LGBs just didn't seem to fit the profile I had in my mind for this bird.

I'd post photos, but most of my work is only in my mind for the next few months.  Then, once I get back, I plan on getting some of these projects knocked out.  This one and my AV-22 are tops of the list.  I've got to make room for the kits I'll be buying once I'm home. 

I'm really leaning toward that gunpod, then I wouldn't be limited as much as I would be with a turret.  I'm thinking a 20mm or 30mm chain gun-type rather than a gatling would work well. Dual ammo feed for AP and HE maybe?

"My car just hit a water buffalo, can I borrow your towel?"

The U.S. Army wants to develop an airborne tactical laser for use by special operations forces. The system is intended to be mounted on a V-22 tilt rotor or CH-47 Chinook helicopter, to be used for covert activities such as setting fires.³⁵ The ATL would use a COIL, the same technology used on the ABL program. However, the power output by the Army's system would be at levels around 50-75 kW and the maximum range of the system will only be several kilometers,. The system will have a sealed exhaust system. The U.S. Special Operations Command is sponsoring the technology demonstration. Boeing has been advancing the ATL concept, but the Army has yet to make a decision on whether to complete the program."

Complete Article

"Now, you know that and I know that, but somebody's bucking for a promotion..."

Here's some real-world news to give the tilt-rotor escort and AV-22 builds some teeth:

Marine Corps Special Operations Command Activated
http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,89330,00.html?ESRC=marinenews.RSS

Maybe these craft would have a home in a Marine-type "SOAR" unit, if not fleet squadrons. Food for hypothetical thought, anyways. Keep up the great work on these scratchbuilt wonders, guys.

That's a possibility, make them fall under a SpecOps composite squadron that could create detachments to be tasked out to a MEU or other unit as needed.  Like you said, food for thought, AH1Wsnake.

I think I'll stay away from any "lasers" (unless they're attached to friggin sharks' heads) and just rely on proven systems for the weapons suite on this one.  A 30mm chain gun and some Hellfires will do nicely.  I'll admit, its fun to think of different loadouts, I don't know about using it in a SEAD/Iron Hand role, but a pair of Harpoons would make quick work of most nations' naval inventory. 

Trigger, I need to watch Fletch again, I'm fresh out of quotes. 

LemonJello wrote:

I'm really leaning toward that gunpod, then I wouldn't be limited as much as I would be with a turret.  I'm thinking a 20mm or 30mm chain gun-type rather than a gatling would work well. Dual ammo feed for AP and HE maybe?

What about using the idea from the Hokum but turn the gun so that it pivots in the horizontal plane?  You can still use most any weapon that would fit under the plane and it expands the field of fire a great deal over a gun pod.  A 30mm would give alot of punch without too much of a space/weight penalty.  This is one of the ideas that I have been kicking around.

Mac

Finally! Some shots of the Beast!

There is alot to be done here but this is the basic concept.  I am doing alot of thinking on the tail and the rotors.  Weapons loadout is still pretty open right now too.

I'll do a little editing on these and try to make them show up a little better

Mac

"Aaaagggghhhh, my eyes! My eyes!  They burn!...Those photos should come with a warning about the elderly, small children and those with heart conditions should not view them!"

Seriously, though, that's a lot of serious work you've put into the "Beast".  It makes the amount of putty that I'm going to have to use seem pretty trivial.  I'm digging the design, and its fun to try and figure out which parts from which kits you're using.  Plus, you've got a lot of room for the things that go "boom!" under the wings.   I think you'll easily have the heaviest armed escort of the bunch, Screaminhelo.  Heck, you probably had that one won with the A-10's cannon.  Keep the updates coming!

Here's and idea ... and easy to do besides.  What if you made the empennage into a V-configuration like a Beechcraft Bonanza or a Fougia Magistar?  That would clean up the lines, reduce weight and still be aerodynamically in synch with the rest of the airframe.

Just thinkin' out loud .....

MBT70 wrote:

Here's and idea ... and easy to do besides.  What if you made the empennage into a V-configuration like a Beechcraft Bonanza or a Fougia Magistar?  That would clean up the lines, reduce weight and still be aerodynamically in synch with the rest of the airframe.

That has crossed my mind more than once.  I am also re-thinking the whole aft fuselage since seeing a V-22 here yesterday.

I was going to use the tail from my V-22 kit, but it was way too wide to mate up with the Mohawk's tapered tail, so I just chopped the tailplanes and will graft them on somehow to give me the twin tail configuration that I wanted.  Just a matter of some styrene stock and putty to blend it all in nice.

Never thought of a V-tail, that would be a cool look.

Unknownpharoah wrote:

many more mods and this piece will be heading to the sci-fi forum.

This thing has begun to take on a life of it's own.  I'm really just thinking of shortening the tail and restoring some of the Osprey lines.  As far as the tailplanes are concerned, I like what Trigger has done.  The v-tail is also a leading contender.  I am just trying to steer away from adding more  Frankenstein's monster elements to it.

Mac

Yeah, I'd like to see the ACU colors on an airframe.  They're still kind of jarring to see on people to me. 

I've been pondering putting my escort in desert digi pattern (at least the top surfaces).  I think it would look cool next to my woodland digi A-10 on the shelf, instead of the standard greys most USMC birds wear.

Though if Trigger can pull off the effect like what the V-22s and F-22s have been seen in, he'll have the best paint job, hands down.

LemonJello wrote:

Though if Trigger can pull off the effect like what the V-22s and F-22s have been seen in, he'll have the best paint job, hands down.

Trigger wrote:

LemonJello wrote: Though if Trigger can pull off the effect like what the V-22s and F-22s have been seen in, he'll have the best paint job, hands down. ROTFLMAO!!!!!! Oh man, thank you so much. I needed a good laugh!

Thank you, thank you! I'll be here all week, and remember, the ten o'clock show is completely different from the seven o'clock show.  Don't forget to tip your waitress.

I think I've started going through serious withdrawal from my styrene addiction, but I just can't justify sending a bunch of my stuff out here since I barely have the down time as it is to do much.  Well, that's what I get for volunteering to deploy.

I really want to get to work on both my escort and the AV-22.  Guess this will give me more incentive to get back to work when I get the chance again...

Duke, thanks, but I'm not in the big sandbox, just a little sideshow not far from there, near one of the few truly ungoverned places in the world...

Phil, my wife tells me the package arrived, so thanks again for the Hellfires.  My kids are beside themselves trying to figure out what could have been sent to me, which is good for a laugh.  They'll be put to good use once I'm home. 

Now, who's got some update photos to post?