Armed Escort Tiltrotor

LJ-
That will just give you more time to dream up ideas.  Take care buddy and let us know how you are doing.

As for the Beast from the Southeast, progress slowed to a crawl for quite a while then we had a baby.  I have managed to get a lot figured out and put together recently and it doesn't look like the monstrosity that I was afraid of.  I will try to get a couple of shots posted soon so LJ won't feel bad at all about the amount of putty he is facing.

Mac

Hey guys,

I haven't been a part of this thread, but I wanted to share something with you all that I came across today.  I've been working in the Army Aviation Museum archives doing some research while on "bubble" before I start Primary.  I've been neck deep in the AAFSS Program files and have come across the original proposal responses for this program from the major companies.  The AAFSS was the Advanced Aerial Fire Support System: what became the AH-56 Cheyenne.  However, some corporations didn't think that a helicopter was the way to go.  The following images are concept drawings from Boeing-Vertol of exactly what you guys have been building.

John,

Nope, the project is no longer classified.  In fact, there are 20 boxes of documents that I'm in the process of going through and pulling all of the great historical material.  I'm a little upset that there hasn't been much on the Sikorsky S-67 Blackhawk, but the stuff I'm going through now is from the 63-65 timeframe, when the Sikorsky entry was still the S-66.

Here's the General Dynamics entry.  Remember, this is the same company that brought you the B-58, F-106 and F-16.  What were they thinking?!

Kinda reminds me of a Ball Python...

As promised, here is what I have

Interesting concept, I don't know if it would have worked or not, sure would have been a maintenance nightmare though.

Ah, yes, that strange new finish that the V-22 is showing up in more and more.  That'll be a cool look, how are you going to do it?  I've thought of possibly using a semi-gloss or satin finish clear coat, but I don't know if that would work or not...

I don't want my escort in the usual greys, so I may just give desert MARPAT a go on the top surfaces, at least. 

Before I left I was trying to work out the hardpoints for weapons, I think I can get 3-4 on the fuselage, depending on what I'm going to carry.  I've thought of using a centerline gunpod vice a chin turret and then the two outboard stations would be rockets/missiles in a 3 station config.  With a 4, I'd go with more missiles and a gun in the nose/chin.  Not that the Mohawk gives you much nose to play with, so I guess it'd have to be a turret of some sort. 

That will be a tough finish to tackle Trigger.  It is almost a flip flop color.  I'm still up in the air about a scheme for now.  MARPAT seems good, but I am leaning toward a hybrid finish using the new AF helo gray and a pattern based on...that is a good question.

Pics will be forthcoming.  I finally settled on a basic layout.  I have alot of putty and I am considering buying stock in Evergreen.  I hope to lay it all out and look at it this week and I will take a shot or two then.

Mac

I've been thinking (I have quite a bit of time on my hands, it seems) about a gun/cannon for my build and I keep bouncing between a turret under the nose and a fixed, forward firing gun/guns.  I'm leaning more toward the fixed setup, because I can move them up to the sides of the fuselage and leave the underside clear forward for hellfire launches.  Any suggestions/comments would be appreciated.

Trigger, now everytime I see your avatar photo, I think "Using the whole fist there, doc?" and "Moon River"...

LemonJello wrote:

I've been thinking (I have quite a bit of time on my hands, it seems) about a gun/cannon for my build and I keep bouncing between a turret under the nose and a fixed, forward firing gun/guns.  I'm leaning more toward the fixed setup, because I can move them up to the sides of the fuselage and leave the underside clear forward for hellfire launches.  Any suggestions/comments would be appreciated.   Trigger, now everytime I see your avatar photo, I think "Using the whole fist there, doc?" and "Moon River"...

I am thinking of adding a 30mm to my beast.  The GAU-8 is what I am building this thing around, but I don't think that would be a good idea to fire it at a hover.  I am thinking of the fixed gun for running fire and hard targets and a flexible gun for the light work.  I am hoping that I will have room for two pylons on each wing and two or more on the fuselage.

Mac

I've got to see a beast that will have room for underwing pylons!  I wanted to try that, but the rotor disc is so big it covers the entire leading edge when the nacelles are in forward flight mode on my version.  I pondered having some weapons that would only be available while in a hover, but that may be asking for trouble...

Now if I can just figure out how to fix that fetzer valve...

I am using the wing from the A-10, so that gives me some room under there.  Much of the fuselage uses the A-10 for a backbone with pieces from the -64 reshaping it.

I like the lines Trigger.  Have you settled on straight tails?  I thought the anglrd ones looked pretty good.  The engineer weenies probably could tell me why it wouldn't work, but who cares if it works as long as it looks good.

LJ-
If you ever get that fetzer valve figured out, everything will fall into place. (Or maybe I just walked into an inside joke)

Mac

Screaminhelo wrote:

I am using the wing from the A-10, so that gives me some room under there.  Much of the fuselage uses the A-10 for a backbone with pieces from the -64 reshaping it. I like the lines Trigger.  Have you settled on straight tails?  I thought the anglrd ones looked pretty good.  The engineer weenies probably could tell me why it wouldn't work, but who cares if it works as long as it looks good. LJ- If you ever get that fetzer valve figured out, everything will fall into place. (Or maybe I just walked into an inside joke) Mac

Trigger, I've added the sponsons from my donor V-22 to the mohawk body, that's where I'm getting the space for the three or four hardpoints AND the rear landing gear.  The Mohawk fuselage is so narrow after the cockpit, that I had to add something to give it a wider stance and a little more internal fuel as well.  The gun is the sticking point right now in my mind.  Something will work out.

An A-10 wing would give you a lot more room than the 1/72 V-22 wing I'm using, that's for sure. 

In good news, I just got my Publisher's Clearinghouse envelope with Ed McMahon on the front, I could already be a winner...