TOW Huey in 1:48th!

Jim,

   First of all, welcome aboard!  Second of all, thanks for your service!  Now for the Maxwell system.  Here are the photos that Jon wanted me to post of the 2/20th.  Do you recognize this bird?

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As you can see there only 12 function FFAR tubes on each side.  I have many more pics of this system from the Rucker archives that I can post as well.  Also check the Unusual Hueys thread for more on teh Maxwell system.  Although, I suspect you already know most of what's written there.  again welcome to the forum!

     Ray
 

Thanks for the welcome Ray. Well, there you go-12 rockets instead of 18. I suspect both were used. Why 12 instead of 18, I couldn't say for sure, but my guess is that 12 would be used, providing an additional 350lb or so of fuel, it would also help keep the acft lighter due to high density altitude conditions, or just unit SOP. Thanks Jon for asking Ray to post the pics for me. I'm not familier with this particular ship-it looks like a B Battery Huey(the red square on the cargo door). C Battery ships had red circles. BTW, Ray, the first and third pics did not open for some reason. The pics look like they were taken on the "Golf Course" at the 1st Cav Div. base camp in An Khe. This was a huge area where choppers were parked. A runway was also built for fixed wing acft.

Jim 

 

 

Jim,

  There were only 2 pics, that's just how they display for some reason.  You are correct about the number of functional FFARs.  I have seen teh Maxwell system with both 12 and 18 rockets per side, but I would say that 12 is most common.  My impression has always been that this was to save weight.  Here's one from the 2/20th with 18 just as you rememebr (only 12 have rockets, however):

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 Here's another with the more common 12 functional FFARs:

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Both of these pics are from the Army Aviation Museum Archives.

Ray 

Yep, those are B Battery birds and I think you're right, that is the Golf Course.  It looks like there is provision for another six rockets (for a total of 18), but they aren't fitted. 

Man, that SS11 missile just scares me.  

The Fujimi UH-1B kit has a full M22 system  It isn't the greatest kit, but I'm sure that it can be used as  a good basis for a Maxwell system!

Jon
 

John I was going to ask if you were in BOQ....man, guys that me in the barracks room with that little desk was a nutz idea!

 this looks like a GREAT conversion and its going smoothly! I would still be messing with the TSU!

 David

David,

I was in the BOQ on post there when I started. I'm back home now and haven't been able to do much on the TOW bird.  I'm hoping that with a few new developments, I'll be able to get back on track now.  I've got the sight done and now just need to add the main rotor and paint the damn thing. Hopefully by it'll be done by the end of January!

Jon
 

Is this the one you were needing the rotorhead and blades from the 'D' Huey?

Yep!  Got just about everything all set to go to you. 

Merry Christmas everyone!

Well, I was inspired yesterday.  My in-laws are in town, and I got a chance to shoot some nice closeups with dad's digital camera.  Between that, and the success I'm having with my OV-10A, I decided to do a little more on the TOW Bird.  I finished the TOW sight, added the roof and removed the cockpit doors.  I was originally going to leave the doors closed, but after I forgot to paint the overhead console, they had to come off.  That ended up being a good thing, because you can actually see the sight now! 

So, without further ado, here's the pics!

Looking good, Jon!!! 

Looks great, Jon

And a note Jon, that SS-11 missle WAS dangerous

John

its been a month now, how about an update?

David

Thought I would share some interesting shots of the UH-1C Im PM of restoration on #66-00623 was used for testing. Note the 4 TOW or xm48 rocket stencils on the door and the unique panel. The entire Peter Pilot station was removed, panel modified and cyclic and collective were gone.

Here is another of the panel in the early morning sun and full shot. Note the Peter Pilot door was permanent and modified. This was before initial clean up of any kind so yeah it looks rough. A CE donated our first item, a cyclic grip for the one that was removed. BUC-3 still has black skids under that light overspray as it did with the 170th AHC. Anyone have any historical information on these panel modifications?

Hey all,

Well, Chris and I did a little bit of legwork yesterday. Having been in contact with 554's crew chief, we confirmed that 62-12553 and 62-12554 are the correct tail numbers for the TOW birds.

Ray was right, and I owe him a big thanks for continuing to push me with the research!

For some reason, 60-3553 and 60-3554 are at the museum at Rucker. 553 has the XM-26 system on it. Because of that (and the mods made to it to put the system on it), along with documentation from the TOW team that just refers to 553 and 554 (no full tail numbers) it seemed that 60-3553 was the correct number.

That being said, with a little research, we determined that 62-12554 is about fifteen miles down the road from my house! She's been sitting in Air Force colors, with a bogus UH-1F engine cowling on her, but she's the real deal. She's got a bogus tail number on her too, but I was able to get a shot of the panel and it confirms that it is 554.

So, right now, I've pulled the model out again and will be doing some more work on it today.

In the meantime, here's 554 as she currently sits:

Hey all,

Ok, here's 554 with the camo on.




Need to finish up the rotors and she'll be finished!

Jon

Completing a second Huey while I'm finishing the TOW bird. This one's a UH-1C Frog from the 174th AHC known as the "Battlin female dog". I scratchbuilt the XM-158 rocket pods with aluminum tubing and bits of styrene. This one's gonna be a bit easier than the TOW bird!

I agree with Ray, I think your TOW pods look fine, as does the rest of the model. Keep up the great work. I will enjoy seeing the finished prodict.

Charlie

Thanks Charlie! 

I've got a lot more to do on her, but she's kinda taken a backseat for a bit.  We just moved, so I've just gotten the workshop set back up.  I'm not really happy with the way the camo turned out, so I'm going to re-spray it, this time masking off each color instead of trying it freehand.  Gonna be a nightmare!

I've been focusing on my 1:48th AH-1G with the XM35 system on it.  She'll be done up as a Blue Max bird, most likely "Pandora's Box" from B Battery, since I've got the decals for her. 

Jon