Here is my completed MH-6J Mission Enhanced Littlebird (MELB) with planks for the Operators and Rangers to catch a ride on. I used the DML 1/35 AH-6J kit and added the troop planks from the Cobra Company kit, courtesy of Albymoore and a resin copy of the FLIR turret from the Academy MH-60 DAP kit, courtesy of Avus. The FLIR screens in the cockpit are scratched from left over resin pour plugs. I also added the FLIR joystick that is not mentioned in the Cobra Company kit either. Decals are custom made, also compliments of my good buddy Avus. They are all there, along with black United States Army along tail boom and black registration code on the sail, they are just hard to see. Finished in overall MM Aircraft Interior Black, drybrushed with MM Gunship Gray, then black again. Here it is.
It would be nice to see, but the photos don’t download. Cobra Company doesn’t mention a joystick to control FLIR because there isn’t one. The FLIR is aimed using the coolie hat button on the Cyclic grip.
We solved the decal problem by making the decal file on black background, then printing them on white decal paper. That is how they are on the MH-6J. It worked just fine. Have made the same for the DAP, still on the to do list, soon, maybe.
Heavyarty, I hope you dont mind but I took the liberty to fiddle with one of your pics to see if I could get it to post. No problems. The only thing I can think of is I looked at the properties of your red x’s and their linked to an MSN group photo album. MSN does not host images that can be linked. The pics have to be stored on an online hosting albumn like http://rongeorge.com/modules/Gallery/albums.php or www.photobucket.com
I hope Im not preaching to the choir on this, just trying to be helpfull. Awsome build BTW. I have a buddy in 160th SOAR and I sent him the link to build. In his words “You’ve done the NightStalkers justice”
Avus,
As you can see, the decals work great. The FLIR turret is awesome as well. Thanks again.
Thanks for the comments all.
Awood23,
Nope, not the case w/the MSN site. Worked on 3 other websites that I posted the pics to in the same way. FSM is the only site I can’t get them to work on. Same happened w/ M7 BFIST photos. Must be conflict w/MSN and FSM sites.
Gino,
It’s very likely that the case is two different setups. The aircraft used as the masters subject had been fully upgraded and rewired and the FLIR was aimed via the coolie switch on the grip. The one that you saw must not have been through that upgrade and retained the earlier configuration for aiming the FLIR. The upgrade aircraft could be spotted by the lack of the BAT WING antenna, it was replaced with the smaller X bar type. They also were fitted with a shorter support beam which moved the minigun and rocket pod closer inboard on each side. The newer MELB generally fit the composite personnel planks and the older aircraft retain the some what heavier style plank.
Just to stir up the discussion, Chief Snake: I was told that the X-type SatCom antenna is the older one and the batwing-type the newer one. Infact Academy’s Pavehawk (wich is supposed to be a more modern helo) has a batwing SatCom and the DAP (actually a MH-60L, recalling the birds in Somalia) has an X-shaped one.
That information is incorrect. The BATWING is the early version antenna, the X type the second. The Academy PAVEHAWK is based on information provided to them regards DESERT STORM deployed aircraft circa 1991 . The DAP aircraft model is the easy way to put something on the market using existing molds with a few new trees thrown in. The aircraft deployed to Somalia in 1993 were in transition for upgrades and had not been brought up to the standard represented by the DAP kit. The RAZORS EDGE markings are for Super 68, SOUTHERN COMFORT was photographed in the US at an airshow and was not part of the Somalia operation. Remember, their objective is to sell kits while being “somewhat” accurate in the depiction. Cobra Company associates were the prime providers of data for the entire line of MRC/Academy UH-60 based airframe kits. Doing things 100% right is not always in the manufacturers mind, being close at reasonable cost is. We offer the best research we can, ultimately the manufacturer makes the decisions.
