Anyone know the story behind this 1/48 scale bird? It looks to be just an MD-500 molded in black with orange tinted clear parts. Is it a prototype, mock up or what?
Rob
Can you post a link or something, would like to take a look
John
helicopters don’t fly, they beat the air into submission
That model is a “shot in the dark” taken during the late 80’s when it first surfaced the OH-6’s were being converted into missle/gunships and being used in the gulf. In reality it represents the first generation of what we now know as the AH/MH-6 family. Original configurations were assumed to be using off the shelf munitions much in the fashion that the IDF was.
Chief Snake
It talks about it being used in the Persian Gulf defending the re-flagged Kuwait oil tankers from Iranian gunboats. The box art shows an exploding gunboat as the “MH-6 Stealth Quiet Attack Helicopter” passes by. I’ve got the IDF TOW helicopter too and it is the same kit with different colored plastic.
Just curious as to if it was a “real” stealth helicopter or just something the military told the public. I was fortunate to find the old Eduard PE set for the Hughes 500 for $5.
Could be something Academy dreamed up to, know that the five blade rotor system was used on the 500 to make them quieter also part of the reason for NOTAR is it quiets them down. The government may have advertized them as “stealth” because of that. I don’t think the Army got serious about stealth until the Commanche.
John
helicopters don’t fly, they beat the air into submission
It may be name more than anything. The fact the MH/AH-6s attacked at night through the use of NVGs, and the relative quietness of the Little Bird, gave the impression of a “stealthy” aircraft. One minute the bad guys are laying mines, next thing KABOOM out of nowhere.
Cheers,