Not to be critical of a great effort but that U boat is a figment of Italeri’s imagination. U Models don’t have a probe sticking out the front like that…that is actually used on the AC-130H. There are many many other things that make it incorrect. It’s not your fault if your desire is to go OOB but there is way too much wrong with the Italeri 130s to build them without modifications. Here is the old AMT 1/72 U-model kit which I believe was based on Italeri C-130H. Even though this kit was closer than the Italeri kits, it still needed a lot of ‘adjustments’.
I am posting my build not to show off since my skills are average at best, but to show you what a U model looked like around the late 90s. The current U models have several mods that make give it more lumps and bumps along with changing out the 25mm and 40mm for 2 30mm guns.
Nice version you have there, looks great to me. Do you know what that ‘probe’ is for? I’m not too concerned with the accuracy but it’s visible in this shot…
That probe was a relic left over during manufacturing and flight test at Edwards AFB. They used an H model to flight test systems since an H model was a gunship and money was tight for the project to start out. So actually AC -0128, is a converted AC-130H.
After flight test, it was left to rot while the Boieng/Rockwell production teams concentrated on turning unused, standard C-130H’s into U Models. There was a lot of discussion as to whether 0128 would be scraped or be brought to u model standards. The desicion was made to modify it, put it back together and become the 13th AC-130U …this time without the probe. Bottom line: the aircraft in that picture was never a production aircraft until after it was fully modded and made operational.
BTW, You’ll notic real Umodels had the HF probe (whach was nothing more than a modified KC-135 tail cap) under the right wing …and it has an 8402 pod hanging from the outboard pylons. They have since gone to a DRCM system and no longer use the pod or pylon. see pic below of fairly current AC-130u…
Hi Ghostmech and [#welcome] to the forums. Your C130 looks fantastic also. I Love the stand for the inflight shot. Whats your story? You obviously know the subject backwards.
Lloyd, great shot of the plane with the probe. Hard to say it diodnt have one with that picture in your arsenal LOL.
Nice job on your model! Thanks for all the great info on the U-Boats. I was wondering about the Camo paint job since all I had seen even on H models since the 90’s was the Gunship Gray paint schemes. It being a prototype explains it and the probe. I visit Ft. Walton at least once or twice a year for my Vietnam Unit Reunions, 174th AHC, and family vacations. We will be at the Best Western the weekend of May 1st. AC-130s kept the NVA away from one of our crews for two nights during the Lam Son 719 debacle into Laos. They were rescued the 3rd day on the final attempt. 7 of our guys made it out thanks to you guys and the rest of the Rescue forces. You can read about the shoot down and rescue of Witch Doctor 5 at this link. http://174ahc.org/mike-3.htm
Thanks Mel…the gunship grey has been replaced (starting about 200-2001) with the Shamu paint scheme (light grey on bottom, dark grey on top). AC-128 (the original test mule was in the green grey style as seen in Lloyd’s model) I got to the U Model program just prior to it going operational and was with it for 7 years.
Lloyd’s model represents the test mule back at Edwards but even there are things missing or completely wrong with that one (again, not Lloyd’s fault if he just wanted to build OOB…more the fault of bad research by Italeri.) I was in contact with AMT when they were doing their 1/72 U Model, even offered to provide technical assistance. They gave me a nice thank you and later sent a box of U Model kits to the organization, but they still screwed up several obvious details.
I may also note that none of the U models on the market represent a realistic interior. Lloyd’s interior is actually that of an H Model and Italeri didn’t even do a good job with that. The Battle Management Booth is completely wrong and there’s no ASHES system for the 25MM gun. There should be fixed stowage boxes on the ramp and as you can see in Lloyds, it is barren
I think your Herc. looks great!!! I really like your dio. with all of the crew! How’d you make your section of flt. line? I like it! Keep up the great work!!!
Can someone tell me the story with this pic? I see a wide swath of white across the top of the fuselage. Is that sunlight poking through the clouds or paint? And what’s with the clouds or ground fog behind the plane?
It is just sunlight. That aircraft already has the Shamu paint scheme
The model I portrayed was the original overall faded grey color that the aircraft was delivered with. When they were delivered to AFSOC, the grey was sun bleached and patchy due to the fact that the aircraft had been sitting in the desert for storage. The USAF bought these built C-130H “trash haulers” and converted them to U Boats at Palmdale, Calif.
You are correct and I should have specified…the Italeri Model was a test mule so yes it did exist with the probe, but was never a production aircraft with the probe. 128 was the last U Model to be delivered once the decision was made to bring it back to life and make it a production aircraft…sans the probe
Hi, thanks for the positive feedback. The base was sprayed with some testors spray paint and I added detail with airbrush and coloured pencil. I just used painters tape to mask the yellow flight line. Overall it’s a bit too flat-looking for my liking so I’d use a different approach now, but I was a bit rushed at the time.
Lloyd, camo is fantastic, as are the details and figs, and the base. Beautiful model of a beautiful bird. I´m biased though, my dad flew 130´s, C not AC. Shooter, I think what you see is a mix of clouds and exaust. Used to sit at the end of the runway and watch ém shoot touch and go´s. Still remember my dad making faces at me as he went by. A question for Ghostmech. Do the AC´s have any type of muffler on the engines? Most of the combat footage I see seems the guys on the ground have no clue untill the rounds impact.
Errrh yeah … 150 mm would be a tad too large wouldn’t it. Didn’t notice when i posted it but thanks for the correction.
Ghostmech, the aircraft that i had a chance to see back in 2003 i think it was, had the exact nose art of your avatar, it was at that time fitted with 25 mm, 40 mm and 105 mm but the crew told me that the AC-130’s were being refitted with two 30 mm just like you said.
Not a muffler, but they have what’s called IR Tubs which hangs from the wings and directs ambient air and engine exhaust into a tub area which cools the exhaust and reduces its IR signature. The sound you hear when its overhead is a faint drone which is mostly due to the prop blades to which there is no way to be muffled
Thanks, guess that means when you see footage of guys runnin to beat the wind it´s because they´ve heard that sound before and know what´s fixin to happen.
Hate to be bringing back a pretty old topic but there was only one plane with the two 30mm guns and they have now been taken off due to inaccurate fire.
