i realize the h46e kits by accademy are not on the streets yet, but i surely hope that from what i have seen on our forum web page, that either an after market kit or ,a future kit by accademy will include provisions for back dating to the a or d model h46. these were used extensively by the marines in vietnam. they have a rich history of doing the impossible fleww hundreds of combat missions in the old birds.
The Dude that did the bulid up/review must of had some contact with MRC to do have a chance to build this KIT weeks before its release and he does mention that other versions of this kit will be out soon.
MRC is silly that way…instead of releasing one kit with a few extra parts and decals to make many different versions…they make you wait and pay another 50.00 bucks for a different kit! [:(!] I’m not convinced if that is good marketing or not [?]
This kit should be on the store shelves this week or in the next two…who knows? I haver not seen it available in ANY on-line listings as of today…including German and UK shops …and they tend to some times get kits from the Orient before we do and my local bar ( I mean ) Hobby shop says there is no word so its most likely one of those when it shows up kinda kits.
Back dating a CH-46E to a CH-46D isn’t too difficult. A few modifications will be needed such as not installing/removing the ALE/ALQ parts (ECM gear), reshaping the engine exhaust (46Es are oval, 46Ds are more circular), and the engine FOD screens are more bucket shaped on a 46E vs. more conical on 46Ds. The biggest change would be the fuel sponsons…they are bigger and thicker on the 46E. Hobbycrafts 1/72 H-46 actually builds to an H-46D.
don’t forget the rotor heads and blades are different between the d and e models!! the a and d model rotorhead uses a cuff type sleeve to recieve the rotor blade. changed a million of them in my time. bullet holes.
In this case it may be worth waiting a bit for the older Sea Knight version that MRC is planing to release. MRC is pretty good about releasing the ‘other’ kit versions pretty fast ( for sales reasons )
I’m tempted to buy a second CH46-E kit to use the cargo walls, floor and cieling parts ( with some modifications ) to help finish my 1/48 scale CH47-A Chinook. What do you guys think?..Will I be able to get away with that ??
Troy.
I think that according to pictures that I have viewed? It will take a bit of modification. The Chinook appears to be a lot wider than the “Phrog”.
I may be wrong, but that’s the way that I see it. Not that it can’t be done! Just a lot of work.
By the way. After everything that could go wrong with vehicles and computers has finally been taken care of? Be watching your mail.
Randie [C):-)]
Thanks Randie,
I guess I could just compare the parts and see what I can do…plus who knows what the true scale really is with the old AURORA Chinook?
This is true, Troy.
Randie [C):-)]
Mike (yw18mc),
I received my 1/48 Academy Phrogs a couple days ago. After glancing through the sprues, they have a few parts that are not to be used on the 46E. Guess what…some of them are for 46Ds.[:D] They have the circular exhaust and the conical FOD screens vs. the basket for the 46E. The rotor blades are the DCU heads and blades…not the old cuff and sleeve. Academy may be planning an A/D release of the Phrog, either that or some after market products should be out soon. Keep your fingers crossed.
Carl
Carl, {DRAGONFIRE} thanks for the headsup on what you found in the new H46 kit. just got back from Marine Corps reunion of my old H46 outfit. I had a msg from my hobby shop to come pickup my phfrog! so I’ll be heading for there first thing tomarrow. look forward to seeing your posts, and pics. semper fi, mike
Mike,
You should be pretty happy when you pick up your Phrog. By the way, I forgot which Phrog unit/s you flew with.
Carl
Carl, I flew with HMM-164 and HMM-165, that is why I use yw18mc as my member name. I was assigned that helo during my tour in country. If you’ve ever read the book Bonney Sue, which I highly recommend, you’ll find a picture of my third shootdown in it. I’m the character inside the chopper when the pic was taken. if you look at the nose you will see #18 on it. incidently that was my last mission in vietnam. semper fi, mike
Mike,
The “White Knights”[:D]. I know 164 is now HMMT-164 out of Pendleton and 165 is at Miramar. I floated with the “Ridge Runners/Evil Eyes”…HMM-163 (REIN). Started the aircrew syllabus for Phrogs, got two flights in, and then got real busy doing my day job (aviation supply) when we went into Afghanistan. Tell you what, there ain’t nothing like hearing rotor blades popping when you’re cold and wet in the LZ. Talk about a morale booster. [:)]
I hope some aftermarket decals come out for West Coast Helos soon.
Semper Fi!
Carl