CH47-A - Night op color in Nam before 68?

Modeling Subjects Helicopters
1

I’m thinking probably not but can anyone tell me if early CH47-A’s ran Night opps… in Nam?

Now that would be cool … I have never done a Helo in Flat Black. I think for the sake of scale and weathering starting with testors Euro Grey would be just about perfect!

If so …does that mean radar and other equipment like extra search lamps etc?

Papa-Echo out …

2

My helo references. including Gunships in Action, don’t show any Vietnam era helos in black. OD was the color of the day with three color stars and bars early on with large white or yellow lettering. Eventually, the stars and bars were dropped and the lettering went to black. Interestingly, the winged gunships went with black undersides and SEA colors on the upper surfaces.

That said, I can’t say for certain there was never a CH-47 in black for night ops.

3

Thanks AJ,

I may just do it anyways for fun…maybe call the group Night hawks or Bat Patrol?

I 'm pretty sure there are D models that have seen night op well after Nam. I just will not be able to wait for the Trumpeter D kit and I want to build pretty much out of the box just for kicks but will change what I can on the green house windows to make it a little better.

4

Well, it’s not a Chinook, but there is a CH-3E at the U.S. Air Force Museum named “Black Mariah” that is painted all black. It sports no insignia and no serial numbers, but it does have a few red “no step” stencils, as I recall. Here is the link on the Air Force Museum’s official page on this aircraft:

http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/modern_flight/mf7.htm

If you will be a few weeks getting around to this kit, I am planning a trip to the museum the first or second weekend of January. I would be happy to take some pictures of the helo then. Let me know.

-Adam

5

Thanks a lot Adam but its not necessary.

I never thought of that before now…that 1/35 Chinook is going to look really swell next to my 1/35 Coast Guard / Frelon!