Howdy Neil, welcome to the forums. [#welcome] Nice screen name.
Ah, the saga of the AH-6J… [V]
So you’re waiting for a Little Bird too huh? Well the line forms here and goes around the block twice! [:D] We’ve been hearing rumors for months (at least) about this kit being reissued and so far that’s all they’ve been - rumors. The closest thing to official word is you can find a 1/35 Little Bird kit listed on Dragon’s website, but that’s about it.
Right now I’m waiting on Great Models (www.greatmodels.com) to fill my order, and LemonJello’s waiting on Roll Models for the same. We’ve both been told 2-3 weeks, but that was at least month ago. I talked to him about a week or so ago and he hasn’t heard anything else and neither have I. I know Salbando’s been searching for one since last year at least. Rest assured, there will be a whole new thread lit up like a Christmas tree when this sucker is actually released and someone get their hands on one! (Yard sales don’t count!)
Now, if you can’t wait and you don’t mind performing some minor surgery, there is a 1/48 (Academy?) MH-6 and a 1/72 Tamiya AH-6 “Night Fox” out there, but both need a little work to make them proper Little Birds. plus side is, it’ll be easier to display them next to your MH-60L, MH-60K and MH-47 kits. I’ve got the 1/48 kit and it’s small. I can only imagine how tiny the 1/72 scale kit is! You can also order a MH-6 MELB conversion from Cobra Company (http://www.cobracompany.com/35003.htm) to convert the 1/35 Dragon Hughes 500 Defender to an MH-6. The conversion was intened for the AH-6J kit, but works fine on the Defender (has interior and exterior details). You may have to add some antennae and a box under the exhaust pipe, but that’s about it. Cobra Company also sells OD decals for SOAR birds in all three scales.
And don’t worry too much about bumping up this thread. People will probably see my name beside it on the main menu now that I’ve answered your question, and think I got my hands on one and that I’m dropping the bomb here (Sorry, false alarm everyone), so I’ll take the heat for it. [B)] We need to re-title the thread actually if that’s possible…
Thanks for the info Trigger74, I had thought of just making up the 1:48 kit but I really want to do the cobra MELB conversion. I did look at using the MD 500 but to be honest I’ve had as much trouble finding the kit as the AH-6J, maybe I could find one but you know how it is when you have your heart set on the Little Bird…
As I write this, I have found on the net a place in England that has both the MD 500 and the AH-6J listed in its stock. Tommorrow I will ring them and check, I will post if they have them available - but don’t hold your breath.
Built this kit when it was first issued (along with the OH-6A,) nice kit but would like to build again. Would use the Cobra Company conversion for either version since the kit doesn’t come with a FLIR turret.
Any one interested in doing an unusual conversion of an EGG, how about an EH-6B (US Army conversion of any OH-6A into a NOTAR) or a true NOTAR (US Army tested 2.) They were never used operationally, since they were found to be underpowered. Same problem the Phoenix PD has found using them. Phoenix received the first 7 off the line from M-D.
John
Helicopters don’t fly, they beat the air into submission
Great Model’s site says that they have the 500 Defender (kit number DR3525) in stock. I started the 500 to MH-6 conversion a while back, but it’s on hold while I work on the Blackhawk group build.
Right now I’m entertaining the notion of applying some of the Cobra details to Dragon’s 530G Gunship as a “what-if” next-gen scout H-6 to replace the canceled RAH-66 [}:)]
Man! I was hoping that someone had gotten a delivery. Rats! I’m still waiting, and I refuse to give up on this one. Of course, maybe I need to pay Roll Models a visit…Let’s see, breaching charge, flashbangs, flex cuffs…I think I’m ready.
Well guys, I’ve got the gear. Just give me some Intel so I can mission plan this little trip and I’m in there.
Are you guys up on your FRIES Quals?[:D]
Sorry to all!! I snatched it up for $18.50 (still cheaper , including shipping, than most internet stores)!!! I couldn’t let it get away, especially at that price. I believe Sprue Bros was one of the ones whom everyone was waiting on to get them in. Hopefully they will have more in stock.
Man, it’s tempting, but I’m still waiting on the one I ordered from Roll Models. I’m cultivating patience, I guess. There were some other things listed by Sprue Bros I saw from that link, but the prices seemed a little high to me, but then again, it was on ebay.
That is the kit I really want, though. I hope it goes to a good home.
Edited: Man. HeavyArty beat me to it, and posted faster, too. No big deal, at least we know it’ll get done up right in his hands.
Oh man, am I [censored] off right now. I was on eBay not more than 48 hours ago searching for one and that didn’t come up! I even have that seller on my favorites list and still - nada
Sorry guys. But thanks for the kind words. Now I have all the necessary models to do a proper 160th SOAR display, MH-6, AH-6J, MH-60K. All still in their boxes, but someday they will get done.
Yeah, well done.
I couldn’t believe it when the search came back with a result, I couldn’t believe either that it had been up for 14hrs without anyone buying it, and I couldn’t believe that no matter which way I tried I just plain couldn’t afford it.