Hey all,
Ok, I know, I should be writing. Still, I’m wondering if anyone here has done the improved “upside down” skid struts on a KW before? Any ideas? I figured I would just use the kit crosstubes upside down and thengo with brass tubing for the verticals. Ideas?
Jon,
Not following you. Do you have any referance photos of the version you mean?
Gino,
Sure!
Here’s the current model with the upturned crosstubes. However, the kit comes with the original short tubes. Just wondering if anyone had done theirs like this.
And here’s the original style
That is definitely different. First time I have seen that. Is the purpose just to give it more ground clearance? Doesn’t really look any higher.
Gino,
It is marginally higher. Just allows the weapons pylons a tad more clearance when landing. From looking at the model, I think I can just turn the crosstubes over and then go with brass tube for the vertical posts. Now to come up with a good paint scheme and weapons loadout.
Looks interesting, go for it.
Take a close look at the picture and you can see that the skids can be quickly repositioned so that the Kiowa will be sitting on its belly, making it a more compact package. Any more and you might know too much…
Jon
See you liked one of the photo’s I posted, look forward to seeing pic when your done. When do you leave for flight school, good luck at Rucker.
John,
Definitely! It isn’t every day that a Kiowa can use M-1 Tanks for skid stands! [;)]
I’ll be commissioning this summer upon completion of LDAC at Ft. Lewis. If all goes well, I should get an OBC date at Ft. Rucker to start IERW in the fall.
You picked the best way to go to flight school, but you’ll be busy until you’re done. Hope you have the time to visit on the forum.
Hope this helps
Thanks John!
I really can’t wait to get out of here. I’ve got my level 1 physical in 2 weeks and should be able to get a letter of acceptance from my unit by then. After that, its just a matter of waiting until school’s out.
I think I’m going to go with the rocket pod and .50 cal arrangement. That seems to be the best close combat attack configuration for the platform. With Hellfires, you’re limited to your target-killing capability, although they’re more accurate. In a Counter-Insurgency role, the .50 and rockets seem best. I’m trying to find pics of the KWs that participated in the Uday/Qusay mission. Either that, or one of the 3/7 Cav birds from the 3rd ID (which I think is that one “balanced” on top of the M-1 tanks)
Jon
Will keep my eyes open, if I find anything I’ll let you know. 50/rockets would be a good mix. To bad that pic doesn’t have a Bradley to. Sorry I couldn’t give you more info on that picture.
You’re going were the best go “Above the Best” spent my time at Rucker then later at Stewart were they were training pilots then. (Those are my wings on my post in case you hadn’t quessed.)
Flying, that’s the part I miss most after I had to leave the Army(and still miss)
If I can ever be of help to you, please contact me.
John,
Thank you! I’m really excited to finally be pursuing my dream. Its been a long time coming, but I’m really happy that I took this route. Had I done it during undergrad, I’d never have made it. Too much partying, etc. As the “elder statesman” in my ROTC battalion, I’ve been able to appreciate the “roads not taken” when I look at a lot of the cadets. Of course, I have to get a darn age waiver in order to fly, but hey, I’ll get to fly!
I’m counting the days until I get the heck out of Lubbock. 126 and counting.