Hey folks,
Just joined and am kicking my self for not doing it earlier. I’m a long time modeler and have been in the Combat Rescue business (USAF) for the past 10 years. Here’s my question:
I’m in desperate need of a couple DML Dragon 1/35 scale
AH-6J models. I’ve search far and wide with negative results. I spent about 5 months in Somalia (Gothic Serpent) and am doing a diorama of that long October day in the “Black Sea” of Mog.
Any ideas? I’ve already got the part kits from Cobra to turn the AH into MH. I also heard that you can use other H-500D kits as a starting point.
Thanks,
Firstly, WELCOME! We’ve got a great group of people here, glad to have you among us. If you go back through the helos forum pages, there are several people working on BHD dioramas and its been quite the topic of discussion.
I think I may need to build a current 160th MELB as well. Cool stuff.
Likewise welcome to the site. Goodluck on the search and the project. Cobrahistorian said it best. So I won’t repeat. What part of the rescue business?
Started off in the PJ section. Now doing the controller thing. The rescue business is going through some changes right now in the USAF; CRO’s coming on line and trying to figure out their role, STS’s combining CCT and PJ, deviding Rescue Squadrons into groups with PJ’s, Helo’s and Herks all being seperate sqaudrons. Anyway thanks for the welcome and the help. Not to take anything away from USAF or other Helo drivers, but I’ve done a little work with the 160th and those boys in the little birds are the best sticks I’ve ever seen.
BTW, I had a troop who was a prior TACP. I endorsed his requested to go into the Navy and attend BUDS. Unfortunately he was a medical drop and is now back doing the TACP thing.
I have a fond place in my heart for the “Little Birds” after BHD, but also because my dad and I used to watch the Border Patrol fly them at an airport near our house while growing up-- of course those were the Hughes 500, but still the same general idea, only minus the heavy arsenal!
I also found a 1:18 Little Bird at Toys R Us-- not a model kit but a neat looking toy for $20. Looks good and sits nicely atop my monitor. The Black Hawk is slightly more pricey at $60…
I’m working on a MH-6, too. Since I didn’t find it I bought an MD-500 from Dragon (btw it was the last one in my shop). I had to scratchbuild some antennae.
From what I could see on the Cobra Homepage the lightweight plank is not the one used in the 90’s, so I scratchbuild the planks and the carrying-beams according to pictures I found on the net.
When my work is done I plan to post an article on Aircraft Resource Centre.
I understand you’re USAF combat controller. Could you tell me where I can find detailed pitures of PJ and CC equipment?
Salbando, welcome to the Forum. Any PJ is always welcome here!
You might want to try E-Bay in your search for your Little Bird. I believe you can post a “Wanted” message that has them notify you when your item shows up among the auctions. There are always some good items and prices coming on to the E-Bay listings. Good luck with your project. Keep us posted on your progress. I will keep an eye out to see if I come across any DML Little Bird leads for you.
Thanks to everyone for the links and info (keep it comin). I’ve actually got a few photos of the “killer eggs” from when I was deployed to Somalia. I’ve also got other shots from various deployments, and I’ll be sure to send these out to anyone who makes a request. I think I’m going to have to do what many have already done…namely start with an H-500D and scrap build the rest. The cobra MH-6 kit is for the MELB (mission enhanced little bird) which is a block upgrade done following Gothic Serpent. The planks are lightweight and fold up against the fuselage when not in use. Don’t forget to scrap build the fastrope supports above each plank. The MH-6’s had them in Mog.
Avus,
What pictures of what gear? I’ll take a look and see if I have any “hero” shots, and if not I’ll try to find some other shots. I do have some shots of our recent deployment to K-2 and K-1. Let me know specifically what you’re looking for ie. Weapons, Vests, chutes, rucks, etc…
Except my MH-6 project I’m working on a scene with a Pavehawk, two PJs and a recued pilot. This scene is based on a Picture I found on the AF website.
Therefore I’m looking for pics of vests, helmets and body armor of PJ and CC.
No problem Avus,
Just post your e-mail address and I’ll send some to you. Understand that it’ll depend somewhat on your scenario. We wear different gear for diiferent AOR’s. Some of it doesn’t change much, but it does make a difference. It also can change from person to person. We’re given quite a bit of latitude when it comes to personal gear, and we make quite a few “of the shelf” aquisitions. More than likely I’ll send you some shots from Afghanistan.
Hi salbando,
Sending you my e-mail adress by this forum’s e-mail service didn’t seem to have worked.
So my mail is: avus@libero.it .
Hope to hear from you soon
Bye
Avus,
Hang tight buddy. I’m pulling night alerts this week so bear with me. I should have a chance to send them out tomorrow. I’ll include a couple good PJ links as well.
Hang tight and I’ll send them as soon as I can.
Dragon’s new release listing has the AH-6J kit listed as available once again. I had run accross this kit once and had bought it and begun the build, when I got orders to Oki and let’s just say it didn’t survive the move. Damage was to great to effect repairs, so it was scrapped. Started kicking myself once I found out the kit was out of production.
Avus,
I found an 1/35 MD 500 Defender in one of my local hobby shopes. I don’t remember the kit number, but it was an Israeli bird and the FLIR turrent was in place of the left, lower windshield. (I’m assuming this is the same 500 kit everyone is referring to)
I’m no Little Bird expert and I don’t know this kit at all. My question is, can I build this kit along with Cobra’s detailing set and get an accurate MH-6? How much scratchbuilding do I have to look forward to? [%-)]
The planks didn’t look like the ones I saw on the pics I found o the net.
I don’t like how some of the parts are made.
So I had to do a LOT of scratch-building starting off from the planks ending with the antennae. If you have a look here ( http://album.foto.virgilio.it/klaus_models/301984 ) you can see some pics of my model before painting. All the white parts are built from scratch (mainly using plasticard).
Salbando, welcome aboard. I’ve got a bit of info and pics of the Little Birds from the 160th. I’ll have to scan them in, but it may be a bit before I can do that. I’ll email you when I have the better ones in jpeg format.
Keyworth,
Any and all pictures would be helpful. I’ve got some that I took myself while I was in Somalia and at a couple other exercises, but that was before I really got into the model building thing. Let me know if you need any HH-60G or HC-130 pics.
