I am building the Italeri 1/48 OH-58A for a GB here. Specificly I am putting it in the markings of C Troop 3/17 Cav 1970 in Vietnam with decals by Revi. I have been searching a few sites for reference pics but they are pretty rare. Were the doors usually on or off on these birds? The decal profile show front doors installed but rear doors removed.
The OH-58A was found to be a very substandard replacement for the OH-6 very early in it’s deployment to Vietnam. In fact, I have yet to talk to a pilot who flew both that didn’t immediately rate the OH-6 as a far superior machine. That being said, most OH-58’s were relegated to non-combat work such as ash and trash and ferrying personel. here are afew pics. As you can see the cav bird seems to be fitted for a recon mission. Most photos I have seen of OH-58’s flying in Vietnam have all the doors removed. However, you can see that the bird in the last pic has the doors installed, but is unarmed. I have no idea which unit that is either as there are no markings on the helicopter visible. Anyway, I hope these help.
Ray
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Rotorwash you may have hit the nail square on teh head. I will have to check the decal sheet tomorrow morning to confirm the serial number, but the the markings on the one with the sabers on the nose looks like the bird I am building! Thank you sir! BTW, it looks like those side armor panels off the seat are hinged, is that correct? I can scratch thos pretty easily I think…
BTW, I have rode in both, and much preferred the Hughes. [swg]
Here’s a couple more Vietnam OH-58 pics for ya. These are from the 68th AHC website: http://www.68thahc.com/
Ray
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Thank you again sir! those pics are great! they will come in handy… I checked my decal instructions against the pics from your last post. Not the same 58, but I do suspect from the same unit. Charlie Horse was their callsign… and I do like the way it looks with doors off, so I am gonna built it that way.
Thanks again!
Carlos