Hey all
I’m building an Academy 1/72 OV-10A, and getting pretty close to painting/weathering.
My question involves the rocket pods. In the OV-10A, were rocketpods one-time use objects? If all the rockets were fired in a mission, would the pods be reloaded, or would a fresh pod be strapped in?
I’m basicalkly asking if modeling rocket soot would be accurate or not.
Thanks
TheWaggishAmerican
While not 100% certain, I believe the pods were reusable and would be brought back at the end of a mission and reloaded. I’m also guessing that they would only be cleaned enough to make sure the rockets didn’t get stuck on the soot, so they could get pretty dirty, especially on the outside. Unless someone tells you different, make 'em as dirty as you like. Have fun, and let us know how it turns out.
John
Hello!
Getting those launchers right is no easy task - once I have read a book about A-1 Skyraider and there is a whole page devoted to different types of those launchers. There were reusable and one-way type launchers firing the same rockets (3 inch), they could be different colour and have different nose/tail cones. One thing is for sure, though - after firing all the rockets the launcher is bound to be burnt up a little, so go on, make it dirty.
Did you correct the engines in your model?
Good luck with your build and have a nice day
Paweł
2.75" FFARs? Absolutely they were reloaded. A lot of those came off of older B-26/ A-26 attack aircraft.
Our OVs from the 23rd T.A.S.S. would come back with their pods all the time. Sometimes they might do a little minor cleaning like wiping them down, checking the tubes and contacts but I would normally see them fairly clean and I don’t think I ever saw caps on the ends. About the only time I saw end caps on the pods was when they were mounted on the Sandy alert A-7Ds.
I took shots of the OVs and have posted them presiously here, on the A.R.C. forums as well as the IPMS .UK. sig for the USAF web site. http://usaf-sig.org
Just go into the forums section and look under the real stuff. The subjects will be listed under the type aircraft you are looking for.
I’d post them again but I’m having a little trouble.
I think the only time that you’re likely to find the frangible nose covers on the rocket pods is when they are on high performance jets that use the covers to help reduce drag for better air speeds.
I think maybe the Misty F-100s used them for WP to mark targets.
I did this same kit in white/green/grey for the “modern group build” going on right now. This is a great kit and I agree dirty them up a bit!
Here’s some good shots of some in Vietnam. Looks like the 7 shot pods in OD, no frangible nose covers.
Just looking at the props on the last two pics. Look at the wear on the tips. Wow
Right. The Bronco was one of those planes that saw constant use in that war. The FACs were up, every day, rain or shine, unless the weather was absolutely atrocious.