Revell’s 1/48 scale CH-54 kit does not include an accurate business end for it’s crane. The kit provides only what looks alot like a small fishhook.
I’ve downloaded close up photos of the ‘claw’ that hangs under the fuselage of 1:1 CH-54’s. Before I try to scratchbuild this part, does anybody know of a secondary manufacturer who makes a resin or photo etched crane hooks for this kit?
I think, perhaps, you mean the 1/72 scale CH-54? And I’m pretty sure there are no aftermarket parts for the hook. You might try: a model railroad shop, as they have many cranes in use on railroads, and you may also be able to modify a hook from a 1/72 or 1/48 Chinook or Huey to fit.
I, personally, would like to see aftermarket resin for the engine air filters, and to change the cabin rear end from the prototype loadmaster bubble to the expanded and deeper area that provide an additional seating area. This would turn the kit into a real CH-54A. Then we could double up on the wheels and get a set of resin fuel tanks and do that really cool looking CH-54B in Alaskan markings.
Have fun with the build.
Joe
Or you could hang a jeep, a 105mm (which should come with the kit) or a 15,000 pound bomb.
I remember watching the Skycranes fly past our high school as they came and went at Piccatinny Arsenel.
I don’t ever remember anything aftermarket for this kit. I’m hoping that someone releases this kit in either 1:48 or 1:32. With Erikson Skycrane’s becoming more and more popular in the civil aviation industry…it would be a popular helo kit.
Oh, I’ve got that baby, that is kit, but I’m holding with the build until I stumble upon some more references… Wonder when that’s gonna be… Good luck with your project and have a nice day
Paweł
That’s nice. The old Revell (I believe) military version of that was one of my favorite kits, back in the day.
It would be cool to build one of those civilian versions, I’d like to see a bigger scale, though.
Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas
I got a few more shots of “Goliath” from when it stayed at my airport few a couple days.
I have a boatload of walkaround pics if they are needed by anyone, cab interior also!
This is Bill Spidle’s page of CH-54 photos, including a close up of the hook, although from only one angle. I’m thinking of making a casting, but I’m still searching for a view from another angle. Emailed the Wright-Patterson museum; maybe they have something helpful.
http://www.primeportal.net/hangar/bill_spidle3/ch-54a_68-18437/
Here are a few pics of the hook. First ones are from Pima Air and Space Museum and the last pic is from Ft. Rucker US Army Aviation Museum. HTH
Ray
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4xLi6KmWWQA/TS26CF9-EJI/AAAAAAAACLU/ulPGvBYttjs/s800/PICT4689.JPG
Tamiya also made a 1:100 version of this helo as well, and from what I have seen it got good reviews.
My grandfather worked for Sikorsky as an electrician, he helped to build these monsters. I know that they also were able to carry a special cargo box, and when equipped, it was tight up against the fuselage so that you couldnt see the hook assembly. That might also be an option for you if you want to do something a little more different, as these were normally used to carry cargo on the hook instead of the box. Here is a link on that Tamiya kit, click on the pic of the box and you can see what the parts trees all look like.
http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=3697