Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Monogram AH-64 Apache Attack Chopper 1/48 Scale


The US Army's AAH (Advanced Attack Helicopter) programme is the biggest Western programme of its kind: it calls for an aircraft capable of operating day and night in all weathers, which can be based with front line troops if necessary. Of the two contestants, the Bell YAH-63 and the Hughes YAH-64, the latter was the first to become airborne; it flew in September 1975, and two prototypes of each helicopter were delivered to the Army for comparative trials in May 1976. When these were completed in December of that year, the Hughes aircraft was chosen and three more were built, complete with electronics and armament.

The AH-64 is an aggressive-looking helicopter seating two in tandem, with a semi-monocoque fuselage of narrow cross-section. The copilot/gunner sits in the rear seat, which is raised and has good all-round visibility. The two 1690shp General Electric T700-GE-701 turbines are mounted on either side of the fuselage, behind the rotor transmission, in two separate nacelles. The four-blade metal rotor is of the articulated type with the blades angled at 60°/120° in relation to each other to reduce noise levels. The tail unit, which was modified during the aircraft's second development phase, includes an all-moving tail plane positioned slightly above the tail boom and a vertical fin to replace the earlier T-tail of the prototype. The tailwheel landing gear is fixed.

Model Kit Review:

http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/portland/971/Reviews/choppers/ah-64a_48.htm

Other information:

http://www.boeing.com/history/mdc/ah-64.htm

http://www.aviationexplorer.com/apache_facts.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AH-64_Apache

http://members.aol.com/ah64info/history.htm

Heller Puma SA 330 Helicopter 1/50 Scale


The Aérospatiale Puma is a medium-sized twin-engined transport/utility helicopter originally manufactured by Aérospatiale of France. It is also known under the designation SA 330.

The SA 330 Puma was originally developed by Aérospatiale to meet a requirement of the French Army for a medium-sized all-weather helicopter. The helicopter also had to be capable of operating by day and night as well as in a wide variety of climates.

Model Kit Review:

http://modelingmadness.com/scotts/mod/fr/puma.htm

Other information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%C3%A9rospatiale_Puma

http://avia.russian.ee/helicopters_eng/puma-r.html

http://www.answers.com/topic/a-rospatiale-puma

http://www1.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=9

Revell Sikorsky CH-54 Skycrane 1/72 Scale


The Sikorsky (model S-64A) CH-54A/CH-54B "Skycrane", with a crew of three, was designed for heavy internal or external lift of heavy bulk loads. This helicopter was used to lift very heavy objects. It can pick up and move a small house. It can lift large, heavy pipes. It can carry a train engine or even another helicopter. It can be used to build buildings. The helicopter can lift a big, heavy object. The helicopter carries it through the sky. The helicopter can set it down many miles away.

The CH-54 was used in aircraft recovery operations when loads were too heavy for the CH-47 Chinook. It was also useful for off-loading during ship-to-shore operations. The CH-54 could also be rigged to drop the large 10,000 lb. cratering bomb used to create landing zones ("LZs") in dense jungle.

Other information:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/h-54.htm

http://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_ch54_skycrane.php

http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-air-support/vietnam/weightlifters.htm

Fujimi Westland Seaking Mk.41 Helicopter 1/72 Scale


The Sea King HC Mk4 is an all weather, day and night amphibious medium support helicopter. It is cleared for operations from nearly all HM and many foreign warships and is equally at home providing support to ground forces when ashore. The aircraft can seat up to 27 troops and is fitted with an external cargo hook capable of carrying underslung loads weighing up to 6000lbs such as Land Rovers and Light Artillery. A rescue hoist is fitted as standard.

The aircraft is fitted with a Defensive Aids Suite which offers a high standard of protection from both Infra-Red (IR) and Radar guided anti-aircraft weapons. It is also armed with a cabin mounted 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) for self defence and limited fire support.

Other information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westland_Sea_King

http://avia.russian.ee/helicopters_eng/sik_s-61-r.html

Academy Hughes 500D Civil 1/48 Scale


One of the world's most successful and useful light turbine helicopters, the Hughes/McDonnell Douglas/MD Helicopters 500 series began life in response to a US Army requirement for a light observation helicopter.

Hughes won the US Army observation helicopter contest against competition from Bell and Hiller with its Allison 250 powered YOH-6A Cayuse, which first flew in February 1963. By then Hughes was already working on a civil variant, to be marketed as the Hughes 500. However, the engineering and certification designation for all military and civil variants of this helicopter type is Hughes Model 369. It was offered in basic five and seven seat configurations, and a 500U utility version. The 500 and 500U were powered by an Allison 250-C18A engine.

Other information:

http://www1.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=113

http://www.boeing.com/history/mdc/cayuse.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hughes_H-6

Italeri H-19 B Chickasaw 1/72 Scale


The Sikorsky Model S-55, military H-19 Chickasaw, was initially procured in November 1949. It was the world's first transport helicopter with an enclosed body capable of carrying passengers or cargo.

The 12-place H-19 (redesignated UH-19 in 1962), with a crew of two, served as a utility, troop carrier, and rescue helicopter with winch. Air Force model numbers were H-19A and H-19B while Army model numbers were H-19C and H-19D.

In the MedEvac role in Korea it was used to carry six litters and one medical attendant, for the first time under cover, within the aircraft. During the final months of the Korean war, two companies of H-19 Chickasaw helicopters demonstrated the value of helicopter transport by moving cargo and personnel and then by participating in prisoner exchanges and other functions after the 27 July 1953 armistice.

Model Kit Reviews:

http://modelingmadness.com/reviews/korean/alcotth19.htm

http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/portland/971/Inbox/t-v/uh-19a-i.htm

http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/portland/971/Inbox/t-v/uh-19a-rescue-i.htm

Other information:

http://avia.russian.ee/helicopters_eng/sik_s-55-r.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H-19_Chickasaw

Italeri HH53-C Helicopter 1/72 Scale


The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is the largest helicopter in the western world. It is capable of lifting up to 36000 pounds and the CH-53E Super Stallion can hold 55 combat loaded troops, 24 litters, or 6 pallets of stores and ammunition in its cargo bay. As one of the few helicopters in the world configured with 3 gas turbine engines and in-flight refueling capability.

With external cargo hooks and a large cargo bay, this helicopter is used to move artillery, armored personnel carriers, light tanks, and troops, both externally and internally, around the battlefield.

Model Kit Reviews:

http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/it/kit_it_1065.shtml

http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/portland/971/Inbox/k-m/mh-53j-i.htm

Other information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CH-53E_Super_Stallion

Revell SH-2F Seasprite 1/48 Scale


The Kaman SH-2 Seasprite was a United States Navy ship-based helicopter with anti-submarine, anti-surface threat capability, including over-the-horizon targeting. This aircraft extends and increases shipboard sensor and weapon capabilities against several types of enemy threats, including submarines of all types, surface ships, and patrol craft that may be armed with anti-ship missiles.

The Seasprite's primary missions include anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, anti-ship missile defense, and anti-ship surveillance and targeting. Secondary missions may include medical evacuation, search and rescue, personal and cargo transfer, as well as small boat interdiction, amphibious assault air support, gun fire spotting, mine detection and battle damage assessment.

Model Kit Reviews:

http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/portland/971/Reviews/choppers/sh-2f.htm

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/teds-modelworks/54-matchbox-seasprite/page-54.html

Other information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SH-2_Seasprite

http://avia.russian.ee/helicopters_eng/kaman_sea.php

Monogram Mil Mi-24 Hind Gunship Helicopter 1/48 Scale


The Mi-24, which has the NATO reporting name 'Hind', was developed during the mid-1960s to provide a multi-role military helicopter-of formidable capability. It appears to be evolved from, the Mil Mi-8/Mi-14 family, but a combination of reduced size and increased power gives this aircraft improved manoeuvrability and performance. While of the same basic configuration as its predecessors, and with a dynamic system based on that of the Mi-8, the Mi-24 has a more slender fuselage suitable for the gunship role, but with sufficient capability to accommodate a crew of four and a maximum of eight armed troops.

Model Kit Review:

http://hsfeatures.com/features04/mi24hindcj_1.htm

Other information:

http://avia.russian.ee/helicopters_eng/mi-24-r.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mil_Mi-24

http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Rotary/Hind/HE18.htm

MRC OH-58D Warrior Thugs 1/35 Scale


The OH-58A Kiowa is a 4-place observation helicopter. The Kiowa has two-place pilot seating, although the controls in the left seat are designed to be removed to carry a passenger up front. Its primary mission is to locate the enemy and report the location and/or conduct calls for fire from artillery units nearby to destroy, disrupt or disable the enemy.

During its Vietnam development, it was fitted with an M134 Minigun 7.62 mm electrically operated machine gun. In 1978, OH-58A aircraft began to be converted to the same engine and dynamic components as the OH-58C.

Other information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OH-58_Kiowa

http://avia.russian.ee/helicopters_eng/bell_206.php

http://www.cavalrypilot.com/history.html

Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk 1/72 Scale


The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk is a twin-turbine engine, single rotor, semi-monocoque fuselage, rotary wing helicopter. The Sikorsky S-70 medium-lift utility or assault helicopter was the winner of a United States Army competition in the late 1970s to replace the UH-1 Huey family.

It can perform a wide array of missions, including the tactical transport of troops, electronic warfare, and aeromedical evacuation: several Black Hawks are even used to transport the President of the United States as Marine One.

In air assault operations it can move a squad of 11 combat troops with equipment or reposition the 105 mm M102 howitzer with thirty rounds of 105 mm ammunition, and a six-man crew in a single lift. Alternatively, it can carry 2,600 lb (1,170 kg) of cargo or sling load 9,000 lb (4,050 kg) of cargo. The Black Hawk is equipped with advanced avionics and electronics for increased survivability and capability, such as the Global Positioning System.

Other information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UH-60_Black_Hawk

http://avia.russian.ee/helicopters_eng/sik_s-70-r.html

Italeri BO-105/PAH 1 1/32 Scale


The German Bo 105 is a light twin engine multi purpose utility helicopter initially developed by Bölkow, and then built by Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) which now belongs to the Eurocopter Group. Eurocopter sold the Bo 105 until 1997. It was replaced by the new EC 135.
Being the first light twin-engined helicopter in commercial service, it gained widespread use over rural areas (police and EMS / medevac) as well as offshore.

The four-blade hingeless main rotor with composite blades ensures high maneuverability. All main systems (hydraulics, electric, fuel, lubrication) were designed to be fully redundant.

Other information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurocopter_BO_105

http://avia.russian.ee/helicopters_eng/mbb-105-r.html

http://www1.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=205

http://www.geschichte.aero/geschichte/zivile_luftfahrt/beitrag_e.cfm?id_nr=141&katid=12&kat_e=%20Aircraft%20and%20flyers

Monogram Huey Hog 1/72 Scale


The Bell Huey was the first mass-produced helicopter powered by a jet turbine. With its distinctive "whomp-whomp" sound that could be heard miles away, the UH/AH-1 aircraft have totaled more than 27 million flight hours since Oct. 20, 1956 when the "granddaddy" of all H-1's, the XH-40, made its first flight. Since then, more than 16,000 H-1 helicopters have been produced by Bell and its licensees -- making it the most successful military aircraft in aviation history.

Model kit reviews:

http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/portland/971/Inbox/t-v/uh-1b-i.htm

http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/portland/971/Inbox/g-j/helis_testors-i.htm

Other information:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/uh-1-history.htm

http://www.helis.com/60s/h_h1.php

http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Rotary/Huey/HE11.htm

http://www.vectorsite.net/avhuey.html

UH-1 Cobra 1/48 Scale


Armed helicopters came into widespread use in Vietnam in the early Sixties. Limitations of the modified armed utility helicopters used led to the specially configured attack helicopter.
Bell Helicopter (now Bell Helicopter Textron) had already evolved the first attack helicopter design, based on the use of UH-1 Huey dynamics (rotors, drives, engine) with a new fuselage. Bell also built a company-sponsored, scaled-down prototype using H-13/Model 47 series components, its Model 207 Sioux Scout.

While the Army went forward with its sophisticated AAFSS (advanced aerial fire support system) program to provide an attack helicopter, Bell proceeded with another company-sponsored prototype, Model 209, using the Huey dynamics and an airframe similar to the initial design. The 209 first flew in September 1965. The urgent need for greater armed helicopter performance in Vietnam and the success of the 209 led to Army orders for prototypes and production models of the 209 as interim attack helicopters, pending production of the AAFSS (which, finally, was never to occur).

Carried over from the 209 were the slim fuselage with tandem cockpits (gunner in front of pilot), the Lycoming T-53 engine, stub wings with store stations and the under nose turret. Its retractable skid landing gear was replaced by a fixed gear. As the AH-1G, the Huey Cobra went into combat in September 1967.

Other information:

http://www.history.navy.mil/planes/ah1.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AH-1_Cobra

http://www.veteranen.info/~cedarsouthlebanon/huey/huey.en.htm

Testors H-43B Huskie 1/32 Scale



Kaman won a US Air Force contract in 1956 for a Crash/Rescue/Fire-Fighting helicopter. Designated the H-43A the first Huskies were delivered in 1958 and eighteen of these piston-powered helicopters were delivered until 1959 when Kaman switched entirely to turbine power.
Designated the H-43B/HH-43B, the turbine-powered Huskie was built in 1958 and lasted nine years.

Powered by a Lycoming T53-L-1B the helicopters continued to be used in the USAF Crash/Rescue role. Later addition of an uprated Lycoming T53-L-11A engine re-designated the helicopter the HH-43F and a total of thirty-seven HH-43Fs were built up to 1968. The Kaman HH-43B set a world's altitude record for helicopters with a flight to 9850m and three world's time-of-climb records to 3000m, 6000m, and 9000m.

Other information:

http://avia.russian.ee/helicopters_eng/kaman_huskie-r.html

Revell Augusta A-109 K2 REGA 1/144 Scale


The largest air rescue organization in Switzerland, the REGA rescue service, was founded in 1952 and coordinates all operations from Zurich Airport. By the end of 1995, they had acquired fifteen Augusta A-109 K2 rescue helicopters. These machines are designed to transport and provide medical care for seriously injured patients. The A-109-K2 is tailored to REGA requirements and meets their strict job specifications, including: two engined drive, low operational weight, winch for 2 people with 50 m long cable, service ceiling 4,500 m above sea level .

Bell 222 Business Helicopter 1/144 Scale



In 1974 Bell announced its intention of developing the Model 222, described as the first commercial light twin-engined helicopter to be built in the USA. The first prototype flew on 13 August 1976. Deliveries of production aircraft were planned to begin in 1979. Standard accommodation is for a pilot and seven passengers, although a high-density ten-seat layout is available. The streamlined configuration of the helicopter is enhanced by the hydraulically retractable tricycle-type landing gear.

Other information:

http://avia.russian.ee/helicopters_eng/bell_222-r.html

http://www1.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=77

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_222

http://www.answers.com/topic/bell-222

Revell Eurocopter SA 365 Dauphin 2 1/144 Scale


The Eurocopter Dauphin (Dolphin) is a medium-weight multipurpose twin-engine helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter (originally by Aérospatiale).

The Dauphin is one of Eurocopter's most successful designs and is widely used as a corporate transport, police, news media, emergency medical services and search & rescue helicopter.
The military version of the Dauphin is the Eurocopter Panther. The Dauphin is also used by the United States Coast Guard under the designation HH-65 Dolphin.

Model Kit Review:

http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/portland/971/Reviews/choppers/dauphin2.htm

Other information:

http://www.answers.com/topic/eurocopter-dauphin

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurocopter_Dauphin

http://www1.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=204

Revell Medicopter 117 1/144 Scale

The BK 117 styled specially for the range is regarded as extremely reliable and robust. For years, the German air rescue service, among others, has been using this twin-engined helicopter (with one pilot and room for seven passengers) for medical rescue services. With a maximum speed of 250 km/hr and a live-load of 1,500 kg,the BK 117 is one of the most popular multi-purpose helicopter in the international market.