I didn't want to just make a plain vanilla Osprey, so I went with this idea that I had bouncing around my skull. I thought I'd share with you guys the first progress shots of my AV-22 gunship. It's not much, but it's a start:



From nose to tail, I'm planning on putting the following 1) 7.62mm minigun 2) .50 cal HMG 3) 20mm Busmaster cannon 4) .50 cal HMG 5) 7.62mm minigun

Another option would be to pair up the .50's in slot 3 and put two 20mm cannon (one each) in slot 2 and 4. What do you think?



Here I used a technique that HeavyArty described. I found a can of Terra Cotta paint at Lowe's and used it to put down some non-skid surface on my interior. It really has a nice, rough feel to it and it went on easy.

John,
Looks like a great start, the non-skid is nice and straight. The Terra Cotta paint, it's pretty thin once it's applied, not to thick. What kit and scale is it. The weapons, are they from the kit or aftermarket. I like your first option, From nose to tail, I'm planning on putting the following 1) 7.62mm minigun 2) .50 cal HMG 3) 20mm Busmaster cannon 4) .50 cal HMG 5) 7.62mm minigun Looking forward to seeing more, please keep us updated.

Hi

Great idea. A friend and I have been discussing a hypothetical Cdn Combat SAR bird. Our thinking being that the bears are getting outta control. So we envision a typically painted Cdn SAR bird (bright yellow w/red band) armed with a few rocket pods and some heavy duty gatling guns :-)

Look fwd to your updates.

Tom

Very creative idea, but not at all over the top. Fiscal constraints aside, I could easily see an Osprey variant similar to this in the future.

I, too, agree with the first option. I also think another .50 in the rear at the ramp, similar to ones found on heavy choppers (CH-47, C/M/H-53, etc.). Just make sure you are using the air-cooled aircraft-version .50s (with the jacket running the length of the barrel) and not the ground version (as seen on tanks, Humvees, etc).

An additional option would be studying AC-130 Spectre gunships, specifically the sensor suite. Since it looks like you are going all out here, adding a side-looking FLIR, optical sensors, and additional communications antennas might not be a bad idea.

Keep us updated.

Jeff

great idea. Where are you getting the 1/72nd miniguns and .50 cal from? I am looking for the same with no joy.

Thanks, guys, for taking a look.

This is the 1/48 kit from Italeri and I ordered a set of Pavehawk weapons from Cutting Edge, I believe. That gives me the two minis and .50s. I'm thinking I should be able to scratch the cannon with rod, tube and strip styrene, plus all the other goodies I'll need.

I'm planning on adding sensors and antenna to the exterior as well, got to have a way to aim all that firepower and put steel on target.

I think I'll pair up the .50s and add a second cannon like I suggested above. I liked that idea as soon as it came out while I was posting t he photos.

Great idea, looking forward to seeing this one completed
Mal

Here's what I did today:
Started to work on the interior, added a bulkhead between what will be the WSO's station and the guns


Here's a close-up of what will be the WSO/targeting station:


Here are some of the details, the WSO's console and chair and the starboard side of the gun bay with the gunners' chairs.


And here is the console and chair close-up:


Next maybe I can get some paint shot on these parts.

Just a quick update to share:

Here are some shots of the bits and pieces I've managed to get done. Mostly worked on adding some detail to the interior and the sensor package as well.

Here I have made a couple of FLIR/laser designator turrets from a couple of beads I found under the couch. Then there's a LLTV and on the far right are some "black boxes" for the racks I added to the bulkeads.


Here are the locations for the turrets, and the pencil marked square is where the LLTV will go.


The crew door had a tiny porthole in it, so I enlarged it so that one of the crew could watch for SAM launches from their blind side there. Interior shot as well.

John,
Looks great so far. Like your detail ideas & the way you've put things together. Keep up the good work.
I think you should use the mini guns, 50.cal , and maybe 1 20mm, w/ a 50 on the ramp like the ACH-47 and the MH-53 use. Good thinking on adding a WSO station. In the back you placed seats for the weapons
attendants(good thinking) there should be at least (3).
And dont forget to add lots of ammo storage cans to the floor stations.
A side question? ......Which branch of service are u gonna choose. USMC,USAF, or US Army. Either or they should normally be SOF or Spec Ops.

I don't normally post on Aircraft DGs.

I really like your idea and build. As for gun options, you may want to rethink if you want the AV-22 as a CAS "dropzone" gunship or a strategic "overhead support" gunship.

Let me clarify: the original AC-130 had 7.62mm and 20mm miniguns. But as the SAM threat, sensor and fire-control technology increased, the AC-130 traded miniguns with cannons (AC-130U) and now flies at higher levels, firing single shots instead of sprays of minigun bullets. The AC-130U can fire higher with its heavier weapons complement, and the "U" with its 25 and 40mm cannons can take out light-armored vehicles better than the AC-130s with its 7.62 and 20mm miniguns.

So you need to decide how close to the action/troops you want your AV-22 to be, and also what the threat is. If higher up, then more 25mm Bushmasters and .50cals. If closer down, then the 7.62mm miniguns will be fine.

It has been on ongoing build at FSM Helo forum. There are actually quite a few guys there doing them. Lemonjello has been there recently with his as well.

Tiltrotor Gunship build.

Sorry for the delays in my posts, things at work have taken me away from this project for a while, plus I let myself get distracted by a tiltrotor escort that I started at the same time as my AV-22. I really haven't made much progress as I'm gathering reference material for the guns that I'll have to scratch for the most part.

Thanks for the interest in my work, I hope to have some updated shots for you all to ponder soon.

Keep the ideas and suggestions coming!

To answer some of your questions:

-It'll end up in USMC colors, just because of who I am

-I see it as being an LZ/landing beach CAS gunship, the Spectre's would take the high orbits and the AV-22 would be down lower to help the assault waves as they go in. It would be a MEU asset and organic to the ACE while on float.

-I think I'll be adding a 40mm Bofors-type cannon and moving the 50's to the ramp.

It's been a long, long time since I've updated this one, but I've been "away" on business, been TAD to school, AND moved the family to the Crossroads of the Marine Corps.

Anyway, here's the latest photos:
Guns.

Interior.



The money shot.


I've shot some paint on the interior and the guns, next up is to finish the interior with some wiring and flexible ammo feeds and then close it up and finish the exterior.

I have no idea what paint scheme this one is going to wear.

Howdy LemonJello,

I am so glad you stopped by your old, old { } thread and updated it! From the start I just LOVED your interpretation of this aircraft...and looking at what you've done, and just how you thought it all out and put it all together is inspiring.
Your plans sound good for the rest of the interior appointments as well, including the flex feeds for the guns..very nice.

I have had a somewhat similar idea bouncing around in my cabeza for some time now regarding the Osprey...only mine ran more along the lines of creating a Skycrane type version of the tiltrotor...meaning it would have a more exo-skeletal fuselage which would be able to switch out mission specific 'pods' quite like the ol' Space 1999 vehicle.

....maybe I should finally try this project

Anyway, really good looking work there LemonJello, will be looking for your next update.....just don't wait another 2 years before you post again!.......

Tread.

Ya know, I hadn't realized it had been THAT long since I had posted anything, but it just goes to show how life can interrupt the best plans to build!

The Skycrane idea sounds awesome! I'd love to see that one in plastic.

Eventually, maybe I'll even make a regular troop taxi version.....nah.

I hope to have this one done before summer is over, but I wouldn't hold your breath.

John,

I'm going to watch this build closely as I have the same kit. You are doing a killer job, BTW! I have been waiting in hopes some one offers some AM for it other than masks, but I think it may be a long wait. I'm also waiting to see what paint scheme will be used when the Osprey is finally deployed to Iraq.

-Derek

"........when the Osprey is finally deployed to Iraq. ..."


We're deploying Ospreys in Iraq??

Tread.

Yeah,

It is suposed to happen this Sept-Oct.

-Derek

Just saw a blurb in the Marine Corps Times that mentioned that the Osprey deployment is still a go. In fact, the Air Force's "RedHorse" team is busy building a nest for the squadron in Iraq.

All the ones I saw at New River before we moved were in the standard greys.

A few more update photos:






Still trying to come up with a good paint job. Any suggestions?

John,

Again, killer job. As for paint, at this stage of the Osprey I think one could get away with anything resembling a current heli. When I get started on mine I think I will go for a desert Blackhawk thing. The only problem will be the decals since they are for a grey scheme and not a desert or dark green.

-Derek

I'm looking into options for decals. Nothing has really caught my fancy so far, but I've got to get back to building again. I was itching to build something while I was on vacation, and now that I'm home, I haven't even picked up the knife or glue.

I've got pistol and rifle ranges coming up this month, too. Gonna be a busy end of the summer for me!