_GOTOBOTTOM
General Aircraft
This forum is for general aircraft modelling discussions.
Hosted by Jim Starkweather
Correct chopper for Black Hawk Down?
steve-o
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Ohio, United States
Joined: February 05, 2004
KitMaker: 545 posts
AeroScale: 23 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 06:46 AM UTC

Hello!

I am not well-versed in Helicopters...I read that Task Force Ranger, used MH-60 Black Hawks for their operations in Somalia. Which model would work best for building one of these??

The Academy UH-60L Blackhawk

or

the Academy AH-60 DAP (Direct Action Penetrator) Black Hawk?

They have differnet noses/mid-air refuelers, etc.

Any help would be appreciated!! I want to get one for 1/2 price at Hobby Lobby!


Thanks!

-Steve
Red4
_VISITCOMMUNITY
California, United States
Joined: April 01, 2002
KitMaker: 4,287 posts
AeroScale: 1,164 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 07:03 AM UTC
Based on what I've read and come across, I'd suggest the "L". I have a buddy who "was there" and he remembers them being pretty standard looking. Just a thought. "Q"
SSG_Q
_VISITCOMMUNITY
North Carolina, United States
Joined: June 21, 2005
KitMaker: 115 posts
AeroScale: 0 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 07:09 AM UTC
You may want to try doing a search for 160th SOAR. That is the Air unit that supports the special ops guys. You should be able to narrow it down from there. BTW, can't wait to see what you're planning.
steve-o
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Ohio, United States
Joined: February 05, 2004
KitMaker: 545 posts
AeroScale: 23 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 07:21 AM UTC
Well, I did find this site

http://www.acig.org/artman/uploads/black_hawk_down_super64_over_mogadishu_coast.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_191.shtml&h=506&w=640&sz=48&tbnid=ffxLnDyc-EoJ:&tbnh=106&tbnw=135&hl=en&start=88&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dblack%2Bhawk%2Bdown%26start%3D80%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN

It hasn't opened for me this afternoon...but the same URL worked this morinng. So, who knows!

I'm thinking of putting the Black Hawk either in a dio showing it crashed, or showing Rangers sliding down the ropes. Either way it's going to be a HUGE project simly because of the size of the UH-60.

I'm also tempted to get an Academy Little Bird, and sit some Special Ops guys on the side - another amazing scene from the movie.
Blade26
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Kozani, Greece / Ελλάδα
Joined: October 06, 2005
KitMaker: 364 posts
AeroScale: 54 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 07:27 AM UTC
Ahhhh!
You there Steve!!
You have the same idea with me!!
I was thinking in making this dio also!
The crushed Black Hawk in the market of the somalia!!
Amazimg Scene!!!Just amazing!With the troops defending their selfs!!
Well I wish both of us good luck!!!
HeavyArty
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
AeroScale: 1,728 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 07:30 AM UTC
The 160th SOAR used MH-60Ls. They are not standard UH-60Ls, but can be built using the Academy MH-60L DAP kit.

Check the below two posts and you should have all the info you need to build one. If not, let me know.

Blackhawk types.

Operation Gothic Serpent, Somalia '93 (Blackhawk Down raid).

Here is a dio of Super 64 donw, Durant's bird, by Pablo Sanches here at Armorama too.


More here.

Here is one by Pete Bacerra (Epi) using Dragon's AH-6J Littlebird.


More here.

You can also check out my MH-6J MELB Littlebird, MH-60L DAP, and MH-60L at the Visit My Selected Link tab below.
steve-o
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Ohio, United States
Joined: February 05, 2004
KitMaker: 545 posts
AeroScale: 23 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 08:58 AM UTC
Here is another question I didn't see in all the other posts (thanks for them!!)

...did all of the 160th Black Hawks have the mid-air refueling attachment?? (Sorry I don't know the tech. name for it)

One Academy model doesn't have that, or all the extra equiptment for the nose.
HeavyArty
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
AeroScale: 1,728 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 09:32 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Here is another question I didn't see in all the other posts (thanks for them!!)

...did all of the 160th Black Hawks have the mid-air refueling attachment?? (Sorry I don't know the tech. name for it)

One Academy model doesn't have that, or all the extra equiptment for the nose.


From the Op Gothic Serpent post,


Quoted Text

8) IFR probes were not used in Gothic Serpent for the same reason as Item 1). And that the only refueling assets were two USMC KC-130's based out of Mombasa Kenya but I think they left when the marines left prior to Gothic Serpent.

and item 1 referred to above,

1) The 160th MH-60L's didn't use internal aux tanks as the ranges flown were minimal, and they were primarily configured for max pax.


IFR probe is In-Flight Refueling probe. Also mentioned that they didn't use them in a couple other places in the same thread.

To get the FLIR and Weather Radar (extra equipment for the nose), you have to get the AH-60L DAP kit (Actually an MH-60L, US military doesn't use the AH designation on it, only Academy models).

Cobra Company's MH-60L conversion set comes with the FLIR and Weather Radar as well, along with a bunch of other nice upgrade pieces.
steve-o
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Ohio, United States
Joined: February 05, 2004
KitMaker: 545 posts
AeroScale: 23 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 12:24 PM UTC
Thanks for the Clarification Gino!

Those are some great dios too! I hope mine looks 1/2 that good when it's done!

HeavyArty
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
AeroScale: 1,728 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 01:21 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Thanks for the Clarification Gino!

Those are some great dios too! I hope mine looks 1/2 that good when it's done!



No problem. Let us know how it comes out.
 _GOTOTOP