Hughes AH-7A Monache, South Vietnam, 1966 - WIP

kerick · February 01, 2015, 12:01:15 PM

Quote from: KiwiZac on February 01, 2015, 11:52:29 AM

The strange thing is that even though it's a Type 369/OH-6A front fuse, the canopy framing is subtly different. I tried using the front end from an Italeri Cayuse but it just wouldn't fit. I've painted mine to look more like an OH-6 windscreen but it was tricky as the moulding is very soft. I'm happy....except the paint's come out lighter than where I painted resin!!

Maybe it was from a development model that was laying around behind the factory building.

Nice pic of the front.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hughes_XV-9A_hot-cycle_propulsion_rotor_nozzle_detail.jpg#mediaviewer/File:Hughes_XV-9A_hot-cycle_propulsion_rotor_nozzle_detail.jpg

Could the paint difference just be a mixing problem? I have a little battery powered paint stirring device that I won't be without. I use it just about every time I open a paint jar.

KiwiZac · February 01, 2015, 01:40:38 PM

I think you could be right, I will stir it up again when doing the final bits this weekend.

That's a great photo - it's what's used on the kit's box top.

pyro-manic · February 01, 2015, 01:44:10 PM

What an odd-looking machine. Interesting project!

kerick · February 01, 2015, 07:53:26 PM

The link above the photo is a different shot of the front. I couldn't get it to show the pic on the thread.

Nice work on your project. The stub wings look good.

I got my paint mixer from Micro Mark tools. Ten bucks as I recall. I may have saved that much on paint I didn't have to buy new.

zenrat · February 02, 2015, 01:43:19 AM

Like the look of this.
Would an Australian version be called the Monash?

jsport · February 04, 2015, 08:15:01 PM

extra amazing.

KiwiZac · February 05, 2015, 10:42:27 PM

And to show how big it is compared to a Spitfire:

I have some better photos to upload over the weekend :-)

NARSES2 · February 06, 2015, 06:23:11 AM

That's some rotor

sandiego89 · February 06, 2015, 08:19:35 AM

Quote from: NARSES2 on February 06, 2015, 06:23:11 AM
That's some rotor

It sure is. I wonder how such a big, slowish rotor would respond to battle damage from small arms. I have visions of a shot up rotor hissing out blown air like a clapped out old radiator.

She ain't pretty- but a great WHIF....

jsport · February 06, 2015, 10:52:25 AM

over awesome

PR19_Kit · February 06, 2015, 10:56:41 AM

Reminds me of the monster rotor on the Hughes XH-17, which was also gas jet powered.

Nice job on a pig of a kit nonetheless.

KiwiZac · February 06, 2015, 04:25:12 PM

Thanks guys!

PR19 - I think it was the same (improved) system as on the XH-17.....but with a much higher rotor RPM! And I didn't find it such a bad kit, it just needs filler in awkward places.

I hadn't thought about small arms damage to the blades. That makes sense for a short service life. Perhaps the silencing equipment helped with survivability?

EDIT: a Hughes Tool Co report (http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/621684.pdf) says the rotor had a minimum of 243rpm, true max of 295. Max speed of 150kt with 200 in a dive, MAUW of 25,000lb.

Captain Canada · February 06, 2015, 07:50:51 PM

Nice work Zac. And thanks for the comparison shot. Big beast !