1/72 Airbus Helicopter H135N

[Spey_Phantom]

ive been thinking entering this GB for some time, i had this project on the drawing board for some time in a Belgian Army version, but now im thinking of adding a Belgian Navy version aswell.

back story:

in 2003, following the success of the EC635, a Military version of the EC135, Eurocopter announced the development of a Naval version of the EC635 for use on smaller naval vessels, for witch the NH90 would be to big to fit on. the aircraft would be marketed as a potential Allouette III and Lynx replacement. addaptation of the EC635 in the vanal role was a low risk development, as the EC135 was already marketed for yacht owners witch had a helideck on theyre vessels.

in 2015, with the rebranding of Eurocopter to Airbus Helicopters, it was rebranded as the H135N, with the N standing for Naval.
the helicopter could be used for SAR missions, Anti-narcotic operations, fishery inspections, anti-piracy ops,.....
France bought 20 machines as a partial Lynx and SA365 replacement for coastal duties and bought a further 15 machines as Alouette III replacements. the H135N was also sold to Argentina, Brasil, Mexico, Croatia, Finland and Sweden.
in 2018, Airbus started developemnt of a potential Anti-Submarine and naval warfare version.

in 2020, Belgium also placed an order for 3 H135N's to replace a similar number of Alouette III's, as the NH90 was seemed as to big for certain naval vessels. they are primarily tasked with naval support, liaison, anti-narcotics and anti-smuggling missions and v-can be fitted with door-mounted machine guns.


kit i will be using is a modified revell 1/72 EC135, equiped with door mounted machine guns, a rescue hoist, naval equipment and emergency floats.
similar to this 

[kerick]

This is going to be good!

[ChernayaAkula]

Cool! 

Will you keep the skids or are you going for a wheeled undercarriage? Like the Alouette III? Or even that weird 4-wheeled thing seen on some Alouette IIs?


SOURCE

[kerick]

Wheels would probably be useful for moving it around the deck.

[Spey_Phantom]

i was thinking of keeping the skids, but seeing the 4-wheel layout (witch can also be seen on the Westland Wasp and Kamov series) im thinking of going for the 4-wheel layout, but that means i will have to relook the layout for the emergency floats.  

[Captain Canada]

Nice idea Nils. I always like how a civy type can look so tough and mean when she's all loaded up !

[Old Wombat]

I think I've seen a helo with a band around the lower fuselage which is the housing for emergency floats - sort of like a segmented inflatable life-ring.


If not, I should have because it makes perfect sense!