Tribute to the "Meat Hawks"

[K5054NZ]

Its done.

 

It's been more than a decade since I first saw this chopper, but at long last I feel I've done her proud.

Ladies and gents (ladies? WHERE? ), mice and bashers, Canadians and beer-drinkers, TSR.2 fans and Phantom phanatics: I present Hughes 500C ZK-HUT!

These pictures were snapped by shooter Duncan Sutherland on a recovery trip into the Tararua Ranges in New Zealand's North Island on January 11 1986.

Pilot Richard Paku has driven to deliver a load of three live deer to the truck for transport to a deer farm.





I hope you have all enjoyed watching this build as much as I have had doing it. "Labour of love" has never really meant anything to me until now. Thanks for all your support and to Ashley Messenger for doing the decals - a million thank-yous.

I can only sum this up in one word: Brillllllllliaaaaaaaaant!

[K5054NZ]

For those who are interested, here are some pics and explanation of ZK-HUT's demise.

In February 1986 the aircraft was performing a demonstration at the Royal New Zealand Aero Club's pageant at Hood Aerodrome, Masterton, chasing a decoy (a 44-gallon drum towed by a quadbike) up and down the airfield.

After netting the decoy with both skid-mounted and hand-held netguns, Duncan got out of the helicopter whilst Richard was hovering, to "tie up" the "deer".

Richard, more used to flying in the steep hillcountry, attempted to back away.

Regular practice on a hillside, but often fatal on flat ground.

The chopper's tailrotor dug into the ground, and the tail assembly ripped off. The chopper spun clockwise twice before coming to rest on its left side.

The rotors were twisted off, the left skid crushed, and the tailboom disintegrated. Both crew escaped unharmed. The whole crash took about five seconds.

I have absolutely no idea of what has become of man and machine following this accident. I have Googled my way everywhere but found nothing.

[Ollie]

Very nice Zac, I love the in-nature shots of the whole thing.

     

[Eddie M.]

Great build and a very interesting subject. Hats off! B)  
    Eddie

[K5054NZ]

Thanks guys, it means a lot to have such experience modellers ("modelers") comment on my work. Thank you very much. ^_^ A pleasure - I'm hoping Scott van Aken at MM, or maybe the ARC guy is/are interested in a review. I've written one for MM anyway.

[Brian da Basher]

That's one beautiful whirlybird there Zac! You've done your fond memories and the crew of ZK-HUT proud!

Love the red and the decals!  B)

Brian da Basher

[Sisko]

Nice job.

Would you believe I have never built a chopper!

[AeroplaneDriver]

OUCH!  Glad the guys walked away from that one...

Great looking model there Zac.  It's nice to see a civvie bird on here every now and then!

[K5054NZ]

Nice job.

Would you believe I have never built a chopper!

HERETIC! Hey, Richard and Duncan, c'mere! I need a favour!

[K5054NZ]

OUCH!  Glad the guys walked away from that one...

Great looking model there Zac.  It's nice to see a civvie bird on here every now and then!

I have video to prove they did! But yeah, close shave. And I agree AD, I am a civvie fan. I mean, I'm all for military whiffery, but some civvie would be good....especially choppers! Can't get enough. Now gotta wait for my first TSR.2 and my Eurofighter wings....delta canaaaaaaard Skyhawk! Hehehehe!

[retro_seventies]

great little build there zac - especially like the homemade net gun you put on there!

would like one of those for the zoo - would beat roping the hooftstock or having to dart them!

[Brian da Basher]

Ummm...my name is Brian and I've never built a chopper.

Actually I did, but it was about 30 years ago. Since it was before Zac was even a glimmer in his folks' eyes, I doubt it counts.  

Brian da (fixed wing) Basher

[cthulhu77]

Chopters are the biggest pain in the butt to build...hats off, and great pics!
       
          greg-glaring-at-the-hind

[NARSES2]

Nice build Zac - not a Chopper man myself, but I can tell a good 'un when I see it

Chris

[K5054NZ]

Thanks guys. Hey Ben - you know it's not that hard to do...you could just print out some of your zoo's logos as decals and make one in 1:48..... B) I've got pics of various big and beefy gotchaguns if you're interested?!