Uruguayan SV-22E

[anthonyp]

I found both versions of this ancient kit, recently, the ERTL SV-22A and the ESCI PV-22A.  I found the ERTL one first, and began to build it up.  Overall, it's not a bad kit, but compared to the later Italeri ones, this one is crap.  The torpedoes are shaped more like large baseball bats than weapons, and they include a cargo hook for the belly of this plane, but no way to hook it up.  The fit was a little weird too, but really, what do I expect from a kit that's this old?

Decals came from a T-33 sheet I had laying around.  They were big roundels, and needed a suitably large plane to be showcased on.  I figured instead of some flashy figther, they'd look good on this thing.  This turned out pretty good!

Backstory:

Uruguay found it necessary to bolster its ASW assets after tensions between Argentina, Brazil, Peru, and Chile began to heat up.  Not helping the necessity for more security was the discovery of a deep oil field just off shore.  Argentina eyed the field, as did a myriad of other oil developers, but Uruguay wanted it not for exports, but to help itself become more independent of other fuel sources.

The US had begun offering for export a version of the SV-22A, the SV-22E Sea Osprey.  With slightly downgraded capabilities from its US counterpart (simpler radar and less sophisticated dipping sonar), the SV-22E was still more capable than anything else Uruguay had in its arsenal.  Uruguay purchased 14 planes, with deliveries starting in 2002.

These planes have more of a sea control mission, rather than being relegated to ASW, even though intercepting and prosecuting Argentinean submarines that breech national waters is still a routine thing.  Uruguay's SV-22E's have been modified to fire Exocet and Sea Eagle missiles.

For more pics, click here.

[GTX]

Anthony,

Nice - you've been a very busy boy again.  I especially like the idea of a ASW V-22.  Might even need to take on some of this for a future creation - with your permission of course.  Maybe a ASW bird to go along side the AEW&C bird I'm thinking of doing in the future:



Regards,

Greg

[anthonyp]

Sure, Greg, have at it, but I can't really take credit for the ASW V-22 concept.  Like I said, ERTL/ESCI actually did the kit years back when the V-22 was first unveiled.  The model was built out of the box other than the decals.

I like the AEW&C V-22.  That pic you put up is one I hadn't seen before.  First time I've seen a side view of it (well, almost side view  B)  )

 

[Geoff_B]

More RN AEW Osprey info

Hi Ant

Heres some more data on the AEW&C version propossed for the Royal Navy

[GTX]

Anthony,

First time I've seen a side view of it (

If you scroll down the page Thorvic posted, you will find a 3-view of the proposed AEW&C V-22.

Regards,

Greg