Mil Helicopters H-44 Hook (Mi-6 WHIF)

[Stargazer]

Hi everyone!

I'm new to this forum and you'll get to know a little bit more about me in the following topic...

http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,25109.msg380730.html#msg380730

I would like to share with you a set of fakes I did using the Soviet Mil Mi-6 helicopter in U.S. markings. One is a U.S. Coast Guard rescue helicopter, the second one is a U.S. Marines transport, while the third one is a specially-modified version for U.S. Navy as a drone-director helicopter! For the sake of designating them, I suggest using the as-yet undocumented "H-44" DoD designation (which we know refered to a USAF "project Big Tom") and assume that the large helicopter could be that "big Tom", evaluated by the U.S. after a squadron of them deserted from the East. In my scenario, the USAF would be leading the project and share the evaluation of the six prototypes with the other armed forces. So from top to bottom we have: the U.S.C.G. YHH-44D, the U.S.M.C. YCH-44B, and the sole U.S. Navy YDH-44C. I haven't done the Air Force's "A" version but will do so eventually... Hope you like these!

[Taiidantomcat]

That is sweet!  Any chance of doing some with the HALO?

[JayBee]

WOW!!!!!!!!

I am totally gobsmacked with those. Not just the ability with whatever photo editing software you use, but more by the imagination behind it.

JimB

[Hobbes]

This is one of those things that just makes sense, to the point where I wonder why it hasn't happened for real.

[nev]

Outstanding piece of photoshopping

Like TT says, US Army Mi-26s is quite plausible - they are almost as ubiquitous to Afghanistan as the Huey was to Vietnam.

[dy031101]

I found the USMC one especially to my liking......  

Can a .50 cal. MG be fitted to the navigator's nose glazing?

[royabulgaf]

IIRC, one or two civil Mi-6s made it to the us in the 70s. 

[Stargazer]

Thanks to you all for the excellent welcome! I'm so glad that you appreciate my work, and to show you my gratitude, allow me to treat this forum with a fake I did especially for you all this evening: a USCG Mil Mi-26 "Halo"!

This one carries the H-69 designation, which is said in official documents to have been skipped because the number is evocative of sexual practices... (did you buy that story? well I DIDN'T...) Anyway, I've used it and here's the CH-69A Halo (great name for a... helo...). Hope you'll enjoy looking at it as much as I did doing it!

[famvburg]

      Indeed, PHI - Petroleum Helicopters Inc. had one or two. They were soon grounded due to support difficulties.

IIRC, one or two civil Mi-6s made it to the us in the 70s. 

[famvburg]

  Hmm, how about either or both, ex-military, used in the forest firefighting role?

[Taiidantomcat]

Nice Halo!!