CH-46 "Tinkle Bug" Fire Fighting Aircraft

Hawkeye · May 22, 2008, 11:13:54 AM

Well I'm about to embark on another What-If project! This time it is a CH-46 (Academy 1:48) that will be converted into a fire fighting aircraft. I'll be posting updates periodically here but to stay current visit my blog to stay abreast of the most recent developments. Watch as I demil and add modifications, which I will demo as I do them.

"Tinkling On Fires Is Our Specialty."

http://hawkeyes-squawkbox.com/

"FireBoss Three to Tinkle, can you wet down that hot spot on the ridge at your one o'clock two miles?" "A roger that Fireboss...Tinkle on the mark!"

lenny100 · May 22, 2008, 11:44:14 AM

looking forward to this project

GTX · May 22, 2008, 01:05:17 PM

Very interesting - can't wait to see the results.

On a related note, I've been toying with the idea of doing a ACH-46 Assault gunship with a tandem cockpit on the nose and stub wings carrying rockets etc - a bit similar to the Mi-24D concept.

Regards,

Greg

Hawkeye · May 22, 2008, 01:12:05 PM

Quote from: GTX on May 22, 2008, 01:05:17 PM
Very interesting - can't wait to see the results.

On a related note, I've been toying with the idea of doing a ACH-46 Assault gunship with a tandem cockpit on the nose and stub wings carrying rockets etc - a bit similar to the Mi-24D concept.

Regards,

Greg

Given the cabin width, that crew arrangement would be like a really fat lady trying to see around her butt while sitting down. Forward and upward vis would be good, just down and back would be difficult...of course you're probably going to have crew in the aft cabin too.

GTX · May 22, 2008, 01:38:16 PM

Yeah there would be crew in the back, though as I said above, I'm still only toying with the idea...

Regards,

Greg

Hawkeye · May 22, 2008, 02:04:01 PM

What scale are you considering. I may be possible to graph a Apache crew section on, feathering it out to match the -46...in fact that sounds very interesting.

Jschmus · May 22, 2008, 03:33:41 PM

Does the kit not already come with the bubble windows? The CH-46 we had at the museum had bubble windows which could be switched out for the door guns.

LemonJello · May 22, 2008, 04:49:07 PM

This looks like a most interesting project. I'll be sure to stop in to see your progress.

jcf · May 22, 2008, 04:59:58 PM

Quote from: Jschmus on May 22, 2008, 03:33:41 PM
Does the kit not already come with the bubble windows? The CH-46 we had at the museum had bubble windows which could be switched out for the door guns.

Not logging/firefighting style bubbles.

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Columbia-Helicopters/Boeing-Vertol-107-II/1210932/L/

Jon

Hawkeye · June 02, 2008, 10:23:03 AM

Started making the pattern master for the rear observers blisters.

I hope to do some more fiddling with it so I can get it into the final shape to vacform the new blisters.

upnorth · June 02, 2008, 11:23:43 AM

I like it.

Just one little thing I noted in your drawings; the underside cable cutter seems to be at the midway point of the fuselage. I don't know if you meant it that way, but you'll definitely want to get it out front of the nose gear leg.

If I might suggest; put two cutters under the cockpit area, roughly in line with the seats.

Looking forward to seeing this one take shape.

Hawkeye · June 02, 2008, 11:49:55 AM

Good point on the cable cutter location. Maybe two, one in front and one aft...it always seems to fly donkey heavy with its nose up higher than the tail at lower speeds.

Aussie747 · June 19, 2008, 10:41:18 PM

Great concept, have you made any progress on this one Gerald?

Hawkeye · June 20, 2008, 08:41:32 AM

Not of late. I've been busy with paying work. The weekend forecast shows a chance of rain, hopefully I'll be able to hunker down and make some more progress on it and a couple of other projects. The weather here has been to nice not to enjoy.