Honduras Army AH-2 Seasprite attack/gunship.

[chrisonord]

The Honduras Army was lacking in a dedicated attack/support gunship, and although it had some armed transport helicopters, they lacked the armour and firepower needed to tackle armour and other aircraft. The South African company that upgraded the Counter Invaders, put in a bid for this contract by offering a converted and heavily modified S-2H Kaman Seasprite. The helicopter was ex US Navy stock and all the anti Submarine equipment was already removed, leaving plenty of room for armour and weapons. The version shown here is the pre delivery test version, armed with a chin turret mounted 20 mm cannon, this can be swapped for 30 mm chain guns, mini guns or 25 mm 3 barrel cannon. A nose mounted sight augments this turret, as well as the anti tank missiles.A rocket pod, 30 mm cannon and a pair of the new Blow Dart short range air to air missiles, specially developed for use on helicopters. Inside the helicopter, reloads for the anti tank missiles can be carried along with gun ammo and air to air missile reloads. The new more powerful engines have dust filters fitted, and also the new Cold Shoulder Infa-Red suppression  units fitted to the exhausts.
The helicopter far excelled in its designated role, and was a match for the Cartel's Mil Mi-24's. Ten of the helicopters were ordered with a possible addition of another five.






Cheers,
Chris.

[thedarkmaster]

The Honduras armed forces are getting some quality kit mate, and they are getting some quality paint schemes. Loving your work mate, inspiring 

[ChernayaAkula]

Pretty darn cool!  The paint scheme is the bee's knees!

[deathjester]

Very,verynice indeed!!  But don't you think it looks just a little bit....Russian?
Maybe all it's missing is a teeny tiny Rambo figure, pegging it away.....!

[GTX]

Nice - a few ground attack Seasprites have been offered over the years in real life.  This is the first time I've seen one modeled though.

Regards,

Greg

[BrittMac]

Love the concept, and I am a BIG fan of the asymetric loadout on any helo.  It isn't seen enough.

I would love to see some more shots of dust filters and exhaust treatment you did.  Sounds very interesting.

It seems that your camera was more interested in focusing the lid the helo was sitting on, than the helo itself.  As much as I love my big camera, it can aggravate the crud out of me.  I took some, what I thought would be great, shots of a K9 (in training, not for "real") going after its target.  Looked okay on the screen on the back of the camera when I glanced at it, but later I saw that the camera had focused just behind the dog and subject and focused the sandy/rocky ground perfectly, but not the dang dog sailing through the air.  It was my fault though because I had set the focus point to the single center point that I use to shoot airplanes.  Whatever.
If you are using a "point and shoot" camera, the best bet is to back off of the subject and then use the cameras zoom lens.  If it is a DSLR, then I would set it for center point focus since it is a stationary object.
I sincerely do not mean to sound critical, and I am sure you are fully capable of taking great pictures(please ignore me if I am saying stuff that does not help you) .  I am just really really wanting to see more pics of what you did to that SeaSprite, especially since helos are a kind of lost subject in Whiffery.  I love love love some airplanes, but my pop flew helos so they are number one to me.
Take care,
Brandon

[John Howling Mouse]

You sure have a knack for creative camo...way ahead of the curve. 

[Taiidantomcat]

You sure have a knack for creative camo...way ahead of the curve. 

Agreed! always great colors. I love the gunship Seasprite! 

[chrisonord]

Thankyou very much, coming from such modelling masters, that is high praise indeed 
Cheers,
Chris.

[Weaver]

Looks excellent Chris - the cammo is particularly nice.

[Ed S]

Nicely done.  I like the camo.   But I kind of miss the blue dumpster lid.

Ed

[Pablo1965]

Exelent work

[philp]

Never been much of a fan of this copter but like what you did to it and the camo is beautiful.

[Pablo1965]

Ah! Sorry, the only Kaman Seasprite I have is a matchbox 1/48, do you know another one in this scale? Is your seasprite the same?

[chrisonord]

Ah! Sorry, the only Kaman Seasprite I have is a matchbox 1/48, do you know another one in this scale? Is your seasprite the same?

Hi Pablo,
This kit is the Airfix 1/72nd scale one, one of my favourite helicopters as well actually, I have another in the stash which I think will get a similar treatment.
Cheers,
Chris.