Civilian version of the V-22 Osprey and Royal Navy version of the HH-3 Pelican

[McColm]

Hi,
I don't know if this subject has been covered before, but I was thinking as you do whilst having a bath and putting the world to right that a civy version of the V-22 is probably being built in a shed somewhere for real world use.
As for me a Whiff springs to mind.

At around the sametime as this light bulb flash of inspiration, a thought of the Royal Navy using the Sikorsky HH-3 Pelican for ASW or AEW use. Airfix do a AEW version of the Sea King and if eBay is correct Revell also did 1/72 kit of the HH-3E Jolly Green Giant.

[McColm]

The Bell-Augusta ops for the T-tail, although the quad proposal looks very interesting as a Whiff to build.

[Green Dragon]

Airfix haven't done an HH-3E McColm, they did do the CH-53 Super Jolly though. I think they did USAF and Israeli (S-65) in the one I built and another boxing for the German version (think this also came with Austrian decals).
Aurora and Revell are the only 1/72nd HH-3 kits IIRC. Reckon the HH-3 could mount a retractable radar on the ramp area instead of that bag arrangement on our Sea Kings.

Paul Harrison

[McColm]

Thanks Green Dragon,
The description on ebay isn't that clear and you're right Revell did do a HH-3. As to the Super Green Jolly Giant, there are kits out there. Might do a whiff in the form of an 3 engined MH-53 with rear AEW fitted to the ramp and a ASW version.

[Mossie]

I have vague recollections of a civvy V-22 being on some flyers I picked up at a British Aerospace Brough open day many years ago.  There were definately plans to build a commercial version before the delays & costs skyrocketed.

There's a few pics throughout this Secret Projects thread:
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,1309.0.html

[McColm]

Cost always rears its ugly head, has the V-22 ever been used in a war zone ?

[PR19_Kit]

I'm sure I've seen piccies of them over Afghanistan recently, can't remember where though.

[McColm]

Thanks for the Secret Projects link,
I've seen pics of the AEW and ASW version in Janes.
I suppose Boeing is looking for a european partner to boost sales, just as the EH-101 is looking for a partner to market it in the USA.
Got another Whiff coming on the Merlin in USNavy and USAF colours, I could ask Mav to do the honors!!

[jcf]

Boeing Commercial Aircraft, along with Bell-Textron and Boeing-Vertol, investigated two direct adaptations under the
designations CTR-22A and B. Both versions dispensed with all military equipment, including the rear ramp, the B was
to have seating for 31 passengers and a design range of 600 nautical miles.



Bell Aircraft since 1935, Alain Pelletier, Putnam 1992

[PR19_Kit]

That looks to be a 'paint and decal' conversion from a standard military V-22! I'll check out the white paint stocks.... 

[jcf]

The major external difference, aside from the mil lumps-n-bumps, appears to be four more windows (no doubt per side) and an entry door aft of the flightdeck.

[Mossie]

Hmm, very simple job.  Opens up a lot of operators, CHC comes to mind first, Coast Guard (anybodies).

[McColm]

The V-22 has been used in fronline service in Iraq.
A quad version or tilt-duct from Piasecki or Karem Aircraft something like their TR-75.
Just recieved confirmation that I've won a V-22 and HH-53C on ebay. If the cockpits are the same dimentions, I can use my new razor saw and swap them over!!
Two Whiffs in one session.
I'l just surf the net to get some suitable decals.

[Jschmus]

As for kits of the HH-3, Lindberg did (and recently reissued) a kit of the HH-3 Jolly Green Giant in 1/72.  It's kind of basic, but it's out there.

[McColm]

Thanks for that.