Kiowa Warrior

[11bee]

 

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I decided to take a shot at the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior. Not sure what I'm going to do for markings (waiting to see what Fireball comes up with) but I really like the looks of this helo. This is the offspring of the famous OH-6 Loach from Vietnam days (another model on my to-do list). The base kit is the MRC 1/35 OH-58D "Thugs" version. Out of the box, it makes for a decent representation of an early model OH-58D. The kit has nice detail and a full selection of weapons. It's a good starting point.

Anyway, I decided to take the plunge after getting the great upgrade set from Floyd Werner. If any of you are going to model a later version KW, this set is a must. Floyd did a great job on it. Aside from that, there isn't much out there for aftermarket upgrades. As I mentioned, the base kit has good detail but after taking a good look at the OH-58D Walk-Around book (also from Mr. Werner), it became apparent that there was still room to add detail. The one thing missing from the MRC kit are seatbelts. Since I was going to do a current version KW, I needed a set of 5-point belts. I found that the Eduard set for the UH-60 Blackhawk were similar, if not identical to the ones on today's KW's, so I grabbed a set of them from the fine folks at Sprue Brothers. That is it for aftermarket parts.

Anyway, after spending much time looking at references, I added the following:

- Wiring and electrical boxes on the front structure of the cockpit

- Struts from the sidewalls to the base of the rudder pedals, I also moved the petals apart just to add some variety to the cockpit and added the small plates on the floor next to the pedals for the intercom buttons.

- Since I am doing a later version, I modified the early style canvas pilots seats with putty and thin stretched sprue to represent the cushions used on later models.

- Most KW's in Iraq have the pilots back cushions deleted since the pilots have body armor and need extra room. As there is no detail in this area, I used scrap PE strip and some plastic card to add to the bare plastic bulkhead that comes with the kit.

- I added a lever and linkage to the bottom side of the observer's seat

- I added some addition details to the pilot's collective

- Also added the fur(?) neck pads at the top of the seat, the metal guides for the seat harness, a cord mounted lamp and a few other wires.

- Lastly, I added two additional electronic boxes behind the pilot (only the front of them will be visible, you wont't be able to any of the boxes that came with the kit once you have the rear doors on.

- The instrument panel glare shield was modified to represent the crew air bag system installed on newer KW's. I'm also going to mount a couple of M-4 carbines on this. This part was a challenge to make and I'm not 100% happy with it. I may make some changes before painting. Floyd - if you are reading this, I wish you consider adding this to your resin kit!

I have to acknowledge that the parts above look pretty rough. My crappy photography skills don't help either. However, I really think that after painting (everything is some shade of black or another), the cockpit will come out looking pretty good. At least that is my plan....

Anyway, thanks for looking. I'll try to provide updates as I progress with this project, however my job is somewhat chaotic at this point so I don't have all the time I would like for modeling. As always, any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Regards,

John

Edited September 2, 2017 by 11bee

[Anders_Isaksson]

Excellent work so far, John!

I have the same items (although I will use Eduards seatbelt set for the AH-64) ready for my project but haven't had the time to start the build just yet.

Please keep us updated on your progress.

Cheers,

Anders

[otis252]

Great job. Doing one myself, added some of the same things you have. I'll try to get some pics up this week. Keep going.

Chuck

[charles]

Very nice!

[Floyd S. Werner, Jr.]

WOW! Awesome work. It looks amazing. I can't wait to see the finished model.

I've been thinking of the CABS cockpit anti-glare shield. I've book marked yours so I can think about. If I do it I will make sure to add the guns and attachment piece. The MPLH gear is at the white metal casters so we'll see how they come out. Not sure on a time frame though.

You'll like the Fireball Modelworks decals when they come out. Super stuff.

Floyd

[11bee]

WOW! Awesome work. It looks amazing. I can't wait to see the finished model.

I've been thinking of the CABS cockpit anti-glare shield. I've book marked yours so I can think about. If I do it I will make sure to add the guns and attachment piece. The MPLH gear is at the white metal casters so we'll see how they come out. Not sure on a time frame though.

You'll like the Fireball Modelworks decals when they come out. Super stuff.

Floyd

Thanks very much for the feedback! I'd love to see you put out the new glare shield (which I'm sure will be out about 5 minutes after I finish my kit . Don't forget to include the green operators manual that always seems to be stuffed into the pocket on the side! I'm making mine out of some scrap PE and plastic card.

I found it tough to build up the kit part. The center of the kit part is too shallow. I built mine up with some sheet plastic but it still doesn't have the right profile. I also lost some of the round vent holes but I figure I can paint them on the finished piece and it should look fine. I'm actually building a couple of M-4's from a Trumpeter kit's M-16A2's. I'm too cheap to buy an entire kit just for two rifles. They look ok, not the greatest but I'm going to wrap a lead foil sling around them and it'll cover some of the weaker parts. Would you happen to know if most pilot's M-4's in Iraq have all the high speed scopes and laser pointers or do they just have the old school carrying handles ontop?

Can't wait to see your new MPLH gear and I'm really looking forward to the Fireball decals.

Regards,

John

[Anthony in NZ]

Excellent work there John

I am already deriving a lot of motivation seeing your work. The OH-58D is a very cool looking chopper.

Look forward to your next update when you get the time.......I know what it can be like with work commitments etc.

Once again, awesome progress

Cheers

Anthony

[11bee]

Well I'm back.

Way too much going on at work (including another nice round of economy-related layoffs) but I've had some time here and there to make some progress on my Kiowa Warrior. Spent a good deal of time cleaning up the cockpit. The first pics I posted showed things in a pretty rough state. I then started with the painting. Plenty of colors to choose from as long as you like shades of black. The main color is Model Master acrylic interior black. It does a nice job of replicating the overall finish. I then added some flat black touches (straight out of the bottle and also with a bit of white added to add some contrast. Most of pics I've seen of Iraq based KW's show the cockpits to be filthy. I've taken a first step of weathering the interior, much more to do in this area. I didn't spend much time on all the avionic units in the back, most will be invisible once the model is complete.

I've scratch built a couple of M-4 carbines (from a pair of Trumpeter M-16A2's) to be mounted on the glare shield but I'm not 100% sure I like them. If they don't work out, I'll have to bite the bullet and buy a figure set for a couple of replacements. I'll also be adding the green log book into the recessed panel on the glare shield. Every picture I've seen of a KW has this book stuffed in there (along with maps, water bottles, M-16 magazines, etc.) I need to get the fuselage together and see how much room I have with the windshield before I add all of this stuff. Still have work to do on the glareshield as well, it isn't quite where I want it to be. Also not sure I like the harness colors. Every picture I have seen shows them to be a different shade. I think it has more to do with the quality of the picture / lighting and less to do with the actual harness itself. I had the same issue with the seat cushions. Every color picture I've seen shows them to be a different color, ranging from grey-green to dark gray to black.

I added the Eduard harness set (this step took much longer than I had expected). Lots of small, fidely little parts. I also managed to loose one of the pilot's control sticks but MRC has outstanding customer service and they replaced the part within a few days. The last thing I did was to order a set of those wonderful Fireball OH-58D decals. I can't say enough good things about them. They are outstanding. The worst part is that I can only pick one of the 8 options that Joseph provides.

Anyway, enough of my rambling, here are some pictures of my progress. Any and all feedback is welcome.

Regards,

John

Edited November 4, 2008 by 11bee

[otis252]

Fantastic work John. Gotta get back to work on mine.

Chuck

[charles]

exelent derty work horse!!!

love dirty helicopters!!

YOUR DOIN A AWESOME JOB!

[strikeeagle801]

Holy Smokes Batman! That cockpit looks absolutely fabulous! You're photography skills might not be the greatest (from your first post) but you're modelling skills sure are!

Aaron

[AnthonyWan]

Oh my god...

That's some beautiful weathering

[Will7813]

Um, Aewsome? :o

Will B)

[Floyd S. Werner, Jr.]

Looks great. Amazing work. Love the dirt which gets everywhere.

Floyd

[Cobrahistorian]

I've scratch built a couple of M-4 carbines (from a pair of Trumpeter M-16A2's) to be mounted on the glare shield but I'm 100% sure I like them. If they don't work out, I'll have to bite the bullet and buy a figure set for a couple of replacements. I'll also be adding the green log book into the recessed panel on the glare shield. Every picture I've seen of a KW has this book stuffed in there (along with maps, water bottles, M-16 magazines, etc.)

John,

See if you can find the Dragon 35th scale M-16 family set. It has a couple Carbine M-16s in there that are easily modified to M4 standard. I've got two for my Kiowa (if I ever rebuild it). The sets are on ebay every once in a while.

Keep up the amazing work!

Jon

Edited November 4, 2008 by Cobrahistorian

[Anthony in NZ]

Just beautiful work indeed, your detail/weathering is great. I am looking forward to watching this one

Cheers

Anthony

[11bee]

John,

See if you can find the Dragon 35th scale M-16 family set. It has a couple Carbine M-16s in there that are easily modified to M4 standard. I've got two for my Kiowa (if I ever rebuild it). The sets are on ebay every once in a while.

Keep up the amazing work!

Jon

Thanks for the kind words Jon.

I've been looking for that set, I'll see what is out there on E-bay. The two M-4's that I scratch built out of those -16's came out ok but they just don't look completely "right".

One question I had was - do you know if Apache crewmembers get issued an M-4 while flying on operations in a combat zone? None of the pictures I've seen of Apache's overseas show any weapons in the cockpit area - unless you guys have room to stow them behind the seats. Also, would you have any idea if the M-4's issued to pilots in Iraq have all the high tech 11bravo laser sights on them. Most of the pictures I've seen of KW's in Iraq show M-4's the old style carrying handle. No high tech sights, laser pointers, hand grips, etc.

Regards,

John

[TXCajun]

Wow John. That's really nice work.

[norbert]

Impressive John

seeing the panel cover unpainted, I was surprised by the result when painted. Congrats

keep,us updated

Norbert

[11bee]

Impressive John

seeing the panel cover unpainted, I was surprised by the result when painted. Congrats

keep,us updated

Norbert

It's amazing what a bit of paint will do to hide a somewhat sloppy job I could never get away with that if I was modeling modern jets!!

[Cobrahistorian]

Thanks for the kind words Jon.

I've been looking for that set, I'll see what is out there on E-bay. The two M-4's that I scratch built out of those -16's came out ok but they just don't look completely "right".

One question I had was - do you know if Apache crewmembers get issued an M-4 while flying on operations in a combat zone? None of the pictures I've seen of Apache's overseas show any weapons in the cockpit area - unless you guys have room to stow them behind the seats. Also, would you have any idea if the M-4's issued to pilots in Iraq have all the high tech 11bravo laser sights on them. Most of the pictures I've seen of KW's in Iraq show M-4's the old style carrying handle. No high tech sights, laser pointers, hand grips, etc.

Regards,

John

John,

Yep, Apache crews are issued both M9s and M4s. There is a rack to the right of the seat in the Apache that you can stow an M4 in. Most of the ones I've seen have Aimpoint sights on them, no carry handles. This shot of an Arizona ARNG crew chief in one of their Longbows came off of Defenseimagery.mil.

[Will7813]

John,

Yep, Apache crews are issued both M9s and M4s. There is a rack to the right of the seat in the Apache that you can stow an M4 in. Most of the ones I've seen have Aimpoint sights on them, no carry handles. This shot of an Arizona ARNG crew chief in one of their Longbows came off of Defenseimagery.mil.

Out of interest, how much ammunition do you (or would you) carry? Do you have a bag or something, or do you strap mags together, 'cause your flight suit doesn't have webbing, does it?

Will

[Cobrahistorian]

Out of interest, how much ammunition do you (or would you) carry? Do you have a bag or something, or do you strap mags together, 'cause your flight suit doesn't have webbing, does it?

Will

There's provision in the survival vest for extra magazines. Can't really talk about much more than that.

[Eastern]

Wow, man! The 'pit is merely stunning! Looks life-like! Very realistic weathering. Very nice detailed!

Eager to see further progress.

Cheers!

Alexander.

[11bee]

Out of interest, how much ammunition do you (or would you) carry? Do you have a bag or something, or do you strap mags together, 'cause your flight suit doesn't have webbing, does it?

Will

In some of the pictures of Iraq based KW's, I've seen loose M-16 mags stuffed onto the glareshield, also have seen a bandoleer with some mags in the same place.