1/72 AH-56 Cheyenne and something else...

[NickD]

Hello! I saw Cheyenne many years ago, as a kid, from the other side of the Iron curtain and its immediately occupies my imagination. At these times, having only limited Plasticart models as a luxury, it was impossible even to dream about such a model. Now it is possible with this Anigrand's kit. It is not perfect, lacks detail and even have some flaws, but everything can be corrected. Moreover, I was inspired from these photos and think about making something like a diorama with the weapons display. Interesting, i didn't saw anything like it till now, I can't think nobody comes to such idea before, and start wondering is it possible or it will be a fiasco. I will try it.
I plan to combine all three photos: Full ammo from the first picture - 114 FFAR, 6 TOW tubes, 780 40mm grenades, 2010 30mm rounds, then 6 mk.82 and 6 mk.83 bombs, then 4 mk.84 bombs and 4 AGM-12 Bullpups. Also mounted on wings - 2 XM26 triple TOW launchers and 6 rocket pods on TER mountings.
Bombs, Bullpups and TERs I have from Hasegawa weapons kits, everything else will be 3D-printed. Multiple corrections from photos of the survived prototypes will also be printed.
What do You think of this idea?

 

[VegasAWACER13]

Sounds fantastic. Looking forward to seeing the build.

 

[NickD]

This will be the base. One(size A4) will be not enough, so I will use 2 of them (Size A3)

This is the 3D models arrangement of the ammo

FFAR with the size of the toothpick

Grenade ammo - grenade diameter around 0.6mm. 13 belts with 60 grenades.

50x30mm rounds block. Each round have 0.4mm diameter. 40 blocks needed

Ammo "crates" by the picture.

Additional 10 rounds, without crate. block size ~2x2x1mm

 

[NickD]

TOW cannisters

XM26 TOW launcher model

It looks different from the photos, but I made some research and come to this conclusion.
Here is the photo of the launcher mounted on Cheyenne:

It is obvious it is not loaded and missing some fairings.
This is the inflight photo:

There are front and back fairings, but they're only for aerodynamics purposes. Missiles are not loaded.
Here are the launcher with missiles:

So I made the model, according to these photos.
In the documents, it is mentioned, that modified launcer will be used for Cheyenne. As I speculate, visible differences are that:
1.This version is confirmed not trainable, but fixed.
2. Also there may be longer rear aerodynamic fairing, but even drawing nowhere to be found.
So I decide to stick with confirmed design, only without trainable mechanism, with original rear part.
If someone have more information, please share, I can rework the launcher model.

 

[Jakko]

I like it The AH-56 is one of those aircraft that, if somebody were to release a modern plastic kit of it, I would buy immediately.

 

[mustang1989]

I remember this aircraft quite well as a kid. Looking forward to seeing this one built up Nick.

 

[mustang1989]

I like it The AH-56 is one of those aircraft that, if somebody were to release a modern plastic kit of it, I would buy immediately.

Ditto!!!

 

[Witchdoctor40]

There is a Cheyenne at the Fort Rucker, Alabama museum. I am going to Rucker Thursday, 30 October. Do you want me to get a few photos and send to you? Let me know what shots would be helpful and I will try to take them with my phone. For what it is worth I was a warrant officer pilot 1984 to 2004 and retired near mother Rucker.

Bob Shaffer
Witchdoctor40

 

[Jakko]

Bob, I would advise you to edit your message (click the word "Edit" below it) and remove your e-mail address from it. Then send NickD a direct message (click his name and you'll see a button to do that with) to tell him your e-mail address.

 

[Witchdoctor40]

Thanks

 

[NickD]

There is a Cheyenne at the Fort Rucker, Alabama museum. I am going to Rucker Thursday, 30 October. Do you want me to get a few photos and send to you? Let me know what shots would be helpful and I will try to take them with my phone. For what it is worth I was a warrant officer pilot 1984 to 2004 and retired near mother Rucker.

Bob Shaffer
Witchdoctor40

Thank You very much for Your kind proposition, Bob!
It will be of great help to me!
I sent a PM.
Best Regards,
Nick

 

[Witchdoctor40]

Nick,

Sorry for the delay. The shutdown had the museum closed. I went back today. Unfortunately the new museum extension (separate building) is only open once a quarter. I know that doesn't make sense; at least not to me. Anyway, I am going to find out when the next opening is and I will let you know. I will try to get your pictures then. Thanks for you patience.

Bob
Witchdoctor40

 

[NickD]

Thank You very much, Bob!
Dont worry, work goes slow, i was busy, plus had some problems with the eyes. Still working on the weapon pylons models.
Not much to show for now.
Finally received the base plates and brass tubes for cannon and grenade launcher (0.4+0.1mm and 0.6+0.1mm)
Working on ordnance for display, hope I will show more soon.
Best wishes,
Nick

 

[Wig41]

Your assistant looks surprised by something you did!

 

[Ron2]

Hello! I saw Cheyenne many years ago, as a kid, from the other side of the Iron curtain and its immediately occupies my imagination. At these times, having only limited Plasticart models as a luxury, it was impossible even to dream about such a model. Now it is possible with this Anigrand's kit. It is not perfect, lacks detail and even have some flaws, but everything can be corrected. Moreover, I was inspired from these photos and think about making something like a diorama with the weapons display. Interesting, i didn't saw anything like it till now, I can't think nobody comes to such idea before, and start wondering is it possible or it will be a fiasco. I will try it.
I plan to combine all three photos: Full ammo from the first picture - 114 FFAR, 6 TOW tubes, 780 40mm grenades, 2010 30mm rounds, then 6 mk.82 and 6 mk.83 bombs, then 4 mk.84 bombs and 4 AGM-12 Bullpups. Also mounted on wings - 2 XM26 triple TOW launchers and 6 rocket pods on TER mountings.
Bombs, Bullpups and TERs I have from Hasegawa weapons kits, everything else will be 3D-printed. Multiple corrections from photos of the survived prototypes will also be printed.
What do You think of this idea?

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Wow. I can't believe the payload for this!

 

[Ron2]

Your assistant looks surprised by something you did!

I thought she looked like "feigned innocence". I think she's planning which pieces she will disappear with!

 

[NickD]

Wow. I can't believe the payload for this!

Yes, it's hard to believe it can carry load of B-17! Some of the ordnance is ready. 2 more Mk84 needed and i will start with FFARS and rounds. I am not sure my base plates will be enough at 420x297mm configuration. If needed i will switch to 594x210mm.

 

[NickD]

Your assistant looks surprised by something you did!

The Long Cat Silver is very curious about everything i do, and i think he is a little afraid of the phone, even i never used flash on him.
Unfortunately he is very ill now, which is one of the reasons the project going slow. Still I want and hope to finish till august, when we have an annual exhibition.

 

[Wig41]

Very sorry to hear that your cat is ill. Our pets become family and are very important to us.

 

[Witchdoctor40]

I came across this image on my phone that I forgot I had. Hope it helps. Still trying to find out the next time this section of the museum opens.

Witchdoctor40

 

[NickD]

I came across this image on my phone that I forgot I had. Hope it helps. Still trying to find out the next time this section of the museum opens.

Great photo! Thank You very much! It gives me a glance of the cockpit internal colors i need! Looks like it is dark gray as on the early Cobras.
It will help a lot!

 

[Witchdoctor40]

Semi-good news. The curator responded to my email and the next date to access the AH56 is 4 April from 1000 to 1400. I have my calendar alert set for that date. I will let you know if anything changes.
BTW the curator mentioned that an AH56 is on display at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. If you or someone you know is close to Campbell; you could probably get some photos before 4 April.
Happy New Year
Witchdoctor40

 

[NickD]

Thank You! I will wait with great anticipation!
Unexpectedly, I found two videos which shows part of the interior too:



I have a habit to dive deep into detailization , which is time and effort-consuming, but pretty useless on closed canopies and 1/72 scale.
So I'm planning to use Quinta set for AH-1G with some additional touches. It will give overall "real" look thru the canopy, not revealing some incorrect positioning of the instruments.

I will focus to finish uncomplete custom parts (weapon pylons, air filters, oil radiator and some missing rotor elements ) and can't wait to start with the model itself.

 

[BarleyBop]

time and effort-consuming

If we enjoy it, and are able, then count our blessings!
We'd love to see what you are doing with your custom parts!

 

[NickD]

There is still much preparation work, but it goes well.
I am happy i finished with all 3d models of the details needed.

A friend of mine prints them, he already made great work, now we will finish with all the parts.
I remade the launchers, adding additional tail fairing - seems they need to have a reduced drag, due to high flight speeds.
Also i remade the pylons . You can see them compared to original ones.

Also i made air and oil filters. I plan to cut the sections of the fuselage and add them. Scratching the grates will not look real and good at all.

You can see first FFARs painted and initial lineup of the weaponry.

Have a nice day!

 

[Witchdoctor40]

You have really captured the realism in all these pieces. Especially the TOW launcher and FFARs. Your attention to detail is in keeping with how we are taught and train in Army Aviation. Keep up the exceptional work.

Bob Shaffer
Withchdoctor40

 

[BarleyBop]

Very cool! Like seeing the 3D model renderings...

 

[NickD]

I can share the 3d models, including others not shown ob the pic, if someone needs them. Just PM me.

 

[user 22148]

Wow - what a very cool project. The Ah-56 is such a great looking aircraft, it's such a shame it never went into production.

 

[Jakko]

I can share the 3d models, including others not shown ob the pic, if someone needs them. Just PM me.

You can probably attach them to a message in this thread. Likely not STL files, but if you zip them, chances are you can attach the zip file.