Usmcski

I was fortunate to have worked with Academy on the 1/32 F/A-18C/D, the 1/32 F-16C and the 1/48 CH-53E and CH-46E.
 
I've reached out to my POC and received a response. Will do my absolute best to push the Yankee and a new Whiskey.

I hear you on so many levels!  If Academy has the stones to tackle a large scale Z, I'd love to see them remold their W (with option for turned exhaust, new canopy, and NTS/non-NTS), and a G as well.  Hell, while we're at it, lets see the whole family of Army and Marine Snakes (what I wouldn't give to build a big J, T and W).  And how about a November and Yankee to go with them?  I can dream, can't I?
 
Semper,

Ski

When I retired in 2014, the West Coast was about halfway through the Z transition (and already entirely UH-1Y).  So far the sprue shots look great, and the rivets are sublime.  There are a few shortfalls I can see, but nothing major (gun oversimplified, LAU-7s would look fine with AIM-9s, but empty they're not accurate due to the attachment tabs for the missiles, seats look pretty sparse, AIM-9 wings have a strange square cutout looking thing, etc).  Add some wiring to the tail and main rotor heads, replace the APU exhaust with some brass tubing, and add a "secondary comm tube" to the underside of the fuselage and you're good to go!  I'll certainly pick one (or more) up as soon as they're available and drop everything to build it.  This thing's gonna be pretty sick.
 
Semper,
 
Ski

When I retired in 2014, the West Coast was about halfway through the Z transition (and already entirely UH-1Y).  So far the sprue shots look great, and the rivets are sublime.  There are a few shortfalls I can see, but nothing major (gun oversimplified, LAU-7s would look fine with AIM-9s, but empty they're not accurate due to the attachment tabs for the missiles, seats look pretty sparse, AIM-9 wings have a strange square cutout looking thing, etc).  Add some wiring to the tail and main rotor heads, replace the APU exhaust with some brass tubing, and add a "secondary comm tube" to the underside of the fuselage and you're good to go!  I'll certainly pick one (or more) up as soon as they're available and drop everything to build it.  This thing's gonna be pretty sick.
 
Semper,
 
Ski

When I retired in 2014, the West Coast was about halfway through the Z transition (and already entirely UH-1Y).  So far the sprue shots look great, and the rivets are sublime.  There are a few shortfalls I can see, but nothing major (gun oversimplified, LAU-7s would look fine with AIM-9s, but empty they're not accurate due to the attachment tabs for the missiles, seats look pretty sparse, AIM-9 wings have a strange square cutout looking thing, etc).  Add some wiring to the tail and main rotor heads, replace the APU exhaust with some brass tubing, and add a "secondary comm tube" to the underside of the fuselage and you're good to go!  I'll certainly pick one (or more) up as soon as they're available and drop everything to build it.  This thing's gonna be pretty sick.
 
Semper,
 
Ski

When I retired in 2014, the West Coast was about halfway through the Z transition (and already entirely UH-1Y).  So far the sprue shots look great, and the rivets are sublime.  There are a few shortfalls I can see, but nothing major (gun oversimplified, LAU-7s would look fine with AIM-9s, but empty they're not accurate due to the attachment tabs for the missiles, seats look pretty sparse, AIM-9 wings have a strange square cutout looking thing, etc).  Add some wiring to the tail and main rotor heads, replace the APU exhaust with some brass tubing, and add a "secondary comm tube" to the underside of the fuselage and you're good to go!  I'll certainly pick one (or more) up as soon as they're available and drop everything to build it.  This thing's gonna be pretty sick.
 
Semper,
 
Ski

I hear you on so many levels!  If Academy has the stones to tackle a large scale Z, I'd love to see them remold their W (with option for turned exhaust, new canopy, and NTS/non-NTS), and a G as well.  Hell, while we're at it, lets see the whole family of Army and Marine Snakes (what I wouldn't give to build a big J, T and W).  And how about a November and Yankee to go with them?  I can dream, can't I?
 
Semper,

Ski

Well since the Jag and F-84 are confirmed, I'd love to see more helos from them. How about:
 
-an ACCURATE AH-1W
-AH-1Z
-AH-1T
-AH-1J
-AH-1G
-UH-1Y
-UH-1N
-UH-1E
-UH-34
-CH-46
CH-53
 
Maybe just a TAD of a Marine bias!
 
Semper Fi,
 
Ski

Sure would like to see the following; Yes, they are all Gloss Sea Blue
 
 
F9F-2 Panther, Korean War Navy and USMC
F9F-5 Panther, same, same
SB2C Helldiver WW II and Post war
F7F Tigercat, seater and night fighter, Korean War
 
And if Tamiya doesn't beat em to it, Howza bout a F4U-4B Corsair
 

Kitty Hawk Open 1/32 Poll.
 
Just for fun, following the current F-5E/RF-5E/F-5F and Mirage 2000 projects, what is for you, the priority order (1,2,3,4,5)
for Kitty Hawk, to eventuallly start these 1/32 scale kit projects (including here my own priority wish) :
 
P1 : Mirage F-1 B/C/C-200/CR/CT/CZ/AZ Family ;
P2 : Northrop F-5A/B/C/D & T-38 Family ;
P3 : Sepecat Bae Jaguar GR.1/T.2/A/E Family ;
P4 : Saab JAS-39 C/D Gripen Family ;
P5 : F-84F / RF-84F Thunderstreak Family ;
 

SharkOwl

Great stuff, as always Norbert!  Any chance of seeing a USN/USMC helo crew with the visor down?
 

Great stuff, as always Norbert!  Any chance of seeing a USN/USMC helo crew with the visor down?
 

Thanks for resurrecting this thread, they are truly stunning builds. I haven't built the -60 yet, but I have tackled the Littlebird (the OH-6, specifically). The windshield/fuselage join is a real PITA, but you wouldn't know it looking at his build. I suspect (hope) that Kitty Hawk has an H-60 forthcoming, time will tell!
 
Semper,
 
Ski

Thanks for resurrecting this thread, they are truly stunning builds. I haven't built the -60 yet, but I have tackled the Littlebird (the OH-6, specifically). The windshield/fuselage join is a real PITA, but you wouldn't know it looking at his build. I suspect (hope) that Kitty Hawk has an H-60 forthcoming, time will tell!
 
Semper,
 
Ski

I'd LOVE to see what you do with it, Pig! 
 
Not to sound like a broken record, but now we need KH to do an accurate AH-1G, AH-1J, AH-1T, AH-1W, and UH-1N, all in 35th and 48th....
 
Semper,
 
Ski

Hey Norbert,
 
Absolutely love your products, keep them coming!
 
Any chance of getting the US Navy helo crew with visors down? With maxillofacial shields? I love how the US Army crews turned out, but I'd like the same options with the Navy crew members. Not only would they look great, but it would help those of us who are challenged when it comes to painting eyes!
 
Cheers,
 
Ski

There is an excellent write up on HH-60G and MH-60G developement in Fliyd Werners beautiful 48th and 35th decal sheet.
It covers rptimes, gun arrangements, changovers etc.
Awesome decal sheer to go with this kit.

I'd LOVE to see what you do with it, Pig! 
 
Not to sound like a broken record, but now we need KH to do an accurate AH-1G, AH-1J, AH-1T, AH-1W, and UH-1N, all in 35th and 48th....
 
Semper,
 
Ski

Hey Ski-
So glad you gave me a heads-up on this one! I love helos-they're like flying armor..dirty boot prints on the floor and spent shells..so cool
 
Cheers
 
Pete

Sorry if this has been posted (didn't see it on the Forum).
 
KH has CAD drawings up for KH50005, 1/35 HH-60G on their Facebook page:
 
https://www.facebook.com/Kitty-hawk-736521713066784/
 
Looks good so far, definitely on my build list.  Would be nice to see it 1/48 as well!
 
Ski

Yes!
 
I will be all over this one-
 
Very cool
 
Pete

I'd LOVE to see what you do with it, Pig! 
 
Not to sound like a broken record, but now we need KH to do an accurate AH-1G, AH-1J, AH-1T, AH-1W, and UH-1N, all in 35th and 48th....
 
Semper,
 
Ski

Emil, looks excellent with that splotchy look typical of the low-viz jets.
 
Pics that Jari linked too are dated 1986 according to the page. Sounds right since you can also tell it's from the earlier more plain 1980s period of markings since it's only basic tail codes and not much else (similar to the other 1986 period options on the decal sheet).
 
The second pic you posted of 501 on the flight deck I believe is from the prior cruise earlier in 1990, but don't quote me on that. I may be mis-remembering.
 
The walkway pattern unfortunately should've said somewhat speculative for both AA-501 and 505. That pattern shown was based on clearer images showing upper surfaces of AA-512 on deck in a couple pics on the same cruise. Like you said, the walkways looked and varied from aircraft to aircraft. It looks like the "skinny" section on the rear extended to the wider section on another where the top side is visible (AA-522).
 
AA-522:
https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6462074
 
AA-512:
https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6468720

The date/day change happened just this year. They figured it would be more convenient and they'd get a bigger crowd on Saturday.
 
Semper,
 
Ski

The date/day change happened just this year. They figured it would be more convenient and they'd get a bigger crowd on Saturday.
 
Semper,
 
Ski