History
In the
late1990’s the Unites States Army release a Request For Proposal (RFP) for an
aircraft to replace the aging OH-58D Kiowa Warrior aircraft. Several companies
submitted designs, EADS with the OH-69A Acoma Scout and Bell Helicopter with the
ARH-70A Arapaho.
The RFP called for
the helicopter to have jet turbine engine with boost capability, enabling 360°
loops, heat sensing infra-red filter for night vision, closed circuit TV-camera
with a 100:1 zoom-lens, 3/4” code-numbered video-system; the tapes can be
erased on signal, wide-band scanner, "Whisper Mode" for silent
flights, three TV-monitors with the center monitor is connected to a vast array
of data-banks, Twin long-range, high-sensitivity shotgun microphones, Cockpit
Voice Recorder; records cockpit conversations and a Harrison helmet-mounted fire
control/targeting system.
EADS won the bid
with a modified SA 342M1 Gazelle helicopter. The Gazelle was chosen for its
small size, three-blade rotor system, ducted tail rotor, overall agility and
most importantly, price.
It was decided
that two prototypes would be constructed. Both airframes would be constructed to
the same specifications, but the first aircraft would be delivered approximately
one year prior to the second aircraft. This allowed for qualification of the
mission systems and any changes that could be incorporated into the second
aircraft prior to its delivery.
The United States
Army Test and Evaluation Command, Aviation Technical Test Center, took delivery
of the YOH-69A on February 12th 2004 at Fort Rucker, Alabama. After
reconstruction of the helicopter after delivery, The “Acoma Scout”, as it
came to be known, was put through it paces. A rigorous evaluation was carried
out on all of the aircraft’s surveillance systems. Numerous tests were carried
out at undisclosed locations to test the infrared sight system and listening
systems. Computer system integrity checks for airworthiness were accomplished in
all flight regimes to ensure data link integrity. Weapons’ testing was carried
out at the Yuma Proving Grounds.
The
Acoma Scout passed all of its initial testing. Very few modifications of the
aircraft were required during the test phase.
Click on
images below to see larger images
The Aircraft – YOH-69A
The YOH-69A differs little
externally from its OH-69A counterpart. Most of the differences lie underneath
the skin. Cockpit arrangement on the Acoma Scout differed from the production
version. Pilot controls are identical on both airframes, but the observer’s
station differs in monitor and keyboard location. The YOH-69A has the keyboard
next to the aft bulkhead, whereas the OH-69A had the monitor and keyboard at the
aft bulkhead in a typical computer workstation layout.
The most notable difference is
the paint job on the YOH-69A. Since the aircraft was a test aircraft, it was
required to have day-glow orange applied to the aircraft to show that it was
indeed a test, not an operational aircraft.
Reports from the test pilots
assigned to the program state that the aircraft was difficult to fly. With the
additional weight in the nose and the armor plating, the helicopter gained
substantial weight. Still able to perform its mission, the pilots had to treat
the aircraft with reasonable level of respect.
After a series of cost overruns
and a breach of the Nunn-McCurty Act, the Acoma Scout was cancelled on July 10th
2007. The aircraft performed it mission and tests well within the requirements.
The problem was the US Army. Being difficult to work with and expecting
everything for free. Costs of the Acoma Scout rose with every whimsical item the
Army wanted to throw at it; while at the same time, expecting the cost and
weight of the helicopter to stay the same. Needless to say, this doesn’t
happen. So, a termination order was given and the Acoma Scout was dead.
The YOH-69A Acoma Scout, having
flown over 2000 flight hours, was unceremoniously towed to a corner of the
airfield and left to the elements. Later the aircraft was acquired by the United
States Army Aviation Museum. Today, the Acoma sits in storage at Fort Rucker.
Current reports are that the aircraft is sitting in a hangar awaiting an area so
it can be displayed next to the RAH-66 Comanche, another failed US Army aviation
program.
The Kit
Monogram released their 1/32
scale kit of Blue Thunder in 1984 shortly after the release of the movie. The
kit contains 52 parts and is molded in a metallic blue plastic with 5 clear
parts. The parts contained no flash and the overall detail of the parts is good
considering the manufacturing period of the kit. The Monogram version of this
kit has been out of production for years. The kit has been recently released by
another manufacturer, although the detail is a little softer; this is the only
way to get this the 1/32 scale kit today. There is a new 1/48th scale
kit offered by Aoshima and from what I have read, it is supposed to be a nice
kit. So all is not lost if you desire to build the famous movie helicopter.
If die-cast is more your thing,
Organic Hobby has released a new 1/32 scale Blue Thunder die-cast is available
that looks very good. Do a Google search for Organic Hobby.
Construction
Construction is pretty straight
forward. The instructions have you begin with the cockpit. The only difficulty
here was the installation of the CRT and radio panels in the observer’s area.
For a kit that was produced 26 years ago, it goes together pretty good.
One problem area is filling the
seam under the engine exhaust. The engine is molded into the fuselage halves
which make filling and sanding the seam on the driveshaft cover difficult. Also,
the armor plating has a hex pattern to it and trying to save the pattern when
filling and sanding is almost impossible. I tried to do as little damage as
possible.
I did add a fire extinguisher
in the cockpit and placed it according to photographs of the Blue Thunder
aircraft. Also added were light bulbs to the search lights. This was done by
rounding out a piece of clear sprue and clueing on the housing prior to
installing the lens.
What-if’ing Blue Thunder
How do you what-if a what-if
helicopter? It’s kind of like building an accurate X-Wing fighter model.
You’re building a model of a movie prop. In this case, a BIG movie prop that
could fulfill its intended purpose – fly!
Color and Markings
Cockpit
I drew from the early AH-1G and
painted the cockpit an overall medium gray with flat black details. The
instrument panel glare shield was painted flat black keeping inline with
accepted practice. I decided to paint the seat cushions olive drab, I probably
should have painted them black, but it looks good as it is. I also painted the
canopy railing inside medium gray. This proved rather challenging with all the
angles.
Fuselage
I decided on a variation to the
Blue Thunder scheme. The armored area/underside is flat black. The rest of the
fuselage would be olive drab. The sensor pylons would be flat black and the
“engine boost” pylons would be olive drab. I also painted a flat black
anti-glare area on the nose reminiscent of the AH-1G.
Since the model depicts a test
aircraft, I used the ARH-70A as a guide for the International Day-Glow Orange
placement. I painted the tail fin with an orange band to show its prototype
status.
Other Details
The main rotor gearbox, swash
plate and actuators are painted aluminum with black bolt heads to simulate
corrosion preventative compound (CPC).
Rotor blades are flat black
with a white “center of balance” stripe and white/orange/white rotor blade
tips. The rotor hub and grips are painted flat black as well as the pitch links.
The hub and grips were dry brushed silver to highlight detail and edges. The
skids and skid step was also dry brushed silver to highlight detail and give it
a used look.
Decals
All the decals came from the
spares box. I wanted to stay true to U.S. Army rotorcraft. For instance,
“United States Army” placed on the aft section of the helicopter and other
stencils placed appropriately. I used Cobras and Apaches for reference. I was
going to place national insignias on the “engine” pylons, but after research
I noticed that, unlike other services, there are no stars and bars on Army
rotorcraft. So, no stars & bars.
Weathering
The entire model was weather
using various chalks and pastels to give it a used dirty look. The entire model
was sprayed with dullcoat to seal the chalk and pastels.
After Thoughts and Truths
When I picked up this kit, I
had every intention of finishing it as Blue Thunder, but as time went on I
started toying with the idea of a U.S. Army helicopter. So after a few MS Paint
drawings later, here she is. The entire kit turned out a lot better than I
expected and I am very pleased with the end result.
The OH-69A designation came after searching the internet for military helicopter
designations and discovering that the H-69 designation was originally slated for
the Presidential VXX helicopter program, but due to the embarrassing nature of
the number, H-71 was chosen instead. According to the USAF, who assigns the
designators for all US military aircraft, H-69 will never be assigned to a
program.
Steve Eggers
Click on
images below to see larger images
|