Chuck's 'LOACH" "Miss Clawd IV" in 1/72, *finished*

[Chuck Finley]

I hope it's not too late to join in. I plan on building the Italeri OH-6A 'Loach' as #17340 flown by Capt. Hugh Mills when he commanded the "Outcasts" (Troop C, 16th Cavalry" in 1972.
Here is a photo of the actual bird in country





And yes, the doors will be left off.

[Chris]

Very cool, dangerous duty in those choppers.

[ShaunW]

Excellent choice Chuck, welcome aboard!

[splash]

Great kit watch out for the doors, if you fit them they need a bit of fine tweaking to get them to fit, apart from that its a sweet little kit to build.

[shangos70]

Just finished this very kit, images in the aviation thread .

[Zee28]

It's truly tiny in 1/72! (BTW, Splash, yours looks great).

Zee

[Chuck Finley]

Great kit watch out for the doors, if you fit them they need a bit of fine tweaking to get them to fit, apart from that its a sweet little kit to build.

Thanks for the warning. I was planning on leaving off the doors like pretty much every OH-6A used as Aeroscouts in Vietnam. In fact, the only Vietnam era LOACH I saw with the front doors was a medivac bird. When you are flying low and slow, searching for the enemy, the crews wanted to get out fast if the bird went down.

[Chuck Finley]

Very cool, dangerous duty in those choppers.

I have a soft spot for the Air Cav since my dad served two tours with the 1st Cav as a infantry officer (His jungle fatigues has a cav patch on both sleeves and a Combat Infantry Badge.) This will complete my collection of Vietnam era Aeroscouts (Currently a OH-13S 1st of 9th cav, and a OH-58A "Headhunter".) Now his shop foreman flew Cobras with the 1st of the 9th Cav and has been quoted as saying the Scout pilots were nuts.

[Saxon]

Keen to see this one as I have one in the stash.

[Chuck Finley]

Finished the first stage which consisted of removing both doors from the right side. My Dad rode in a few LOACHs during his two tours in Vietnam and he never saw a Scout bird with the doors attached. Thus, the doors must come off. Now, all I need is a pilot in 'chicken plate' sitting in the right seat and a crew chief with a M-60 attached to the aircraft with a bungee chord to complete the effect.



And for the real thing:

[BlohmWolf]

I'm liking this already.

[ShaunW]

Great to see that you're started on this build Chuck and this is a great looking little helo. What's "chicken plate" - added armour to the seat to protect one's, err, lower bits from bullets and shrapnel? or added armour clothing worn by the pilot?

I see your dad did two tours in Vietnam - that must have been enough for any man I would imagine.

[splash]

Chicken Plate armour

[jssel]

Aaaaaah, Chicken plate armor. Hot, heavy and gave you the illusion that you were safe and sound. Doors off yes for all the obvious reasons. Also better visibility than looking through distorted glass.

Last I communicated with Mr. Mills (about two years ago) he had been flying with the Oklahoma City Police Department I believe.

[Miss-Stang]

I shall be following this build (actually, probably all of the 'Nam GB) with great interest.

I would never have thought of myself as a 'copter enthusiast but have built a couple now and really enjoyed them and have a few more in my stash

Might keep an eye out for this kit