Photo request - RAAC Apache Mk1 folding rotor mechanism

[Corinthian]

Anyone has photos of the RAAC's Apache Mk1's main rotor and its folding mechanism? Thanks.

[capt_starlight]

First time I heard that the Royal Australian Armoured Corps were operating Apaches ?!? Wonder if the AAAvn Corps knows they are doing it ?

[Archie Pellagio]

So it wasn't just me then?

What does RAAC stand for Tomas?

[shep854]

So it wasn't just me then?

What does RAAC stand for Tomas?

 

'Royal' Army Air Corps?

[Corinthian]

Sorry, AAC instead, not RAAC. Army Air Corps.

 

Anyone has pix of the rotor assembly when folded? Thanks.

[shep854]

Sorry, AAC instead, not RAAC. Army Air Corps.

 

Anyone has pix of the rotor assembly when folded? Thanks.

 

 

Don't feel bad; I don't think even Brits can make sense of Brit-speak*.

 

*Not to be confused with English.

[capt_starlight]

Just think of it as something designed to confuse the uninitiated.

 

There is an RAF and a RN (like there is an RAAF or a RAN) - they came from the crown. But the British Army (and the Australian Army) owes their existence to Parliament. The individual regiments were contracted to the crown by their owners (their colonels) (and there is private enterprise/capitalism at work something that should be dear to a conservative's heart). Like the regiments, the corps are given the Royal prefix after periods of distinguished service. AAC (AAAvn) do not seem to have yet "qualified" or their Colonels-in-Chief are a bit slack in not applying for the necessary Letters Patent.

[shep854]

You of Albion do have a lot more history to keep up with; us USians are newcomers in comparison.

[Archie Pellagio]

According to the Pentagon's request for sale to congress/senate last year the new Chinooks will be a big boost to the 'Royal Australian Army' which convinces me more than ever that the Cromwellian menace will rear it's ugly head once more...

[capt_starlight]

According to the Pentagon's request for sale to congress/senate last year the new Chinooks will be a big boost to the 'Royal Australian Army' which convinces me more than ever that the Cromwellian menace will rear it's ugly head once more...

 

Do you have a web pointer for that request (with that terminology) - would love to keep it for future reference.

 

Cromwell abolished the "Royal Army" (through its defeat in the myriad English Civil Wars) and made sure it was subordinate to Parliament requiring the annual Army Acts to ensure financing.

 

I can remember an interesting show in the A(ustralian)BC concerning a fictional military putsch in Australia at the time of "The Dismissal". A very skilful blend of real footage and actors that showed how it might happen and how little there actually is to stop it from occurring in real life....

[Archie Pellagio]

http://www.dsca.mil/PressReleases/36-b/2009/Australia_09-17.pdf

 

Fourth paragraph:

The proposed sale of the CH-47F CHINOOK helicopters and components to Australia will contribute to U.S.

security objectives by providing a coalition partner with significantly improved airlift capability. This will

improve the Royal Australian Army’s ability to participate in coalition operations, enhance the capacity of

Australia’s Defense Forces [there is more than one ADF? ] to provide lift for ground forces and supplies in support of humanitarian

assistance/disaster relief, and to contribute to stability operations in the Asia-Pacific region. Australia will have no

difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed force

Edited June 9, 2010 by Luke Y

[Coldsteel]

there is more than one ADF?

Not as far as you know, now be quite and stay still ADF(II) operators will be with you shortly.

[Archie Pellagio]

It's okay, turns out it is just a bunch of Canberra based Customs and AFP pole smokers believing their latest reality TV shows that they're 'Australia's last line of defence'...Nothing to see here...

[capt_starlight]

http://www.dsca.mil/PressReleases/36-b/2009/Australia_09-17.pdf

 

Fourth paragraph:

 

Ta muchly....

[Corinthian]

BTT, sort of. Didn't want to start a new thread.

 

I was trolling the net and found a pic at some forum IIRC of the pilot's seat of the Apache Mk1 which shows the placement of the rifle. Alas, I didn't save it and I forgot where I saw it and could no longer find it. Any help please? Or any photo that shows where the crew's rifles are attached? Thank you.

[Corinthian]

I hope you are going to have a thread on the production of this model Tomas, because I for one will look forward to seeing it.

 

I dont know if the more extensive defence suite fitted in the British version is evident from the outside?

 

Will put a thread up when it is complete.

 

Yep, the updated version is evident from the outside. Some parts of the HIDAS system were repositioned at the wingtips because it was found to be more effective if positioned there. Basically two small sensors. But the biggest difference is the M-TADS/PNVS, particularly the PNVS sensor which is bigger than the old one, having what looks like two windows instead of one sensor. The TADS housing is still the same, but the sensors in it are newer. Inside the cockpit, the ORT (or was it OORT) was replaced with TEDAC. TEDAC and M-TADS/PNVS were installed on two Apache Mk1s in 2008, and eventually will equip the entire fleet by 2011 (assuming that wasn't axed in the budget cuts).

 

"Sylvia Saint" (Ed Macy's helo) pre-2008 (Jugroom assault was in 2007) still had the old PNVS and ORT. I didn't install the ORT and instead scratched a TEDAC before I learned of this, so I'm removing the TEDAC and replacing it with ORT. The scratched TEDAC will go on a future build, probably an updated US Army Longbow (TEDAC, M-TADS/PNVS) or another Apache Mk1.

 

Damn my short term memory, couldn't find that picture of the pilot's seat with the gun at the side. The gun shown looks like a carbine version of the L85 considering the short barrel.

Edited November 18, 2010 by TomasCTT

[baboon6]

mn my short term memory, couldn't find that picture of the pilot's seat with the gun at the side. The gun shown looks like a carbine version of the L85 considering the short barrel.

 

L22A1/A2, standard issue for AAC crews, some RAC crews and a few other specialists (such as dog handlers):

 

Edited November 18, 2010 by baboon6

[Corinthian]

Thanks! That's the gun. Now if I could only find that picture of the "docking station" at the crew's seats where the gun is placed. Anyone please? Thanks.

[Corinthian]

Yep. He has two books it seems. AFAIK, the newer one is 'Hellfire.' The other one is 'Apache.'

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hellfire-Ed-Macy/dp/0007288190

 

I don't have Hellfire (will look to get it someday), but judging from the blurb, I reckon it focuses more on his qualifying for and training in the Apache Mk1. The book 'Apache' mentions that portion in a few pages IIRC, most of it delves on the ops they did during his tour there in 2006(?)-2007. The last chapters of Apache covers the large operation which culminated in the Jugroom fort assault. Decent read IMO.

 

Yep, putting troops on the wings, that's the plan. Hence my request at the Modeler's Forum for 1/48 modern Royal Marines. Alas, none available anywhere so that means I'm stuck to modifying a helo crew from another kit into Marines(!) for the project.

 

BTW, anyone has pix of a Apache gunner or pilot strapped in his seat? I'm particularly interested on how the seat belts look, where they are positioned at. The photoetch fret shows a large circular thingy to which is attached the four harnesses. Said circular thingy is situated where the crotch would be. I have a hard time figuring out how that looks like on the helo crew.

[shep854]

"BTW, anyone has pix of a Apache gunner or pilot strapped in his seat? I'm particularly interested on how the seat belts look, where they are positioned at. The photoetch fret shows a large circular thingy to which is attached the four harnesses. Said circular thingy is situated where the crotch would be. I have a hard time figuring out how that looks like on the helo crew."--TomasCTT

 

What you're describing sounds like a quick-release buckle. It connects the shoulder harness with the lap belt, so yes, it would be right at the user's crotch or lower abdomen. The idea is to only have one to hit when making an emergency egress.

Edited November 19, 2010 by shep854

[Archie Pellagio]

WTF?

Normally they're situated higher on the chest.

What genius decided that making a pilot hit himself in the crotch was a great prerequisite to avoiding a fiery death?

[Corinthian]

I think its 'Apache' I have read, since I can recall a lot of that about the Jugroom assault. I was amused to read that at least one of the soldiers thought it was a mind up, right up to the point when they took off. I often wonder what amazing feats of bravery have been demonstrated by the British military started with the thought 'He must be joking. Isnt he?'

 

------------------

 

Tomas, I have to see this when you finish it. In fact Im pretty sure the AAC will want to see it when you finish it. You are stuck for 1/48 soldiers, are you sure a 1.32 scale Apache might not be an easier option?

 

 

Yep, I am trying to imagine how that Marine (Hearn?) looked like when he was seated on the Apache while flying with bullets going past.

 

1/32 is out, since I have the 1/48 kit already. Also, no conversion sets in 1/32. I'm using a conversion set done by Heritage Aviations (a UK outfit). Isracast (whose Saraf set I am using) recently made their own Apache Mk1 conversion set. I dunno the difference with Heritage Aviation (maybe the same? maybe updated and with decals?), as there is no picture available so far. It's listed on Hannants, and I've ordered a set already.

[Corinthian]

Shep, Luke: Aye, indeed I thought it was chest high, but judging from the length of the belts (ok ok, it's a photoetch set), it looks like set around at the crotch area. Hence the need for a picture of the actual thing in use.

Edited November 19, 2010 by TomasCTT

[shep854]

WTF?

Normally they're situated higher on the chest.

What genius decided that making a pilot hit himself in the crotch was a great prerequisite to avoiding a fiery death?

That would be a parachute harness QR. The aircraft harness secures the shoulder straps to the lap belt, which dictates a "lower-abdomen" location for the release.

[Corinthian]

Damn my short term memory, couldn't find that picture of the pilot's seat with the gun at the side. The gun shown looks like a carbine version of the L85 considering the short barrel.

 

ACK! Found it. And apparently it was only at ukapache.com site (I didn't see the arrow at the walkaround gallery)

 

http://www.ukapache.com/walkroundafghanistan/pages/56.htm