"What-If" RNZAF MD530 Defender

[Bruce]

Hi guys, I've had a bit of a break from models for a few months whilst trying to sort out a certain homebuilt. I'm now just finalising plans for a model of something a bit different. I intend to build a 1/72 McDonnell Douglas MD530 Notar Defender Helicopter in RNZAF Afghanistan colour scheme! Totally hypothetical of course, but I've always thought that the 530N would be a worthy addition to the RNZAF inventory as a means of having some form of close air support. (I know we could have huge discussions about pros and cons - I just think "bang for buck" they make a lot of sense!)

Anyway, to fit in with my Real RNZAF collection it will be 1/72 scale - which is pretty small. I have just purchased an AZ Models Hughes MD500E kit, as there doesn't seem to be a NOTAR kit on the market at the moment (nothing wrong with the 500E as an attack helo, but I just think the Notar version has advantages in field ops...). I will of course have to scratchbuild a new tailboom, but that shouldnt be too hard.
The plan is to present it in desert camouflage, with 2 Sqn insignia, as if deployed in support of NZ forces in Afghanistan circa "about now" It will have a FLIR turret under the nose and weapons pylons as a close air support gunship.
Now, a couple of questions....
Does anyone know of an online supplier of "ArmyCast" resin detail sets? I'm after set AC72011 - a pair of M134 Miniguns. This is a legit weapons fitout for conventional MH-6 Cayuses so would be realistic on our gunships I guess. These would go on the fuselage side pylons, rather than a door mount.
Question for our Armourer friends:
Would there be any reason that a helo wouldnt sling a TOW or Folding Fin rocket pod on one side and a Minigun on the other? just thinking about options...
Also, would the cartridge/ link collector tubes be fitted on pylon mounted miniguns if there wasnt a tailrotor for the bits to fly into? Where would the tubes normally run anyway?

I'd like to make it hypothetical yet feasable.. so details like that are handy.

I'll try and remember to post progress pics!

[Bruce]

Just found the answer to one question on a special forces blog - seems like MH-6 Little Birds can carry 2x 7tube FFAR pods AND 2x M134s... Thats some serious firepower! In fact if they go down to rockets and Minigun on one side only, they can sling a GAU-8 Vulcan gun on the other!

[Craig Sargent]

www.profiline-models.com/7012-MD-520-N-NOTAR.html

[Bruce]

That looks like a cool kit - I wonder when it will be available..... still, I'm never one to shrink from a spot of modding / scratchbuilding!

[Bruce]

I've started the NOTAR mod on my 530 and its coming on pretty well (Will post some photos later) but I have one question. Does anyone have a nice clear picture of 2 sqns Winged Taiaha insignia, as seen on the A4 Tailfins? I'm just drawing up the decals for the machine.
(the markings will be in brown on the desert scheme)
I am about to order the Resin Miniguns and I have some 7 shot FFAR pods on my A-109 kit, so I should be able to put an AH-6 "Little Bird" Weapons load on it.

[Bruce]

OK, here are a couple of photos - showing the new tailboom. I cut the existing boom and the back of the "doghouse" fairing off the parent kit, then built up and spliced in a new tailboom made from 7.8mm Evergreen plastic tubing. The new back end of the doghouse fairing (ahead of the anti - torque air intake) and additional fairings between the new boom and the engine bay were made up using "Knead it" Putty, finished off with conventional filler. The new tailplane and fins were made from plastic card. Note the rear doors have also been cut out - the Ammo tanks for the Miniguns sit in the rear bay.


The background drawing is a very handy 2 view I found on the net and scaled to 1/72 to use as a reference.

And just to demonstrate the size (or lack thereof!) of the 1/72 kit, note that it is smaller than the putty tube!

[Bruce]

Struck a bit of a hold up with this build as "Army Cast Resins" don't seem to be replying to my e-mail ordering the M134 Miniguns.... In case I have to scratch build a set, does anyone have any dimensioned drawings of the M134?

[Bruce]

Whew!... Finally got a reply from ArmyCast and ordered my Miniguns. Hopefully the customs declaration doesnt describe them as such!

[Bruce]

Received the resin miniguns last week, which enabled me to complete the little helicopter. I'm not 100% happy with it as the nose glazing is the Framed type from the E rather than the newer frameless type, and the rotor head for some reason sits too high, but hey, it does the job... with the modified tail the model was tending toward being a tail sitter, but that was solved by casting the FLIR Turret out of lead! The Army Cast Miniguns were superbly presented, and came with the ammo feed chutes etc. The 2.75" Rocket pods were off my yet-to-be-built A109 kit.

One RNZAF Notar defender in Afghan Camo:









As mentioned, it is a "Wotiff" so it doesnt represent anything specifically, but I do reckon a squadron of these would give us back some credibility in terms a being able to offer something in the world theatre, and protect our troops on deployment. the weapons shown would pack quite a punch against "softish" targets. I like the desert camouflage too!

[ZacYates]

I have often thought that the RNZAF should have had Defenders, the civvy ones have more than proven themselves in NZs conditions over the years - see: the 1970s! I would love to join the force to become crew on these!