NH-90 colour scheme

[Bruce]

Hi guys, Whilst waiting for my Canberra to arrive from the UK, I thought Id start on my NH-90 Helicopter. Obviously this one is a bit different in that the subject aircraft havent been built yet! I have a really nice Revell 1/72 kit, with all the various external fixtures, so the equipment fit wont be an issue, however I will have to make an educated assumption as to the delivery colour scheme (I dont feel like waiting until 2008 to start - Unlike the RNZAF!) External colour is likely to be the green / grey the Hueys currently fly in (some of them...) which is really hard to get an accurate handle on the exact shade. Does anyone have any huey pics taken in good light from a good angle to give a better idea? better still has anyone made a Huey in that scheme and knows what the "recipie" or closest match (Preferably Tamiya) model paint is?. The next likely colour is the NATO green the Prototype, German and French Machines use. I Cant imagine a grey variant like the seasprites for Landbased use. Perhaps International Fire orange for antarctic ops? (Not that they could get down there yet - we need some transports that they fit in!)
I will be using low vis black roundels (or will they be darker green?) and insignia, that I'll print myself on decal film (Based on the set I made for the seasprite) but I'll have to choose a likely serial range as that wont be made known for many years yet - anyone willing to guess a likely serial range?
Its really wierd building ahead of reality......

[Bruce]

O.K, you saw it here first - this is what our NH90s will look like (IMO) when they arrive.
This is my model of NZ3903, an NH90(NZ) of No 3 Sqn Ohakea, 2008. The colour scheme is all over green, based on the UH1, with low vis black markings and titles, including 3sqn Crest of tail fin and behind cockpit. The NZ3900 series serial was chosen because the UH1s used 3800 series, and the NH90s will replace them. Also aircraft with numerals in thier name tend to get the numbers incorporated in the serial e.g B727, B757 F27 Friendship. the cabin is set out with 14 seats, although I'm not sure the orange used on the prototype will be used (I did use orange on the model, but it looks a bit "Loud")





As an idea of the size of an NH90, here is the rest of the RNZAF helicopter fleet (UH1, NH90, Seasprite, Sioux, wasp). Doing the model (a really nice revell kit) gave me a real insight into the NH90 and its equipment fit - It will be a really neat machine when the full sized ones enter service!

[Simonjg]

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[Dave Homewood]

Wow Bruce, that was quick. I never got time to submit a theory.

Those new choppers are massive. I was surprised by the size of the Seasprite when I saw one up close (Cambridge Town Square) but the NH90 dwarfs even that!

We definately need bigger transports now. I saw on the news tonight a Globemaster (I think, some massive Yank tank) flew into Whenuapai today to take our SAS troops and 11 trucks off to Afghanistan. The National party made a statement that it's a disgrace our military has to rely on the USA to transport its vehicles - is this a sign that they'd buy bigger transports? (or just smaller trucks?)

I mean, our APC's, trucks and now choppers won't fit into the Hercules, it does make some sense. Plus much more room for overseas aid, and they could roll in a huge VIP kit for the PM into a Galaxy or Globemaster!! Then they could sell the 757's.