British Army Sioux AH-1

[paddy]

This Italeri’s little Sioux or Bell OH-13S in 1/48. Despite that its still a small model.
I have long had a fascination with helicopters especially British army versions, probably something to do with living on the “Air” rat run between RAF Odiham where the RAF keeps its growing fleet of Chinooks and RAF Benson, home of the Puma’s and Merlin’s and of course Wattisham, once famous for its Lightning’s and now the home to the Army’s Apache’s and Middle Wallop, home of the Army air corps. The siox is probably best known as one of the stars of M.A.S.H that ran for years on the TV. The US used it very effectively in Korea for med-evac but it was actually licence built around the world and served with most major air forces.
The British version was known as the AH 1, 50 were built by Augusta bell and another 250 were built by Westland for the UK land forces. 16 others designated HT-2 were built by Westland’s for the RAF as training machines.

This is what I want to build AH.1 “ XT131” which still fly’s today with the Army Air Corps museum.

As you can see, at a first glance to us “proper aircraft" builders the kit seems to be missing some vital parts…like a fuselage and some wings and the propeller is way to big but I am reliably informed, this is all quite correct. It all looks reminiscent of the old 1909 Bleriot Mk XI. !!
All I need really is a close up picture of the inside and we will be off on another build so off to Airliners.net to scavenge for pictures now :cheer:

 

[moon puppy]

Paddy wish I had some inside photos but I do have these.

Can't get to the rest of them from work. Will post more later.

 

[paddy]

Thanks MP, i have lots of the outside just need some for detail inside ...Also there appears to be some rigging on the tail boom which i will need to re create.

 

[paddy]

Good old airliners.net..always comesup trumps. Problem now is there dosnt seem to be 2 the same :laugh:

 

[jknaus]

James

 

[moon puppy]

Ah yes, good shots inside. Paddy that picture and the others on my website were taken by my Dad in Korea in 1952. That's the real MASH dustoff going on there.

And I got plenty of pictures of bulldozers, Dad was more interested in bulldozers than tanks and halftracks.

 

[Sharkmouth]

C'mon, have some fun!

This is what I plan for my MASH helo (Revell kit). Yes, one track mind, or so the wife says!

Regards,

 

[Dave The Chef]

Hi Paddy, don't think I've seen one of these done before. Looks very interesting and could be nice complex build once complete B)

 

[paddy]

Help please
In the front of the Army Sioux above is a Red box, also in the front of the Blue interior aircraft above. Looking at that last picture it looks like a battery ?? or at least a battery box. the Army one has a vent pipe out the bottom of the cockpit, both seem to have a glass jar on the side ??

any thoughts what this is ???

TIA

 

[phantom II]

Yup ! If it's the battery, it must vent gases to the outside of the cabin .
Secondly it must have a sump ( the bottle ) that contains a neutralizing agent for the electrolyte of the battery.

That do you ?

Cheers, Christian B)

 

[paddy]

Cheers Christian ...thats what it will be on my model anyway

 

[Sharkmouth]

The Bell 47 was one of the helicopters we high school students worked on. As a matter of fact, I tested the engine by hovering IN the hangar while tethered down.

The battery box is located in the tail on a shelf. In the cockpit, those boxes are most probably avionics (radio, navigation, or flight aids).

Here are some images of the battery box along with some walkaround links:

the above are from a Bell 47 at the Greek War Museum in Athens.

This Bell 47G-3B-1 is from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Another Australian Bell 47G, A1-407, is found at the Australian Army Museum at Bandiana.

The Deustches Museum, in Munich, has a Bell 47 too.

The Bell 47 Helicopter Association Inc.

Bell 47 Netowrk

The UK Serials Resource Center can help you find the history helicopter you wish to model.

Regards,

 

[paddy]

Thanks Saul
The walk round pictures are great , just what i need.
It makes good sense to put the battery outside near the engine.......so what goes in a Red box. Has 2 heavy cables to it, vents to the outside and seems to be connected to a jar ? the plot thickens.

EDIT
I notice the Greek bird that has the battery box outside doesn't have the box in the front....and most of those with the box inside do not have one outside ???

 

[moon puppy]

Maybe another power source, backup battery for avionics?

 

[paddy]

I have emailed the guy at the Bell assosiation and asked him :laugh:

 

[phantom II]

Wise decision Paddy

 

[Sharkmouth]

I have emailed the guy at the Bell assosiation and asked him :laugh:

that is the best thing to do! Just keep in mind that the second Australian Bell linked has avionics on the cockpit shelf and a batter further back in the tail boom shelf.

Cockpit

Battery, with yellow 18, on shelf. Look under the darker drive shaft support.

Regards,

 

[moon puppy]

EDIT
I notice the Greek bird that has the battery box outside doesn't have the box in the front....and most of those with the box inside do not have one outside ???

perhaps it's an alternate location for the batter? Some have them inside the cockpit, some out.

 

[moon puppy]

Looks like it's in the cockpit on this one.

but not here,

 

[moon puppy]

In the cockpit again