AH-1G 67-15567, The Henchman II, D Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cav. Reg., 25th Inf. Div., ICM 32nd Scale

[Sharkmouth]

Using the fuselage IO started for The Great Spekled Bird 67-15798 C Troop 16 Cav, I will instead use this for our own Gary's ride, The Henchman II. I was excited when I got the decals from ASK for the Centaurs but was quickly disappointed in that the artwork reflects the earlier Cobra and lacks the tongue. However, @centaur567 has provided clear imagery needed for me to make my own artwork! I know I am no artist like @Greg Kimsey or Ian @Brokeneagle but I will do my best!

The real deal (photo from Gary):

The decal sheet art:

Nice if depicting the earlier one if one adds the missing blood (Gary's photo):

 

[centaur567]

Just a small correction in your title. When we received 567 after 827 was shot down, our unit was D Troop, 3rd Squradron, 4th Cav. Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Then when the 25th left, our units name was changed to F Troop, 4th Cav. and we were told that we were then attached to the 1st Aviation Brigade. Some people say we were still part of the 25th Division. My uniform has both patches. Gary S.

 

[Sharkmouth]

... our unit was D Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cav. Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.

Another thing wrong on the ASK decals so thank you and easily corrected. @moon puppy is hoping to see photos here soon. I will need to see the badges to add them to the crewman, which could be you!

 

[centaur567]

Just the 25th Inf. Div. patch on the left shoulder during my first and second tour.

After moving to Kai Khe, spring of 1971, is when we were changed to being F Troop, 4th Cav. Regiment, 1st Aviation Brigade during my third tour. The 25th Div. patch was moved to the right shoulder and the 1st Aviation patch on the left shoulder.

My helmut. Hope this helps. Gary S.

 

[Sharkmouth]

My helmet. Hope this helps.

Helps? It sure does!

So Gary, is this the jacket for the correct time frame of The Henchman II with the tongue? Was the personalized helmet from that tour as well, @centaur567?

 

[moon puppy]

Gary what was your job? I see you got a Bronze star and Air Medal.

 

[centaur567]

Helps? It sure does!

So Gary, is this the jacket for the correct time frame of The Henchman II with the tongue? Was the personalized helmet from that tour as well, @centaur567?

Yes, both were done while at Cu Chi with the 25th Infantry Division. Gary S.

 

[centaur567]

Gary what was your job? I see you got a Bronze star and Air Medal.

The Bronze Star was given to me for meritorious achievement not valor or else it would have a V devise. The First Sargent came into our hooch and just handed it too me. I also flew as a door gunner on Hueys and test flights in Cobras. I do have two combat missions in a Cobra and got to return fire. First time was with the 40mmm grenade launcher, the minimum had jammed. The second time the minimum worked. I have a total of 169 hours of flight time so the air medal has two oak leaf clusters. My primary MOS was 67Y20 Cobra crew chief. Gary S.

 

[Sharkmouth]

I got so excited after seeing Gary's helmet that I pulled out my Special Hobby kit which has a nice set of resin helmets...

CRAP! Wrong type as Gary's is an SPH-4 and this is a later bone dome! I can convert it but I really didn't want to deal with the resin dust.

But Wait! ICM's kit, with pilots, included a sprue with polystyrene helmets... MUCH easier to convert!

It actually has the SPH-4! Now, if @centaur567 remembers how he painted it since that blue seems metallic!

 

[centaur567]

It was Testors metalic blue spray can. Gary S.