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

Using the fuselage I 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):

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.

centaur567 said:

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

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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!

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.

centaur567 said:

My helmet. Hope this helps.

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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?

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

Sharkmouth said:

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?

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

moon puppy said:

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

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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.

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!

It was Testors metalic blue spray can. Gary S.

centaur567 said:

It was Testors metalic blue spray can. Gary S.

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Thanks, I noticed that it looked like my '67 Firebird!

I forgot to post the image of the inside of the helmet. The brow, crown, and nape pads are all there but not much else.

I'll take a pic tomorrow and post. Gary S.

Depending on how it's setting, you wouldn't see much inside of it.

Heavens Eagle said:

Depending on how it's setting, you wouldn't see much inside of it.

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Yet, if 'Nam pilots didn't use the Thermal Plastic Layer, TPL, it looks quite different and visible. It is number 1 on the TM illustration:


Without it:

Here's the pics. Gary S.

How big is the actual size of the model part Saúl?

Heavens Eagle said:

How big is the actual size of the model part Saúl?

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@Heavens Eagle, it is tiny, made to fit a pea! However, these are details one sees and appreciates when recreating. Photos are coming but I have to bug Gary once again!

@centaur567, I am looking for an equivalent metallic blue paint. The Peace Signs look like stickers, which is great for me if they are! I can then create decals and not worry about blending the edges into the surface. I found this sticker which I can use as a template:


As for the cartoon The Henchman II, I see variations so I want to ensure I get the colors right and it seems the original didn't have blood. Let me know if I have this right:
The Henchman II is written in white, the cartoon has a black hood and wristband, white flesh and eyes, and a white blade on the executioner's axe on a blue staff. The right hand seems yellow. Or, is it not a wristband but a black flashlight with yellow emanating light?

As for the Centaur, I notice the black spear tip and the sword seems gray with a black hilt. Correct?


This one seems later as I can almost make out blood on the right blade of the axe which is dripping onto the roman numeral II.
Am I seeing things?


This HORRENDOUS rendition is an in progress method. I removed the perspective and added colors only to see what it would look like before scaling it down to size. I will be removing the camouflage colors slowly to leave the artwork remaining and then enhance the colors. Making all else transparent and good to use as a decal. I simply want you to see some progress!


I am going by the colors of your model which has me believing it is not a wristband:

On the model, the name and centaur were hand painted with a toothpick. The blade is silver, the right-hand is holding a severed VC head by it's hair. The staff was black and there is blood dripping from the blade. Hope this helps. BTW the 7 shot rocket pods were scratch built on the model. Gary S.

centaur567 said:

The blade is silver, the right-hand is holding a severed VC head by it's hair. The staff was black and there is blood dripping from the blade. Hope this helps. BTW the 7 shot rocket pods were scratch built on the model. Gary S.

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Great information and the scratch-built pods look great as well.

The staff on your model, and in the photo, appear different from the executioner's hood. This is why it appears blue. Is the hood another color?

I bought these brass tubes with the intent to make my own not realizing the nicely done Metallic Details and Special Hobby pods I already had. Furball and Leathernecks also offer them with the prior one having aluminum tubes already cut.

Both hood and shaft were black. Gary S.