Academy 1/35 USMC AH-1Z 'Shark Mouth'

[Johno]

Got my submission ordered and enroute, for this sig i will be building the baddest bird on two skids, the USMC AH-1Z 'Shark Mouth'.


I do have a little backlog on the bench due to injury and airbrush issues but plan on jumping right into this one when it gets here, but until then here's a little info on this beautiful bird



The Bell AH-1Z Viper is an American twin-engine attack helicopter, based on the AH-1W SuperCobra, that was developed for the United States Marine Corps as part of the H-1 upgrade program. The AH-1Z features a four-blade, bearingless, composite main rotor system, uprated transmission, and a new target sighting system. The AH-1Z, one of the latest members of the prolific Bell Huey family, is also called "Zulu Cobra", based on the military phonetic alphabet pronunciation of its variant letter.



The AH-1Z incorporates new rotor technology with upgraded military avionics, weapons systems, and electro-optical sensors in an integrated weapons platform. It has improved survivability and can find targets at longer ranges and attack them with precision weapons.

The AH-1Z's new bearingless, hingeless rotor system has 75% fewer parts than that of four-bladed articulated systems. The blades are made of composites, which have an increased ballistic survivability, and there is a semiautomatic folding system for storage aboard amphibious assault ships.Its two redesigned wing stubs are longer, with each adding a wingtip station for a missile such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder. Each wing has two other stations for 2.75-inch (70 mm) Hydra 70 rocket pods, or AGM-114 Hellfire quad missile launchers. The AN/APG-78 Longbow fire control radar can also be mounted on a wingtip station.
The Z-model's integrated avionics system (IAS) has been developed by Northrop Grumman. The system includes two mission computers and an automatic flight control system. Each crew station has two 8×6-inch multifunction liquid crystal displays (LCD) and one 4.2×4.2-inch dual function LCD. The communications suite combines a US Navy RT-1824 integrated radio, UHF/VHF, COMSEC and modem in a single unit. The navigation suite includes an embedded GPS inertial navigation system (EGI), a digital map system and Meggitt's low-airspeed air data subsystem, which allows weapons delivery when hovering.

The crew are equipped with the Thales "Top Owl" helmet-mounted sight and display system. The Top Owl has a 24-hour day/night capability and a binocular display with a 40° field of view. Its visor projection provides forward looking infrared (FLIR) or video imagery. The AH-1Z has survivability equipment including the Hover Infrared Suppression System (HIRSS) to cover engine exhausts, countermeasure dispensers, radar warning, incoming/on-way missile warning, and on-fuselage laser spot warning systems.

The Lockheed Martin Target Sight System (TSS) incorporates a third-generation FLIR sensor. The TSS provides target sighting in day, night, or adverse weather conditions. The system has various view modes and can track with FLIR or by TV. The same system is also used on the KC-130J Harvest HAWK.


General characteristics

Crew: two: pilot, co-pilot/gunner (CPG)
Capacity: 6,661 lb (3,021 kg)
Length: 58 ft 3 in (17.8 m)
Rotor diameter: 48 ft (14.6 m)
Height: 14 ft 4 in (4.37 m)
Disc area: 1,808 ft² (168.0 m²)
Empty weight: 12,300 lb (5,580 kg)
Useful load: 5,764 lb (2,620 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 18,500 lb (8,390 kg)
Rotor systems: 4 blades on main rotor, 4 blades on tail rotor
Powerplant: 2 × General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft, 1,800 shp (1,340 kW) each

Performance

Never exceed speed: 222 knots (255 mph, 411 km/h) in a dive
Cruise speed: 160 kt (184 mph, 296 km/h)
Range: 370 nmi (426 mi, 685 km)
Combat radius: 125 nmi (144 mi, 231 km) with 2,500 lb (1,130 kg) payload
Service ceiling: 20,000+ ft (6,000+ m)
Rate of climb: 2,790 ft/min (14.2 m/s)

Armament

Guns: 1 × 20 mm (0.787 in) M197 three-barreled rotary cannon in the A/A49E-7 turret (750 round ammo capacity)
Hardpoints: Up to 6 pylon stations on stub wing
Rockets: 2.75 in (70 mm) Hydra 70 or APKWS II rockets – Mounted in LAU-68C/A (7 shot) or LAU-61D/A (19 shot) launchers (up to 76 unguided or 28 guided rockets total)

Missiles:
AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles – 1 mounted on each wing tip station (total of 2)
AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles – Up to 16 missiles mounted in four 4-round M272 missile launchers, two on each wing

[KalebB]

A very cool looking attack Chopper.

I think I still prefer the look of the Mil Mi-28 but this is definitely impressive to say the least.

[bfrd]

I was hoping one of these would make it into the build. Had I not seen the documentary I watched, this would have been my pick!

[TommyKillander]

Ohhh... nice one!

This looks really nice - good luck with the build!


Tommy

[jmurphy18]

Very cool looking chopper. I debated between this one and the MH-60 I am building

[Tomcat64]

Awesome! Welcome to the SIG John!

I came across this kit last week and was very tempted

Hope things improve for you soon & looking forward to seeing this built up

[Twokidsnosleep]

This thing looks like it means BUSINESS!!!!
It ain't dropping buy for tea....unless you want tea and BRRrrrrrrrrpppppttttttttttt

[Kevthemodeller]

Cool choice good luck with the build John

[Johno]

Still waiting on the kit but i did get the painted cockpit controls, which i really think are necessary for this kit since the kit detail is just raised buttons with no decals and just plain green decals for the screens. The detail on these eduard sets are great i especially like the screens which are slightly domed and glossy and very realistic.

[jmurphy18]

Very cool on the details set

[Twokidsnosleep]

I bet you are dying to get the kit and get going

[Johno]

Ok so the model arrived awhile ago and i finally got some work in on it!

First the obligatory box shot, with my fancy new airbrush i also just got recently


and the sprues


the instructions, screenshot from a pdf cause i am too lazy to get pics of them

[Johno]

First off i just gotta say this kit is gorgeous, the detail is beautiful and the engineering is very precise and well thought out. from looking at it every seem either runs along a panel line with the rivet line right against it so no need to stress about seem lines or the seam is in a place were there are no rivets or details in danger of being sanded off while removing the seam, my first impression is this will be a joy to build, so here i go.

First i got the cockpit sub assemblies ready removing all the little details that needed gone to put the eduard pre-painted control details.


got it all primed in stynylrez/Ultimate black primer.

the primer will be my base coat so went right on to dry brushing with army painter necromancer cloak and then jumped right into the detail set, got the first control panel done and i am loving the look so far. Will get the rest done tomorrow but here the one i got done so far.

[digger303]

that control panel is looking real busy in a good way...

[Kevthemodeller]

Some lovely looking cockpit detail there Johno

[bfrd]

This is going to be a sweet chopper.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Oh sweet display panels, wow those look cool

[jmurphy18]

Looking really good! Excellent details

[Johno]

All the controls are done and i could not be happier with the set, so glad i got the tip to use clear varnish as a way to stick photo etch, really made the process go smooth and so much easier for things like this then messing with super glue. Now all i have to do is get the seatbelts on the seats and put them in and them the cockpit is done.

[Kevthemodeller]

Cracking cockpit Johno

[Meliodas2019]

loving the cockpit, almost feel im in one

[jmurphy18]

This looks awesome!!

[Johno]

Seatbelts are on, seats are in and cockpit is finished!!!!

[Kevthemodeller]

Superb detail there Johno

[Hawkmoon]

Cockpit looks good and nice work

[jmurphy18]

very nicely done!! Sweet details and work on this cockpit.

[Kingdan]

Lovely details in the cockpit

[Johno]

I am still slowly chugging along, finally have the main body ready to prime. First i will prime and paint the inside frame of the cockpit glass than assemble that and on to prime and paint the body.

[Stokesy44]

That's a real beast in 1/35! Great work on that cockpit too.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Keep at her, looking really great so far

[DRUMS01]

Nice work on your gunship so far. The twin engine USMC version was far superior to the single engine earlier Army ones. Along with the performance of two better engines was also a host of other improvements.

Can't wait to see your completed work.

Ben

[jmurphy18]

Looks great! Wonderful work!!

[Tomcat64]

Great to see you still plugging away at this John.

If you haven't already seen it elsewhere Paul has let us extend this build so I'll keep it running until posts dry up or we're all allowed out of solitary confinement so there's no rush

[Tomcat64]

Hi John, If you're still working on this one I've decided to close down the SIG at the end of July.

[jmurphy18]

Hi Neil, No I finished the build months ago..... Got rather frustrated with the build as it kept kicking my back side...... in the end. Just never applied the decals as every time ti touched something a part would fall off and I would have to glue somenting back on again. I have it hanging above my sound monitors