1/32 OH-69A Acoma Scout

Gallery Article by Steve Eggers on Jan 3 2010

Silly Week 2010

 


History  

In the late1990’s the Unites States Army release a Request For Proposal (RFP) for an aircraft to replace the aging OH-58D Kiowa Warrior aircraft. Several companies submitted designs, EADS with the OH-69A Acoma Scout and Bell Helicopter with the ARH-70A Arapaho.  

The RFP called for the helicopter to have jet turbine engine with boost capability, enabling 360° loops, heat sensing infra-red filter for night vision, closed circuit TV-camera with a 100:1 zoom-lens, 3/4” code-numbered video-system; the tapes can be erased on signal, wide-band scanner, "Whisper Mode" for silent flights, three TV-monitors with the center monitor is connected to a vast array of data-banks, Twin long-range, high-sensitivity shotgun microphones, Cockpit Voice Recorder; records cockpit conversations and a Harrison helmet-mounted fire control/targeting system.  

EADS won the bid with a modified SA 342M1 Gazelle helicopter. The Gazelle was chosen for its small size, three-blade rotor system, ducted tail rotor, overall agility and most importantly, price.  

It was decided that two prototypes would be constructed. Both airframes would be constructed to the same specifications, but the first aircraft would be delivered approximately one year prior to the second aircraft. This allowed for qualification of the mission systems and any changes that could be incorporated into the second aircraft prior to its delivery.  

The United States Army Test and Evaluation Command, Aviation Technical Test Center, took delivery of the YOH-69A on February 12th 2004 at Fort Rucker, Alabama. After reconstruction of the helicopter after delivery, The “Acoma Scout”, as it came to be known, was put through it paces. A rigorous evaluation was carried out on all of the aircraft’s surveillance systems. Numerous tests were carried out at undisclosed locations to test the infrared sight system and listening systems. Computer system integrity checks for airworthiness were accomplished in all flight regimes to ensure data link integrity. Weapons’ testing was carried out at the Yuma Proving Grounds.

The Acoma Scout passed all of its initial testing. Very few modifications of the aircraft were required during the test phase.

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The Aircraft – YOH-69A  

The YOH-69A differs little externally from its OH-69A counterpart. Most of the differences lie underneath the skin. Cockpit arrangement on the Acoma Scout differed from the production version. Pilot controls are identical on both airframes, but the observer’s station differs in monitor and keyboard location. The YOH-69A has the keyboard next to the aft bulkhead, whereas the OH-69A had the monitor and keyboard at the aft bulkhead in a typical computer workstation layout.  

The most notable difference is the paint job on the YOH-69A. Since the aircraft was a test aircraft, it was required to have day-glow orange applied to the aircraft to show that it was indeed a test, not an operational aircraft.  

Reports from the test pilots assigned to the program state that the aircraft was difficult to fly. With the additional weight in the nose and the armor plating, the helicopter gained substantial weight. Still able to perform its mission, the pilots had to treat the aircraft with reasonable level of respect.  

After a series of cost overruns and a breach of the Nunn-McCurty Act, the Acoma Scout was cancelled on July 10th 2007. The aircraft performed it mission and tests well within the requirements. The problem was the US Army. Being difficult to work with and expecting everything for free. Costs of the Acoma Scout rose with every whimsical item the Army wanted to throw at it; while at the same time, expecting the cost and weight of the helicopter to stay the same. Needless to say, this doesn’t happen. So, a termination order was given and the Acoma Scout was dead.  

The YOH-69A Acoma Scout, having flown over 2000 flight hours, was unceremoniously towed to a corner of the airfield and left to the elements. Later the aircraft was acquired by the United States Army Aviation Museum. Today, the Acoma sits in storage at Fort Rucker. Current reports are that the aircraft is sitting in a hangar awaiting an area so it can be displayed next to the RAH-66 Comanche, another failed US Army aviation program. 

The Kit  

Monogram released their 1/32 scale kit of Blue Thunder in 1984 shortly after the release of the movie. The kit contains 52 parts and is molded in a metallic blue plastic with 5 clear parts. The parts contained no flash and the overall detail of the parts is good considering the manufacturing period of the kit. The Monogram version of this kit has been out of production for years. The kit has been recently released by another manufacturer, although the detail is a little softer; this is the only way to get this the 1/32 scale kit today. There is a new 1/48th scale kit offered by Aoshima and from what I have read, it is supposed to be a nice kit. So all is not lost if you desire to build the famous movie helicopter.  

If die-cast is more your thing, Organic Hobby has released a new 1/32 scale Blue Thunder die-cast is available that looks very good. Do a Google search for Organic Hobby.

Construction  

Construction is pretty straight forward. The instructions have you begin with the cockpit. The only difficulty here was the installation of the CRT and radio panels in the observer’s area. For a kit that was produced 26 years ago, it goes together pretty good.  

One problem area is filling the seam under the engine exhaust. The engine is molded into the fuselage halves which make filling and sanding the seam on the driveshaft cover difficult. Also, the armor plating has a hex pattern to it and trying to save the pattern when filling and sanding is almost impossible. I tried to do as little damage as possible.  

I did add a fire extinguisher in the cockpit and placed it according to photographs of the Blue Thunder aircraft. Also added were light bulbs to the search lights. This was done by rounding out a piece of clear sprue and  clueing on the housing prior to installing the lens.

What-if’ing Blue Thunder  

How do you what-if a what-if helicopter?  It’s kind of like building an accurate X-Wing fighter model. You’re building a model of a movie prop. In this case, a BIG movie prop that could fulfill its intended purpose – fly!

Color and Markings  

Cockpit  

I drew from the early AH-1G and painted the cockpit an overall medium gray with flat black details. The instrument panel glare shield was painted flat black keeping inline with accepted practice. I decided to paint the seat cushions olive drab, I probably should have painted them black, but it looks good as it is. I also painted the canopy railing inside medium gray. This proved rather challenging with all the angles.  

Fuselage  

I decided on a variation to the Blue Thunder scheme. The armored area/underside is flat black. The rest of the fuselage would be olive drab. The sensor pylons would be flat black and the “engine boost” pylons would be olive drab.  I also painted a flat black anti-glare area on the nose reminiscent of the AH-1G.  

Since the model depicts a test aircraft, I used the ARH-70A as a guide for the International Day-Glow Orange placement. I painted the tail fin with an orange band to show its prototype status.

Other Details  

The main rotor gearbox, swash plate and actuators are painted aluminum with black bolt heads to simulate corrosion preventative compound (CPC).  

Rotor blades are flat black with a white “center of balance” stripe and white/orange/white rotor blade tips. The rotor hub and grips are painted flat black as well as the pitch links. The hub and grips were dry brushed silver to highlight detail and edges. The skids and skid step was also dry brushed silver to highlight detail and give it a used look.  

Decals  

All the decals came from the spares box. I wanted to stay true to U.S. Army rotorcraft. For instance, “United States Army” placed on the aft section of the helicopter and other stencils placed appropriately. I used Cobras and Apaches for reference. I was going to place national insignias on the “engine” pylons, but after research I noticed that, unlike other services, there are no stars and bars on Army rotorcraft. So, no stars & bars.  

Weathering  

The entire model was weather using various chalks and pastels to give it a used dirty look. The entire model was sprayed with dullcoat to seal the chalk and pastels.  

After Thoughts and Truths  

When I picked up this kit, I had every intention of finishing it as Blue Thunder, but as time went on I started toying with the idea of a U.S. Army helicopter. So after a few MS Paint drawings later, here she is. The entire kit turned out a lot better than I expected and I am very pleased with the end result.

The OH-69A designation came after searching the internet for military helicopter designations and discovering that the H-69 designation was originally slated for the Presidential VXX helicopter program, but due to the embarrassing nature of the number, H-71 was chosen instead. According to the USAF, who assigns the designators for all US military aircraft, H-69 will never be assigned to a program.

Steve Eggers

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Photos and text © by Steve Eggers