Aircraft
Reviewed by Sean Hert
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The aircraft complement on a San Antonio class LPD can vary depending on the mission type and challenges expected. The typical mix of includes helicopters and MV-22 tilt-rotors. Gallery has provided a good start with a variety of aircraft to choose from, including the USMC UH-1N; the Twin Huey is new to the Gallery aircraft lineup, and many modelers will want to purchase additional aircraft to fully outfit the airwing. (Aircraft other then UH-1N are from previously reviewed USS Wasp kit here. |
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| UH-1N Twin Huey | |||||||||
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UH-1N Twin Huey is a standard workhorse of the USMC, serving anywhere Marines are, both land and sea. These venerable helos are a modern incarnation of the orginal Vietnam era Iroquois. They are being replaced by UH-1Y Venom, a four-bladed aircraft with almost 85% commonality of parts with the new AH-1Z Cobra. |
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SH-60K |
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| MV-22 Osprey x2 | |||||||||
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The V-22 Osprey has had a storied birth with many teething problems. Now that the Osprey has entered operational status with many units, the up-tempo activities of the Osprey have shown it to be as versatile as expected. As more units convert to the MV-22 (many are ex- CH-46 units), the much more of the Osprey will be seen around the fleet. This model of the Osprey is of the normal MV-22 variant. Building the kits will require 2 option decisions; whether to model the wing in a stowed or open position, and if open- whether to position the engine pods in a normal or tilt-lift configuration. The kit includes folded props so the model can be displayed in a compact storage configuration. |
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MV-22 |
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| CH-53E Super Stallion x2 | |||||||||
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The CH-53 is a big airchine, and this model certainly demonstrates that. When built with the fully extended blades, the diameter of the rotor is almost as wide as the flight deck on New York- and New York was designed to operate up to nine of this birds with rotors turning, at once! The CH-53 is built from 2 sprues, has an option for either stowed or deployed rotors- it is impressively big either way. |
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CH-53E |
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| AH-1W "Whiskey" Cobra | |||||||||
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The Cobra has the distinction of being the first purpose built gunship helo. Now, 40 years later, they are still in service in a -W or "Whiskey Cobra" configuration, and are soon to be replaced with a four-bladed -Z or "Zulu Cobra". New York includes 2 Cobras, both on the same sprue. The engine and "doghouse" under the rotors look more like the earlier USMC AH-1T Cobra, but in this scale it is hardly noticable. |
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AH-1W |
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| CH-46E Sea Knight x2 | |||||||||
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The basic CH-46 design has been around for about 50 years, and this tandem contrarotating rotor medium lift design continues to provide good service to the US Armed Forces. The CH-46E performs many jobs on and around LHD's and the fleet, but it's primary job function is assault support for the USMC. There are 2 Sea Knights included in this kit, one to each sprue. They have an option for either stowed or extended rotor blades. |
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CH-46E |
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