A couple 1/48 Esci CH-136 Kiowas

Gallery Article by Shawn "phantom" Weiler on July 25 2016

 

      

A couple really old Esci Kiowas built for a customer. Nice little kits with minimal interiors but still these models are so small its not really an issue. They are both OOB with many un-needed parts sanded off.  The decals are completely by Belcher Bits.  The yellow and green is an early training scheme used before the Canadian Forces bought some Jet Rangers to use for training. Those are still in use today.

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The Kiowa is one of the few airframes I have an "I was there story" for. Back in the days when I still had hair we were practicing causality loading drills. There were no Twin Huey available so a reserve Kiowa was brought in. My job was to guide the helicopter down and make sure no one got to close and had their head chopped off. Well wouldn't you know it, a brand new minted Captain/ Doctor wanted to do his M*A*S*H imitation and unload before the all clear was given. As he ran towards the spinning blades I tackled him and held him down until the blades were secure. Once the noise was down he started screaming for me to let him up and to have me placed under arrest for assault. It just happened the district commander (a full Colonel) happened by, told me to get up and said (ignoring the Doctor) "Good job Master Corporal". I responded "Corporal, Sir". He said. : "Good job MASTER Corporal". I said, "Oh, Thanks" I was due for promotion that month anyway so it was not a big thing. Never saw that Doctor again.

Also included a shot with my own Kiowas and the one Jet Ranger.

"phantom" 

Photos and text © by Shawn "phantom" Weiler