1:35 ICM Sikorsky CH-54A Tarhe with Universal Military Pod

[Fran]

 

Sik

 

Sikorsky CH-54A Tarhe with Universal Military Pod

 

 

ICM

1:35

Catalogue n. 53057

Price Tag:  €159,80

 

And, here we are again with an another great release from ICM.

Even in war, ICM still producing fantastic models!!

They are proud (and really should be) Ukrainian Company and they proudly announce themselves.

ICM is an example of resistance and resilient.

The CH-54, the skycraner is well know from historicians and from modellers in general.

 

Even thought, I just put here a brief history.

 

“The CH-54 was produced in two versions; A and B. The Museum’s Tarhe is an A version, one of at least 54 built. Tarhe is a Wyandotte Indian word meaning “crane.” The Skycrane was first flown in 1962. It was initially designed as a military heavy-transport helicopter. Interchangeable rectangular box-shaped cargo pods allowed it to perform many diverse jobs. The Skycrane has been used as a troop transport, cargo transport, and missile transport. It has also been used to lay mines, anti-submarine duties, and field hospital operations.

 

The pods were fitted with communications, ventilation, and lighting systems. Wheels were also installed to make moving them easier. A pod could hold up to 45 fully equipped combat troops.

 

The Skycrane proved itself a reliable workhorse during the Vietnam War. It saved the military approximately 210 million dollars by retrieving more than 380 damaged aircraft. Tarhes were also used as rotary-wing bombers on several occasions, carrying and dropping 10,000 pound “daisy cutter” bombs, used to create landing zones by flattening just about everything within an area several hundred yards in diameter.

 

We have little in the way of military records on our CH-54A. It is serial number 67-18424, which tells us the helicopter was procured with Fiscal Year 1967 funds. We also know it flew with the 137th Army Aviation Group, Kansas Army National Guard at Forbes Field during part of its military service.

 

The Museum acquired the Tarhe on loan from the US Army as surplus federal property in 1991. It was ferried to Forbes by a US Army crew from Fort Indian Gap (Anneville), Pennsylvania in December of that year. When the Kansas Army National Guard, south of our Museum, used to fly the CH-54, they transported three of the aircraft in the Museum’s collection to Topeka, the F11F-1 Blue Angel Tiger, the F-84F Thunderstreak, and the F-86H Sabre.

 

Although no longer in US military service, many Skycranes fly commercially in heavy lift service, forestry service, and as aerial firefighters, hauling large buckets of water or fire retardant to a fire.

 

This helicopter is on loan from the US Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, Warren, Michigan

 

TECHNICAL NOTES:       

Manufacturer:       Sikorsky

Basic Role:  Twin-turbine heavy flying crane helicopter

Crew: Pilot and co-pilot side by side, aft-facing seat for third pilot (third pilot takes control during loading and unloading)

Engines:      Two Pratt and Whitney T73-P-1 (A) or T73-P-700 (B) turboshaft engines.

Maximum speed at sea level:     126 m.p.h. (203km/hr)

Cruising Speed:     105 m.p.h. (169km/hr)

Max. Range: 230 miles (327km)

Ceiling:       9,000 feet (2,743m).

Diameter of main rotor:   72 feet (21.9m)

Diameter of tail rotor:     16 feet ( 4.9m)

Overall length:       88 feet, 6 inches (27m)

Empty weight:       19,234 lb. ( 8,725kg)

Max Takeoff weight:       42,000 lb. (19,051kg)

Armament:  None

Serial number:       US Army s/n 67-18424”

 

In https://www.combatairmuseum.org/aircraft/sikorskyskycrane.html

 

It`s the second time I have the opportunity to review the CH-54 now with the military pod.

 The first review you can check here.

And the first release you can see here

 

So, I will stay short and locate mostly in the new parts (the military pod) decals and instructions.

 

So, the universal military pod is a kit itself with interior detail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The real Military Pod itself is quite convertible so the seats can be quickly removed to provide space for 24 litters. That versatility makes it possible to transform it and adapt it to serve as a field surgical unit, command post, food service center, communications post or a unit for chaplains.

ICM offer you a military pod with seated areas, but with no seatbelts.

In the instructions and check the parts, ICM only indicates the building of the seat area, making no observation of that being or not opcional.

However, I think that the no inclusion of the seats is possible and you can make another end of the military pod. So, in fact, you can make your military pod with no seats and “transform it” in a field surgical unit…

The interior detail is a quite good one, but the AM guys can make a some extra to put the detail way up even because you can leave the access doors open and you have windows to see inside. At least you need to get some seatbelts, hoping the some AM will release it.

 

 

The outer surfaces have quite good detail.

 

 

This pod is complete with the maneuvering wheels.

 

 

The decals are from the CH-54 and also for the military pod. So if you want to make a military pod with different use, probably the decals will not be the ones to use.

 

 

Checking the decals these are quite complete and with very good color registration. The decals are sharp and well-printed, with good color fidelity and thin carrier film, ensuring they will sit well on the model with proper application. I still didn’t found you make these decals for ICM!

 

ICM gives us 3 decals options for this release:

1.    Sikorsky CH-54A Tarhe 68-18457 with Universal Military Pod, 295th Aviation Company, Germany, 1972

 

2.    Sikorsky CH-54A Tarhe 67-18429 with Universal Military Pod, Keyfield Air National Guard Base, August 1982

 

3.    Sikorsky CH-54A Tarhe 68-18459 with Universal Military Pod, 113th Aviation Regiment, Reno Stead Airport, November 1989

 

 

 

The instructions come in a A4 format, with good drawings but I would like to see a more colour information along the construction, even if it only with ICM colours

 

 

 

         Conclusion:

 

 

The ICM Sikorsky CH-54A Tarhe with Universal Military Pod is a highly detailed and accurate kit that will stand out in any collection. That`s for sure. Have no doubts about that.

         This release is even bigger of the both before it as the military pod is huge and a truly massive presence and gives you a lot more of kit in a big large box (by the way, is much better one large box that the two boxes of the previous releases). I love everything about this beast as it has great details, no flash whatsoever, fantastic clear parts..

I totally recommend it!!!

To get one, just go here

My thanks to ICM to make this beauty!!