1/72 Hasegawa Bell/Boeing MV-22B Osprey

Gallery Article by Jean-Charles Goddet on Feb 3 2014

 

 

This model is a Hasegawa 1/72 USMC MV-22B Osprey from the box E41. I decided to show this convertible plane with an attractive paint scheme with XTRADECAL X72170, I chose the VMM-163. This special scheme represents the flag ship plane 168011 coded YP 00 from the Ridge Runners of MAG16 3rd MAW USMC MCAS Miramar California delivered in October 2012. I followed HASEGAWA and XTRADECAL instructions regarding colors, the upper blue grey Gunze acrylic H337 FS35237 on intermediate grey Gunze acrylic H307 FS36320 and lower camouflage grey Gunze acrylic H305 FS36375. I added a light weathering and black juice to enhance structure lines and panels.

 

Click on images below to see larger images

I decided to transform the original kit, I cut the rear ramp to show it opened and I cut also the right door to show the detail extinguisher behind the door. This kit is very interesting because you can put the model on an exposition foot, and show the undercarriage opened or not, flap downed or not. Engine nacelles and blades are movable in land/take off, transition or flight position. The kit is easy to mount except clear parts which need a lot of attention. Some little details enhanced the model : FLIR turret, in flight refueling boom, SATCOM/GPS antenna dish. 

After a lot of accidents at the beginning of his career the tiltrotor convertible concept proved its valor in the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters of war or for helping during natural disasters  in Haïti, Japan or Philippines. MV-22B has twice the speed (500km/h at sea level), six times the range (1627km without refueling) and three times the payload (9070kg cargo) of the classical chopper CH-46E which it replaces. I hope you will like my model and pictures, patches are from other Osprey equipped units. It was a real pleasure for me to assemble this special machine mid helicopter mid plane, I had the chance to see one of the first pre series MV-22 in static at the Paris air show in 1995 a long time ago now. My dream is to see one in flight and transition to land or take off perhaps this year because I have an opportunity to go in USA for airshows at Yuma and El Centro. At the end of 2013 USMC had 164 MV-22B plus 76 on order. Two foreign customers will buy the V-22 17 machines for Japan and 6 machines for Israël. USAF SOCOM have a special version named CV-22B 31 in inventory plus 20 on order; Hasegawa has done this kit in limited edition I have one so it will be an another article but just wait my mounting.

Semper Fidelis Marines

Jean-Charles Goddet

Click on images below to see larger images

 

      

Photos and text © by Jean-Charles Goddet