1/48 PZL W-77
"Shadow" based on Testors LHX Stingbat
When the Afghan war
has ended in March of 2039 the battleship ORP "Judgement Day" was
relieved from duty and came back to home port for repairs and updates.PZL W-66
"Werewolf" attack helicopters also were there (http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=190484&hl=Werewolf).
Sadly, only 16 from
totally 36 of build "Werewolfs" left. Despite the fact that they were
silent and mainly operated in night, big exhausts were perfectly visible for IR
missiles. 15 "Werewolfs" were lost in fighting, next 5 were destroyed
during a desperate attack on "Judgement Day" a week before the end of
warfare. The battleship was seriously damaged during this battle and was coming
back with only 1/3 of it's speed. It was clear that a new attack chopper is
needed, different than "Werewolf", also capable of reconnaissance.
Click on
images below to see larger images
For this
purpose in April 2039, in PZL Świdnik factory gathered a team
of designers, scientists, weapon specialists and a few stylists.
They would
have to design a stealth helicopter with NOTAR. Project with codename
"Mantis" was completed within two months. Design
considered main rotor with scimitar blades. NOTAR system was used
and tandem cockpit. Missiles and gun were deployed from the fuselage.
For
massive attack missions ,new chopper could use EFAM's. Double skid
undercarriage was foreseen but finally the helicopter got wheels.
Especially for new helicopter, a new radar guided missile PN-184 "Mefisto"
was produced. The project was approved and the first prototype was ready in
January 2040. First tests revealed high speed of helicopter (about 750
km/h). Of course it wasn't totally stealth but the opinion of test
pilots was positive so it was directed to mass production as a PZL W-77
"Shadow". Plan assumed building 40 helicopters of the first
version. W-77 was shown to international spectators for the first time
during Tigermeet in August 2040 on Radom airfield. Model depicts a
chopper during this show.
Because none of the
companies ever produced so important helicopter for Polish aviation it was
necessary to build my own :) LHX Stingbat by Testors was a base. I added a
few tweaks like undercarriage, EFAM's etc. Tiger stripes are from decal set for
Tornado. Hope you like it!
Artur KApusta
Click on
images below to see larger images
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