Just dropped in to see how things are going. Very well, I see.

I'm waiting. Credit card in hand.

Cheers!

Rick...

Hi jtrakel,

The plan from the start has been to simulate an original D setup (all analog pit, 60's on the doors and ramp, old style debris filter) as it lightens the load on the programming side (no mpd's) and because we have complete documentation for that model. It's also a great base plate for conversion to British chinooks and earlier variants. Current D models are quite different inside and obviously F's and G's are even more unique. We have discussed the F but before that can happen we need to simulate the modern Rockwell collins common avionics architecture which is a huge amouny of work.

The miniguns are just an additional extra for our chinook but a necessity for a couple if future plans. M60s all round will be the default armament as befitting the now retro pit style.

Cheers

G'day trakel,

Australian 47D have M134D fitted in the left and right crew stations. Still running with the ramp-mounted 58 though, would be nice to have an extra station back there.

Cheers,

- Horsey

G'day again,

Not sure about before I arrived in '06 but we've got the DC version, fixed rate (3000 rpm), both batteries mounted on the left side to keep the right crew door clear.

If you're from Lewis I've seen your kangaroo-tagged aircraft!

Was over there on a sim trip and a couple of us are friends with one of your company commanders who showed us around and took us along to a few WONSA activities. I have vague memories of enjoying a fantastic golf day.

We've had some of your FEs on exchange to Aus and they've helped immensely with the introduction of the M134D.

Cheers,

- Horsey

Do you joust in those? (Just looking at that amazing photo above)

What is the purpose and history of that 'cage' attached to the left side of the fuselage? (On right when looking at the photo).
I assumed it was some structural part of an antenna array but looks like you can rope off it.

If you send us a squad patch we'll stick it in somewhere.

If I'm not mistaken that's where the MH-47 radar is stored (radar pod). The MH-47 carries a radar that features terrain-following, terrain-avoidance and weather detection modes. But I'm not 100% sure.



@jtrakel,

Excelent photo there, that photo is a strong "candidate" for my next desktop wallpaper
Thanks for sharing it!

I guess Flex means the wires running down the entire lenght of the aircraft on the port side, instead of the sensor pod...

Humm, I see. If that's the case than I also have NO idea what are those lines for...

That's the normal location for the HF antenna on a D/F.

The G shown above looks fancier than a D/F HF antenna but I'm guessing it's just for a fancier HF radio.

Cheers,

- Horsey

Cheers, yes I was looking at what you describe as the antenna structure or children's climbing frame (monkey bars). I remember Dave and I having a conversation about its exact purpose.

That's a mighty long antenna then.... /ResearchModeOn......

Does anyone have a closeup of the controls/paddles showing the switch markings?

Cheers

That is correct! That "cage" is the AN/ARC-220(V)2 HF antenna.

See here (in a MH-47 cutaway):
http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/med...away-poster.jpg

G'day AD,

Do you mean the cockpit flight controls?

In any case I'll have some details, shoot me an email.

- Horsey (Bear)

The knob that broke off in re my post below can be seen in this picture. It is on the right-hand side of the overhead panel, on the right-hand overhead panel section nearest the windshield. It's the one next to the switch with the big red safety cover at the top of that panel section. The pilot in the right-hand seat is the one that broke it off.

That wouldn't happen to be the FADEC knob, I hope.

Miao, Cat

G'day Cat,

Not entirely sure which knob you're talking about so I'll give you a few and hopefully catch the one you mean.



A - Circular knob which rotates left/right and sprung loaded to center is the pilot control for 'hoist in/out', that's the old winch/hoist which comes out of the right side heater closet and can be rigged to winch through the center hatch, not the newer external hoist you see mounted outside the right crew station.

B - 5 position knob to select which cargo hooks (fwd, center, aft, tandem, all) are opened when the cargo release is activated.

C - 3 position switch (off, on, emerg) to enable hydraulic power to the rear cargo ramp or enable the emergency pilot ramp controls on the same panel.

D - The actual FADEC control panel forward of the ECLs.

If your ride was in the 80s I'm guessing the aircraft was fitted with the older 712 engines which didn't have FADEC, Can't remember what switches were in front of the ECLs where the FADEC panel is now, it's been a while.

Cheers,

- Horsey

Sorry for such a delayed response but yes that long cage is in fact the HF antenna has not changed from the D,E,F,or G the pod would be the Multi-mode Radar (MMR Pod) it's a pieace of CRAP! Always fails

!!!1!!


Durn it, I guess another high end computer is in my future!

A new gunship AND a realistic Chinook in a combat simulator?!!?

Oh yea, count me in! I want to do SF insertion missions, Med-Evac missions, you name it I'll haul it! And if I need a break I'll just bust some tanks for a change of pace, before flying heavy lift!

Anyone else see the docu from Ch4 in the UK the other day? "Fighting on the Frontlines - Helicopters". Covered the missions of both Brit Apaches and Chinooks, the former doing recon/hunter/killer on Taliban IED teams, the latter going to pick up the men injurted by the IED's...many cockpit and helmet cams in high resolution.

Sorry Bear I should have mentioned that i was still on the subject of the minigun.

Cheers