The Ship Model Forum

I'm going to be starting my 1/700 JAG USCGC Bear soon, building her as the Campbell WMEC-909 stationed at Portsmouth NH. Being an AF vet, I'm totally clueless about USCG aviation ops.

The Bear class has a retractable hangar. When it is extended, and when is it retracted? I'm planning on putting a helo on deck, and want the hangar to be in the appropriate configuration. I haven't decided if I'm going to display the helo blades/tail folded or in flight position, if that makes a difference.

Thanks!

Peter

Peter,

I was a pilot aboard a USN frigate for a year and I presume the operating procedures would be similar, if not identical, for a Coastie. The hangar would be extended with the helo in the hangar. When preparing for a launch the hangar is retracted and the helo is then pushed further aft to the launch position (in the middle of the circle). While airborne the hangar is left retracted as extending it would foul the flight deck. This is true if another ship were operating its helicopter and your ship was in company. This is to allow an emergency deck in the event of an in-flight emergency.

If the helo is in a "Ready Alert" state on deck with the blades spread the hangar would be in the retracted position.

So the short answer to your question is - if the blades are spread then the hangar is to be in the retracted position. If the blades are folded and the aircraft has been pushed forward of the landing position to its normal parked position then the hangar may be extended.

HTH

Paul O'Reilly

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Paul O'Reilly

Thanks, Paul, that's very helpful. I like the looks of the open deck, so I'm leaning towards blades spread and hanger stowed.

Peter