[planenutsfrog]

Originally Posted by Hoverbug

I just wish they had left the armament off. Not too many (like 0) Vietnam-era 34s with a .50 mounted in the door. The French might have done it in Algeria, but this was a pretty rare install as that airframe was not built take that kind of punishment.

I found this photo of a French Air Force H34 "Pirate" fitted with a 50''cal.MG in addition to the usual MG151 :



The first armed H34/HSS1 in French service resulted from field modifications in Algeria. The concept proved so efficient, that it was officially adopted by the 3 services. Standard modification sets were manufactured and sent to H34/HSS units. Soon, every assault helicopter squadron had some gunships to support its transport machines and troops. Not only H34/HSS1 were concerned, but eventually also Piaseki Vertol H21 serving in the Army and Navy.
The nickname of these H21 gunships was "Couleuvrine".
Armed H34/HSS1 remained in French service until their replacement by the SA321 Super-Frelon (Navy) and SA330 Puma (AF, Army) in the 70's.

[Hoverbug]

Originally Posted by planenutsfrog

I found this photo of a French Air Force H34 "Pirate" fitted with a 50''cal.MG in addition to the usual MG151 :

Attachment 3932

The first armed H34/HSS1 in French service resulted from field modifications in Algeria. The concept proved so efficient, that it was officially adopted by the 3 services. Standard modification sets were manufactured and sent to H34/HSS units. Soon, every assault helicopter squadron had some gunships to support its transport machines and troops. Not only H34/HSS1 were concerned, but eventually also Piaseki Vertol H21 serving in the Army and Navy.
The nickname of these H21 gunships was "Couleuvrine".
Armed H34/HSS1 remained in French service until their replacement by the SA321 Super-Frelon (Navy) and SA330 Puma (AF, Army) in the 70's.

Thanks for that. I've even seen an H-19 in Algeria with a 57mm recoiless fitted. No doubt about it, France led the world in helicopter armament for a decade at least. A pirate gunship with the bazooka tubes and FFARs would be pretty neat as well.

I still say that outside of the French models, the Easy Model armament for their S-58s is grossly overdone. Some of the UH-34D units in Vietnam were not even allowed to mount an M60.

I

[planenutsfrog]

I still say that outside of the French models, the Easy Model armament for their S-58s is grossly overdone. Some of the UH-34D units in Vietnam were not even allowed to mount an M60.

I[/quote]

Absolutely !

Moreover, the MG next to the cannon looks like a M60. Correct for US variants, but RCMG's carried by French machines were Browning 1919 or AA1952...

[skysurfer808]

There was an old National Geographic piece from the early 60s written by Margueritte Higgens that showed Marine 34s in action at the beginning of the US commitment to South Vietnam. There was a pic of the door gunner armed with an old Grease Gun, which wouldn't have been much against VC/NVA armed with AKs....not to mention captured US equipment. Still, I like the 34, but will probably wait till they come out in diecast.

Skysurfer808

[YYK950]

Hi Gang.
I bought the French Navy version for the colour scheme alone plus it didnt seem right to get the West Germany SAR version also armed with a M60 and a 50cal. It seems Esay Model may of lost the point of SAR.
cheers