View allAll Photos Tagged MARSOC
A Marine MARSOC unit advances into the face of the unknown...
Advancing, though we know not the peril we may face.
Darkness.
It hides, trapping objects and beings in it's choking mist.
Always coveting what it cannot have.
Ever trying to regain lost ground.
Stealing our humanity, grinding us down.
In the depths it cries aloud, "ALL IS MINE".
It's thirst for blood, unquenchable.
It reaches out and snares the timid, the simple, the blind.
They go to the edges of the depths, they know not the danger they face.
Like the lion, it's stillness is peaceful.
They are drawn to it's strength.
They are captivated by its power.
They fall to it's clutches, and in their frailty, blow away like chaff in the wind.
But even though the darkness has power over the weak.
It has no chance against...
The Light.
The warmth He grants us.
The strength He gives us.
The light advances, and the darkness shrivels away.
It cannot shield itself from...
The Light.
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Ok, I'd be a liar if I said www.flickr.com/photos/129897679@N05/ didn't inspired this. I wanted a MOC to show off the APC I built, and I think it turned out great.
Creds to Yitzy for the awesome gas/water barrel design.
GOD BLESS & AND HAVE A GREAT LIFE!!!
Commandos with the 9th Commando Kandak move toward and fire on targets during a rifle familiarization drill at a rifle range near their compound in Herat, Afghanistan, Nov. 6. The commandos, having just recited their Commando creed in August, are still learning new tools of the trade to include advanced rifle techniques as well as entry level pistol training.
Hallo!
I'm REALLY liking this figure. :D
I painted some M81 woodland. I like it for my first try. And I didn't use kneepads because I wanted you guys to see the camo, and.... yeah.
Everything else is self explanatory.
Made a light box.
yay. :3 (feedback on that.)
C&C appreciated!
This figure pretty much inspired by the Damtoys 1/6 scale MARSOC action figure. His vest made from a plastic card and the other parts like the backpack and pouches are from FIMO stuff. The helmet from SI-DAN toys and I modified it. On the helmet, the straps are from fabric, and the headset glued to the helmet. The body is fully painted by me.
Let me know what do you think! :)
Alas, this is the last picture of mine containing the Specter Rio De Janeiro legs, as I recently sold them, along with the specter Rio head! Oh well, I'll probably acquire another one soon, haha!
So, you guys are probably wondering (maybe you are, maybe not) why I have not posted too much as of late. The primary reason is school. I have a heavy coursework load, and I am diligent and want to remain on top of it, hence less time for LEGO. I guess you could say I'm going through a 'dark ages.' I have great appreciation for spectacular builds, I just haven't had the time recently. So, I am not leaving, so don't worry! More to come soon!
As soon as I saw the DamToys MARSOC action figures, I wanted to recreate one in minifig form. The contrast of the grey tactical hoodie with the woodland camo pants appealed to me, as well as the awesome Fugitive GTX boots.
I really liked the 40mm grenade belt on the action figure, but I’m not keen on nade launchers on minifig guns, so I went with my own vest arrangement and used a different weapon layout.
The torso and legs are from my U.S. Spec ops fig, with a minor addition to the toe of the boots. The arms, backpack and pouches were sculpted especially for this fig and I finished the figure off with a heavily modded SI-DAN helmet and modded SI-DAN goggles.
There is a version of this MARSOC figure that wears an Ops Core Fast helmet, so I was really tempted to use my Ops Core test cast for this guy, but I already have that earmarked for another figure, so I went with the MICH 2000 version (which I really like anyway).
Overall, I think this is one of my favourite military figures that I've made to date, so I'm well happy that it's staying with me!!
Hope you guys like it as much as I apparently do ; )
Marine Corps Cpl. Tyler R. Garretson, a crew chief assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263, monitors the flight line out of the rear of a MV-22B Osprey after completing fast-rope and rappelling training with Marine Special Operations Command, near Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, June 23, 2015.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Orlando Perez/Released)
Well gettin on the bandwagon train here...
From left to right..Starting at the bottom.
Destiny Hunter, Halo 5 Blue Spartan, AOR-2 US Navy SEAL, US MARSOC, Army Ranger, BF3 Recon, US Marine, Clone trooper,yet to be revealed:3, BF3 US Assault.
These are by far my most favorite minfigures, and probably some of my best.
See ya.
-Bob
For Turtles' contest.
Inspired by White Wolffe. And thanks to him for correcting me about MARSOC and what they wear. :p
M81 heavily inspired by Jon. As you can see, my camos have dramatically improved.
Also inspired by Zac.
-Charlie
Hey guys, so it's been a while since I've posted, and, since I've made some recent upgrades and purchases to my airsoft gun, I figured you might want an update!
This is my Mk18 MOD 1 that I've had for a while, recently sold my older mk18 rail to turn around for a profit, then bought this one and painted it rustoleum camo series brown, which is surprisingly close to the real Daniel Defense color. I also recently upgraded my light from an Insight WMX-200 replica to a Surefire m600c Scout replica. I also bought some Magpul PMAGs to give the cool, operator look to my loadout!
Finally, I sold my EOTech EXPS2-3 replica and bought this 553, which is just as solid and I think looks just as cool!
Expect a loadout picture soon, as I've gotten quite a bit of new things to show off!
Oh, and yes, Lego will come in the next 2-3 days, don't worry!
Hello Flickr! Boy, has it been a while! My recent inactivity can be attributed to one thing: life! I have been extraordinarily busy as of late, but I just made a trade with Anthony Engracio, and thought I'd showcase some of the parts I received! I will soon be posting some Russian minifigures and perhaps a scene, and also some cyberpunk, so stay tuned! Tell me what you think about this type of photography, as opposed to this. I'm experimenting with different setups, so let me know what you like! Is there anything you want to see from me? Let me know in the comments below!
God bless,
♕ Spencer
Hey guys hope you enjoy this figure I put together I'm going to be starting on the Russian figures now but I would love to hear your opinions below! Thank You for all the support!
Heyyo.
So here's the 98 favorites custom guy, ACTUALLY finished!
lol
Tried doing a shemagh for the first time, (sculpted) and I like. So expect more of those later.
Camo is desert marpat. Do you guys like it?
Pretty simple for everything else.
I'm looking into doing a MARSOC operator next. Should I?
Later.
-Sam (yes i did type that. :P)
I'm back! December was the month of my recovery from the surgery. My first fig in 2017 is the Navy Seal HALO jumper.
This figure's inspiration came from the Mini Times HALO jumper figure. The vest made from a credit card, similar to my MARSOC figure, the pouches and the parachute is sculpted from green stuff. The Ops Core Fast helmet is made by me and the GPNVG-18 is from CombatBrick. I made the oxygen mask and the flight pack removable. The figure is painted by me.
Let me know what you think! :)
Full loadout:
Helmet -
MICH 2000 (Minifig.cat)
SOGear counterweight pouch (TT)
MSA rail attachments (green stuff)
P-Tec MLPS light (green stuff)
American flag IR patches (custom stickers)
Revision flak jackets (Minfig.cat)
Skydex retention kit (E-Tape)
Plate carrier -
Crye Precision LVMBAV (TT omega vest, green stuff, e-tape)
PTT (TT)
Motorola radio (TT)
Belt -
LBT black riggers belt
G19 in safariland kydex holster (TT (it's really a sig))
Eagle industries dual 9mm mag pouch (TT)
Uniform/Clothing -
Drifire t-shirt in coyote (TT)
Crye Precision MARSOC M81 AC Cut (TT)
Merrill MOAB boats
Primary weapon -
M4 Block 1 (TT)
PEQ-15 (TT)
EOTech 553 (TT)
Griffin Industries suppressor (TT)
Other accessories -
G-Shock Watch (TT)
Background -
LBT 6080A Hydro
Level Zero Heroes 2014 second half patch (External wings)
Level Zero Heroes 2015 first half patch (Hat)
Level Zero Heroes 2015 second half patch (Throwback)
Thanks for viewing!
Left to Right: NSW Urban Operator, NSW Demolitions Operator, NSW Fast Operator, MARSOC Sniper, MARSOC Operator, and Force Recon Marine.
Wow, haven't posted lego in a while:P
As you can see, I like the NSW and USMC a lot:D
Hope these are okay, let me know.
Intel SEC ONE
Raid: OORAH Charlie
"Running tail-end charlie ain't always the best job, you may not see action but you can always see death. I like point, it always means action. But really it doesn't really matter as it is really a death wish, then again being a marine is a death wish."
________________________
A little update on my MARSOC fig and the Little Bird.
Enjoy- Jeremy
Sorry for not posting lego as promised, I've been painting some BA and that has been time-consuming.
Pictured: SEMAPO GEAR M81 woodland combat set. I'll have a vid up on my youtube channel soon, I'll link it for y'all when its done.
God Bless!
Designed as a short barreled rifle for MARSOC, the NATO-15 was widely adopted as the standard carbine for a variety of special forces from around the world.
Features:
-Adjustable Folding Stock
-Quick-change Barrel System
-Mounting Adapter Integrated into the Handguard
-Low Profile Iron Sights.
Credit to:
Shock for the Mag
Miko for the letters
Cpt.Freedom for the Fire Selector, Bolt Catch, and Rotation Pin
Gunnery Sgt. Eddie Myers, parachute safety officer assigned to Detachment 4th Force Reconnaissance Company, parachutes from a UH-1Y Venom helicopter during airborne insertion training at the flight line aboard Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay June 10, 2015. The reconnaissance team conducted this training to refine their skills in airborne insertion to be ready when called upon for a future deployment.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron S. Patterson/Released)
The 1/6 figures I got this year, FBI hostage rescue team training version, two different MARSOC operators and a French Special forces operator also got a bunch of weapons and other parts for my kitbash figures
Here's my version of Richard's Spec Ops fig, which I modified and painted up with custom parts ~
In all honesty, I didn't really like the arms, headphones, and the glasses on the base figure, despite the fact that the sculpting work Richard did was great to begin with. So I took a different route and decided to orient the fig to resemble the COD: MW3 US Assault class with a different color scheme and some variations. The vest layout and goggles were made to resemble that, but I drew some inspiration from Tanner (Detroitika) and attempted a snakeskin camo helmet, though it looks more like polka dots than the desired result. I made the color scheme of the clothing similar to a 1/6 MARSOC fig I saw on Google.
I'm a little disappointed in my painting and sculpting, since some of the more recent work I've been doing looks much better than this. The arms, goggles, straps, buckles, mag pouches, and backpack were sculpted by me; everything else was sculpted and casted by Richard. Special thanks to him for making this great set!!
I've also sculpted an ACR with a magnifier and a PEQ box to showcase with the figure. Check out the back view for a better look at the rifle and the figure!
These past few weeks have been really busy with Marching Band practice, a vacation to New York (during which I was sculpting), and new commissions that I've been working on, as well as a really exciting project that's been in the works for a while. This figure was made on the side, but I'm still working on the commissions and working on something that I really hope you guys will enjoy ~ In the meantime, expect more, and comments speak louder than faves!
-Andrew
Gunnery Sgt. Eddie Myers, parachute safety officer assigned to Detachment 4th Force Reconnaissance Company, prepares to jump out of a UH-1Y Venom helicopter during airborne insertion training at the flight line aboard Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay June 10th, 2015. The reconnaissance team conducted this training to refine their skills in airborne insertion to be ready when called upon for a future deployment.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron S. Patterson/Released)
A Critical Skills Operator with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command uses a torch to cut through a metal door to gain entry on a building during Marine Special Operation School's Master Breacher's Course at Stone Bay aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Aug. 5, 2015. CSO's learn to overcome obstacles such as walls, fences and doors using a range of breaching methods including mechanical, ballistic, thermal and explosive during the course. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Scott A. Achtemeier / Released)
Sculpted gloves, sleeves, and helmet rails. Pouches aren't tilted in real life, just the photo. He's wearing MARPAT. Arsenal includes: M417 (better view up later), M16A3 (you BF3 players know why it's there), M82A3, and an M4. I know they don't use G18s, but it's my favorite TT gun and looks badass. For Jeremy's contest.
Comment if you favorite.
bai
Sculpted gloves, sleeves, and helmet rails. Pouches aren't tilted in real life, just the photo. He's wearing MARPAT. Arsenal includes: M417 (better view up later), M16A3 (you BF3 players know why it's there), M82A3, and an M4. I know they don't use G18s, but it's my favorite TT gun and looks badass. For Jeremy's contest.
Comment if you favorite.
bai
A CH-53E Super Stallion is staged during a Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command night raid exercise at Tactical Air Combat Training System Airfield, near Yuma, April 21, 2016. This exercise was conducted during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 2-16. WTI is a seven week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) cadre. MAWTS-1 provides standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine Aviation Training and Readiness and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Zachary M. Ford/ Released)
Individual Training Course students with Marine Special Operations School at Stone Bay participate in the field training exercise Raider Spirit at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Raider Spirit is an eight-day culminating event for the first phase of ITC training, where students run light infantry scenarios as a field team. Throughout the exercise, student teams face many challenges as a result of an operationally restrictive scenario and numerous long distance foot movements with little sleep.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Donovan Lee/Released)
Yep, Multicam is getting better. Entry to Aaron's Competition. So enjoy. Sorry the MK 14 mod isn't very visible.
-Sphinx
A Multi-Purpose Canine with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC), prepares for Zodiac boat training inserts on Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 9, 2016. MARSOC specializes in direct action, special reconnaissance and foreign internal defense and has also been directed to conduct counter-terrorism, and information operations.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Maricela M. Bryant/Released)
+++ DISCLAIMER +++
Nothing you see here is real, even though the conversion or the presented background story might be based on historical facts. BEWARE!
Some background:
The OV-10 Bronco was initially conceived in the early 1960s through an informal collaboration between W. H. Beckett and Colonel K. P. Rice, U.S. Marine Corps, who met at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California, and who also happened to live near each other. The original concept was for a rugged, simple, close air support aircraft integrated with forward ground operations. At the time, the U.S. Army was still experimenting with armed helicopters, and the U.S. Air Force was not interested in close air support.
The concept aircraft was to operate from expedient forward air bases using roads as runways. Speed was to be from very slow to medium subsonic, with much longer loiter times than a pure jet. Efficient turboprop engines would give better performance than piston engines. Weapons were to be mounted on the centerline to get efficient aiming. The inventors favored strafing weapons such as self-loading recoilless rifles, which could deliver aimed explosive shells with less recoil than cannons, and a lower per-round weight than rockets. The airframe was to be designed to avoid the back blast.
Beckett and Rice developed a basic platform meeting these requirements, then attempted to build a fiberglass prototype in a garage. The effort produced enthusiastic supporters and an informal pamphlet describing the concept. W. H. Beckett, who had retired from the Marine Corps, went to work at North American Aviation to sell the aircraft.
The aircraft's design supported effective operations from forward bases. The OV-10 had a central nacelle containing a crew of two in tandem and space for cargo, and twin booms containing twin turboprop engines. The visually distinctive feature of the aircraft is the combination of the twin booms, with the horizontal stabilizer that connected them at the fin tips. The OV-10 could perform short takeoffs and landings, including on aircraft carriers and large-deck amphibious assault ships without using catapults or arresting wires. Further, the OV-10 was designed to take off and land on unimproved sites. Repairs could be made with ordinary tools. No ground equipment was required to start the engines. And, if necessary, the engines would operate on high-octane automobile fuel with only a slight loss of power.
The aircraft had responsive handling and could fly for up to 5½ hours with external fuel tanks. The cockpit had extremely good visibility for both pilot and co-pilot, provided by a wrap-around "greenhouse" that was wider than the fuselage. North American Rockwell custom ejection seats were standard, with many successful ejections during service. With the second seat removed, the OV-10 could carry 3,200 pounds (1,500 kg) of cargo, five paratroopers, or two litter patients and an attendant. Empty weight was 6,969 pounds (3,161 kg). Normal operating fueled weight with two crew was 9,908 pounds (4,494 kg). Maximum takeoff weight was 14,446 pounds (6,553 kg).
The bottom of the fuselage bore sponsons or "stub wings" that improved flight performance by decreasing aerodynamic drag underneath the fuselage. Normally, four 7.62 mm (.308 in) M60C machine guns were carried on the sponsons, accessed through large forward-opening hatches. The sponsons also had four racks to carry bombs, pods, or fuel. The wings outboard of the engines contained two additional hardpoints, one per side. Racked armament in the Vietnam War was usually seven-shot 2.75 in (70 mm) rocket pods with white phosphorus marker rounds or high-explosive rockets, or 5" (127 mm) four-shot Zuni rocket pods. Bombs, ADSIDS air-delivered/para-dropped unattended seismic sensors, Mk-6 battlefield illumination flares, and other stores were also carried.
Operational experience showed some weaknesses in the OV-10's design. It was significantly underpowered, which contributed to crashes in Vietnam in sloping terrain because the pilots could not climb fast enough. While specifications stated that the aircraft could reach 26,000 feet (7,900 m), in Vietnam the aircraft could reach only 18,000 feet (5,500 m). Also, no OV-10 pilot survived ditching the aircraft.
The OV-10 served in the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Navy, as well as in the service of a number of other countries. In U.S. military service, the Bronco was operated until the early Nineties, and obsoleted USAF OV-10s were passed on to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms for anti-drug operations. A number of OV-10As furthermore ended up in the hands of the California Department of Forestry (CDF) and were used for spotting fires and directing fire bombers onto hot spots.
This was not the end of the OV-10 in American military service, though: In 2012, the type gained new attention because of its unique qualities. A $20 million budget was allocated to activate an experimental USAF unit of two airworthy OV-10Gs, acquired from NASA and the State Department. These machines were retrofitted with military equipment and were, starting in May 2015, deployed overseas to support Operation “Inherent Resolve”, flying more than 120 combat sorties over 82 days over Iraq and Syria. Their concrete missions remained unclear, and it is speculated they provided close air support for Special Forces missions, esp. in confined urban environments where the Broncos’ loitering time and high agility at low speed and altitude made them highly effective and less vulnerable than helicopters.
Furthermore, these Broncos reputedly performed strikes with the experimental AGR-20A “Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System (APKWS)”, a Hydra 70-millimeter rocket with a laser-seeking head as guidance - developed for precision strikes against small urban targets with little collateral damage. The experiment ended satisfactorily, but the machines were retired again, and the small unit was dissolved.
However, the machines had shown their worth in asymmetric warfare, and the U.S. Air Force decided to invest in reactivating the OV-10 on a regular basis, despite the overhead cost of operating an additional aircraft type in relatively small numbers – but development and production of a similar new type would have caused much higher costs, with an uncertain time until an operational aircraft would be ready for service. Re-activating a proven design and updating an existing airframe appeared more efficient.
The result became the MV-10H, suitably christened “Super Bronco” but also known as “Black Pony”, after the program's internal name. This aircraft was derived from the official OV-10X proposal by Boeing from 2009 for the USAF's Light Attack/Armed Reconnaissance requirement. Initially, Boeing proposed to re-start OV-10 manufacture, but this was deemed uneconomical, due to the expected small production number of new serial aircraft, so the “Black Pony” program became a modernization project. In consequence, all airframes for the "new" MV-10Hs were recovered OV-10s of various types from the "boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona.
While the revamped aircraft would maintain much of its 1960s-vintage rugged external design, modernizations included a completely new, armored central fuselage with a highly modified cockpit section, ejection seats and a computerized glass cockpit. The “Black Pony” OV-10 had full dual controls, so that either crewmen could steer the aircraft while the other operated sensors and/or weapons. This feature would also improve survivability in case of incapacitation of a crew member as the result from a hit.
The cockpit armor protected the crew and many vital systems from 23mm shells and shrapnel (e. g. from MANPADS). The crew still sat in tandem under a common, generously glazed canopy with flat, bulletproof panels for reduced sun reflections, with the pilot in the front seat and an observer/WSO behind. The Bronco’s original cargo capacity and the rear door were retained, even though the extra armor and defensive measures like chaff/flare dispensers as well as an additional fuel cell in the central fuselage limited the capacity. However, it was still possible to carry and deploy personnel, e. g. small special ops teams of up to four when the aircraft flew in clean configuration.
Additional updates for the MV-10H included structural reinforcements for a higher AUW and higher g load maneuvers, similar to OV-10D+ standards. The landing gear was also reinforced, and the aircraft kept its ability to operate from short, improvised airstrips. A fixed refueling probe was added to improve range and loiter time.
Intelligence sensors and smart weapon capabilities included a FLIR sensor and a laser range finder/target designator, both mounted in a small turret on the aircraft’s nose. The MV-10H was also outfitted with a data link and the ability to carry an integrated targeting pod such as the Northrop Grumman LITENING or the Lockheed Martin Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP). Also included was the Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver (ROVER) to provide live sensor data and video recordings to personnel on the ground.
To improve overall performance and to better cope with the higher empty weight of the modified aircraft as well as with operations under hot-and-high conditions, the engines were beefed up. The new General Electric CT7-9D turboprop engines improved the Bronco's performance considerably: top speed increased by 100 mph (160 km/h), the climb rate was tripled (a weak point of early OV-10s despite the type’s good STOL capability) and both take-off as well as landing run were almost halved. The new engines called for longer nacelles, and their circular diameter markedly differed from the former Garrett T76-G-420/421 turboprop engines. To better exploit the additional power and reduce the aircraft’s audio signature, reversible contraprops, each with eight fiberglass blades, were fitted. These allowed a reduced number of revolutions per minute, resulting in less noise from the blades and their tips, while the engine responsiveness was greatly improved. The CT7-9Ds’ exhausts were fitted with muzzlers/air mixers to further reduce the aircraft's noise and heat signature.
Another novel and striking feature was the addition of so-called “tip sails” to the wings: each wingtip was elongated with a small, cigar-shaped fairing, each carrying three staggered, small “feather blade” winglets. Reputedly, this installation contributed ~10% to the higher climb rate and improved lift/drag ratio by ~6%, improving range and loiter time, too.
Drawing from the Iraq experience as well as from the USMC’s NOGS test program with a converted OV-10D as a night/all-weather gunship/reconnaissance platform, the MV-10H received a heavier gun armament: the original four light machine guns that were only good for strafing unarmored targets were deleted and their space in the sponsons replaced by avionics. Instead, the aircraft was outfitted with a lightweight M197 three-barrel 20mm gatling gun in a chin turret. This could be fixed in a forward position at high speed or when carrying forward-firing ordnance under the stub wings, or it could be deployed to cover a wide field of fire under the aircraft when it was flying slower, being either slaved to the FLIR or to a helmet sighting auto targeting system.
The original seven hardpoints were retained (1x ventral, 2x under each sponson, and another pair under the outer wings), but the total ordnance load was slightly increased and an additional pair of launch rails for AIM-9 Sidewinders or other light AAMs under the wing tips were added – not only as a defensive measure, but also with an anti-helicopter role in mind; four more Sidewinders could be carried on twin launchers under the outer wings against aerial targets. Other guided weapons cleared for the MV-10H were the light laser-guided AGR-20A and AGM-119 Hellfire missiles, the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System upgrade to the light Hydra 70 rockets, the new Laser Guided Zuni Rocket which had been cleared for service in 2010, TV-/IR-/laser-guided AGM-65 Maverick AGMs and AGM-122 Sidearm anti-radar missiles, plus a wide range of gun and missile pods, iron and cluster bombs, as well as ECM and flare/chaff pods, which were not only carried defensively, but also in order to disrupt enemy ground communication.
In this configuration, a contract for the conversion of twelve mothballed American Broncos to the new MV-10H standard was signed with Boeing in 2016, and the first MV-10H was handed over to the USAF in early 2018, with further deliveries lasting into early 2020. All machines were allocated to the newly founded 919th Special Operations Support Squadron at Duke Field (Florida). This unit was part of the 919th Special Operations Wing, an Air Reserve Component (ARC) of the United States Air Force. It was assigned to the Tenth Air Force of Air Force Reserve Command and an associate unit of the 1st Special Operations Wing, Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). If mobilized the wing was gained by AFSOC (Air Force Special Operations Command) to support Special Tactics, the U.S. Air Force's special operations ground force. Similar in ability and employment to Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC), U.S. Army Special Forces and U.S. Navy SEALs, Air Force Special Tactics personnel were typically the first to enter combat and often found themselves deep behind enemy lines in demanding, austere conditions, usually with little or no support.
The MV-10Hs are expected to provide support for these ground units in the form of all-weather reconnaissance and observation, close air support and also forward air control duties for supporting ground units. Precision ground strikes and protection from enemy helicopters and low-flying aircraft were other, secondary missions for the modernized Broncos, which are expected to serve well into the 2040s. Exports or conversions of foreign OV-10s to the Black Pony standard are not planned, though.
General characteristics:
Crew: 2
Length: 42 ft 2½ in (12,88 m) incl. pitot
Wingspan: 45 ft 10½ in(14 m) incl. tip sails
Height: 15 ft 2 in (4.62 m)
Wing area: 290.95 sq ft (27.03 m²)
Airfoil: NACA 64A315
Empty weight: 9,090 lb (4,127 kg)
Gross weight: 13,068 lb (5,931 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 17,318 lb (7,862 kg)
Powerplant:
2× General Electric CT7-9D turboprop engines, 1,305 kW (1,750 hp) each,
driving 8-bladed Hamilton Standard 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) diameter constant-speed,
fully feathering, reversible contra-rotating propellers with metal hub and composite blades
Performance:
Maximum speed: 390 mph (340 kn, 625 km/h)
Combat range: 198 nmi (228 mi, 367 km)
Ferry range: 1,200 nmi (1,400 mi, 2,200 km) with auxiliary fuel
Maximum loiter time: 5.5 h with auxiliary fuel
Service ceiling: 32.750 ft (10,000 m)
13,500 ft (4.210 m) on one engine
Rate of climb: 17.400 ft/min (48 m/s) at sea level
Take-off run: 480 ft (150 m)
740 ft (227 m) to 50 ft (15 m)
1,870 ft (570 m) to 50 ft (15 m) at MTOW
Landing run: 490 ft (150 m)
785 ft (240 m) at MTOW
1,015 ft (310 m) from 50 ft (15 m)
Armament:
1x M197 3-barreled 20 mm Gatling cannon in a chin turret with 750 rounds ammo capacity
7x hardpoints for a total load of 5.000 lb (2,270 kg)
2x wingtip launch rails for AIM-9 Sidewinder AAMs
The kit and its assembly:
This fictional Bronco update/conversion was simply spawned by the idea: could it be possible to replace the original cockpit section with one from an AH-1 Cobra, for a kind of gunship version?
The basis is the Academy OV-10D kit, mated with the cockpit section from a Fujimi AH-1S TOW Cobra (Revell re-boxing, though), chosen because of its “boxy” cockpit section with flat glass panels – I think that it conveys the idea of an armored cockpit section best. Combining these parts was not easy, though, even though the plan sound simple. Initially, the Bronco’s twin booms, wings and stabilizer were built separately, because this made PSR on these sections easier than trying the same on a completed airframe. One of the initial challenges: the different engines. I wanted something uprated, and a different look, and I had a pair of (excellent!) 1:144 resin engines from the Russian company Kompakt Zip for a Tu-95 bomber at hand, which come together with movable(!) eight-blade contraprops that were an almost perfect size match for the original three-blade props. Biggest problem: the Tu-95 nacelles have a perfectly circular diameter, while the OV-10’s booms are square and rectangular. Combining these parts and shapes was already a messy PST affair, but it worked out quite well – even though the result rather reminds of some Chinese upgrade measure (anyone know the Tu-4 copies with turboprops? This here looks similar!). But while not pretty, I think that the beafier look works well and adds to the idea of a “revived” aircraft. And you can hardly beat the menacing look of contraprops on anything...
The exotic, so-called “tip sails” on the wings, mounted on short booms, are a detail borrowed from the Shijiazhuang Y-5B-100, an updated Chinese variant/copy of the Antonov An-2 biplane transporter. The booms are simple pieces of sprue from the Bronco kit, the winglets were cut from 0.5mm styrene sheet.
For the cockpit donor, the AH-1’s front section was roughly built, including the engine section (which is a separate module, so that the basic kit can be sold with different engine sections), and then the helicopter hull was cut and trimmed down to match the original Bronco pod and to fit under the wing. This became more complicated than expected, because a) the AH-1 cockpit and the nose are considerably shorter than the OV-10s, b) the AH-1 fuselage is markedly taller than the Bronco’s and c) the engine section, which would end up in the area of the wing, features major recesses, making the surface very uneven – calling for massive PSR to even this out. PSR was also necessary to hide the openings for the Fujimi AH-1’s stub wings. Other issues: the front landing gear (and its well) had to be added, as well as the OV-10 wing stubs. Furthermore, the new cockpit pod’s rear section needed an aerodynamical end/fairing, but I found a leftover Academy OV-10 section from a build/kitbashing many moons ago. Perfect match!
All these challenges could be tackled, even though the AH-1 cockpit looks surprisingly stout and massive on the Bronco’s airframe - the result looks stockier than expected, but it works well for the "Gunship" theme. Lots of PSR went into the new central fuselage section, though, even before it was mated with the OV-10 wing and the rest of the model.
Once cockpit and wing were finally mated, the seams had to disappear under even more PSR and a spinal extension of the canopy had to be sculpted across the upper wing surface, which would meld with the pod’s tail in a (more or less) harmonious shape. Not an easy task, and the fairing was eventually sculpted with 2C putty, plus even more PSR… Looks quite homogenous, though.
After this massive body work, other hardware challenges appeared like small distractions. The landing gear was another major issue because the deeper AH-1 section lowered the ground clearance, also because of the chin turret. To counter this, I raised the OV-10’s main landing gear by ~2mm – not much, but it was enough to create a credible stance, together with the front landing gear transplant under the cockpit, which received an internal console to match the main landing gear’s length. Due to the chin turret and the shorter nose, the front wheel retracts backwards now. But this looks quite plausible, thanks to the additional space under the cockpit tub, which also made a belt feed for the gun’s ammunition supply believable.
To enhance the menacing look I gave the model a fixed refueling boom, made from 1mm steel wire and a receptor adapter sculpted with white glue. The latter stuff was also used add some antenna fairings around the hull. Some antennae, chaff dispensers and an IR decoy were taken from the Academy kit.
The ordnance came from various sources. The Sidewinders under the wing tips were taken from an Italeri F-16C/D kit, they look better than the missiles from the Academy Bronco kit. Their launch rails came from an Italeri Bae Hawk 200. The quadruple Hellfire launchers on the underwing hardpoints were left over from an Italeri AH-1W, and they are a perfect load for this aircraft and its role. The LAU-10 and -19 missile pods on the stub wings were taken from the OV-10 kit.
Painting and markings:
Finding a suitable and somewhat interesting – but still plausible – paint scheme was not easy. Taking the A-10 as benchmark, an overall light grey livery (with focus on low contrast against the sky as protection against ground fire) would have been a likely choice – and in fact the last operational American OV-10s were painted in this fashion. But in order to provide a different look I used the contemporary USAF V-22Bs and Special Operations MC-130s as benchmark, which typically carry a darker paint scheme consisting of FS 36118 (suitably “Gunship Gray” :D) from above, FS 36375 underneath, with a low, wavy waterline, plus low-viz markings. Not spectacular, but plausible – and very similar to the late r/w Colombian OV-10s.
The cockpit tub became Dark Gull Grey (FS 36231, Humbrol 140) and the landing gear white (Revell 301).
The model received an overall black ink washing and some post-panel-shading, to liven up the dull all-grey livery. The decals were gathered from various sources, and I settled for black USAF low-viz markings. The “stars and bars” come from a late USAF F-4, the “IP” tail code was tailored from F-16 markings and the shark mouth was taken from an Academy AH-64. Most stencils came from another Academy OV-10 sheet and some other sources.
Decals were also used to create the trim on the propeller blades and markings on the ordnance.
Finally, the model was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish (Italeri) and some exhaust soot stains were added with graphite along the tail boom flanks.
A successful transplantation – but is this still a modified Bronco or already a kitbashing? The result looks quite plausible and menacing, even though the TOW Cobra front section appears relatively massive. But thanks to the bigger engines and extended wing tips the proportions still work. The large low-pressure tires look a bit goofy under the aircraft, but they are original. The grey livery works IMHO well, too – a more colorful or garish scheme would certainly have distracted from the modified technical basis.
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Christopher D. Robson, water purification specialist with Combat Logistics Battalion 24 practice drills during a Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command night raid exercise at Tactical Air Combat Training System Airfield, near Yuma, Arizona, April 21, 2016. This exercise was conducted during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 2-16. WTI is a seven week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) cadre. MAWTS-1 provides standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine Aviation Training and Readiness and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Zachary M. Ford/ Released)
I was sittin’ in a bar, boozin’ and losin’
And some jackoff walks up cruisin’ for a bruisin’
Poppin’ off and makin’ my whole redneck red
He asked my girl if she’d like to dance
He had three buddies so I had no chance
I looked around the room for a friend and I saw Fred
A quick evaluation of the situation
And we entered into a conversation
It seemed to last the better part of the next two songs
Now I didn’t say and they didn’t ask
But Fred did two tours over in Iraq
And, son, it was over before it was even on.
Call a Marine
Instead of 911
They’re built to improvise, adapt and overcome
When you’re in knee deep and you’re up shit’s creek
And you’ve tried everything
Tell you what you do
Call a Marine!
Now my sister’s husband didn’t love her no more
And he runned off with a skinny little whore
And left her sittin’ around the house with a couple of kids
She just lays around in that muumuu gown
Old girl put on about 35 pounds
One day I went over to her house and I said, “Hey, sis”
If you wanna fix what troubles you
Just ease down to the VFW
And you’ll walk through the door and turns those boys’ heads
For most of those boys it’s been awhile
Just show a little leg and that Marlboro smile
And if that don’t work out for you, girl, ask for Fred.
Call a Marine
Instead of 911
They’re built to improvise, adapt and overcome
If you’re in knee deep and you’re up shit’s creek
You’ve tried everything
Tell you what you do
Call a Marine!
Some douche bag rises up and overthrows his government
Diplomacy ain’t workin’ and the ammos all been spent
The world is in a crisis and the media’s a curse
I’ll tell you what to do
When it goes from bad to worse
Call a Marine
Instead of 911
They’re built to improvise, adapt and overcome
When you’re in knee deep and you’re up shit’s creek
And you’ve tried everything
Tell you what you do
Call a Marine!
Tell you what to do, baby
You can call...
Call a Marine!
Yeah! Yeah!
_____________________
You guys like that little song? Anyway, I painted today. I love this fig!
So anyways, my MARSOC inspired/styled loadout. Not everything is present but this is basically my loadout :p It'd be a lot more authentic with a Scar but ACRs >>>>>
Also, updates! I've been taking a break from just about everything lately. I haven't played a video game, taken a picture, moved a Lego, touched a tool or anything in about a month. I haven't even opened up the bricklink orders for my Osprey, and this is the first I've done anything with my airsoft gear in about an equal amount of time. I'm not done with Lego or any of this stuff by any shot, I've just been focusing myself on career and future things. I'm a super sophomore in college, so life is really starting to fill up with a possible internship and all sorts of other good stuff. I've also been working on building a longboard (skate longboard), so that's been taking up free time and budget. Anyways guys, I'll be around keeping up on what everyone's been building. I just might not be posting for a while
Marines with Marine Corps Special Operations Command conduct a Special Patrol Insertion/Extraction exercise on a CH-53E aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 13, 2013. This training has helped the MARSOC MPC program in developing what will become the standard operating procedures.
Read more: www.marsoc.marines.mil/News/NewsArticleDisplay/tabid/1213...
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Anthony Carter/Released)
Maritime Special Operations Forces prepare for a mission during a training exercise aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). SEALs and Marine Special Operations (MARSOC) forces from Special Operations Command Pacific conducted maritime interoperability training aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington. George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Everett Allen/Released)
Marines with 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, Marine Raider Regiment set up communication during a night raid exercise at landing zone Dodo, Arizona, April 21, 2016. This exercise was conducted during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 2-16. WTI is a seven week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) cadre. MAWTS-1 provides standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine Aviation Training and Readiness and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Zachary M. Ford/ Released)
Marine Raiders with Marine Forces Special Operations Command conduct high-value target detainment and evacuation operations during a multipurpose canine handler training course hosted by 1st Marine Raider Battalion on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 18, 2019. The handlers learned to conduct raids, helicopter insertions and advanced veterinary care during the course. MPC handlers integrate with Marine Special Operations Teams to support global SOF operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Angela Wilcox)
See him as a Marine MARSOC oper8tr or some shit.
I didn't really plan him through since I was just testing out the new Tiny Tactical I just got, first timer on it.
I gotta say I love the little overpriced shit, already lost one pouch though but oh well.
U.S. Marines with Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) fire a GAU-17/A mini-gun during a live fire training exercise at Camp Lejeune, N.C., on June 6, 2017. Marines MARSOC worked with 2nd LAAD to conduct live fire exercises to maintain proficiency and accuracy with various weapon systems. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Cody J. Ohira)