OH-58A rotor colors?

[Kalle M]

As a sort of inbetween-project I have started building Italeris OH-58A, in 1/72. It's actually quite a nice little model, with finely raised panel lines, fit seem to be good as well.

I am planning on building mine as one of the versions from the box, a bird of the 1st Squadron, 18th Cavalry, US Army. But I am wondering which are the correct colors for the main rotor, as well as the tail rotor. Italeri doesn't say anything about it, and since all the reference photos I've found are taken from below, pointed at the sky (for obvious reasons...) it's kind of hard to tell which colors they are. My guess would be matt black or olive drab, possibly with yellow blade tips. (And if so, how big are these yellow tips?) The tail rotor seems to be either olive drag or white-and-red-striped.

I would really appreciate it if anyone could tell me which colors are used. I don't need the FS numbers, just "black with about 10 cm (that's 3,9" for you heathens ) medium yellow blade tips" would be of great help.

 

[Witchdoctor40]

The main and tail rotor blades are flat black on all the alpha and Charlie models that I flew. In the early to mid-80s there were some units that had red and white stripe or bands on the tail rotor. But I never saw or flew these aircraft. Not exactly tactical in my opinion.
There are numerous sites and photos if you type in "army oh58a". Let me know if you need other info. I live near Fort Novosel, formerly Fort Rucker, and could go to the Army Aviation museum.

Bob Shaffer
Army Maintenance Test Pilot
Witchdoctor40

 

[BarleyBop]

3,9" for you heathens

3,9" ?
... if you really want us heathens to understand,
it is 3.9" ! : )

 

[Jakko]

If you want to be really pedantic, it's 3.9″, with ″ instead of "