In order to improve sales prospects in the US, the fifth prototype Jetstream was fitted with the US-built Garrett AiResearch TPE-331 in place of the French Astazou. Changing to the US-built engine was enough to allow the US Air Force to consider it for cargo use. They eventually placed an order for 11, fitted with a cargo door and accommodation for 12 passengers or 6 stretcher cases, to be known as the C-10A, or Jetstream 3M. The USAF was impressed enough with the aircraft that the US Army ordered 30 for various light cargo and personnel transport duties, and the airborne part of what would become the Guardrail SIGINT system and a few offshoots of that program, one being Crazyhorse.
The Crazyhorse system was fielded in 1985 to meet the need for a capability to locate unique electronic emissions in Central America. It consisted of three RC–10G airframes converted from C–10D aircraft by Sanders Associates, Inc. with antenna fits very similar to the Guardrail aircraft. However unlike Guardrail that was a sensor only package, transmitting its take to ground stations, Crazyhorse was used as a stand alone platform, with three electronic operators in the main cabin. It was deployed to Honduras in 1986 to support U. S. Southern Command and Task Force BRAVO in counterinsurgency and counterdrug operations for the next nine years. The system was retired from service in 1998.
The kit is the Airfix 1/72 Jetstream kit, with the Garrett engines. I guess it's kinda rare, paying $20 for it at the LHS, but I had just the idea for it when I saw it and dropped the cash.
The build is mostly OOB with the various antennas made from PE, wire, two staples and scrap strip stock. The chaff unit on the rear starboard side is just a hunk of plastic sanded to shape. I replaced the rather frail looking tires with Phantom units sourced from the parts box. Tip tanks (actually antenna arrays) were again from the parts box. I used drops of white glue on the top and bottom of the tanks for the nav lights.
Paint is Model Master 36320 for the grey and flat black. Gloss with Future. Decals are ALPS-ed, using photos of the real RC-12G as guides (real easy there, only eight markings needed!) and then a shot of Model Master lacquer flat.
BTW-Why did I go for Crazyhorse sub-plot instead of using just the Guardrail story? Our Abyssinian cat Charlie is a registered and papered show cat. His show name-Cheetara's Crazy Horse...............
