Roden 413 Grumman OV-1D Mohawk 1:48

In the mid-1960s the U.S. Army Air Force was equipped with two multi-purpose reconnaissance types, the OV-1B and OV-1C, very similar but differing in their special equipment. In 1967 the U.S. Military command asked the Grumman Corporation for a universal reconnaissance aircraft which could be used for all of their missions (photography, SLAR, IR) at the same time.

The new machine, designated OV -1D, was very similar to the OV-1B at first sight. It had external side-looking radar in the pod beneath the fuselage (with a slightly revised outline in comparison with the OV-1B). The rear fuselage equipment bay was enlarged, and a new blister was added underneath for a panoramic camera system. The rear fuselage airspeed brakes, deleted on the OV-1B and OV-1C, had now been reinstated. For additional ventilation of the cockpit the air scoops on the fuselage were enlarged.

Other changes were connected with the choice of special equipment. The OV-1D had improved avionics, navigation system and radio equipment.

After successful trials the new type was ordered immediately. 37 new planes were ordered from Grumman, and another 108 were converted from OV-1Bs and OV-1Cs. All new OV-1Ds received more powerful Lycoming 1-53-701 engines. The 37 new aircraft were delivered during December 1970, and the 108 others were converted to the new standard by 1980.