1/72 Israeli IDF/AF UH-60L Blackhawk and Gazelle

Helo 53 wrote:

Hi Aaronw , Thanks for the link on the Mojave . There were some really cool images posted on ARC's web forum pages , I also found a link to cybermodeler which had an in-box review . I guess my CH-37 might be similar except for the decals . Looking at the kit review I didn't realize you get resin and photo-etch parts as well , at first I hesitated at the price but I also thought it might be a limited run kit so I decided to forget the big scale Huey for the time being and buy the Mojave . The only real good pic I had in my Helicopter files was the one I posted above , It's from an Aircraft Calendar , If I'm not mistaken is it similar to the decals you have in your Army version ??? . Anyway I'm excited about my recent purchase , can't wait to get my fingers around the box . Thanks again for the web links...          Kind regards John

Yes, the decals for "Tired Dude" are one of the  2 1/2 options in my kit. That is the CH-37 at the air museum in Tucson. I actually saw it several years ago and took almost the same pic of it. It is not in the best shape baking in the sun, but it still makes an impression when you are standing next to it. 

rotorwash wrote:

I mentioned in that other post that I was headed back to Rucker.  Here are some shots of a CH-37B on display there.     Ray

The tail section is not really visible in the pics, do you happen to recall where the tail fins were located? There was some discussion about the location, some had a single fin opposite the rotor, others had two lower down along the tail boom. I have not found anything to show which models had which style tail.

Looks like Rucker's CH-37 is in better shape than the one in Tucson which is the one in Helo53's post above.

Helo 53 wrote:

Last night I was searching through my FSM magazines and in the March 2004 issue I found an article by a gentlemen named Matt Swan on using "Future" . Some of the suggestions included using a Flat Base [liquid flatting agent] , to take away some of the shine , Tamiya and Gunze Sangyo produce these which will suit my airbrushing acrylics . The recommended mixing ratios are : # 1 part flat base to 3 parts Future = dead flat # 1 part flat base to 10 parts Future = flat # 1 part flat base to 15 parts Future = satin I'll order some flat base from the hobby store today and give it a try . Thanks to FineScale Modeler ..                                                              John.

I mentioned in that other post that I was headed back to Rucker.  Here are some shots of a CH-37B on display there.

    Ray

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Aaronw wrote:

I picked up one of the CH-37 kits last summer, I haven't done much besides look at it in the box but I started a post in the ARC helicopter forums when I got it. There is some info on the kit from others plus some great photos of the CH-37. http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=158823&hl=ch-37   If yours has USMC marking it must be the new release, the one I got only comes with Army markings. Really funky looking helicopter that will look great alongside some H34s and H19s. I guess I just have a thing for piston powered helicopters.

Hi Aaronw , Thanks for the link on the Mojave . There were some really cool images posted on ARC's web forum pages , I also found a link to cybermodeler which had an in-box review . I guess my CH-37 might be similar except for the decals . Looking at the kit review I didn't realize you get resin and photo-etch parts as well , at first I hesitated at the price but I also thought it might be a limited run kit so I decided to forget the big scale Huey for the time being and buy the Mojave . The only real good pic I had in my Helicopter files was the one I posted above , It's from an Aircraft Calendar , If I'm not mistaken is it similar to the decals you have in your Army version ??? . Anyway I'm excited about my recent purchase , can't wait to get my fingers around the box .

Thanks again for the web links...          Kind regards John

I picked up one of the CH-37 kits last summer, I haven't done much besides look at it in the box but I started a post in the ARC helicopter forums when I got it. There is some info on the kit from others plus some great photos of the CH-37.

http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=158823&hl=ch-37

If yours has USMC marking it must be the new release, the one I got only comes with Army markings.

Really funky looking helicopter that will look great alongside some H34s and H19s. I guess I just have a thing for piston powered helicopters.

Well I just ordered some Flat Base from the hobby store and I was browsing their Helicopter listings , as I was thinking of buying a 1/35 Huey , I suddenly came across a 'Special Hobby 1/72 Sikorsky CH-37C U.S.Marines Mojave' . . I did not know that any kit manufacture's had produced a CH-37 , the kit was $69 , twice what I was going to spend on the 1/35 Huey . Oh well , I just couldn't resist

                                                  John.

PS, I'll post an In-Box pic when the CH-37 Mojave arrives .

Last night I was searching through my FSM magazines and in the March 2004 issue I found an article by a gentlemen named Matt Swan on using "Future" . Some of the suggestions included using a Flat Base [liquid flatting agent] , to take away some of the shine , Tamiya and Gunze Sangyo produce these which will suit my airbrushing acrylics . The recommended mixing ratios are :

# 1 part flat base to 3 parts Future = dead flat

# 1 part flat base to 10 parts Future = flat

# 1 part flat base to 15 parts Future = satin

I'll order some flat base from the hobby store today and give it a try .

Thanks to FineScale Modeler ..

                                                             John. 

I use a lot of Future, and what I've found works quite well to dull it down is just a thin wash with an appropriate flat color over the Future. This knocks the shine way down but is so thin it still gives it that clean barely weathered look. 

I've mostly done this on armor but I don't see why it wouldn't work on a helicopter.

I guess they do use the upswept ESSS wings.  There you have it.  Good job.

Sorry. I can't help with the dullcoat.  I use Testors Model Master enamels and have had no problems.  Good luck with sorting it out.

Thank's for those pic's Ray ; I certainly did like the first one you posted for me and the web links have lot's of great images as well of the IDF/AF Helicopters . I greatly appreciate the help . My first Israeli AH-64A Apache is ready for airbrushing , I also was thinking of using a couple of spare fuel tanks from a Hasegawa UH-60A Blackhawk on the Apache . The second Apache build I was thinking of airbrushing the three[3] color scheme . Although I don't have the Chaff/Flare Dispensers that go on the updated Apache version . I'm also re-doing an old Italeri Blackhawk kit , again I'm thinking of airbrushing the 3 color scheme for that Israeli bird as well .

Thanks again ...

                                            Kind regards John

John,

  Got me curious about the IDF Blackhawks.  I found this page I thought you might enjoy:

http://flickr.com/photos/n-g-p/sets/72157607955099778/

Here's one that will definitely make you happy!

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One last one:

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Go here for much more:

http://miblog-shomer.blogspot.com/2006/05/imgenes-de-tzahal-equipos-materiales-y.html

Ray

Hi Gino ; Your 100% correct about the gloss finish on the Helo's , It's something that annoy's me and does take a lot away from the effort I put into each build . I usually airbrush with Gunze Sangyo acrylic's thinned with Isopropyl Alcohol . The colors come out nice and smooth , including the flat color finish but lately I've struggled with the Gunze H-30 clear gloss { It's coming out grainey] and when I airbrush the H-20 clear flat after I have decaled the overall finish not only looks too 'dusty' it actually feels rough on the model surface . Airbrushing the color finish I have no problem doing , It's the clear finish before and after decaling where things don't seem to be working out . I've switched to airbrushing Future  [Pledge One-Go here in Australia] prior to decaling and have left the finish at that ... VERY FRUSTRATING .

Anyway I posted a pic of Sky Decals instruction sheet , my recent Blackhawk build was suppose to represent the second from the bottom on the sheet "The Rolling Sword Squadron 1999" , I may have got it wrong but I thought the pic showed the auxiliary fuel tanks fitted , like you say they may have bought them to try but never used them operationaly ???

On the bench now I have two 1/72 Academy IDF/AF AH-64 Apache's , one is ready for masking and airbrushing later today , the second build is ready for the fuselage halves to glue together . I will have to fix my airbrushing problems shortly as the Apache definitly has a overall flat finish .

                               Kind regards John

They look pretty good.  One pointer though.  You may want to spray them with some dull coat and dust them with some grey-brown pastels.  They are very shiney and don't look realistic that way.  Israeli helos are very flat in color, just like US ones. 

 I'm not too sure the IDF/AF uses the Blackhawk with the upswept ESSS wings either.  They were an experimental feature and not bought by the US miliotary, maybe the Israelis bought them though. 

Great job overall.  Nice collection of Israeli helos too.

They both look very nice John. Well doen and thanks for the images.

Charlie