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Trumpeter USCG HH-65A Question

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  • Member since
    November 2005
Trumpeter USCG HH-65A Question
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 12:20 PM
I am currently building the Trumpeter H-65A Dolphin. The decal sheet is missing the narrow blue band (next to the USCG logo). In Finescale's workbench review it says that the builder cut a blue band from "a solid color decal sheet."
Where can I get a solid color decal sheet?
What color blue is appropriate?
Thanks
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 3:04 PM
Hello zlee,

Although I won't be able to help you out on the exact color of the blue band, I can tell that Luchtvaart Hobby Shop (lhs) in the Netherlands sells one color decal sheets (you can order by mail). I guess you could also use a decal sheet with parallel stripes on it (each of a different width). I use Xtradecal.
Don't know if this is of any help, because I could not tell from your personal information if you're from Europe or the US. Considering the kit you're building I'd guess you're from the US and I would suggest asking the better modelling hobby shops/-sites.
How is the kit anyway? I bought the Trumpeter Japan Dom Rescue version but haven't built it yet. It was a very plesant surprise to discover a 1:48 version of the dauphin; Trumpeter still is quite a rare make here in the Netherlands.

Good luck!

Gertjan
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 3:58 PM
I'm in the US and I will not be back in Amsterdam until October of 2004. I can't wait! I've only put together the cockpit so far. The assembly instructions are not wonderful. The painting directions are unclear. The fit is quite poor. They recommend Gunze Mr. Color paints. They are very difficult to find in the US, and most of the colors required only come in enamel. I use only acrylic paints because I do not have a spray booth. The instructions will want me to drill some hole in the fuselage later, I have no idea why. I hope it will become clearer as I get to that stage. I’m looking forward to using the orange paint. Thanks for your reply. Any others?
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Upper left side of the lower Penninsula of Mich
Posted by dkmacin on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 4:46 PM
Zlee!
I have had almost 13 years working on, flying in and getting pushed out of the HH65A.
Sadly the Trumpeter kit is NOT an HH65A, it is an SA365N. The US Coast Guard uses(d) the SA366G.
E-mail me at dkmacin@chartermi.net if you want more inside info, so I do not bore the rest of the readers here!
As for your Question, the correct shade of blue is very close to a French Blue, lighter than a Royal Blue. . .I use one of my wife's ceramic paints on clear decal film for the blue stripe.

Don
I know it's only rock and roll, but I like it.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 2:21 PM
Hi Don,
Thanks for the information. I'll try to find some French Blue paint. Where can I get some clear decal film?
-Lee
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Upper left side of the lower Penninsula of Mich
Posted by dkmacin on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 7:55 PM
Any good hobby shop on line should have some. . .not oo expensive either.
Oh and by the way. . .The Dolphin should be white!
I know it's painted International Orange but they were originally delivered white and looked so much better. . . sigh!

Don
I know it's only rock and roll, but I like it.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 9:21 PM
Hey Don,
What's the external difference between the 365N and the 366G? I"ve got this kit too and would like to make it as accurate as possible.
Thanks,
Paul
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 28, 2003 5:23 AM
Guys, I found some fantastic photos at http://www.jetphotos.net. Not just the HH-65A, but all kinds of great photos of all kinds aircraft. There is only one photo of the HH-65A in the white paint scheme. I should also tell you guys that I found that Testors makes Coast Guard Orange acrylic paint. Model Master # 4225. I don't like to use non-acrylic paint, so this was a great find. Trumpeter want us to use Mr. Color Red Madder for the orange. Good luck finding it (in the US) and good luck cleaning it out of your airbrush.
I hope this helps. -Lee
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Upper left side of the lower Penninsula of Mich
Posted by dkmacin on Thursday, August 28, 2003 6:10 AM
Hope I do not get censored with this post, length wise!
Stepping to the soap box: The first HH65A's delivered to the Coast GuardAviation Training Center in Mobile Alabama were white, #'s 6503, 6504,6505,6507,6508. The HH3 crews called them 'Ramp Roaches."
The difference in the HH65 (366G) and the 365N are subtle but many. First off the rescue hoist on the right side, included in the kit for obvious reasons.
The tail rotor assembly has 11 blades not 13. the tail is bigger, (wider). There is no aft door on the left side, the entire panel is removable though providing access to the avionics from outside the aircraft. There is no aft door on the right side either, that is where the SAR board (Search and Rescue gear) is stored and where the wet crewman sits. (Also the bottom of the cabin access door on the right side has no bottom window, that was covered by paint and a piece of closed cell foam was glued in place. . .lot's of doors fell off in flight over water, so we needed a way to recover them!)
The entire interior is WRONG! The standard CG interior is Pilot & Copilot seats, Flight Mechanic sliding seat, (slides the width of the cabin, far left for hoisting) and a wet crewman seat, a red-orange cushion on the deck. A safety net hold the collapsable rescue basket in the transition section. Early HH65's entire cabin was a gray-green, Tamiya's IJN gray is almost exact. Later HH65's had the cockpit painted in black for night vision goggle use.
I have some (bad) pictures of my modified cockpit if you are interested so you can see what I mean.
The model doesn't even try to depict the bottom "chine panels" where the Aux Flotation system is and the inspection panels for the flight controls etc.
I'll shut up as you no doubt get the idea.
The model is 6508 from CGAS CG Air Station, Traverse City Michigan, 17 miles from my house and my last active duty unit. . .I believe they fly the HH65B now or maybe they have the C version.

Don
I know it's only rock and roll, but I like it.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 28, 2003 12:47 PM
Don,
If it's not too much trouble, would you please email the photos to zlee1@hotmail.com
Thanks -Lee
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