In My Stash GB : Threepeat

Thanks dupes!  Appreciate it.

Hot looking build there, Arki!

Must look great on the shelf.

Thanks guys.  I certainly appreciate the comments.

Arki, excellent finish my friend. It was a great build to follow from all the extra resin work to the finish. Well worth the wait to see it complete. Great job, she looks fantastic.

Steve

That's one sweet looking chopper, Arki!

I think that color alone would send me screaming!

Thanks gents.

Superb build, Arki!

Well done Arki just fantastic   She looks great  well worth the wait.

Cheers

Bear

Okay, as promised by the weekend, build #2, FINI.

And it couldn't come any sooner.  Looking back at my build log I started this back in July.  This is absolutely the longest build I have ever had.  Ugh.  The scale of the project is certainly a major part of the effort, being my first helicopter is another, but I have to admit I wasn't as efficient as I would have preferred thus missing the GB deadline by a couple of days.  Which is another first.

Anyhoo, this is the 1/48 Trumpeter HH-65A Dolphin converted into a HH-65C with the Cobra Company resin interior set, Fireball Modelworks resin nose radome and tail rotor, Eduard PE set, Loon Models resin rotor blades, and Fireball Modelworks decals.

A lot of minor goofs, but frankly at this point I could care less.   I'm just happy it's over.

Now I'm going to go tackle some much easier, like a FW-190 for dupes Winter Warriors GB. 

Thanks for looking!

Not a chance.  By this weekend, absolutely.  But not by tomorrow.

Thanks Dupes

Arki only a day left do you think you can make it?

Cheers

Bear

Hey, nice build Superbear!

Arki - is that your Dolphin in this month's FSM?

superbear

...I can't wait to see yours finished....

Me either.    I feel like I've been working on this forever.

Thanks Arki I just glad to get it off the bench.  I'm looking forward to my IMS4 build that one should be fun.  I can't wait to see yours finished I have a soft spot for Helos.

Cheers

Bear

paul_toz

Hi Arki,

some nice looking paintwork on the Dolphin. Did you have to do much touch up afterwards? I always have a bit of seepage..and it always shows up with such vibrant colours as you have there.

Paul

Cripes, I had a ton of touch-up.  All those complex surfaces made masking a real pain, and inevitably I had overspray.  And in my bungling I had touch-ups for the touch-ups to boot.    As long as you don't stand too close, you can't tell.  Much.

Steve, dupes, thanks!

Bear, congrats on finishing!  For all the hassle, nice looking Devastator.  Seam work looks good, paint work looks great, nice work. 

Well Fellow Stashers I'm calling this one done.  This was one tough kit  that realy pushed me, despite everything I think it came out ok there are a few issues with it however it's good enough for me.  I  am REALY happy to get it off the bench.

Here are the final pics

Cheers

Bear

Arki - that is looking sharp. Rotor blades especially.

Merry Christmas to all my fellow Stashers and all the best for the New Year

Cheers

Bear

Arki, looking great and its gona be a looker.

Merry Christmas  to all my friends in the GB

Steve

Hi Arki,

some nice looking paintwork on the Dolphin. Did you have to do much touch up afterwards? I always have a bit of seepage..and it always shows up with such vibrant colours as you have there.

Paul

Thanks Bear.

Arki Looks great, well done on the rotor you must of had fun masking it.  Enjoy your holiday it will all be there waiting for you when you get back

Cheers

Bear

Ok, status report on build #2.  Decaling is nearly finished.  Only a couple of miscellaneous decals around the doors and that process will be complete.

The Fireball Modelworks decals have gone down beautifully, although being ALPS printed you have to carefully trim around each decal.  Placing them can be an exercise in not breathing as they are extremely thin.

Main rotor markings have been painted as well.  Fun.

The dilemma I have is time remaining.  I still have to apply a light wash to the panel lines to bring out some depth, apply a semi-gloss coat, attach a plethora of exterior PE detailing that likely will never be noticed , and then assemble the remaining plastic.  I leave tomorrow for holiday travel and will not return till next Tuesday.  I'm not entirely convinced I'll be able to finish this by the deadline.

Granted, it's the second build so this is just gravy but I'm still somewhat disappointed in myself.  Regardless, I shall continue to post pics till I finish.

Thanks for looking.

Thanks Arki, yep that one was quite the challenge surprised the heck out of me.  As for the wing no they don't fold you would think  a kit like this one with all the resin and pe bits  would have folding wing Oh! well.

The only one I know that has the folding wings is the Airfix Devastator.

Cheers

Bear

Bear, looks super.   Good to know we gave you a good challenge.   Does the kit have the ability to fold the wings?  Looks like it has a manufactured joint on the wings for such a thing.

MaxSheridan The mystery machine looks good can't wait to see more

Paul  Well done on the Essex she looks FANTASTIC

Arki  Great work she's goint to look super when your done

Glamdrind Nice progress, yep that's one big gun.

Progress report  I'm in the home stretch only the gears, pitot tube, prop, torpedo and decals and that my fellow stashers will be that.  I'll be happy to get this pain off the bench.

Here is a progress pic

Cheers

Bear

paul_toz

Glamdring, that looks nice - just how big is that thing?

Thanks Paul, the gun measures 7 7/8" from muzzle to the breech block.  It's a pretty hefty sub-assembly.

Thanks for the comments about the Essex. I am considering doing the Shinano which I have in my stash - not so many small pieces as the Essex. That was the biggest issue; big fingers and small 20mm AA parts...76 guns = 152 tiny pieces.

Akri, the Dolphin looks good, almost finished too. Although mine look 'almost finished' form some considerable time!

Glamdring, that looks nice - just how big is that thing?

Paul

Paul, great finish on the ship!   How you managed 1/700th I have no idea.

Glamdring, yep, that's a big gun.

Steve, thanks for the comment.  If everything goes well, I should be decaling this weekend.  I just might finish this before the end.