OH - 23 Raven in 1/48th

You are posting direct links, you want the ones that start with [ img ] link [ /img ] except no spaces between the [ ]. 

Some websites automatically do this with direct links, some like this one don't.

Ok.

I'm not the brightest bulb when it comes to computers...but why don't these direct links to photobucket show up as pictures...?

When I check the address on other posts...(like picture link URLs  by "rotorwash" above , the links he posts read the same as mine, ....but they show up here as pictures.

Like this one: (dots added at the end so you can see the link behind his very fine pictures...)

http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww251/saurogod/H-23/7753.jpg.......

These very same photobucket direct links I posted here....also show up as pictures on another Forum that I post to.

I took delivery today on some clear plastic sheets...very nice stuff, pre-drilled to fit the old Mattel vacuform machine.

I haven't finished the canopy master as yet...I really need to cast an upper and lower half in resin to allow for a nicer molding...(this buck is too large to do it all in one pull).

But I was very anxious to see if the old vacuform machine still worked (it has been ten years since I last fired it up  -- !).

Wanting to satisfy my curiosity and test the heating element and suction, I decided to give it a try...with the master "as is"...just to see if it worked.

Not too bad for a first try - considering the age of the machine, and the size of the part - (in its present state : a bit large). 
The pump still was able to pull most of the sheet over the whole thing, and look at the dip at the back of the part...really drew that part of the sheet down.

I think a master in two halves should work much better.

I'm glad the pics helped.  I have many more, but none as detailed as those.

    Ray

Started the engine deck from layered plastic sheet.
First try on the tail boom had to be scrapped.
I tried forming a long skinny cone from thin triangular strips glued around a tube.

It was weak at the base and bent...so I started over with several thick strips all laminated together and just put in the time to sand it into a long skinny cone...took awhile, but it worked better.

Great work so far on that canopy! I figured I'd put what few decent closeups of the H-23 engine here instead of over in Charlie's H-13 build.  I have never taken a detailed walkaround of the H-23 at Ft. Rucker.  These photos are all from the Army Aviation Museum archives and most show armed Ravens but there is some decent engine detail on a couple as well.  Hope these help.

    Ray

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Thanks...If I can pull a good vacuform I'm in....

Looking for some advice on clear plastic sheet...picked up some clear styrene, looking to see if I still have any Thermaform sheet from the old days...(heat and smash stuff).

I have pulled some small canopy pieces on an old Mattell vacuform machine...but nothing this big.

Think I'll be casting top and bottom halves in resin..then giving it a go.

I'll do doors on seperate sheet, once I get a bend in them...

That canopy is just amazing! Great work.

Charlie

Worked the canopy shape , started trim and doors...

A very interesting build and I agree I wish there was a 1/35 or 1/48th scale version of the Raven and TH-55 (Hughes 300). If my scratch building skills ever develop I may try and build one myself. Thanks for posting and please keep us informed on your build.

Charlie

I'll tackle the hard part first.

Once I get a decent shaped master for a vacuformed canopy I'll give it a go...