Dragon 1:35 UH-1H Huey WIP

  I guess next you'll be adding the safety wires! Looks great Andy. 

Yikes!  Safety wires?  Maybe I can do that . LOL I don't see it in the pictures Mel posted.  Glad you liked the improved look.  Surprised Dragon went substandard on this...

Go for it Andy !

Safety wire comes in three main versions:  .041 .032 .020 of an inch.

Simulating that would be mindnumbingly small.

Hercmech

Safety wire comes in three main versions:  .041 .032 .020 of an inch.

Simulating that would be mindnumbingly small.

 Yeah but Andy could handle it!

LOL. I have to see pictures first before I can do something.  Like I said I know little and I am still learning about Huey from you guys.  

My biggest concern is time as deadline is less that 3 weeks now.  Yikes!  Gonna hit the work bunch now for an hour or so... 

WOW Andy!  Very nice work being done on that bird.

3 weeks, you can do it

deafpanzer

LOL. I have to see pictures first before I can do something.  Like I said I know little and I am still learning about Huey from you guys.  

My biggest concern is time as deadline is less that 3 weeks now.  Yikes!  Gonna hit the work bunch now for an hour or so... 

  Oh boy Sorry Andy, nobody, not even Fermis would attempt detail that small! I thought you would understand I was just kidding about the safety wires, and complementing your work by saying you could do it! Then when I start to explain last night, the forum goes down!

Carl- Thanks man!  I think I will make it... rest of build seems to be easier now and I hope the M-60 upgrade resin set is not that complicated... it sure looks like!

Gene- LOL!  I swear you had me worried that I went thru several walk around pictures I googled and I couldn't find those safety wires.  That was a good joke as I get it now.  I think I have done enough to the rotor head.  I replaced few more molded nuts with aftermarket nuts. 

I was going to follow up on this but the forum was down... crap!  I will post an update in few minutes...

Guys- Worked on the Huey for couple of hours last night but I couldn't post an update because the forum was down for its scheduled maintenance.  

I am really digging the "toilet seat"... it came from Fireball Company Gino recommended.  The seller warned me it will not fit but I brought it anyway.  It was a perfect fit... thank you Gino! 

I was pleased that the details is still visible inside the toilet bowl...

Since it fit so well it made me wonder if this Dragon set is really 1/32... not 1/35? 

There are some gaps but after looking at several walk around photos it is supposed to have some gap there.  But I am not sure because nothing looked the same in the photos. I think there is not supposed to be a gap in the joint between the fuselage and tail.

There is a part from Fireball Company... I don't think I am going to use it because it will not be visible and it is not worth time and effort to cut a hole and glue this. Maybe I can use my Dremel and sand the surface down instead of cutting it open? 

Another sneak peek at the Huey... all windows have been attached and masked except for the lower ones as glue was still drying.

Again, thanks for following my WIP... you guys have been great and helpful!

  Looking really great Andy! The gaps at the tail boom etc, are all where there are separations, but they should be much smaller lines. The entire tail boom could be removed at that point by removing four bolts! As for the other part they gave you, where are they showing it goes? It looks like a cover for the "hell hole" where the sling hook is. That hole should be there already, and those covers could be removed (they weren't used at all in Nam).
  Also when you get to the horizontal stabilizers on the tail, there was a gap between them and the tail boom so don't fill that one
 The M60 mounts are actually rather simple and should go on fairly easy. I think you have plenty of time at the rate your working. Keep it up!

Looking good.  As Gene says, the seam lines are all correct, they are just exagerated on the kit.  The cover is for the cargo hook, your choice to use it or not. 

You may want to sand the support for the toilet bowl under it where it meets the fuselage.  It should fit the angle on the spine there.  Also, the toilet bowl opening should be horizontal, not angled up at the rear as much.

Keep up the good work.

Gene- Thanks for the info about the gap.  I think I did good filling in those huge gaps using Zap CA.  It is a slow drying CA to fill in gaps... I didn't fill them up but little at a time til I am satisfied.  It is hard to see now but I will apply a coat of Mr Surfacer to see if they are OK or not. Appreciate you tagging along!!!

Gino- Glad you are pleased so far.  I will wait and see how much time I have left to use that cover for the cargo hook or not.  Thanks for the explanation about the toilet bowl.  I sanded it down and it looks more even but I didn't take another picture so I will do that tonight. 

Little update here...

Tail stabilizer Gene called are attached... remember I am still learning.

The instruction give me two options for the side rear door... looked at many walk around pictures but I couldn't find a good one.  Which door should I use for late UH-1H?  #13 or #23?

Another question... I am lost with those heat shields.  I am not sure if I called them correctly... the instructions from Fireball Company is very clear EXCEPT for those two.  It just said 'Replace part 71 & 72.'  I think it was talking about Revell set and I am building a Dragon set.

If you can look at the gap, they are narrower now.  Again thanks for your support!

Coming along.  For the side cover piece, use #13, w/o the door.  US military Hueys didn't have the cargo compartment in the side of the tail.  The heat covers are a direct drop-in on the Revell kit.  They are too big for the Dragon kit.  I would cut the heat diffuser box off them and sand them down a bit on the inside, then shorten them to fit over the Dragon doors.  I bet they fit fine and will look great.

  Lookin good Andy! I agree with Gino on the heat defuser if you don't mind the work it should look great. The horizontal stabilizers look fine on the tail boom. That gap is about right. I can't really tell but make sure they are level and aligned with each other. I wonder where they got the door on the tail boom, never seen that before.
  Does that kit have crew figures?

I wonder where they got the door on the tail boom, never seen that before.

The cargo compartment is on civil Hueys and some foreign versions.  They probably used a foreign one as referance for the kit.

Does that kit have crew figures?

No, he is using the UH-1H Heer (German) version.  It comes with some 1990s modern German soldiers.  The UH-1D Vietnam version comes with the 4 man crew for the helo.

Gino- When you mentioned "cargo compartment" it rang the bell because you posted great information about the parts earlier.  I didn't realize it was that part... sorry about that!  All parts you listed have been noted on my instructions. 

Here it is... once again gap may be too wide.  I will apply gap filling CA and Mr Surfacer primer over the weekend.

Thanks again!

Yes Gino is correct.  My Dragon kit is a German Huey and it comes with their soldiers.  They look nice... but I don't think I will ever use them.

One nice thing about this... nice selections of modern weapons especially UZI!!!  I shot it 20 years ago and I loved it...

Since I will not use them, please let me know if you want them and I will mail it your way no charge!

Guys- Another update on the Huey... I try to work on it few hours every night this week.  Spent three hours at the work bench last night adding alot of details to the Huey. 

Most of the details on the top have been added except for rod to be added later on because I am afraid I will damage it. I tried to use the PE for the fin (NOT ATTACHED BELOW) but I wasn't impressed... way too thin and VERY fragile so I used the kit part but I sanded it LONG enough to make it thinner.  That way it will not snap off...

Added the heat shield... feisty little b@stards.  Good thing Fireball Company threw in four extras because I broke two.  LOL  And added the hook... Bob had one as he told me he hauled supplies often.

Added two small resin parts to the nose... I forgot what they are called.  Still learning here... remember that?

Now I only have one question... Fireball instruction is telling me to add a tail light to the tail but many pictures of UH-1H I have seen doesn't have this.  I think it is meant for Revell kit not my Dragon...the picture of part is taken in front of the instruction.

That's all folks!!!

Tonight I am going to cut and sand the top side head covers... thank you so much for the answers to my earlier questions.   Agree it will look great once they are attached...

Nice Andy

 The blade antenna looks fine Andy. the PE one may be a little closer to actual scale, but if it breaks off that don't help. I think I'll let Gino comment on the tail light, that one just don't look right to me. Ours were on each side of the tail boom under the fin, but maybe they changed that later. It's looking a lot like my old friend Andy. Great job!

Carl- Thanks my friend!

Gene- I agree the PE blade antenna may be correct but knowing me I am one klutzy modeler so I know it will snap off easily if I use that PE breaking my heart. LOL 

Glad it is starting to remind you of your old friend!!!

Guys- Made a lot of process last night adding details to the Huey!  Getting much closer to the painting stage.

Most of details at the bottom are completed except for two holes to be filled.

It looks like the instructions were incorrect again, the wire cutter was placed too close to the nose.  After looking at the walk around pictures, it seems to be placed farther in the rear.  I need to fix that... I should have checked the pictures before I had it glued.  

The resin heat shield from Fireball Co may be over scaled... take a look.I drew a black line where I may need to cut but I wanted to check with you guys first.

Picture of the actual thing... it is hard to tell but looks like I need to cut it shorter.  And there is little gap at the bottom...

Fireball Co gives me two options for the top wire cutter... I think I am going for the left without the object based on the picture Gene found in the Bob's Company Facebook group earlier.

Latest look...

Off to the workbench now for a bit... let's hope my wife doesn't find me there.

Andy: I think your on the right track with the heat shields. Maybe try to sand it a little thiner?

Gino;  The two bulges Andy has on the nose, RWR sensors? Whats the time frame on those? From the one small photo showing the nose that's on the facebook page, they don't appear to be on the aircraft at the time his friend was there. What that prominent a feature, I'd hate to have them there if they weren't on his bird. Your thoughts?

Gene- Awesome!  Figured I need to cut the portion of heat shields off because they look out of scale.  They are actually 1/32 designed for Revell Hueys.  No problem about thinning them more... I never had to wear my mask that much before because I am dealing with a lot of resin parts.

About the resin fairings on the nose, I have seen many pictures with just one on the left side and others had both on.  I used Gino's WIP to include both... heh! 

Guys- Just a little update... I was not impressed with the styrene rod for the tail... too thick after looking at walk around pictures.

I have guitar strings in different sizes... they can be very useful for armor antennas.

I used gauge 18...

Much stronger now... no way I can break it off by accident now.  Working on the M-60 upgrade set today... more to come.

Guys- Having a GREAT day... spent hours at the workbench and my wife isn't complaining yet.

More update... used same guitar string gauge 18 for the radio antenna.  It looks much better now according to the walkaround pictures.  The kit part isn't glued but wanted to show you how it looks like...

Like Gene suggested thin down the heat shields... wore the mask again.

They have been glued to the fuselage finally...

I am not too sure about this... the kit part of tail rod looks kinda thick.  I am pondering if I should scratch build it or not.  I need to look at more walkaround pictures to confirm.

What do you think?  Again thanks for looking!

Andy;

 Lookin better every day! The wire for the antennas look great! Much better than the kit stuff. Heat shields are looking good to. I agree about the "stinger" (that's what we called it), it looks too thick and the angle doesn't look right. You might look at scratch building, but at least see if you can correct the angle. Don't know where Gino's been he could really help on some of this.

BTW the little bump jsut forward of the D antenna on the tail is the rear (white) navigation light, one on each side. I'm not sure what that other part they gave you was.

Gene- Thank you for the nice words.  Really appreciate you following my build very closely.  Learned something new.. 'stinger' that makes sense now. LOL  I agree with you the kit part was too thick.  Instead of making new one I sanded, sanded and sanded it without breaking it which surprised me!

Here's improved 'stinger' glued to the tail at proper angle.  I found a great reference picture to confirm the correct angle.

Also, I have worked on the MG resin set from Cobra Company... they were fragile so you need to treat them with care because I managed to snap the pintle into three pieces!   However the owner Chris replied to my email within minutes that he will mail me a replacement if I pay for the postage of $2.80 only.  Whew!  Great customer service you can say! 

If you can see the door attached to the fuselage temporarily.  I want to see how it goes... not too far back I hope.

Almost done with the building part, I only need to attach both top and bottom wire cutters then I am ready for next stage... painting!

Looks great Andy , waiting to see how it looks with paint !

  Yeah Chris at cobra is really a nice guy. I've dealt with him before and he's alway been a great help. The "stinger" looks just right now, another great piece of work. The doors are just a hair too far back. Don't let the front edge of the door go past the back wall of the well. The track for the rollers that hold the door stops at the back wall so the rollers and their supports are right at that wall. Also the gap at the tail boom attachment might need a bit more work. Man I wish I could build half as good as your doing!