Scratch building Bell 407 including Rotor Head

Sweet! When you refer to 1/4 scale are you talking 1:48 or actual 1/4 of the original?

That's one heck of a project!  Would love to see more.

Mike

@Gerald,

It's one forth (1/4) the size of the real thing. The head measures over 12" from grip to grip. A finished models is over 10ft long. My eyes appreciate this scale.

@ Mike,

I'm glad to hear there is some interest. I wasn't sure if it was appropriate here considering most on this forum model in a much smaller scale. My thoughts are that scratch building techniques can be shared and used over all scales.

I'll be back to post a few more images.

Regards,

George 

POST PHOTOS!!!!!!!!

I COMMAND YOU TO POST PHOTOS!!!!!!!!!

NOW!!!!!

10 foot whirlybird, even the RC beasties aren't usually that big.

There will definatly be some interest. Not many helo boys on here, but enough.

I'm back and have gathered a few photos to share with you guys. 

@Scorpionlkey

You want photos you got it! Hope this gets the helo crowd excited. I know I love helicopters.

Here are the main fuselage photos. At this scale the fuselages are fiberglass but all the detail items are resin cast, with some thermo formed parts tossed in the mix.

The above photo is my 1/4 scale Bell 206B JetRanger next to the full size aircraft.

This is my 1/4 scale Bell 206L LongRanger. Full scale in the background for comparison.

and finally my 1/4 scale Bell 407.

What's seen here are fuselage parts fresh out of the molds with windows and tail booms temporarily attached for the photos. 

Next up, some resin cast parts.

G

These are resin cast Bell Anti Torque pedals. I managed to replicate the raised "BELL" letters as separate items and applied them to my master model, then the mold was made.

Working in 1/4 scale allowed me to add the pull pin detail and label to this fire extinguisher.

This is a montage of some of the other detail items which are all resin cast. The interior door panels and seats are thermo formed from styrene.

All of my work is hand made with no computer assistance. I so enjoy making items from scratch with my hands.

I've got more to share (oh so much more) like the IP's, gauges, seat belts, interior panels, pretty much anything found on the full size AC, .....well almost. 

I have not made the engine for each model yet, as crazy as it sounds I'm considering it.

Until next time,

George

These look great.  Excellent scratch-building.  I Can't wait to see more updates.

Wow, thats pretty epic.

Thanks for the kind words and interest in my build.

Here are a few more photos showing the finished Bell 407 interior.

Holy huge helos, Batman!  That is some magnificent work, George.  Thanks for sharing with us.  I look forward to seeing more.  Did you tackle the engines?

   Ray

PS: Ever thought of doing a Huey or maybe a Cobra?

Very nice.  The interior looks real in some of those shots.  Great job.

Most excellent! I used to work on 206's and you sure are doing it justice,would love to see more pics!

Thanks, I appreciate it guys!

@rotorwash I haven't started on the engines yet but they are on the "to-do" list once the 206 rotor head and blades are complete. I may consider another model build once I finish these three.

My goodness!!!

This is an awesome build. 

wow that is some incredible work!! thanks for sharing!

Here are all the parts that make up the 1/4 scale Bell 407 main and tail rotor heads. I'll post a few photos once I finally assemble it.

and here's the completed 1/4 Scale Bell 407 Tail Rotor assembly.

Wow, seriously impressive!!! And I thought my scratch built heli is nice...

Hi Guys,

Well here's my completely painted and assembled 1/4 scale Bell 407 Rotor Head.  I have some finishing touches to do on the 4 blades then I can mount them.

Hi Guys,

Here's a shot of my finished 1/4 scale Bell 407 out on the ramp with the rotorhead and blades all installed.

Now it's time to fabricate the Bell 206 rotorhead and blades. I have a pair of full size Bell 206 rotor blades in my shop to take all the dimensions off of.

Hi Guys,

I'm not sure how to change the title of this thread to include the 206 rotorhead.

It's been a while but finally finished my 1/4 scale 206 rotorhead and blades. Next up, the pitch links and swashplate then I'll move onto the tail rotor assembly.

Until next time,

George

Wow, great work George.

How long does a blade take you to make?

Thanks.

I made a mold from the master part. So to lay up a fiberglass blade takes a total of 3 days.

Day 1, prep and paint the mold...let cure.

Day 2, lay up the part and close the mold...let cure.

Day 3, open the mold and release the finished part.

Start all over again for the second blade for a Bell 206. But the Bell 407 required this to be done a total of 4 times for a total of 12 days. I could cut this time in half if I made a second mold.

Hi guys,

With the feedback I've received regarding the detail of my rotorheads I thought it would be cool to have them displayed all on their own. Here's the 206 mounted on a nice walnut base.

Absolutely incredible work!

I just stumbled into this thread and am truly impressed with your work. Simply fantastic.

Very nice.  Any chance you can scale them down to 1/32 or 1/35?  If so, they would be useful to update the old Revell kit.  Also, any chance you could do other rotors, such as Bell 412, UH-1Y/AH-1Z?

I've seen this kind of work at Heli Expo's at various booths. Beautiful detail !!!!

Thanks for the kind words guys.

@Heavyarty I don't see myself building anything smaller then 1/4 scale at the moment.

back in 2011 at Heli Expo Bell Helicopter announced the Bell 407GX. Here's my attempt at the Instrument Panel with dual Garmin 1000's.