IAF Anafa, Dragon 1/35 Bell 212 build

Nice work Gino!  I really admire the amount of detail that you put into your kits!  I'm sure this build will be just as amazing as the others that you have done!

Looks good so far.

Really wish I had the impetus to get the ball rolling on my planned 1/48 UH-1N.

Thanks guys.  I hope to have another update in a day or two.

I want a Bell 214 ST Have you see what they look like? Not too many companies and military operated them. Cant wait so see...

Yup, Iraq had at least one that they captured from Iran.  I saw this one myself while over there.

I have not seen any kits of it though.

So, is the 214 a stretch version of the 222 without the pods on the fuselage?  I dont think I've ever seen one of these.

jelliott523

So, is the 214 a stretch version of the 222 without the pods on the fuselage?  I dont think I've ever seen one of these.

No it is a stretch version of the Huey UH-1N / Bell 212.  It is much larger than the Bell 222.  The 222 only seats 5 plus a 2-man crew.  The 214ST seats 18 plus a 2-man crew.

Bell 222

Thanks Gino, I have seen, and gone for a ride in the 222, I was thinking that it looked quite a bit longer than the 222.  Learn something new here every day, model based and real world!

I have completed painting and assembling the interior.  I like how the pre-printed IP came out.



I also added the rear troop seats and gunners' seats.  These are left off in the kit instructions, but the rear-facing seat is shown being installed.  This doesn't make sense to me as they are usually used together as a troop-carrying configuration.  So I used all the seats.




I should be closing up the fuselage next.  More to come soon...

As for the 214ST Petroleum Helicopters Flew them briefly  in the Gulf. The blades on it were so wide corded. Your project is looking very utility...

Thanks artworks2.  It has been a fun build so far.

Work continues.  I have detailed and weathered the interior and closed up the fuselage halves.  I added a few pieces to add some interest to the rear cabin; a couple Israeli ration boxes, a couple water cans, a couple commercial water boxes, a 40mm ammo can, a sleeping bag, and a tool box.  I also washed the interior with a sandy color to dirty it up and make it look lived in.

Port side cabin


Starboard side cabin


Cockpit


Starboard pilot's door. I drilled 6 holes on the upper B pillar.  These are flare launchers that the Israelis added in this location.  They are the same on both sides.



That is it for now.  Next up is hiding the fuselage seam lines along the underside, nose, and tail boom.  Then on to the exterior details.  I still may add seat belts in the rear cabin too, we shall see.

Looking good Gino, I like the sandy weathering inside.  I'd love to have a 1/35 scale helo in my collection; however, I wouldnt have anywhere to put it once it got finished.

Thanks.  I like the interior dusting as well.  I am still working on the seems and hope to have it to the painting stage soon.

You would be surprised, a 1/35 Huey is no bigger than a 1/48 fighter jet like an F15 or F4.  They don't take up that much room.

 I have always enjoyed following your build threads.  I read your comment on AJ's thread and wanted to follow up.  I can see that knowing from the beginning it was for someone else , and the money would help.  I guess from my perspective,  I would be so stunned that it turned out nice,  I would want to keep it :)    When you know you have the talent to do it again maybe it wouldn't be so hard.   You do awesome work.                   knox

Thanks Knox.  Glad you like it.  Hopefully I can get some paint on it soon...if it would go above freezing here.  Ice and sleet tonight ; 3 more inches of snow tomorrow night.  I am ready for spring.

Very well done sir.

Thanks Lee.  I hope to lay some paint on her tomorrow.

        I hope this question isn't too stupid.  Do you use special tools to bend your wire?  It really adds to the model.                       knox

Thanks for checking in.  No special tools, just a small needle nose pliers, tweezers, etc.  Standard modeling tools for me.

How did you do the green-tinted overhead windows?  Clear green and an airbrush or something else?  I always seem to struggle with getting an even coat on clear parts larger than a position light?  Can't wait to see what magic you work with the paint!

Groot

RobGroot4

How did you do the green-tinted overhead windows?  Clear green and an airbrush or something else?  I always seem to struggle with getting an even coat on clear parts larger than a position light?  Can't wait to see what magic you work with the paint!

Groot

Thanks Rob. For the greenhouse windows, I use Testors Transparent Candy Emerald Green spray paint, TS1601. It works great every time. I spray a light coat, then come back with a heavier second coat. It self-levels and coats well.

Thank you!

Groot

The Bell 212 IAF Anafa is complete. I sprayed it with Testors Sand Beige (2910) overall. I then washed it with a dark grey-black acrylic watercolor, a sandy-orange color, and a light grey-yellow sandy color.

The decals are all from the kit, except for the "Rolling Swords" Squadron (124 IAF Helicopter Squadron) emblem on the tail. It came off the Italeri rebox of Academy's 1/35 UH-60A/L kit, which has an option for an IAF Black Hawk. All the decals snugged down nicely with only the yellow ID "V" on the tailboom. I must have used half a bottle of decal setting solution on it to get it to snug down. In the end it did though.

I also used a set of the AMS Models UH-1N FOD covers (AMS 35001). I think they look really nice and set it off well.

More pics here: http://smg.photobucket.com/user/HeavyArty/library/IAF%20Bell%20212%20Anafa?sort=4&page=1&postlogin=true

I hope everyone enjoyed following along. Overall it was not a bad kit, but it needed a bit of TLC to add some needed details.

Beautiful. One question, should the main rotor mast be fuselage color?

Lee - thanks for the compliments.  The main rotor shaft and blade grips are a light grey color.  As is the center actuator on the tail rotor.  It is hard to tell in the pics, but they are a different color.

Oh, ok, must be the lighting in your pics.

Must be.  I think the white-balance is off on my camera.  Here is a pic that a buddy at another site worked on a bit that shows the color difference well.