1/72 MH 53e

The American Helicopter Museum is very close to where we live in Malvern. Each year they do the only all-helicopter air show called Rotorfest which is well worth seeing. A number of years ago the show was much bigger (before development ate up the available space) and the Army brought in a CH-53 and an MH-53. Those of us on the flight line were told to close off the perimeter road  because they were going to park both close to the road and the rotor wash might turn over a car. What a thrill watching both land and keeping your footing. A diminutive young lady stepped out of the MH-53, turned out she was the pilot - you go girl!

Just goes to show, your "stature" doesn't indicate your flying ability :-)

Looking good so far.  Interior is coming out really nice.

On a side note...

...the Army brought in a CH-53 and an MH-53.

The US Army doesn't use CH/MH-53s.  -53s are only used by the US Navy and USMC.

Yep, realized the error after the posting - it was a Marine MH-53.

Hmmm.

 Right service now . With that I gotta tell you , I am doing that big French Chopper .Whatta boid !  T.B.    Yours looks like it will be a winner !

Thanx. I thought I would do a tail and rotor fold but am starting to wonder if that is a good idea. They will hide some of the nice exterior detail/weathering and I think the detail to build the main rotor hindge system will be very difficult to get correct in 72'nd scale.

Theuns

The cabins of those birds do have quite a bit of tubing, wires, and equipment in them.  However, padding is accurate.  The padding is refered to as sound insullation which was held up by cam-locks and velcrow.  The padding was often pulled away from service ports and then replaced by the mechanics.  It got dirty very quickly.    

Thanx for the feedback. The well used look is what I was going for :-)

This project is on ice till the 1st of Aug for the rotor wing GB  aka "Fling wing GB"

Theuns

Coming along very nicely indeed.....Cheers mark

I had a little time so I did some work on the 53.

The effect looks quite rough now, but the cabin will be like a dark cave so I am not to worried about it.

I still have allot of stuff to build for the cabin, the roof section is going to be vert tricky as I can nly do it once the fuse is joined and access will be limited...

Theuns

Man the fit on thos kit is lacking! I wonder why they didn't just have 2 fuse halves instead of the 3 they have here.

I managed to wrangle the fuse together but I will have to do allot of filling and sanding on the bottom. Lucky for me I got a new re-scribing river tool so it should be OK.

I am starting to think my odea of folding the rotor and the tail was to optimistic for this kit, I am not sure all that work will add to the overall improvement of the final result. Maybe just build it and move on.

Theuns

I tried to simulate the destinctive oil canning on the back of the fuselage but it was a spectacular failure  :-(

Theuns