I have alot of scratchbuilding ahead of me (Academy CH-53E) FINISHED!

WOW that looks GREAT so for. Keep it up

Bud

Hi Chris,

Outstanding work!     Have been following your progress with interest, and seeing all the fun you're having, makes me want to slide on down to Hobby Lobby and get me one!

Looking forward to your next update, thanks!

Take care,

Frank

SSgt, Thanks for sending those pics over.  I enjoyed them. 

Dubua and Oldhooker, Thanks for the kind words. 

I've spent the last couple of days working on the engine nacelles and EAPS (Engine Air Particle Seperators).  The EAPS work by drawing air in through the Strata-tubes (the small black circles).  The airflow through the cavity forces the particles outward, then the particulate is blown out of the exhaust fan.  The exhaust fan is that thing that looks like a coffee can. The doors at the front of the EAPS open automatically at certain airspeeds and altitudes AGL.    

I added a stip of plastic for the fairing that covers the wires that run from the front of the EAPS back to the exhaust fan.  The cool thing is that the plastic I added covers an ugly seam. 

Semper Fi,

Chris

I just got my hands on the Academy CH-53E kit today.  Looks nice!  A buddy of mine picked one up for me real cheap!  It would make you sick to know!  Heh, heh!  He doesn't build helicopters but when he saw the price he thought of me and bought it.  What a great friend!  The main rotor head looks to be a complicated mess of tubing on the real thing.  The amount of extra detail you added was just enough to look more convincing but not a builders nightmare to add more.  Thanks for posting the pictures they will help me in my build, one of these years!   

Hey Melgyver,

I'm glad you got your kit for cheap.  The prices of kits nowadays can be insane.  I bought mine at full price, but I didn't care.  It was that "Must Have" subject for me.  That is a good friend.  I'm glad to know that my pics help.  I have more referance shots at my photobucket account, which is at

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v491/ridleusmc/

CHRH53D had some trouble posting on this forum, but he sent me a message about seeing more of the .50's I bought for this kit. 

I didn't get anything done on the 53 today.  I dedicated the day to finding a job.  Is there anybody hiring helicopter/aircraft mechanics in Northeast Ohio. 

Semper Fi,

Chris

ridleusmc wrote:

Hey Melgyver, I'm glad you got your kit for cheap.  The prices of kits nowadays can be insane.  I bought mine at full price, but I didn't care.  It was that "Must Have" subject for me.  That is a good friend.  I'm glad to know that my pics help.  I have more referance shots at my photobucket account, which is at http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v491/ridleusmc/ CHRH53D had some trouble posting on this forum, but he sent me a message about seeing more of the .50's I bought for this kit.  I didn't get anything done on the 53 today.  I dedicated the day to finding a job.  Is there anybody hiring helicopter/aircraft mechanics in Northeast Ohio.  Semper Fi, Chris

You might start by looking here;

http://www.justhelicopters.com/

I can't remember what you said your MOS was but if you were a 6153 (sheet metal) you shouldn't have any problems getting a job on ANY type of aircraft, fixed or rotary wing... as a 6113 it would help tremendously if you had an A&P License, but jobs for A&Ps can be a little harder to find if your concentration wasn't in sheet metal.

There is a narrow minded bias against helo mechs in the fixed wing world, especially when it comes to large aircraft. Namely  that if a person had experience working on helicopters then they wouldn't know their way around  fixed wing, which is a crock of crap, especially when a person has worked on larger helos (53's, 47s, and 46s).

As a matter of fact I found that working on C-130s, Boeing 727s, 757s, and 767s was a piece of cake compared to working on on CH-46s, CH-47s and Boeing 234s.

The place I work has plenty of work for sheet metal, avionics, and A&Ps...as long as you don't mind only two seasons...Summer and February!

Jonathan Primm

Youngsville, LA

Thanks JH Primm,

I've looked through the site alittle, and I found some useful stuff.  My MOS was 6153 Airframes and Hydraulics, but I had  some cross training in the 6113 MOS.  Thankfully, it's all documented.  I'm going to talk to the local FAA flight standard guy on Thursday.  They'll let me know what tests I'm qualified to take. 

I found another easily fixed problem with the kit.  Academy molded the bottom piece of the tail section to fit with a gap where the part meets the sides of the tail.  This gap shouldn't be there, but the bottom piece needs to be installed with it to ensure the proper fit of the tail section bulkhead.  Therefore, I'm just going to fill the gap with putty.      

Semper Fi,

Chris

I've been watching this threa a while and I must say ... WOW you're doing a great job detailing your helo!
I really love how the interior looks. Was the sound proofing molded on or did you add it?

Good luck on your job hunt, too.

Thanks for following the build Avus.  To answer your question, the soundproofing and the rest of the interior walls are molded as seperate pieces.  Academy calls it their 2nd skin. 

I did get something done on the job hunt today.  I got permission from the FAA to take my Airframes and Powerplants test.  Another step closer. 

Unfortunately, I didn't get anything done of the 53 today, and I don't think I will have a chance.

Semper Fi,

Chris  

Hello Chris,

When stationed at Tustin I had a neighbor (CH-53D&E Crew Chief Dan Hammer) who built

great looking -53 models.[I believe Revell's -53 line continued only due to him building, minimum,

of six kitso a year for each of the three years that I lived there] Dan, not only built great looking

kits but they looked so realistic from the way they sat. Dan always started with the main rotor.

When the MRH was complete he would:1) take a metal trash can lid and invert it,2)place MRH

inverted into can lid,centered, and maybe put a light weigth onto the swashplate/hub, 3)only when

the rest of build was complete would he remove the MRH and place onto the kit. During the build

the shape of the trash can lid, the weight, and heat within the garage put in such a true blade

droop that I try to mimick that practice as well.

...on another note...

I, as well, wish you success with the FAA tests. If you don't have, I hope the FAA rep suggested

getting a... Airframes section textbook, as well as the Airframes section workbook to bone-up on

possible questions. These manuals should be available at any GPO (government printing office) or

local municipal airport..pilots shop.

Brian  

ridleusmc wrote:

Thanks for following the build Avus.  To answer your question, the soundproofing and the rest of the interior walls are molded as seperate pieces.  Academy calls it their 2nd skin.  I did get something done on the job hunt today.  I got permission from the FAA to take my Airframes and Powerplants test.  Another step closer.  Unfortunately, I didn't get anything done of the 53 today, and I don't think I will have a chance. Semper Fi, Chris

Chris;

Getting the authorization to test is normally the most time consuming and frustrating part because you have to deal with a government agency.

Because you worked as an Airframes/Sheetmetal and Hydraulics tech and because you have some expeirence as a 6113, you should have no problems with the hands on part of the exam.

I went to a "quickie" course in Southern Alabama that basically preps people for taking the exams, it wasn't too expensive but it did get me in the right frame of mind for the written and oral exams. I had the option of taking the written at the place that gave the course or going to a Sylvan Learning Center which also administered the exam.  I chose the former and made sure that I took the practice exams enough times that I covered all possible questions.

The oral and practical exams were a piece of cake, espeically after working on '46s and '47s. As was mentioned before you should be able to pick up some of the study material fairly easily and if you can get to the point where you can answer the sample questions in the back of the books, you wont have any problems with the written exams.

Anyway, great work on the build and good luck in getting your A&P. It wont be as hard as you might think and you will probably wonder why you didn't get it sooner, (I did, when I got mine), it will make a big difference when looking for a job.

Jonathan Primm

Youngsville, LA

J.H. Primm wrote:

...There is a narrow minded bias against helo mechs in the fixed wing world, especially when it comes to large aircraft. Namely  that if a person had experience working on helicopters then they wouldn't know their way around  fixed wing, which is a crock of crap, especially when a person has worked on larger helos (53's, 47s, and 46s)....

I know a guy who went from CH-46's to OV-1's and when he did his frist flight control bearing inspection, he actually accessed the bearings and they were in HORRIBLE condition for a helo guy.  He got in trouble because the control surfaces moved freely with no binding or restrictions before he started and that satisfied the inspection requirements on the Mohawk.

It is a little bit different from one to the other but it is really a simple transition.  I think that helo guys just need to unlearn a few things to avoid "overinspecting" in the fixed wing world.

Mac

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the insight on the private aviation world.  I'm happy that I finally scheduled a time and a place for my test.  I'm going to one of those quicky test prep coarses.  I see aviation jobs advertised all the time, so I don't think I'll have too much trouble finding a job.  I want to avoid moving from Northeast Ohio, but I will if I have too. 

I've made some progress on the 53.  It doesn't look like much, but the seams are filled and the panel lines are rescribed.  I'm going to have to dedicate alot of time and effort to the detail pieces and painting, so I don't think I'm close.  Baby steps, Baby steps. 

I found it hard to "Future Dip" the nosepiece, because it's quite a large piece.  So, I held it over a container with forceps and squirted it all over with Future.  Then I painted the inside of the upper windows with Tamiya Clear Green.  Then I masked all the windows and painted the outside of the nosepiece with black, because the cockpit interior is black all over.  Next on the chopping block is the cockpit escape hatches (pilot and copilot side windows).  They already have the Future treatment.  They need some masking and painting.   

Semper Fi,

Chris

I did a couple more things today.  The belly has some errors with the locations and orientations of the external lifing hooks. 

First off is the single point hook isn't even visible with the center cabin floor door closed.  The single point external hook is actually in the cabin.  It hangs from an A-Frame in the cabin.  The A-Frame folds up into the cabin overhead when it's not in use, and the hell hole door (center cabin floor door) is opened.  To correct this, I simply omitted the kit's single point (center) hook, and filled the hole with putty. 

Second:  The Dual point external cargo hooks are modeled by Academy hanging down in the position they'd be in during an external lift.  Usually they are stowed folded up.  I added the rail they're mounted on from evergreen plastic rod.  Then I glued the hooks up.  The open end of the hooks should point tword the front and the rear of the aircraft.  The open ends should not point tword each other.  The swing rail should be on the centerline of the aircraft. 

On the top of the transition section I added a GPS antennea.  We'd often refer to it as the "Coffee Can."  I just used a piece of the thick sprue that the parts from this model came on. 

Semper Fi,

Chris

Thanks for the answer ridleusmc. Your build is looking always better can't wait to see it done.

No need to say to keep us posted!

Hey Guys,

I got a little bit more done today.  Hopefully it'll get primered soon.  I decided to go with white primer because the final finish is going to be gray, and it may be easier to use white primer.  The line added to the fuel probe is the air line used to extend the probe.  The probe uses bleed air from the #3 engine to extend and retract the fuel probe.   

It's pretty much been about preping for paint.  It looks weird with a black nose and yellow escape hatches. 

I'm going to add a couple little things to the tail disconnect area, but it's pretty much ready for paint. 

Semper Fi,

Chris

Yeah,

I have a couple pictures.  This first one is of the A-Frame stowed on the cabin overhead.  This A-Frame folds down and then hooks to a rod that folds down from the other side.  I do not have pics of the rod, but it is just a simple steel rod which is about 3 feet long.  This A-Frame is located directly under the Main Gear box, which is directly under the main rotor head.  This is essentially the lifing center of the aircraft.  The A-Frame is often concielled by the overhead soundproofing.   

Here the A-Frame is hanging down into the cabin over the "Hell hole."  Unfortunately It doesn't show the bar that folds down from about 3 feet ahead of the single point A-Frame that stabalizes it from movement forward and aft.   

I put some primer on the 53 today, and it looks so good that I have changed my plans.  It's such an awesome white whale, that I have decided to keep it white and give it UN markings.

HA, Just kidding.  I'll start painting the Tactical Grey and blue this weekend. 

Semper Fi

Chris

ridleusmc wrote:

I put some primer on the 53 today, and it looks so good that I have changed my plans.  It's such an awesome white whale, that I have decided to keep it white and give it UN markings. HA, Just kidding.  I'll start painting the Tactical Grey and blue this weekend.  Semper Fi Chris

I kick your @$$ if you did that!!!  I say with the U.N.

She is looking good. What do you say about a week, week and 1/2 to getter dune.

You had me worried for a minute!  White whale!  UN bird!   

Thanks for posting the pictures of the "A" frame.  I can see the "ear" for the extra single arm to attach and stablize the frame for fore an aft movement.  The "A" frame would be a good detail to add.  How big an open area are we talking about in the cabin floor the main hook protudes from?  Is the main hook on a pendant line also?  Also what is the purpose of the crank on the "A" frame.  I dug out my old Revell CH-53D I had planned on making a Super Jolly Green out of and surveyed the work I had started years ago.  Only had made about 9 of the almost 30 ribs for the interior.  Nuts, huh!  I should start work back on it and then the CH-53E would be a piece of cake! 

The "Hell Hole" is about 3 feet long and 2 feet wide.  The dimentions of the kit panel looked right, so I didn't change it.  It's that flat panel that had one hole in it that I filled. 

When doing a single point external lift, a pendant-hook would be hung from that A-frame, through the hell hole and out of the bottom of the helicopter.  The Pendant-hook was stored in a large "hook box" on the forward left corner of the cabin, just under the left hand gunner's window (A/O window).  The wench was used to raise the pendant hook back into the cabin after the external lift was over.  Unfortunately, I didn't take any reference pictures of the Pendant-hook before I left the Marine Corps.  Hopefully that gives you some clues about the usage of the external lifting system, but feel free to ask again if I didn't answer your question. 

I didn't get much done today.  My plan was to get the base coats on, but I only got as far as preshading.  I didn't preshade any panel lines.  Those can wait until later.  Instead, I just sprayed the exhausts and any areas that I wanted to show shadows.  I made sure to get the screens that are there to keep internal components cool. 

I was just kidding about that UN thing.  Now it looks like a Leopard finish.

Semper Fi,

Chris   

Hey Chris,

glad your UN idea was a joke. But..with this new look it would fit into the commercial....eat mo' chicken....LOL

pls keep the updates coming.  [my -53 is showing some progress- i'm trying to get the nerve to post]

brian.

Hey Brian,

It does look like a cow doesn't it.  Perhaps I can sell the idea of a heavy lift Dairy assault ship to the Wisconsin National Guard. 

You should definately post some pics of your Delta.  You'd be helping people out with pictures of your scratchbuilding.  I thought your layout was pretty cool and interesting, and I know there are other people turning the Revell CH-53G into a CH-53D.  I think people would definately be interested, and could get some insight from your work and expertise.

Mel, I'm glad I could help out with those A-Frame pics.  The more pics I look at, the more I regret not building one up.  Then again, I was starting to get sick of working on that interior.  As far as the A&P stuff goes,  I'm going to a test prep coarse in mid October, and I just had a job offer.  I don't want to say too much about it now, but it's looking good.   

It got some grey on the thing today.  I finally chose Tamiya's XF-19 Sky Grey.  I used XF-20 Medium Grey on my 1/72 scale CH-53E from 3 years ago, but XF-19 looks more appropriate in 1/48 scale.  Tomorrow, I'll be giving it some more coats of grey, and I'll start painting the engine Nacells, EAPS, Aux Tanks, and the ramp.  I haven't attached those parts yet to ease the painting process.  I was only able to take one pic because the camera battery died.

Semper Fi

Chris

Sorry, it's been a few days.  Progress has been slow due to a trip to Chicago (Great Town) and the GF.  Masking and painting has been tedious, but I'm finally ready to start shooting future onto my machine.  I used Tamiya TS-32 Haze grey for the darker upper surfaces.  I plan to add some "Touch ups" with a lighter shade of grey than the XF-19 base coat.  Note the lighter grey rectangles on the Nose, Tail, and fuselage.  These areas are where the modexes and squadron identifiers are located.  These markings are often painted and repainted.  The new paint is always lighter than the old stuff, hence the light patches. 

Semper Fi,

Chris

It's been a while.  I need more time to finish this thing.  The main rotor head has been the subject of my latest toil.  It got some paint, and a few more hydraulic lines.  The best thing I could find to use for the bungees that hold some of the lines in place when the head is turning was masking tape.  The blades of CH-53E's are color coded to facilitate maintenance.  I painted masking tape to the appropriate colors, and then placed strips of tape in the proper spot. 

#1 Blade Red , #2 - Blue, #3-Yellow, #4-Orange, #5-Green, #6-White, #7-Black.  The order runs counter clockwise.  This anagram helps, Remember Bring Your Own Gun With Bullets. The Tail blades are also color Coded.  But I don't know an anagram for that. 

Semper Fi,

Chris

Would you please speed up your work: can't wait to see it finished!

Just kidding, take your time in order to have your model become a great build, as it alredy promises to be.
(Now what the heck did I just write?!)

Sorry Avus, I can't hurry up.  I have to take a weeks trip to Texas, and then I have to build a Hellcat before Christmas.  I'm not going to put the 53 away, but the hellcat is really going to slow things up. 

Today I did some blade work.  I just added a metalic strip to the leading edge.  Most of this strip will get covered with electrical tape, which looks in scale like the protective blade tape that goes on the leading edges of the blades.  I also sprayed some future to get it ready for decals. 

You may notice the dark grey cowling on the #3 engine nacelle.  Often Marine CH-53E Squadrons would get parts painted for Navy MH-53E aircraft.  Sometimes they wouldn't get painted.  Unfortunately, I have a great picture to illustrate this, but it's not in digital form. 

Texas was fun, but now I'm back and did some landing gear work on my 53.  These Reinforcement labels, which I never use, are perfect wheel masks for the CH-53E Tires.  What a happy coincidence. 

Semper Fi,

Chris