CH-53E 1/48th pics

now that's a nice, been in the stuff, well-worn looking -53.  squadron selection was right-on. 

GREAT JOB

brian

Beautiful Bird!  Thanks for sharing!

    Ray
 

that is beautiful.....WOW....looks like she is getting ready to be unfolded for flight.

 

Thanks guys, I appreciate the kind remarks.  It has some flaws, I know, got kind of rushed towards the end.  I just wanted to get it off the table, finally.  Those rivets take forever to do neatly.  We need more 53's here!

Heloguy wrote:

Those rivets take forever to do neatly.

What was your technique? The stock Academy kit really lacks rivet detail. Your photos look really convincing.

Andy

Thanks...about a year and a half or so ago there was a post from someone who did rivets on a 53 and it looked really good.  I got the info from him, which was a guy in Europe who makes this rivet tool.  It is basically a watch gear pinned to a wooden handle.  I agree, the kit lacks rivets and rivets really make the difference and adds realism.  On the access doors I used an old airbrush needle and painstakenly measured each distance and punched each rivet.  I measured each rivet line space, used masking tape as a guide and slowly rolled the gear down the line.  I messed up many times and had to sand and start over in spots, but it was worth it.  Added about 8-10 additional hours to the build.  This and two Vietnam CH-46A and D, and a UH-1E will be auctioned off at Popasmoke this Summer for their scholarship fund.  If I have time, I may do the 1/35th Wiskey Cobra NTS.  Its been sitting on the shelf for a long time! 

Heloguy,

 

We do need more -53's...it is almost like they are forgotten.  I used to fly MH's and wish they would do a 1/48 of that so i can have a CH and an MH.  Keep up the great work, I dont know if mine will come out nearly as nice as yours...great model of a fantastic aircraft

Scotty T

That's a fine looking CH-53E.
The weathering looks really good.
I like the added panel lines and such.

Pete

Thanks again guys, you're very kind.  Scotty T, thank you for your service to this great country.  I owe many thanks to RidleUSMC, one of the 53 experts here.  His pics of his old bird really helped shape this model, so Semper Fi from a former Grunt and thanks!

You don't owe me any thanks, It's good to share.  You did a really bang up job on the bird.  It looks as war-weary and worn out as the real things.  You captured the dirty grey feeling of a 53 very well.  I can only say Great Job so many ways. 

Semper Fi,

Chris

awesome job.  Is there any way you could show a pic and/or measurement of the size watch gear you used for the rivets?  I have this one and the -46 in the stash [actually, I also have the old Revell AG -53 in 48t too] and would love to redo the rivets on both.

Howdy Heloguy

 

Please allow me to add my kudo's to the gallery here on your absolutely superb work on your 53!

I am also building this very same ship {am performing the super detailing to the rotor hub as we speak} but am now thinking about chucking the whole mess after seeing yours...I will probably reconsider and at least attempt to  create my project so that it can at least stand in the shadow of your most impressive work ;-)

Is there a place or site {such as photobucket} where you might have stashed additional, and larger pics of your in-progress work?  If so, I would love to see it.

 

You also mentioned that Popasmoke is having a fund drive?  Would you have any more info on that and how one might participate?

 

tia

 

Tread. 

Excellent work on your H-53 heloguy . You certainly mastered the art of weathering . All my helicopter models have a clean paint finish . Which looks okay but lacks the realism of what you have accomplished with your build . It's one of the best H-53 models I've seen , well done Kind regards john .

Thanks a bunch, those are tall compliments, seeing as there are some pretty darn good model makers here (the Super 61 has got to be on top).  Sorry, Tia, I have never done in-progress pics, just lazy I guess.  I love making any Marine helo, but this behemoth takes a long time!  In ref to the Popasmoke auction, they take donated items at their reunion and silent auction them off there.  So, if you are in D.C. mid Aug., you can bid!  I am going to post progress pics on my CH-46A and D here soon.  The weathering is easy, I just made my own water-based blend of raw umber and lamp black art paint, very watery, and brushed it over a dry coat of dull, and dabed a wet Q-tip over the surface until I "acheived the desired effect."    Thanks again, I'll keep ya posted.