That sounds really cool. Its nice to hear about some more 1/72 stuff going on. Ive never used and HQ72 stuff so I dunno about the quality or anything but you could always scratchbuild you own. Google image some pics of Middle Eastern buildings and work from those I think.

As for the helicopter I remember someone posting a picture of a Navy helicopter dropping cargo from a cable onto a ship deck. It was held up in the same way through the cable which was a piece of brass wire bent to shape and painted. It was really well done, maybe youve seen it already. 

Also what troops are you planning on using to pose fast roping out? I would like to know what your using because Id also like some poses like that. I think Revell Germany has some figure sets of KSK troops rappelling but Im not 100% sure.

..about scratchin' your own...Baseline Hobbies had one that was pretty convincing, but good luck even finding them on the web. They're out of Mineola NY (LI) and can be found in indexes of FSM and other mags sometimes.

I honestly think that, given the typical fsimple, flat angles and plaster construction of most buildings there, it would seem that SB'ing them would be easier--and probably faster. Especially in 1/72.

That sounds unusual, so it'll be challenging and rewarding. What are your thoughts about the big rotor? I was thinking motorized, but it'll wobble around too much on top of the ropes. Hold on guys!

I did think about the rotors, but I really don't think that'll work w/ them spinning.  It would look awkward if the rotors were moving but the guys were stuck on the ropes...

 As for the figures, I am probably going to use a mix-match of sets, most likely from RoG, Caeser, Prieser (if I can find a set), CMSC, and putty.

Another building question:  Would styrofoam covered with wall spackle or something like that be the best way to go about the construction?

Thanks,

Austin 

Okay, well, I moved on to sketch the diorama with Google SketchUp (the free version) and the UH-60 will be the MH-60K, figure poses will differ, but will remain similar, but this is what I came up with:

 There would be one guy about mid-way down on each fast rope.

The corners seem to be empty though, as it is just the building, helicopter, and figures right now.  What would be the best way to fill that space (wall, shrubbery, or what?)

Thanks,

Austin 

My and as a designer, not a dio builder.

It seems to me that this dio is very unusual because it has several layers of interest, separated top to bottom. My gut reaction is that the helo is where the eye goes first, then follows down to the ground. The landscape has to be as boring as possible: the fast roping is the whole theme. Otherwise the eye will be jumping around. For instance the guys attacking on the ground (at what?) would be a distraction.

So keep the ground simple. Don't make it a set. If there is a building, which I consider maybe a bit much, make sure it doesn't matter.

EDIT: kcmat came in before me (gotta be a term for that?) the base is just that, the story is the helo and the troops going in.

arkhunter2002 wrote:

Okay, well, I moved on to sketch the diorama with Google SketchUp (the free version) and the UH-60 will be the MH-60K, figure poses will differ, but will remain similar, but this is what I came up with:  There would be one guy about mid-way down on each fast rope.   The corners seem to be empty though, as it is just the building, helicopter, and figures right now.  What would be the best way to fill that space (wall, shrubbery, or what?)   Thanks,   Austin

Are you trying to make the fast roping seen from Black Hawk down???

No, something more modern (2000's), with a location that is plausibly in Iraq/Middle East, although a ton of inspiration comes from that event.

Bondoman, I don't understand 100% what you're saying about it being a bit much.  Do you think it would be a bit much if I just used the idea if I just made them fast roping onto the building?

BTW, this was why I choose to originally make them fast roping off to the side of the building (I couldn't decide if I wanted them fast roping actually on the building or right next to it)

So, kcmat, would be suggesting something along the lines of this:

Thanks,

Austin 

Yeah I think that pic itself would be a great dio. Dont really need alot (if any) detail around the building. Just the building it'self. Then you can play with the height of the chopper. A little higher than in the pic would give a little more sense of what those brave men do. Of course height may be dictated by the wire.

Eitherway dont take all this as 100%. Bro it's your art and you can paint the picture as your inspiration tells you! Thats the beauty of it. If you want some of the road down there then build it!

Just show us some pics of it! 

Still really haven't made up my mind on where they'd be fast roping too...

Personally, I thought it would be too tall if they were fast roping onto a building, but all I need to do is shorten the fast rope...

This is the building that I re-sketched, and am drawing 1/72nd scale plans for it right now.  I am planning on adding a limited interior (there the squares on the sides are windows w/ glass, where as the second story, there's not going to be any glass)

This is a completely new sketch with a new blackhawk, that has a more accurate length than the other one that I was using... 

Take care,

Austin 

Okay, so I converted all of the 1:1 scale stuff from Google Sketch to 1/72 and drew it out on paper.  I made copies, then cut them out, and taped them together with tamiya tape.  It was a little bit larger than I had imagined it, and there wouldn't be any room for the fast ropes to hit the ground, and make everything fit.  These pics are taking on a 12 inch x 12 inch board:

Take care,

Austin 

Well, this might not be quite what you're looking for, but I scratchbuilt a similar style building not long ago.  Mine was 1/35, but the methods are the same, and mine was set in modern Africa, but the architexture is similar.  Anyways, I made the basic shape out of some old lego bricks, leaving door and window holes.  I then spackled it, and left rough brush marks in it.  Next came the door, the roof and window shutters made from some popsicle sticks I hacked up. I added some out of scale, but cool looking, screen in the windows, and then added little bits like ladders, posters, graffiti, etc.  The corrugated metal roofing is from lead foil from wine bottles, and the tarp is tissue paper and glue method. The low blue "railing" is another old lego piece.  Voila, a nice little building, with $0 spent for me. 

Now I've just got to finish that dio up........Hopefully this helps a bit.

Okay so I started construction today.  I am using cellfoam (?) or something like that.  It is a fairly strong styrofoam.

It is held together by staples right now, becuase I am testing different glues right now on scraps, although I read that gorilla glue works. The structure is the top part (where the guy is standing next to)

Comments and Critiques welcome,

Austin 

Arkhunter,

all the comments about ropping on to the roof are pretty much SOP.  In Iraq the unit i was in allways roped in guys on the roof,  the ropes come in different lenghts.  So even if the Helo was only 20 feet of the ground you would some times have a big coil on the rooftop.

 Usually the Pavelows would just land somewhere close and let off troops to secure the surronding areas

daylight fast rope

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EotYOpAAihw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT0_zi8TxsQ

NVG fast rope

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htqYWmbnpkU&feature=related

Can't way to see more progress great planning it sould be awsome when your done!

Jose

This is coming along nicely. I had a thought that it could be really nice to have a base that fits tightly around the ground floor of the building, that way the upper floor balcony hangs over the edge of the diorama and the helicopter can hang out even further. Think about the house Falling Water and you'll see what I mean.

It would be a way of opening up the three dimensional space, without the restrictions of a base frame holding you back. Just a thought. 

vespa boy wrote:

This is coming along nicely. I had a thought that it could be really nice to have a base that fits tightly around the ground floor of the building, that way the upper floor balcony hangs over the edge of the diorama and the helicopter can hang out even further. Think about the house Falling Water and you'll see what I mean. It would be a way of opening up the three dimensional space, without the restrictions of a base frame holding you back. Just a thought.

I think you oughta introduce a mockup of your bird at this point. It'll hopefully help you eyeball the proportions. As a general rule in model buildings, selective compression is desirable. In other words exaggerate the height relative to the plan area by reducing the footprint of the building. Otherwise you are going to end up with a whole lot of roof. Not that thats a bad thing, and remember to detail it up. I would ask those brave gents who've looked down on this what might be up there. I'd think a dish for sure, maybe beds, hmmm...

Oh wow, long time, no update.  Anyways, here it is in short:

I just glued the first floor walls together.  I think I will just order a set or two from PDI to add to the interior versus try and scratchbuild a bunch of chairs and such.

However, I made two things that will go on the roof.  Ignore the red paint on the the tarp, because I cleaned it off.  The blanket is tissue in white glue/water, painted with oils, and the tarp on the left is the same, but painted with acrylics/given an oil wash.


This is where I think I will put these items.


another "vision" picture

Still lots more ahead of me.

Take care,
Austin

About the two items on the roof (looks to me like a couch with a tarp/blanket over it and a bed with a blanket pulled back), don't forget that the UH-60, like most helos, have an INTENSE rotorwash, especially when combat loaded and hovering OGE (outside ground effect) because of increased throttle required to keep it in the air.  So the blankets and tarps would most likely be LONG gone.  To see what I'm talking about, look online, find and watch a video of a Blackhawk doing a roll-on landing in the desert or approaching a target for a fast rope operation.  The movie "Blackhawk Down" also effectively shows this rotorwash effect.  There is a cloud of dust/dirt/debris that preceeds the rotor disk and creates a brown-out condition initially, then as the hover is held, things clear up a bit (the movie doesn't show this very well)--but the rotorwash blows anything not nailed down far, far away. 

Just a long-winded thought (sorry ), but nonetheless...the couch and bed look great! Excellent job making them!!  The -60 looks friggn awesome so far and I can't wait to see more on this dio!!  Where'd you find the crew figures?  You're making me want to pull my Blackhawk off the shelf and start working!!  Keep us posted!

I thought about the rotor wash, so I may just end up having the blanket be flying off of the bed maybe caught up on the wall or something, but the tarp (idk what's under it) I will have tied down.  I am going to try and make a TV that was sitting on the blue tarp that got blown off.  As for the brown out, I think thats where photoshop will come in.

Thanks,

Austin 

Hey guys, its been a really long time, but I've started college and ROTC, and I've left all of my modelling stuff at home, but over my 2 week Christmas break, I got to work on it/in a sense started over.  I ended up buying some HQ 72 buildings at the IPMS-USA Nats last year.  Well, I've scrapped my older building and am looking at a few ideas.  The size of the building is pretty small, but I find it advantageous to keep the diorama focused.  I guess I am directing this to those who know, is the building too small, or is it just right?  I compared it against Italeri's Berlin house (much much larger, a bit too big IMO), which could pass as a training building or what not, but forgot to take pictures.

The helicopter pictured is a UH-60L that I'm working on too.  I still plan on using an MH-60K though.  And here's some of my sculpting on the figure front. 

And my first ever attempt at a head in any scale (man 1/72 is TINY!)

Comments and Critiques are welcome.

Take care,

Austin

I really liked what you were doing with your first building, but I do understand the need sometimes to start fresh!  VERY WELL DONE on the figure sculpting!  You are right--1/72 is tiny and you are off to an OUTSTANDING start on making your own figures!

Off topic--have you contracted with ROTC yet or are you just trying it out?  I did ROTC for 2 years in college and had a blast, got out before I contracted, but a few years after college I enlisted and went to OCS.  Was actually going Aviation to fly the -60, but paperwork got fouled up and now have my paperwork in to go MP.

senojrn wrote:

I really liked what you were doing with your first building...

DITTO, not sure where the action is taking place but my impression was the Middle East...if so, I would reconsider trashing your first building...I thought it looked the part...nice to see you back on this one---I remember when you first started and I thought it was a cool dio idea...I did the 4 years of ROTC myself, good-luck!

Was actually going Aviation to fly the -60, but paperwork got fouled up and now have my paperwork in to go MP.

Can't spell "Wimp" without "M-P"...

(During the "bad ol' days", the Chemical NCO School and MP NCO school were co-located at Ft McClellan.  Lotta branch-rivalry there, lol))

I´ve just completed a UH-60 today actually and came by your work by accident. I like your idea a lot and it seems to be coming together really well. I did my UH-60 with pilots and a gunner and it went fairly quickly. I do have to experience modelling figures and when it comes to painting soldiers in this scale I think less is more. It´s easy to apply too much detail, and in my view that´ll just clutter up the model, that´s already teeny tiny. I just panit them in an overall colour, usually making boots and gloves black to break up uniformitu a little, give the models a black wash with inks (a brown one for faces), matt coating and then drybrush the uniform in a lighter colour. 

Aviation is a great business. I do controlling myself and you should consider that too. :-) 

It's still alive!!!!!

Here's the next installment of the fast roping dio.  I added the fast ropes, and although it doesn't look 100% right, it works for me.

and to prove that I'm not touching it at all

this is what the fast ropes look like:



They are made from 19 gauge steel wire.

Take care,
Austin

Another update...

I built up another building idea...

The plastic square is representing the roof access while the tamiya cement is represent where the AC/de-swamper unit will be...

There will be 5 guys on the chopper/fast rope.  The guy who is missing hands/head and stuff will be pointing and telling the kneeling 'replacement' to go.  the kneeling guy is representing a seated Soldier reaching for the rope.  There will be a guy at the bottom of the rope right before he hits the ground.  On the other side, there will be one seated with one hand on the rope as the last guy is about half way down the rope.

Comments/critiques welcome

Take care,

Austin

Ark,

MAN! You COMPLETELY beat me to this one! I've been saving a UH-60 for just such a build. I'll be watching/ catching up on it.

Good luck!

Alright, so I built another building....

This time out of styrene and used Mr. Surfacer 500 for the stucco.  It's a commercial garage/storage facility.

Here it is in reference with a HH-60G/'vision picture':

And then my improvements over Italeri's rotorblade:

Then three figure pictures.  The first two are of guys in back, one is pointing and telling the guy sitting on the ledge to go, and on the other is a guy on the fast rope and another one reaching for it.  I plan on getting sculping another guy fastroping/getting off of the rope, and then another kneeling/crouching in the helicopter.  The last one is of the half painted pilots.

You can see more pictures here.

So I got a comment on the ARC that the fast ropes looked thick, so I did something that I should have done before I started.  Research.  Fast ropes average 40-44mm but mine were something closer to 76mm to 80mm.  I looked around, tried a few things out, included winding thin brass wire together, but all in all I found some ~.6mm (43.2mm in scale) wire which should work just fine.  Not the sturdiest thing, but it holds.  Here's pics from my test from earlier today.  For the ALQ-144 I (in the 3rd pic down) I cut Echelon's M-113 vision blocks into smaller squares and put them on there, and cover it in future.  Two more pics are here.

And then with the crew/passengers dry-fitted:

Comments/Critiques welcome

Take care,
Austin

Ark,

I really like where this is going .... but stop making new buildings dammit! HAHA!!!! (btw .... I really like the second one ..... w/ the arched patio on the front .... that one's got my vote.)

The only thing that I can say for this is that I like how your supporting the wires in the block to be hidden on the inside, however, look at the real pic you posted of the guys roping out .... the ropes are tossed out and the extra length just flops on the ground. 1) In the beginning you had them coiled up .... bad idea and unrealistic 2) W/ your current idea, the rops go right through the roof .... i.e. perfect length ropes for the raid!?! Again, a little unrealistic. I guess its more of a challenge than a question .... go back and work on the ropes before continuing.

My initial thought is to bundle the ropes on the roof right where they punch through, then hide any "seams" with a figure. Just a thought ....

Just keep going with this one .... procrastinator!

Lol, I'm not procrastinating, just creative indecisive right now...

I think I might rebuild that second building, but in styrene this time.  I originally had each floor be 50mm, which would equal 12" ceilings!  I'm still going to keep the garage/storage unit b/c there are plenty of other things I could use it for, and there is a roof, it's that tiled panel, but I took it out so the clay block could be set in the building.

The ropes are stuck in the clay so that it "stands up" for the time being.  It gives me a visual idea of how it's going to look, and then ideas come...

Right now, I am working on the roof/ropes.  The back half isn't going to be sound proofed so I think I might run the ropes through the length of the helo to give it extra support...

Just remember, it's creative indecision, not procrastination...

HAHA!!! lol .... ok, you got me on that one. Either way .... lookin' forward to it!

The battery in my camera died while taking pictures, but I was able to upload the ones that I took.

I couldn't get a very good picture before my camera died, but I started on a 4th guy inside the blackhawk that will be kneeling, and probably holding a SAW.  I don't like the guy next to the "roof access" right now, but I don't know what to switch him out for, so for now, he stays...

There will be a total of 9 Rangers who are the guys in back.  Two of the guys on the port side of the a/c are more conversions that sculpted as their legs are from the hasegawa AF personnel set.  Then I copied one of the IOTV's that I sculped and added some more stuff (backpack and such) on with ProCreate.  I still have a lot to do on the figures, but I'm getting somewhere.  I start sculpting some hands,  It's kinda nice that they will all (or atleast most of them) will have the gloves on...I think the runner close to the "roof access/tamiya cement" will have an M-4 at the high ready while the guy underneath the chopper will have one hand on his M-4 as he's running.

Comments and Critiques welcome.

Take care,

Austin

Ark,

Your stuff is coming along nicely. Really, the only thing that I can say at this point is just to keep going. Yes, the figs have a "little" bit to go before they resemble people, but they will get there.

As for me in situations like this, I find that working one figure at a time works best in the end. It may take me a little longer overall, but the work will be better for it.

Again, nice job on the figs thus far. Thanks for the updates .... and as before, I'll keep watching this one.

Quicky update.  I added primer to the rotor head and also painted the roof with dark gull grey.  Still need to paint the other things and finish building the fast roping rig.

Here's the rotor with the "cone up".  What do you guys think?  I think it's right, as in not too coned, but not to flat...

And then more on the figures. The kneeling figure is going to be rotated 90 degrees so that he is facing forward.

And finally, my first ever 100% sculpted figure.  I am not super happy with the way his chest rig turned out, so I'm going to go back and fix it.  There are a few other things that could be touched up (the face, f.e.), but as of now, he's done...

Take care,

Austin

Ark,

Lookin good. Two things though ... I'd take another look at your rotor blades. I'm not a helo expert, but I think that the blades bend a little more along the blade itself rather than just angle up at the rotor ... does that make sense? And two, I like the scratching you did for your figure, and I realize that they're 1/72, but work IMO I think that you should work him just a little more to try and get the "tubbieness" out of him. His feet look a little too much like marshmellows.

However, I really like the colors and the cabin layout. Nice job ...

I'm stuck lookin for paint .... RRRrrrrrrr.......

Yeah, I know what you're saying with the figures being a bit on the marshmellowy side.  The one in the cabin is better, IMO, but I figured that wind/rotorwash would poof out the clothing...  As for the blades, here's a pic that makes it look like the blades are straight:

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/4/8/5/1063584.jpg

From these pictures, it makes me think that the blades are straight.

I think I will redo the figure is in order too...

What are you lookin for paint for?  The little bird's just black...lol

I think you're right after all ....

After going back and looking at some other pictures that I have, the helo is still coming down rather than hovering, so I think that's why the blades look more like they're bending. Nice eye!

As far as the rotor wash puffing out the clothing .... mmm, not sure on that one. I think that the wash is more likely to push clothing into the body, making excess material "wave".

Lloydscale wrote:

This is looking good. If you've never tried sculpting your own figures, I can tell you it's one of the toughest things to do, and get right. Let alone at 1/72!

, I think that you're doing good brother. I wasn't trying to throw you off. Sorry.

I guess its just that I don't see the need to completely scratch figures in 1/72, when you could very easily get away w/ modding exsisting figures with wire and putty?

But, again. I'm not trying to discourage.

<stepping out of the shadow>

I've been watching your work here and on ARC quite a while now and considering the scale you're doing a splendid job!

Since your figues are in 1/72 scale keep in mind that you won't be able to have the same detail as in 1/35, so just focus on reducing the "marshmellowity"!
My suggestion is that using sculpting knives and files you could work on what you have to remove the eccess putty.

This is just a suggestion for you to consider or ignore.
Keep up your great work and happy modelling!

Thanks Avus.  Actually, I have so far resculpted the legs, which look a lot better (IMO)...  I am also redo the other sitting figure too...  And while I'm at it, here's a small update.

and then finished this guy, still need to add pouches/camelback/backpack and such...

And just for MC talkin about castin 1/35 weapons, the ones on the left are cast 1/72 M-4's.  Not bad in my opinion, esp for a 1 piece mold.  On the right are M-16's that I edited down to M-4's.  The ACOG is from the dragon humvee.

I have some more stuff that I need to add to that figure, which is why his body armor isn't complete...

One more picture.  This is just for size reference...

Like always, I'm open to comments and critiques, and sorry bout the pics, I didn't set up the lamps....

-Austin

arkhunter2002 wrote:

HOLY CRAP!!!! ... I don't think I have anything else to say!?!  .... HOLY CRAP!!!

Lookin' good there, ark.

HOLY CRAP!

is 1/72 after all....

I got plenty of weapons to choose from, but which ones do I choose?

I'm thinking since it's a squad sized element, I could break it down into 2 4-man fireteams (weapons wise 3 M4's 1 with M203 and 1 M249) and then a SL with an M-4, but I'm leaning towards putting an M240 in there.  The guys in back are going to be rangers, so I'm trying to keep atleast a plausible loadout.  Any thoughts on that?

Here's the pictures of the weapons, the stuff on the right is casted, there is an M16 on the top and the bottom, they are both 1/35.  Then the quarter is also for size reference.  I casted all of the rifles on the right (I am not going to use the one the bottom), and they do need some clean up.  One of the SAWs is going to have an ACOG with an M4 style stock, not sure what the other one will be like.  How long is the short barrelled SAW?  I'm thinking of making the other one with a short barrel.  The MG in the middle is the "SAW" from dragon's humvees, it's a mix of the SAW and the 249.  The white metal 240 is from CMSC, which has since gone under...

Little update time.  I've been doing some more sculpting, and the figures are starting to take even more shape....

For kicks, I blue tac'd them to the roof of Italeri's Berlin House, which is much less usable than I was hoping for, maybe for a MH-47 fast roping diorama   ...

Still not sure how to cut out the arches from styrene, maybe drilling it, but I'm not sure...

I'll start with some figures.  The two on the left are all sculpted (except for the tamiya tape), the one next to it is hasegawa+sculpting, then caeser, then prieser...

Then I added arm's to this guy:

And then one just for MC:

C&C welcome

-Austin

camo junkie wrote:

i cant believe you ark...how on earth can you work with those itty bitty figures and parts???

carefully

Hehe ... its an itsy- bitsy little bird! Again, nice job on this!

But, on the conversation on what weapons to use in the squad. I think that you'd be right on if you went w/... 1x 240, 1x 249, 2x 203s, and 4x M4s. You could go w/ 2x 249s, but the 240B has become an asset in today's infantry squad due to the amount of lead it can throw down range. I always hated dismounting it, but you get so much more stand off distance w/ the 240.

Anyway ... history lesson is over. I think that if you've got it, use it. I can't remember, but if you're going for modern-modern, then yes, use it. But if you're going for Mogadishu-modern, I'd go w/ 2x 249s or a 249 and a 60.

HTHs. Again, nice work ... keep it up.

Thanks.

We generally do the "bang bang" drill with rubber ducks, atleast when we are on campus.  The littlebird is pretty much blue tac'd together...lol... That's for an up and coming 160th build (got an MH-47 too )

And it's going to be modern-modern (IIRC the -K rolled out in 94)

Here's small figure update.  I got the HGU's done. One guy has sunglasses on, the other 3 have visors down.  The gunner and FE both have the face shields.  Sorry bout the focus on the left guy in the second pic...

So now imagine this guy:

with this face (painted, of course)

and that's the pilot!  The co-pilot will be grabbing the instrument panel while looking out the open door with his shades on...

arkhunter2002 wrote:

camo junkie wrote: i cant believe you ark...how on earth can you work with those itty bitty figures and parts??? carefully

And with one heck of a magnifying lens!

Those pilots look way better than some in 1/35 I've seen. 

Good Lord, Ark! I'm sure glad that you're a young-buck .... otherwise you're eyes would be toast. You'd better do something in 1/16 or 1/9 for your next build! If might go blind by 25 if you don't!!! HAHA!!

Your figures look awesome. Are the face shields putty? They look nice too. And the pilot .... is that ... 1/72 ... ACU pattern!?! ..... Awww F*CK IT! I QUIT!!!!

Nice going brother .... you got game.

Thanks guys!

Just a teaser pic.  I should be able to put up a picture of the finished pilots tomorrow, and the progress on the figures.  Most of them have heads now...

And psst, yeah, it's slowly coming along, but my skills have gotten much better since I started this trek, so it's been worth it.  I doubt I'll finish it in time to go back to school.  I'm going to leave my modeling stuff at home, however, I am going to take my sculpting stuff to school and keep that up.  There's going to be a lul for a little while, but I might post my sculpting in this thread just to keep it alive, I'm working on a set to fit in the back of a Hasegawa UH-60.

Teaser pic:

Amazing! You're sure it's 1/72 scale?!

I love that Mr.Fantastic figure that's about to rope down! (Sorry couldn't resist)

He used to be The Thing....lol

Here's those pilots I promised .  It seems as though macro is my enemy, it catches all the things that I can't. lol

That said, I think the vests need a little work and thne I'll call these pilots done!

The guy on the left is wearing his visor and the guy on the right is wearing sunglasses .  The sunglasses are flesh based, but then I painted tamiya clear orange over it, and then visor is black (german grey) with tamiya clear green over it.

Good Lord, Son!!!! I have no idea how you're not in the mad house by this time ... after dealing w/ those little guys! They look great though.

As far as the the vest go. I think that a little washing will do the trick. I think thats what you need to bring out the folds and creases.

Looking good, so keep it comin'....

modelchasm wrote:

As far as the the vest go. I think that a little washing will do the trick. I think thats what you need to bring out the folds and creases. Looking good, so keep it comin'....

Completely agree on both statements!

I gave them a bath, well, I washed them   Then I buckled them up and gave them the rest of their controls and PE pedals.  I also started work on the minigun.  I am going to see if I can make HobbyBoss's usable or not, as they start off way too long.  I picked up some .50 cal pre-painted ammo in 1/72, which should be good enough for .30, and if not, I could fold it in half or something, pictures of that coming soon...

Yeah, I got it at a thrift shop and it is like a foot and a half

But yeah, the seatbelts were off a little (first picture is from my UH-60M walkaround showing how the seatbelt should be...)

Then I have pictures of both the rotor blade and the ALQ-144...

C&C welcome,

Austin

Nice disco ball! Looks like things are coming together nicely. I'm stuck in the "figure phase" with mine .... but thanks for showing me there's "an out".

What is you use on the "ball"? Silver under clear red?

modelchasm wrote:

Nice disco ball!

very cool to see that it even reflects enough to throw back a shine on your matte black roof! Impressive in any scale.

Thanks!  I've been looking at ways to try and reproduce it, and well, Echelon came out with a very helpful product.  The M113 purple/pink vision blocks.  They have a good reflective quality.

It's proceeding splendidly!

I might get hold of one of these "vision blocks" ... if it looks that good in 1/72  it can't look bad in 1/35!

Okay so here's an update.  I got some (most) of the figures primed!  Dark pictures, I know, but there isn't much to see other than my mistakes (which is why there is Mr. Surfacer 500)...

Work continues on the two figures hanging out the side of the chopper... And I also worked on the IP.  I painted the wires white, then I gave it a black wash, and then drybrushed it.

I messed up two of the rotors while gloss coating them today.  Thank goodness they weren't the two that I glued to the rotor head.  Here you can see the dust and then you can see my finger prints from when I tried to remove the dust.  I am going to sand the two blades back down and repaint them.  Should be an easy fix.

Then comes the minigun part.  I have three options.  My first option is the RoG minigun from the MH-47E kit.  My second option is from the hobbyboss HH-60H that I modified (has the newer style dilleon aero upgrades) and then a mix of the two (the HB barrel with the RoG reciever, as I'm not too sure which one is more accurate).

Then comes the ammo feed.  I have seen it both with a cover and without.  If I do it with a cover, I will probably use procreate a different ration mixture of procreate to make it flexible (the one in the picture is quite flexible).

If I choose to do it without a cover, I'm not  100% sure how I will do the chute, but I found some .50 cal PE from a P-47 that fits the ammo bill (or could be trimmed to fit the bill).  Either, way, I think this is a very nice thing to have in 1/72, could use it on some humvees too)...

Either way, I will use the brass wire that I coiled around a steel wire to make the empties chute.

Comments and Critiques welcome...

Take care,

Austin

All I can say is WOW!

It's starting to come together!

As for the miniguns I like the grey one better. The coil is great, but you might consider leaving it out since it's not always used. Acutally I've seen it used more by the AF then by the Army.
Those .50 ammo rounds might do the trick as ammo chutes, if you remove the bullets.

Those lenses are pretty magnificent.  Almost makes me want to build a 1/35th M113 so I can use them properly....lol

Avus, I can't find a whole lot of evidence one way or the other.  I've seen them with them (the most recent pictures I've seen surface were an MH-60L with Iraqi SF and they had the chutes on it.  Again, I haven't seen too many pictures of Kilo's with chutes (well, I haven't seen too many pictures of Kilos in general...)  Instead of cutting off the ammo though, I decided to bend the ammo, giving it a 3D shape.  That way I can put two belts together (there are 9 belts in the set) and create an ammo feed.  I'll have to go back and check dilleon aero later to see which minigun reciever/lower half I'll be using.  Anyways, here's the other idea for the ammo feed with the hobby boss minigun.

The legs below the knees are going to be hidden inside so I'm not too worried if it looks a little off, but I need to touch up the camo a little bit.  I gave the vest a khaki grey wash and then a field drab wash in the front to make it a bit darker, although I'm not too sure about how it looks (I would imagine it to be darker, but I don't want to screw it up...lol)

psstoff995 wrote:

That ammo feed looks amazing.... Nice work on the crew chief

Completely agree with psstoff995!

The ammo chute looks great!

Two things. One, I've always been impressed with helicopter dioramas, because of the additional planning and work involved, and because generally speaking, -Hawks and other military helicopters are such dramatic dio subjects. I spent a considerable amount of time standing there in Iraq and staring up at Blackhawks (etc) in action. Powerful imagery. And Two, I've also always been impressed by people who can pull off really good figures in 1/72.

From what I can see so far, you've nailed it on both counts. Really looking forward to seeing this one in its completion.

~Jerry

Thanks guys! I'm glad its really starting to develop into something bigger now...

Well, whoops. I forgot to tell you guys, this is really 1/35 .  All of these "props" to show the size are really just photoshopped in . lol

I also forgot to update the title of the thread... I'm taking a break from the helicopter and started a little work on the building.  I want to get it all cut out and taped together before leaving for school in a week.  I am glad to go back to school and ROTC, but I'm kinda sad that I have to leave all of this progress behind me.  But oh well, it'll be here when I come back...

For the building, I got the main parts cut out, and am starting on some interior.  I'm not 100% on how I will do it, but I'm fairly sure it will look good regardless.  I plan on finishing it the same way as the garage, with the Mr. Surfacer 500 for the stucco.  I cut out the "block" where the arched porch should be as the arches will be cut out of styrofoam and then covered with Mr. Surfacer...

It's starting to get BIG.  I like the size/shape of the building.  The top of the roof is 8" x 6".  I'm not sure how I'm going to base this.  After all, this is my first diorama...

Take care,

Austin

Aight, well I need to give the ACU's a little bit of a wash, but for right now, they are done...

Here's the FE & gunner, again you won't see anything from the knees down, so it looks a little more "rough" than say the arms...

Then a little added bonus.  It's a 1/35th head that I painted (first one with Vallejo).  I used Buddho's tutorial, and decided to give it a shot...

Take care,

Austin

Ark,

Your stuff is really coming along nicely. Don't get bummed about getting back to studies and getting back to the field. Modeling will ALWAYS be there for you. That's the nice thing about little plastic people .... they can't run very far. HAHA!

But seriously, a little advice before you pack things up .... take notes, notes, and more notes. Take note as to where you are and what you're working on. What changes you need to complete and ideas that you have NOW. That way you won't forget them later.

As for your base. I think that you've already got it. The building itself will make you a fine base. Besides the action is happening on top, right!?! In thinking about the base, here's what I do .... I let the model/ dio define the base type. Don't try and restrict the model by sticking it to a base .... let the action define everything that you do in the project. Check out the last few posts on my Mog build ... talking about my "building" base. I think that idea would work well for you as well.

This open/ flexible thinking will also take you a long way in your future military career as well.

Those tiny "Tie-fighter-pilots" look great!

Now you have to tell us how you painted the ACU-pattern in 1/72!!
(I missed it if you already did.)

Klaus,

I thought I replied, but I guess I didn't.  I use Vallejo paints, as they are amazing, but I can't remember if I used green grey or grey green for the basecoat.  I have it written down at home, but I don't have it at school with me.  I use the smallest brush that I have (not sure of what kind it is, as I don't have it infront of me) to do the Stone Grey and then the Deck Tan.  I will do a dots/blots however you want to call it...

MC,

I guess the base I was thinking of a little stained wooden base that doesn't extend past the building, just so all of the arches don't snap off...

Here's a couple pics before I moved back into Dayton:

Take care,

Austin

arkhunter2002 wrote:

OOoooo .... that's a good one! Me likely!!!

Glad to hear !

Was hoping I could get your advice. Have been looking for some 1:72 or 1:48 scale troops in fast rope positions but cant find any. I know u guys re-model other figures but does anyone sell them in fast roping positions already ? Theres no way I could make those tiny figures like you did to such great scale.

 any advice ??

Im not looking to build a super scale realistic one like yours, just want a good idea to suspend my blackhawk with something other than a clear plastic stand.

Thanks, Wade

I am actually suspending it by the fast ropes themselves.  It's a bit tricky to figure out at first, but then it works pretty well.  For the figures, I sculpted most of them using a two part epoxy putty, and the fast roper was no exception.  I only added the gloves because hands in 1/72 aren't my specialty...lol

The gloves are from Fujimi's Navy Flight Crew Set.  But I'd look around for the hasegawa ground crews and stuff, you can probably find something suitable.

HTH,

Austin

Wade - I'm planning/ thinking about this same thing but in 1/35. Austin and I started talking about this build I think almost a year ago! .... Wow, has it been that long!?!

Anyway, across all my researching, I haven't found any figures that are actually molded into the "fast rope" position. The best thing to do it to craft something out of putty, like Austin said, and then cast spares of it as you need it.

While I'm thinking about this one for a future build, I know that I will not be starting it anytime soon .... maybe in 2011 if I'm lucky ....

Lastly, don't be too quick to say that you can't do something. The only thing that you can't do is the one thing that you never try. Give it a shot ... you can only succeed .... or learn trying.

Im just not really a dedicated model builder. Just have an interest in helicopters (black hawks in particular). Maybe 1:35 might be a bit easier to make figures but 1:72 is just too small ! I take my hat off to those tiny little figures that were made for this project.

 Still trying to think of what I can use for a fast roing position rather than making my own. 

Wade ... the other idea I had for this type of "fast rope" idea, was to have the Troopers already on the deck pulling security. Then having the helo suspended by one rope and the other has already been released and is dropping to the deck in mid-air.

Just a thought, as this would allow you use figures straight from the box and you would have to scratch build hardly anything.

bondoman wrote:

That sounds unusual, so it'll be challenging and rewarding. What are your thoughts about the big rotor? I was thinking motorized, but it'll wobble around too much on top of the ropes. Hold on guys!

Somehow I can't imagine how actually swirling rotors would match with an otherwise static scene. Somebody posted a picture of an actual operation, where the individual rotorblades of the chopper were visible. Photographically correct, consistent with everything else being static, but...

What about using a clear'ish circular disc to emulate the visual impression of the swirling rotors?

I understand there are practical limitations because of weight, balance and what not, but how would such an idea work out from a mere 'artistic' point of view? What is common in helicopter dioramas?

DoC

Actually, per the US Army, when a photo is taken of a helo/ prop plane in flight, the blades/ rotors should be blurred to show that the A/C is in flight .... and not just falling from the sky.

Now, w/ the idea of modeling .... as the topic has been bounced around quite a bit .... it all up to personal opinion/ preference. Me personally, I've added the blurred disc like you suggested to a UAV I recently did and it looks fine. However, it does look a little funny since the A/C just sits there. I am more of the frame of mind, as it was brought to my attention soon after joining the forum, that a model is simply a 3D photograph ... a 3D still image if you will. So having blurred props/ rotors looks more at home than say an actual motorized, spinning prop.

Just my 2 cents.

Pretty much the only thing I got done over fall break was backing up my laptop, and ordering a new one, which got delayed, so I bought a monitor and now i finally have time to update when I said I would when I was home a month ago...

All I did was glue in the IP, and start painting another figure.  The interior is almost complete, and I will be closing up the fuselages halves hopefully over Thanksgiving...

Take care,

Austin

Thanks guys!

Camo, I used Vallejo acrylics.  I wrote down the colors at home, but I think that they are green-grey, stone-grey, and deck tan.

Arty, I'm basing that off of what is found in the Cobra Company 1/48th MH-60K detail set. I posed the question earlier and someone said that they were still in there, located behind the pilot seats, however there really isn't any accessible photo evidence past a picture that "looks like it could possibly be the box"...

The boxes are in the top left. (taken from the cobra company website)

Take care,

Austin

Maybe the boxes are specific to the MH-60K for some reason.  I have never seen them in standard UH-60Ls, MH-60Ls, HH/MH-60Gs, or any other H-60 version.  A standard MH set-up looks like below with a couple panels for the FEs to control flare and chaffe along with IC and radio controls.

This is the penny he's using...

Haha you wish

But yeah.  I'm pretty excited about going home to work on this so I decided to start sculpting a new figure today.  I'm a bit rusty, and macro doesn't seem to like me too much, so it looks kind of crappy, but oh well, such is the college life, gotta get by with what I have...

Then it turned into this:

Not sure if I'll put him in the diorama or not, but either way, its getting me back in the groove.  I'll finish him up when I go home in case I want to put him in the back of the helo or not...

Take care,

Austin

Here's an update on two figures...

The first figure's small start...






The second figure is the middle figure:

And then the overview of how this diorama looks now (a hasty picture when I got home, sorry bout the background/lack of backdrop):

Take care,

Austin

Looking great, nice update, your 1/72 figure sckills are insane.

Hope you're enjoying your Thanksgiving everyone

Hows college going btw?

Thanks!  Happy Thanksgiving to you too (and everyone else)!  I have some more giving to do too, giving of pictures that is!  I did a semi "photoshoot" of this dio...  How do you guys take pictures of your 1/35th dioramas!?  I feel like this is too big for any of my lights or backdrops that I usually use for 1/72 models...

I threw on a windshield from the earlier MH-60K that I was planning on using.  Anyways, I got it all glued up today (the top pieces are still loose...)

Then the last of the figures that I need to finish for the diorama...

School's going well (same with ROTC)!  I got my lowest grade on a test in statics which was an 88%, so I'm pretty excited about that, plus Russian's going a lot better than I was thinking it would.

Bonus:  here's that figure from above along with another one that I did the next day, and then I started this third guy.  Not sure when/how I'll be using them...

Take care,

Austin

Last update until 2010!

I'm guessing it'll be 7 days work to finish up the exterior of the MH-60K before I am ready for paint.  I'm aiming to have this ready to paint by the next update (semester break) and painted over a spring/midsemester break next year.  Then I'll finish up the building over the summer and voila, I'll be done (finally!)!  I've been using PE from three eduard sets, the MH-47E exterior, the SH-60B, and the UH-60A (really old brass looking stuff)

I started two more figures just with the base coat of green grey and flesh tones, and will be doing more individually later.

The building is on a temporary hold as I acquire and test acrylic paste for stucco instead of Mr. Surfacer.

Without further ado, let the pictures come (again, they aren't the best in terms of quality, but I tried...)

Take care,

Austin

Amazing Austin!
It looks like you're getting there.

Well, here's my update after 4 days at home...Just progress on the blackhawk.

I still need to clean up some painting on the tail rotor, other than that, it's good to go...

I tried to filter fade, but idk how it turned out.  I'll be doing more mixing and spraying I think, especially with certain areas on the tail boom and such.  I'll have to do a bunch of testing on scrap plastic first though...

The main rotor needs the yellow stripes (although I'm gonna make it more of an olive color) and then I need to spray the other parts of it steel and pick out a few other details...

It almost looks complete...lol If only the building was easier...

Take care,

Austin

Oh and another project....

...you're going to need glasses after this project .... HAHA!!!!

KUDOS Austin!!! This is the coolest #$%* I've seen in a LOOOOOOOOONG time! Well done.

Okay, so after the forums switched over, I didn't visit here much, and started posting more at armorama.  However, since I'm at school, and I go through modeling withdrawals here, I ended up on fine scale tonight., so why not post my progress.. The helicopter is about 98% done.  There still a few things that I have to paint still...

I'm redoing two of the figures, the two on the ground that are behind the finished guy.  Here's their current state:

Then I finished up building on the helicopter:

And then painted it:

Then decaled and finished it up:

Then added all of the little things:

Then put everything together for a couple shots showing total progress (the tires are just space fillers):

Take care,

Austin

Really nice weathering on that helo- looks great- as do the figures, I'm right there with you in the modeling withdrawal category.

Haven't been here much myself, but I do come back over here to seen THIS ONE in particular. Nice to see the update and NICE JOB!!!!

I'm still amazed at the 1/72 figs .... Awesome work!

Thanks Chris and Scott.

I can't wait until the long Easter weekend, but literally every class has something due before the break, and in two classes I have tests (strength of materials and statistical process control).   I ordered some stuff from Tracks n Troops (specifically some OKB Grigorov PE) that I'm pretty excited to see in person over break.

Take care,

Austin

yeah, i was wondering where this was at. nice to see an update (not that i can talk). im with scott...if you dont need glasses after this one i dont know...

Thanks camo,

I've been working on the figures as well as some decals for a UH-60 from the Colorado NG, which will be one of my next builds...

I dislocated my shoulder while lifting on Friday, so yeah, progress will get even slower, not to mention a big test tomorrow and another one on Tuesday.

Here's where the figures are as of now (I knocked off one of the guy's hands...)

Take care,

Austin

Hey, first off, the diorama looks fantastic.  What colors did you use for the ACU uniforms?

Thanks.  I used Vallejo paints and they were Green Grey, Stone Grey, and Deck Tan.

I haven't updated this in a while apparently, but I resculpted two of the figures and finished up the dio.  Now I'm working on varnishing the base....  So here's the initial finished pics and hopefully by next week I'll have the varnishing done and have the building mounted, and pictures to prove it.

Anyways, I'll take it step by step in two posts.  First up, the resculpted figures and the building...

<intermission>

</intermission>

Hope you guys like it, cause I love it (although I might be slightly biased).  I've been posting various stages of this on about 4 different websites, and there's some overlap of people between such sites, but each one has been able to guide me to the end result whether it be sculpting or building construction or the size of the fast ropes, etc...  So a big thank you to everyone who watched and helped me!

Take care,

Austin

WOW!! Now that looks great! I still can't believe how tiny it is.

I really like how you have the corrugated roof blowing off from the rotor wash

Very well done and great work getting the Blackhawk balanced on the fast ropes, it fits in perfect with the whole dio and doesn't look model-like as the result of a stand. If you get a chance to take it out to a show I'm sure you'll walk away with some nice awards.

Any time for a new project or.. what's next?

DAMN!  I really liked how you made the helicopter hooving over the roof using just the ropes!  Priceless...

Thanks guys.  I tried fooling around with some HDR stuff, and it didn't really turn out too well, but here are the pictures with the base attached.

Anyways hope you all enjoy!

Take care,

Austin

Been checking this out for a long time..good to see it done...OUTSTANDING WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It really came together.....

Outstanding work, Austin .... simply outstanding.

May just have to give this a go in 1/35 as we talked about way back when .... HAHA!!

Nice job, buddy. I'm almost speechless .....

Now this has been a long time coming!   From the pics I see it looks pretty good---would like to see some close-ups of the crew and figs...

One addition that I  think would make a world of difference would be to replace the static rotors with either a clear disc to represent movement or try to replicate those PE "moving props" that really look like they are turning...

Hi Austin,

Honestly when I was going to view this post I was expecting guys hanging from the side of a cliff...Lo and behold!!!...it's a helicopter suspended in mid air. I must commend you on a very good execution. The rope lines that help to support the heli is so thin and almost the right scale to pull off this mid-air trick. I also like what you've done with your 1/72 figures... so many in different poses.

You've given me inspiration to also suspend my 1/72 UH-34 in mid-air for my Vietnam Dio build. Thanks for sharing this build.

Cheers,

Richard

This is cool and impresive in this scale. Its similar to another one I think I saw here months ago, but this is much better. The other i think was 1/35 but was pretty toy-like. You got all the angles right--cool action--very neat model

Thanks guys!

Manny, anyone in particular?

Take care,

Austin

very cool austin. glad to see this one completed. i dont know how you did it with such a small scale but fantastic none the less.

Perhaps the ol' clear plastic sheet to simulate the spinning rotors. A smaller base is a good idea. I still think you need some street level action - curb, thrashed pick up truck, shrubs etc. Random and simple is better than tidy and contrived. The indian rope trick is a great idea. I may have to use microscope slide covers to support the aerial action on my 1/72 dio...or really thin tempered wire if I can find it.

arkhunter2002

Thanks guys!

 

Manny, anyone in particular?

 

Take care,

Austin

The discussion of "spinning" props vs "static" props has been talked about over and over ..... IMO I think that HVH said it best awhile back when I was considering whether to do the same thing on another helo .... maybe it was my "Littlebird" dio ... I can't remember. Basically, the idea is that the model/ dio is a snap-shot in time. When I thought about this, it made me think that if the props where spinning then the guys should almost be "moving" on the fast ropes!?!

I think that in some instances, smaller A/C like single engine fighters, etc, spinning props look really nice. However, w/ something like this, something w/ a lot of action and movement, I think that the previous thought is more "appropriate".

Again, VERY nice job on this one Austin. I've been staring at my 1/35 UH-60 thinking about it, but I'm not going to copy the idea .... I'm thinking more about a sling load op. Great job and thanks for all the inspiration....

I cant wait to see the base.  The rotor thing is a toughie. Use clear discs and they'll dominate the model; do nothing and it looks kinda half-baked (in my opinion). I dont agree w/ the post about a "moment in time". I'm not sure how permenantly the rotors are attached to the chopper, bu you could try clear discs that have beeen muted a bit to eliminate the shine and perhaps lightly paint or draw on blurred blades. Experiment and see how it looks. Or you could craft something like on PropBlur.com: P-E brass with carefully sliced props. You'd have to use a material or techniques that wouldnt let the blades droop. Good luck. Still a great dio.  

You could always R/C the dang thing and have it actually hover there .....

There's also a good idea about this subject in the current FSM mag. It was a really good reader tip from Ken, found on page 54. Give'r a look and see what you think.

... bottom line ... to each is own. Change it or keep it, you've done a fine job.

Bocks Suv

Or you could craft something like on PropBlur.com: P-E brass with carefully sliced props. You'd have to use a material or techniques that wouldnt let the blades droop.

Thanks guys!  I really appreciate it!

The rotors can spin though, while the helicopter balances...see

The rotors aren't permanent at all, and who knows, I might try it, but that would require building another rotorhead which I'm not too crazy about right this instant.  I have a few other dio ideas that I want to get done including this one:

Which I'll try the 'fuzzy' rotor idea for sure.  It's going to be based on a scene in black hawk down.  I'm also itching to do a zombie horde dio and I have a stryker dio in progress....

Anyways, Manny, you said you wanted to see some close ups on the figures, so here's some:

Take care,

Austin

Wow, great dio! I think the rotors look great the way they are and you must have very steady hands to do such a great job on 1/72 figures.

Kudos all around sir!

Wow, those figures look good in the close-ups---nicely done...looks like most have been modified?

Modified from copper wire, yes

I sculpted 7 figures...  Here's some more pics.  Two of the guys were a little bit smaller, they seemed more like 1/76 or 1/87, very noticeable to me, so I sculpted them again.

Number from left to right, I sculpted 100% #1, 5, 7, 8.  Figure 2 I used feet from some caeser miniature figure for the boots.  Figure 3 I used a head from CSMC but added the goggles and gloves from a Navy Deck Crew set.  Figure 4 I used one boot from a caeser miniature and hands from the Navy Deck Crew set.  Then figures 6 & 9 were Hasegawa legs, resin copies of body armor that I sculpted and then resin copies for heads, and sculpted the rest.  The M4's are resin copies of an edited M16,  The M240 is PE from OKB Grigorov, and the M249 is from dragons humvees.

The crew was just modified from Hasegawa and Modern Hobbies.

Take care,

Austin

There was a demonstration of this manouver at the Charlotte Motor Speedway and the Coke 600 race.  You might be able to find someone who was there to supply you with some good pictures.  Mine are from pretty far away and don't really show the soldiers part way down the lines.

jimmyg

arkhunter2002

Modified from copper wire, yes

 

I sculpted 7 figures...  Here's some more pics.  Two of the guys were a little bit smaller, they seemed more like 1/76 or 1/87, very noticeable to me, so I sculpted them again.

Number from left to right, I sculpted 100% #1, 5, 7, 8.  Figure 2 I used feet from some caeser miniature figure for the boots.  Figure 3 I used a head from CSMC but added the goggles and gloves from a Navy Deck Crew set.  Figure 4 I used one boot from a caeser miniature and hands from the Navy Deck Crew set.  Then figures 6 & 9 were Hasegawa legs, resin copies of body armor that I sculpted and then resin copies for heads, and sculpted the rest.  The M4's are resin copies of an edited M16,  The M240 is PE from OKB Grigorov, and the M249 is from dragons humvees.

 

The crew was just modified from Hasegawa and Modern Hobbies.

 

Take care,

Austin

Very impressive, especially at 1:72.