Helicopter Group Build 2009

John, that is the 1/72 Apache, it was a pretty easy build except the sponsons are wrong, the kit still has the AH-64A sponsons, the back end of the sponsons was changed on the D. It isn't really a difficlut fix though, just chop off the end and use a little plastic to reshape it.

If you can find them World Air Power Journal Vol 25 and Vol 26 have a very detailed break down of the Seaking, Vol 25 covers the Westland models, Vol 26 the Sikorsky models. As I recall you have quite a few Seakings waiting to be built, so you might find them worthwhile. Also Wayne Mutza is supposed to be working on a new Seaking book to be published sometime next year.

I'll look at the WAPJ and see if it has anything to answer your questions on the SH-3D or Isreali H-3s.

Well nothing on Israeli H-3s, but the SH-3D should have the long tail plane and short sponsons.

However it does say that because many A models were upgraded to Ds, and many D's were upgraded to Hs you can find examples with only partial conversions so, you can have Ds with short tails or long sponsons.

jeaton, aero, et al - many thanks! My AH-64 is 1:48 - prefer to work in the larger scales as I have clumsy fingers, and find the larger scales easier as a beginner.

 No pics yet, but I have finished the cockpit, so anticipate that the rest of the build should be 'reasonably' quick. Main mistake so far was applying cockpit side panel decals over raised detail, when I think I should've sanded it off!

I am just learning, and anticipate to be doing so through the whole of my model building career, but I appear (to my own standards) to be getting better with each build, so all looks good!

Aaronw wrote:

Well nothing on Israeli H-3s, but the SH-3D should have the long tail plane and short sponsons. However it does say that because many A models were upgraded to Ds, and many D's were upgraded to Hs you can find examples with only partial conversions so, you can have Ds with short tails or long sponsons.

 Thank's for the help Aaronw

The Sea King build momentarliy stalled these past 3 day's as I spent a bit of time browsing the internet for info on the "D" version .

I guess I'll go with what is in squadron's H-3 book ; I'll use the longer tail plane and support strut , as in the pic on page 47 .

The other interesting thing about my two Sea King kits is that the kit I purchased recently had an extra port side sponson on the sprue which wasn't included on the Fujimi kit that I've had in my stash . The sponson is slightly longer than the two shot one's supplied in both kits and looking at the fuselage development side profile sketch in squadrons book , it looks like the best option for me .

As far as the Israeli's using the H-3 , the only other info I found was in one of my IDF/AF books which lists the IDF using the Sikorsky S-61R version . This is the CH-3C/ HH-3E model but I think the information is just incorrect as the same book mentions the Israeli's using the Boeing CH-47C Chinook , another "phantom" helicopter the IDF never used operationally .

Anyway I'll glue the canopy on tonight and start masking tomorrow for airbrushing .

Thank's again for your help

                                             John

I have the basic cockpit colors down. I next ahve to do a washa nd then drybrush to bring out details but here is how she looks so far

all parts in place and fuselage sides held together

same as above but looking up to view overhead console

opposite side views of cockpit interior

all painted parts so far

All done and only 4 months.

As a reminder since its been awhile, 1/72 Italeri USAF Air Rescue Service UH-19A.

Superb Aaronw ,

I saw that you posted pic's in the Helicopter Forum section and I replied in detail to your post there as well .

Great build

                       John .

Stickpusher,

  Great start on the 58.

Aaron, 

  Nice H-19!  Any words of wisdom or problem areas building the Italeri kit?

    Ray

That is one big, ugly helo....GREAT JOB!!!

keep 'em coming!

Justin

Thanks, I do like these ugly old things. Next up something even stranger but you will have to wait a day or two to find out what it is.

rotorwash wrote:

Aaron,    Nice H-19!  Any words of wisdom or problem areas building the Italeri kit?     Ray

On this particular kit, the floats were the biggest problem. Getting all 4 wheels on the ground, and keeping the floats paralell was a challenge. They really wanted to spread out and / or get pigeon toed.

In general for the Italeri / Revell H-19 kits, the biggest problem is the seam that runs the length of the fuselage, the seam on top of the tail boom can be a problem too. I would suggest fitting the fuselage and tailboom together and sanding these seams before you even start the kit. It would have been very nice if Italeri had made the doghouse / cockpit and the rib along the top of the tail boom seperate pieces which would have covered up a large part of this seam.

Other than that the kit fits together well and really doesn't have any major problems. The interior detail is quite adequate for this scale, but a full detail 1/35 kit would be fun.

Congratulations, everyone, we have seven completed builds already, which are all on the first page of the build.  There are two months left, but if the interest keeps up perhaps we should extend the end date.

 Stikpusher, looks like you are making good progress on the Jetranger.

jeaton01 wrote:

Congratulations, everyone, we have seven completed builds already, which are all on the first page of the build.  There are two months left, but if the interest keeps up perhaps we should extend the end date.  Stikpusher, looks like you are making good progress on the Jetranger.

 Hey Boss , is it okay if I add another 3 Helicopter kits to this Group Build ?

The SH-3D Sea King build was a lot easier than I expected and is not long from being finished ;

Aaronw H-19 Chickasaw is really inspirational and with the level of workmanship everyone else is doing on their helicopter builds , I'm quite keen to keep going right up to January 31 .

I would like to add Revell's H-19A Chickasaw USCG .

Second , Revell's SA-365 Dauphin with Hawkeye Models alternate 'White over Red' HH-65A Dolphin decals .

Thirdly , Italeri's HH-60H with Hawkeye Models HH-60J USCG resin conversion and decals .

I have already done a little preliminary interior airbrushing on some of the parts of the HH-60 but nothing has been glued together as yet .

I'm not sure if someone may have mentioned in the past about having decals made "to-order" by Joseph Osborn at Fireball Modelworks . The reason I ask is if I wanted to build Mach 2's C-123 Provider into a USCG version ,[I bought 3 of these kits] , how much information do I need to have about the markings that appear on the aircraft . As all I have is what is in Squadron's C-123 Provider book

I like the early style paint scheme of Natural Metal and yellow , I was also thinking of the overall yellow scheme on the H-19 and H-34 Helicopters for the USCG but I don't have any real info on the markings of those two helicopters ;

So apart from a couple of B&W pic's , how much info do I need to have before I make a request for made to order decals ???

                                                John .

Helo 53 wrote:

The reason I ask is if I wanted to build Mach 2's C-123 Provider into a USCG version ,[I bought 3 of these kits] , ...

OMG that's like having three ex-wives!!!

Go for it, John.  You are a real factory, wish I could build that fast.

I have one book with a photo of the early C-123 scheme, it doesn't really add anything to the one you have.  It looks like pretty simple markings to me, mostly the nose number and the U S Coast Guard on the side.  It really depends more on what you want than the decal maker.  

Stikpusher - The OH-58 is lookin' good. Looks like that kit has some decent detail right out of the box. I can make out some raised lettering on the starboard side of the nose... what does it say?

Aaronw - What can I say? That old beast looks amazing! I really like the finish on it. Is it future? I don't know if I can say this but the nose with the national insignia on it looks like a big boob with a patriotic pasty.   Well done! Now... weren't you working on a skycrane?

John (Helo 53) - You are a madman! Can't wait to see the next few come together... and the next and the next!

I didn't notice that but it does look like a pastie, I'll never look at again the same way.  

Yeah, I started the Skycrane but its is on the long term plan since it is going to be a lot of added work. I'm going to have to add bubble windows on the side, and build the tank. Also the engines are very exposed so I'm going to want to do some extra detailing there. It will come along but probably not before this GB is over.

Here is a teaser, I started this one last night.

John if you need info for yellow USCG helicopters I tracked down quite a bit for my builds.

I also have this HUS-1 using the Hobbyboss UH-34 near completion.

I did the decals for this and the HO4S-3G, if you send me a PM I think we could work something out.

jmabx wrote:

Aaronw - What can I say? That old beast looks amazing! I really like the finish on it. Is it future? I don't know if I can say this but the nose with the national insignia on it looks like a big boob with a patriotic pasty.   Well done! Now... weren't you working on a skycrane?

Some amazing progress going on:

polak great work on the bun barrels, I might steal your idea!

stikpusher your 58 is proceeding splendidly

Aaronw your uh-19 is great. I love NMF

John (Helo53) you're a building machine!

As for me I've completed making one fuselage longer (will have to add the removed rivets) and started modifying the canopy:

I removed all the surface detail from the canopy and am currently trying to get the correct shape.
As you can see there's still a lot to do.

 The "extraordinary" effort your putting into your Cobra build Avus , is nothing short of amazing

I recently ordered some Helicopter books from amazon.com and they arrived today .

Lot's of interesting reading ahead , I think I'll start with the H-43 book and hopfully get inspired and finish off my stalled Mach 2 H-43 Huskie build .

                                   John .

Nice work Klaus!   You are definitely a brave one! The extra work will really pay off I think.

Little bits of progress here and there on the Hind for me. Tonight, I made her earn that squat in the rear...

jmabx wrote:

Nice work Klaus!   You are definitely a brave one! The extra work will really pay off I think. Little bits of progress here and there on the Hind for me. Tonight, I made her earn that squat in the rear...

WOW Jeremy !!!!

Is that what they mean when they say she's "FULLY LOADED"

                            John .

SH*T happens!! huh?...

Thanks John and Jeremy!

It seems you got quite a helo-library, John.

"Lock 'n load", Jeremy! Looks great.

OUCH, Polak! Someone, somewhere, somewhen damaged the winshield of his Ka-35 and his trick was to make a small dio showing his helo with a protective canvas covering the glass.

Polak -Man that has to hurt!!!  As was mentioned by Avus here is what I did when I lost a part of the canopy to my Ka-50.

Although in my build there wasn't too much detail that was worth showing off in the cockpit, so you might have to look into a replacement part.

Jeremy - the Hind is looking awsome!!  And all the other builds are looking sweet as well.

Matt

Polak - That stinks! Can you get a replacement from Academy?

Matt - That Ka-50 is awesome! Got any more picture of it? I've been looking for one in 1/48 since I started this group build... elusive creature.

jmabx wrote:

Matt - That Ka-50 is awesome! Got any more picture of it? I've been looking for one in 1/48 since I started this group build... elusive creature.

My kit was a Revell of Germany kit, believe that I bought it several years ago, haven't seen one since, maybe you might find one on Ebay?

Here are a couple more pictures:

Thanks for the kind words.

Matt

Isn't that crack just a part of the weathering?

polak wrote:

SH*T happens!! huh?...

Matt - Thanks for the extra Ka-50 pics... love that thing!

Ugh... I'm so slow.   I feel as if I've been working on this old Hind forever. I'm getting close to finished though.... or it looks like it anyway. I still have a list of things yet to do on it but I'm shooting for next weekend if all goes well. Here is how she sits at the moment...