VTOL, STOL, STOVL GB 2020

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That looks great O! I love the tape screen framing with the tape. 

John, Nice job on the Ospray. Afe you making it in flight or grounded?

OK, so how about the Cobra? I've been in contact with a gentleman on another forum that flew Hueys in Vietnam, and he shared some great Cobra pictures. I decided to build mine representing one of the airframes from his photos.

I got the weapons assembled and painted. They just need to touch-up, weathering, and final assembly.

Considering I had never used PE before, I think the M-158 pods turned out alright. Good enough for my 3-footer skills.

I also got some color on the airframe. Some unit markings on the elevators, boom, and "surfboard."

It should be pretty smooth sailing with the Cobra going forward. 

Comments, questions and criticisms are always welcome. Thanks for stopping by!

Cheers,

-O

That's looking spectacular O

Hey gang,

This is probably the last update on my AH-1G before I post photos of the finished project. Just a few small things to share.

I also got the wings and their armament assembled. I still need to flat them and paint up their lights.

Unfortunately, I ran into a few small problems during this final stretch. One, I broke the tail stinger while trying to remove it from the sprue. I had to scratch a new stinger, and I'm I'm pretty happy with my effort. It came out better than I expected.

Also, while prepping the main rotor for assembly, I had some trouble with painting and weathering the hub. My wash didn't want to come off. It had "stuck" to and stained the underlying gloss coat. So I'll have to repaint it. 

Also, for some reason, the stencils didn't want to lay down for me. Funny because they're Fireball decals, and they worked beautifully when I did my USMC AH-1G. I had to remove a few and source some random stencils from my spares. The stencils on the ammo bay doors are not the correct stencils for that panel. I pulled those off a Monogram Cobra sheet I had laying around. I used them to cover up some gouges that resulted from trying to remove the previous decals. I plan to "fade" them a little, so with that, I hope that no one will notice. 

Like I said, I think my next Cobra post will be the completed build. Stay tuned!

-O

Looking good -O. That stinger came Out better looking than the kit piece I bet! Are you going to do some heavy weathering on this or just some basic wear and tear?

TheMongoose

Looking good -O...Are you going to do some heavy weathering on this or just some basic wear and tear?

 

I like those happy accidents O. I sometimes find a new technique that way. I'm with ith Chris, that stinger probably looks better than the kit part. You're one of the best scratchbuilders I've seen on the forums.

I'm looking forward to seeing the finish.

At the moment this GB doesn't have a finish date. But I think I'll close it at the end of the year. That should give me time to finish my own entry  I you wanted to enter your Huey, feel free. 

I've gotten some progress made on the Huey. I last left off cementing the two fuselage halves together that left a really bad seam underneath...

on the right side I really slathered on some gel superglue. I didn't want this thing popping open at some point. After some strip styrene and some bondo (ie Tamiya seam filler) and alot of filing and sanding it reached this point...

I finished the pilot and co-pilot. I had to add them now. Because after adding the nose and roof it would be impossible to add them later although I don't like adding figures until the end...

I worked on the side mounted weapons systems (ie rocket launcher and machine guns) when I ran into a problem. One of the machine gun mounting pylons or brackets if you prefer was either missing or lost, so I came up with a substitute that isn't too far off. Well, at least for me anyway...

The kit part is obviously on the bottom. The Papermate pen suppiled the replacement.

Here are the two after surgery and filing...

Close enough I guess. Now to add the nose and roof. With all of the fit problems I'm having, that ought to be fun. Till next time.

Close enough for Government work TC. I forgot how bad some of those seams are. Good work.

That looks like a mold that is not only past its prime but also not that well designed.

modelcrazy

At the moment this GB doesn't have a finish date...If you wanted to enter your Huey, feel free...

Hey modelcrazy, I've been watching Tomcat's Huey build, and honestly, now I'm a little worried about building mine. That Huey does not look like an easy kit to tame. Tomcat, my hat's off to you. Like I said, I have a couple in my stash. I'm following your progress and taking notes. Keep it up! 

OK, so I wanted to present my finished Cobra to you all. This is my third (and final) submission for this GB. I won't bore you all with the build details since you've been following my progress all along, so I'll just go ahead and share the pictures...

Steve, thanks for hosting the GB. I've had a lot of fun! Feel free to use this photo for the Glory Shot:

Maybe, just maybe, I'll jump back in with my Huey(s).

Cheers!

-O

Another excelent finsih O. I'd like to see that Huey but You've done more than enough to earn a badge. That you for being a part and I hope to see you in another one of my GB's

Excellent, Omar.  It looks just like the first one I saw back in 68 or so, at my guard facility.

I think the Monogram Huey is a pretty tough kit, but it may be better than the 1/72 Hasegawa UH-1D kit frrom days of yore.  Boy was I disappointed when I opened that box!

I'm extending this build till the end of the year. New end date Dec 31.

So anyone who may be strugling to get one done can relax some, including me 

Looks like you've had your share of problems with this kit, Tomcat. But being creative is what it's about. Your solution seems to have worked, and unless you hang it up, won't be noticed anyway. If you're insterested, here's a link to my kitbash of the Monogram UH-1C/Italeri UH-1D into a UH-1F: https://www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=28001&p=albums&album=42471#18 I had the same problems with the bottom seam of the cabin, and as noted before, trimmed the floor and rear bulkhead to fit in. I replaced the rear bulkhead with pieces from the Italeri kit, since I was putting the minigun ammo cans against the wall, and didn't want the curtains on the Monogram casting. There's quite a gap between the bulkhead and cabin sidewall, but wouldn't be seen because the open doors would be covering it. Since mine is an on-the-ground presentation, the pilots are not in the cockpit. The miniguns are from brass castings with brass ammo feed lines. The minigun mounts and frames are scratch-built.

modelcrazy

I'd like to see that Huey...

Oh, now that you've extended the deadline, you're practically daring me to wrestle that Huey!

-O

Hey Steve! I see that this party runs until 31 DEC 21. Is there any way I could join in with a 1/48th scale Italeri MV 22 Osprey, with Black Dog flaps and details, and aftermarket decals? If I can get motivated, I may even try to complete a Monogram AV-8.......No work done on either kit as of yet. Thanks, TAD

Once again the XFV-1 all in aluminum.  I think I have all the trouble spots in the base color fixed now.  Lots of corners on this one and I've abused the plastic a fair bit changing the shape in a number of places.  Just want you all to know I'm still on it.  Never mind the right tip tank, it will be grey.

Thanks for the reprieve Steve.  I've got a lot of builds lined up. 

jmoran426

Looks like you've had your share of problems with this kit, Tomcat. But being creative is what it's about. Your solution seems to have worked, and unless you hang it up, won't be noticed anyway. If you're insterested, here's a link to my kitbash of the Monogram UH-1C/Italeri UH-1D into a UH-1F: https://www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=28001&p=albums&album=42471#18 I had the same problems with the bottom seam of the cabin, and as noted before, trimmed the floor and rear bulkhead to fit in. I replaced the rear bulkhead with pieces from the Italeri kit, since I was putting the minigun ammo cans against the wall, and didn't want the curtains on the Monogram casting. There's quite a gap between the bulkhead and cabin sidewall, but wouldn't be seen because the open doors would be covering it. Since mine is an on-the-ground presentation, the pilots are not in the cockpit. The miniguns are from brass castings with brass ammo feed lines. The minigun mounts and frames are scratch-built.

 

Jmoran, I looked up your build and am very impressed. You've put a lot of effort and enginuity into that build and it shows. My hats off to you. Thanks to everyone with your words of encouragement. I'm afraid I'm going to need all of them as I am sad to report  have encountered more fit problems. Cementing the nose onto the cabin resulted in a lip where it joins the underside (no surprise). So more filling, filing and sanding. 

Next I dry fitted the underchin windows to the nose and found more holes. so I am adding styrene strip and bondo to close the gap...

I'll keep sanding edge of the "glass" so I can hopefully close that gap. Next I dry fitted the wind screen onto the front. Have a look at the pilot side near the lower left edge...

I think I have two options. Glue it in and live with it or I might try to put the glass into hot water, warm it up and carefully reshape the curve to better match the nose. I can just see what will happen then. It will either work (in which case I'll be tickled pink) or I've broken a wind screen (just my luck).

Now onto the roof. Here I dry fitted the roof. Notice the gap near the rotor shaft, even after adding styrene strip...

and lastly look at the side window near the top (where you can see the copilots helmet)...

The window is flush against the lower frame, yet it doesn't cover the entire opening. Does anyone know if the side windows roll down on these birds?

I don't know if this model is simply that bad, or I just happen to get a lemon or, more likely, it's simply a case of assembler error. At any rate I'll trudge along. I WILL finish this thing. What was the deadline for the GB?... Wish me luck. 

I built that kit way back and forgot what a monster it is.  Soldier on

So sorry I'm a little late responding here. I don't get notification right now and my weekend was jamed with the Akagi build.

So Here we go.

TAD, you got it. I'll get you down.

K Dog, I know how you feel. I still need to finish my half built F-35B

John, that fella's comming right along. Sand, repeat.

Tomcat, now I remember why I only built it once! I was just a wee lad then but still was disapointed wit the fit. I tip my hat to those who can tame that beast.

Well I think I've beaten this thing into submission. It is all put together and masked off, ready for a primer coat before final color...

I think it will be all down hill from here. Which means the decals will be a big PITA. 

Not like my little gyro. So far it has been slow as I finished off in another GB. First up I had to sand down the fuselage halves vacform style as there was a good half millimetre of flash built up on the bonding faces – which is interfering with the motor fit on the front.

That done, the fuselage had the limited interior installed. I added cushions and belts to the seats to give it a bit of interest.

Goos start on the little fella Lost. That's going to be a cool build.

I am starting on the next phase of this Huey build...paint.

Here I've primed her up with Model master Neutral grey...

Just about ready to paint then I realized that the yellow band on the tail boom is part of the decal set...

I am fairly certain these decals will be as thick as scotch tape, so I decided to paint the band on...

I will mask off the yellow and finish with Olive drab. The only problem with this approach is adding the red "arrow" and "DANGER  KEEP AWAY" wording on the band.

To solve this, I created in Word a document that will approximate the sizing, color and font found on the decal. Once created I printed it out on clear decal paper...

Here it is drying after applying a coat Krylon Cystal clear. I think it came out reasonably close to the original. 

Here is the under side of the bird freshly painted...

and the skids, pilots side door and weapons pod...

I did make one glaring error. I forgot to mask off the rear facing engine exhaust nozzle, DOAH! A relatively minor error to correct. Well that's all for now.

That is looking freaking cool TC!

Painting stripes always look better anyway. 

Dave, it is a Monogram 1/48 Huey.  It was part of the young model builders club I belonged to about 30 years ago.

Monogram was not doing young model builders any favors with this kit.

In the end, I think it will turn out OK.