VTOL, STOL, STOVL GB 2020

Starting to decal the Huey. The decals are thick but seem to be behaving better than I expected...

Here are my improvised decals for the painted stripe on the boom. Not too shabby after all...

Looks pretty good there TC

Another update on the glacial progress with the Aurora XFV-1.  A darker grey paint was applied on the wing tip pods, props painted up with stainless steel on the hubs and gloss light grey on the spinner. The instrument boom and pitot tube were made from music wire and brass tube and installed.  The control surfaces and the trailing edges of the wings were painted in a more shiny aluminum.

Still a ways to go, I have to figure out a way to add more surface detail.

Hi John, sounds like good progress, I still don't see your photos...

Tomcat, good work on the Huey, I made one of these back in th eday of tube glue and brushing humbrol paint on. You have made a fantastic job straightening out a difficult kit. The finish is great, looking forward to this one.

The Autogyro has its ownn issues - this is the gap between the wing and fuselage:

Then there was a bit of work to tidy up the engine - this gives an idea of the moulding issues ofr this kit:

Then I knocked the forward bulkhead off - had to thread it back in through the open cockpit.

Getting there - now with yellow on the wings.

Lots of work Piers. Man that's a big gap! And that engine......

Looks great now though. I love yellow wing planes, even autogyros.

I think I've reached the point where any further fiddling is going to be of minimal effect on the XFV-1.  Here is a recap, since it started so long ago.

That looks superb John! I was really laughing as i got to that last pic and saw the jeep you mentioned really there  sure looks like a perfect pairing for your buddies model there.

edit, not sure why they deleted the word jeep. 

Mind blown John! 

That's some superb workmanship there. Glad you were able to bring in a sows ear and make it new.

Which picture do you want on the wall?

Great job ! 

Thanks, everyone, I really appreciate the comments.  It is very satisfying to have this one in the display case.  It took a while, but then I built other models during the same time period just so I wouldn't rush it.  Inevitably, though, as I got to the final bits the need for speed again siezed control. 

Steve, you pick the picture.  Just don't put it next to the Kaga!

John, love that XFV-1, great work.

I am coming to the end of the Huey, You know flat finish, last minute details, weathering. Now to add that pilots side door in the open position. Ok...where did I put it. I know its here. I just had it. Darn where is that thing. Long story short, I commited a modellers cardinal sin, I lost a part. Not just any part but an entire DOOR. I looked everywhere for this dang thing. SO close to the end. Well, I'll have to do a quick-and-dirty scratch build and add it to the model until such a time as it turns up.

So using the starboard side door as a guide and cut out a corresponding counterpart...

added a window glass and frame...

Added Archer rivet decals to approximate the rest of the model. Note the door handle. I forgot at this point its on the wrong side. I didn't notice it until after it was painted. Sheesh...

Glass masked and ready for paint...

Primer added...

and color coat...

I'll cleanup the part, add flat finish and a weathering wash. Then I will install it (temporarily I'm sure), add the main rotor then I will be done...I hope.

MC they had all boxed models at Hobby Lobby 40% off this week. Ohhh costly since there was no limit  to me haha

Put me down for Italeri's 1/48 V-22 Osprey

Bit of progress - primed, still needs a bit of work here and there.  Proprotors ready for decals.  This thing is going to be a shelf hog!

keavdog those props are huge, 8"! I'm gonna tag along with mine in the near future. lov'n all you've done so far, will be good inspiration.

I am crossing the finish line with this Huey. My improvised door doesn't look too bad. It will do until the actual one turns up...

Notice I've put the "flak jacket" on the floor of the co-pilots side. THe pilot didn't want to do that because it blocked his downward view...

For all the problems I had, some self inflicted I'm sure, I think it turned out ok. I could have done a better job in places butg all in all I am not too displeased with the result. Thanks for letting me contribute to this GB. When, not if but when, I find that door I will add it on and post a new picture. Thanks for looking.

Nice job.  Wrestled that bear and won!

Nice Hog, Mark!

That's crazy you lost the door tomcat! We've all been there though at least once lol. Sure is a sharp whirlybird!

Tomcat, your Huey looks great.  But unless theres been a change the pilot on a Huey, like most helicopters, sits on the right.  That way his right hand stays on the cyclic.  He can lock the collective and use his left hand to operate other things like radios.

Sweet job TC!

I assume for your next miracle you'll build the Monogram P-61 and make it look easy?

Which pic do you want for the wall?

Thank you for being a part for my GB TC, I enjoyed it as well as all of us I'm sure.

Nice progress K-dog

Thanks to everyone for the support. John, I did not know that about the helo pilots position. I learned something new, thank you.

Steve, I never really liked the P-61. I've seen that model for sale many times and I just couldn't bring myself to build it. Monograms P-38 on the other hand, probably in the same vintage as the huey would be a challenge or so I've heard. I did build one when I was a teenager 40+ years ago. I might be tempted to again...someday. I do have a Monogram OS2 Kingfisher I am going to build for the Aussie GB. I am certain that one is going to be as fussy as the Huey. It has many delicate (read breakable) pieces, should be madening..errrr, I mean fun. 

For the pic, how about the last one, it gives a better view of the interior IMHO.

Uggh...the Monogram P-61.  Got that one as a gift a couple of Christmases ago and just couldn't take the punishment.  Yup...that thing is a pig of a kit.

I got you up Mark. Be sure to snag one of those badges if you want.
I have a couple of GB's I plan on starting Jan if you're intrested.

Lockheed Martin
Two many wings, Two many tails

The feelers will go up in November sometime.

Thats a great looking Huey Tomcat, the results look really nice to me.

modelcrazy

I got you up Mark. Be sure to snag one of those badges if you want.
I have a couple of GB's I plan on starting Jan if you're intrested.

Lockheed Martin
Two many wings, Two many tails

The feelers will go up in November sometime.

 

Already got my Lockheed lined up.

modelcrazy

I got you up Mark. Be sure to snag one of those badges if you want.
I have a couple of GB's I plan on starting Jan if you're intrested.

Lockheed Martin
Two many wings, Two many tails

The feelers will go up in November sometime.

 

Fantastic.  I'll be looking forward to it. 

Glad you found a way to see my pictures, and thanks for the nice comment, Lost Again! 

I think the best way to fix the yellow will be to carefully scrape back the blue if you can, then overcoat the areas with thin white, then yellow.  Probably best to do it with a small brush and flat paints, then overcoat with gloss.  I like to do all the basic colors with flat paints in thin coats.  Flats have more pigment than gloss colors, and they dry faster.  I find that a wet coat of gloss paint really likes to bleed.