Bengalensis Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 Again lovely detail work. This will look great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-FAAWAFU Posted July 26, 2013 Author Share Posted July 26, 2013 (edited) Aaaand... we have an engine! Fit isn't bad, actually - though not quite as good on the other side, so a little filler will be needed... but nothing like as bad as I had feared. You will note that the skids have come off again. Having knocked off the starboard one twice while working on the fuselage, I decided to take them both off in a controlled manner, rather than risk damaging them. They probably won't go back on until right at the death - masking will be a lot easier without them, as well. On a similar basis, though the idea of the tie down rings and the door jettison rods is sound, I wasn't pleased with the execution; over-scale and too rough & ready. So they're off as well! I have managed to source some much finer copper wire (it was a .008 guitar string before, which is material I'll be using for the hydraulics pipes down the tail) - much happier now. Rods not yet replaced (so don't strain your eyes looking!), but this is the new tie-down ring. Ooh, don't you just hate extreme close-ups of your work; everything looks shabby as hell! Next job is hydraulic pipes and control runs down the tail, but not until after the marathon rivet-o-rama that I am pretending I'm not putting off... More soon, and thanks for looking. Edited July 26, 2013 by Ex-FAAWAFU 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted July 26, 2013 Share Posted July 26, 2013 I don't think that looks shabby at all! Detail work is getting up there with Steve's Chippie too, this will be another cracker when done methinks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-FAAWAFU Posted July 26, 2013 Author Share Posted July 26, 2013 Door jettison rods replaced, hydraulic plumbing started (with pipes between MRGB section of fuselage and the engine bay). Need a pin to clean out some of that paint from the mesh FOD guards on the intakes - sometimes close-ups do help! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fritag Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 (edited) this will be another cracker when done methinks! Methinks too. Fenestron. Now there was a word I had to google before I knew what you were talking about. Helicopters is a whole new language I reckons. Edited July 27, 2013 by Fritag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-FAAWAFU Posted July 27, 2013 Author Share Posted July 27, 2013 (edited) Think of it as a ducted fan. The tail rotor, but an unusual one. To be fair to you, there aren't many types that have one; it's essentially an Aerospatiale thing (or, to be strictly accurate, a Sud-Aviation, then Aerospatiale, then Eurocopter thing). Edited July 27, 2013 by Ex-FAAWAFU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-FAAWAFU Posted July 27, 2013 Author Share Posted July 27, 2013 The tail cone is beginning to regain its rivets (and no, I haven't counted them). Not a test of patience at all, oh no. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 Oh this is becoming so good, it's lovely to follow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-FAAWAFU Posted July 28, 2013 Author Share Posted July 28, 2013 First layer of primer to seal in those rivets... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMC Posted July 28, 2013 Share Posted July 28, 2013 Just read this thread from the start and now up to date. I'm really enjoying this build! Thanks! Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swordfish fairey Posted July 28, 2013 Share Posted July 28, 2013 That's looking pretty damn fine shippers, looks like you know what you're doing............Smudge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-FAAWAFU Posted July 29, 2013 Author Share Posted July 29, 2013 Hydraulic pipes now added down the tail (tail rotor drive shaft not glued in place, just to check fit). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fritag Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 (edited) Just re read this from the beginning. I think I missed out page 2 first time around and so missed most of the cockpit work. It's even better than I thought. I could learn to love helicopters. Mind you everyone has a soft spot for the Gazelle don't they. Got to be one of the prettiest helicopters around. Edited July 29, 2013 by Fritag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Heath Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Ooh, don't you just hate extreme close-ups of your work; everything looks shabby as hell! How true are these words, mind you mine looks shabby with naked eyes as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Heath Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Fenestron. Now there was a word I had to google before I knew what you were talking about. A new word made up by the French I believe. Its unusual to get a new word from them as the traffic is usually in the other direction despite their best efforts to resist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-FAAWAFU Posted July 29, 2013 Author Share Posted July 29, 2013 (edited) Yes, they are "...they really work well - especially once painted". QED: pleased with how this is coming out. After a bit of tidying up and some layers of paint (this is just a single coat of Tamiya primer), it should look pretty decent. Edited July 29, 2013 by Ex-FAAWAFU 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Heath Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Nice work with the Archers rivets, they're quite a nice product aren't they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin W Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Hi A great build going on here. In answer to your previous post about other builder, I built this kit about 10 years ago and have honestly never seen another made. I recal it fought a good fight and the cockpit was tricky to get together. Looking at it now the rotor droop is wrong and I didnt know to drill the holes in the runners. When I moved back to the UK some years ago I seem to have lost the rotors in the packing so it sits at the back of the shelf rather neglected but it is a novel little model. I do recall packing lead under the cockpit floor to get it to sit level as there was a definite sag towards the tail. The decals were home made, I even designed the shark myself. I look forward to seeing this one finished. Colin W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-FAAWAFU Posted July 30, 2013 Author Share Posted July 30, 2013 That shark is superb if you did it yourself! I was about to disagree with you about the rotor droop (and I haven't yet worked out how to move mine from the rigid straight things they are at present...) - but then I looked at the 2nd pic. You didn't have to sand as much away from your IP as I have - I definitely cocked up somewhere. Anyway, you have confirmed my confidence that it will look a decent Gazelle once finished, so thus worth the effort. Besides, they're only fun if they fight back. (It says here - I could actually use a straightforward kit for my next project... but then I'd only find a way of "improving" it.) Thanks for sharing this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Heath Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 I have had good sucess just bending blades by hand, no heat involved and its quite controlable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-FAAWAFU Posted August 19, 2013 Author Share Posted August 19, 2013 Just to prove that my life hasn't all been disasters with Sea Hawks (se FAA GB thread for details...), the rotor head is now pretty much complete - just needs a few minor touch-ups with the OD paint. Thanks for advice, Nigel; a session of gentle but persistent pressure with my hands seems to have sorted the blade droop. The rest of the aircraft has gradually been acquiring its white paint (Vallejo 70.820 Off White, to be precise), and is now awaiting one final coat before being set aside to cure, pending the masking job for the red. More soon. Thanks for looking, as always. Crisp 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-FAAWAFU Posted August 19, 2013 Author Share Posted August 19, 2013 First, choose your red! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Heath Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 I often find that a bit of gentle but persistent pressure with my hands sorts out my droop too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-FAAWAFU Posted August 19, 2013 Author Share Posted August 19, 2013 Some colour, at last! First, the monster masking job - a real pain, because of the need to get it vaguely symmetrical: Then the first coat (of several, I suspect). It is not as pink in real life as this makes it look! More soon. Crisp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynx7 Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 (edited) Looking awesome mate. Fond spot for the old battle sperm as it was the first helicopter I went solo in and have one in my stash (thanks to OzH!). And I confess to say I used the Gazelle as my own personal transport during my time as QHI at D&T sqn (sorry tax payer but who could resist land-aways at EGBJ or EGNC when bacon sarnies or Cumberland butties are soooo good). Crispy, when you gonna paint it proper green and grey? Edited August 24, 2013 by Lynx7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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