milktrip Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 (edited) Hi folks As my airfix Gazelle is nearing an end I thought I'd post the next aircraft for my Dad's retirement project. It will be, if you haven't guessed, an S.A.330-J puma presented in Sultanate of Oman Royal Flight livery. Not entirely sure when my Dad first started work in Oman. I know my Granddad was out there prior to my Dad (think my Grandad worked on strikemasters). I was born in Oman, 1984; so probably sometime just before then. After I was born we traveled back and forth from the UK to Oman but finally settled in the UK permanently around 1991 or 1992 (I do remember some adventures of living there but I was rather young to really appreciate it I do remember every time the gulf air plane landed in Muscat and the doors opening. - the intense heat and smell of Jet fuel mmmmm. Loved it! Smelt like victory) I'll be using the airfix 330 puma 1/72 kit for this with some additional after market parts. Rotorcraft composite rotor blades Whirlybirds conversion sets which include larger sponsons and floatation gear. Also some etch parts too. Whirlybirds S-61 seats Eduard etch for superpuma. My Dad took an interest in photography around this time which is rather handy for references! Below are a couple of photos that I have of the aircraft 'A40-AG' (my scanners playing up so these are photos of photos; they came out okay though): what I picked up from my Dad was that there were VIP aircraft and escort aircraft A40-AG was one of the VIP transports. I don't have any internal photos but my Dad seems to remember there being four seats in the front and a few more in the rear, one for a stewardess and a little sink. In one of the photos you can just make out one of the seats but not much else. I'll be using some artistic license for the interior but basing a lot of it on the Royal flight VC-10. http://www.airliners.net/photo/0750394/L/ http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6625314 Here's A40-AG parked next to the Sultans old VC-10. Booootiful And here's a photo showing the VIP and escort aircraft in flight This will be very slow build (slower than my gazelle) as we are expecting our first in February :excited: Thanks for stopping by and any advice from puma pilots and phixers would be greatly appreciated Cheers Aaron Edited March 17, 2014 by milktrip 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmaker Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 Aaron thats a fantastic Puma!!! Really great and rare photos! Cant wait to start it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troschi Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 This is a very interesting and rare subject. I have never seen this Pumas before. At a first glance I see some similarities with German Bundesgrenzschutz-Pumas. I will defenitely pop in from time to time. Good luck and enjoy the build. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milktrip Posted March 17, 2014 Author Share Posted March 17, 2014 Thanks fellas Finally got round to loading some photos of this... I've not forgotten my gazelle - I've added some more sticky out bits that have fallen off during the build. The engine / gearbox area has received a coat of matt varnish. I'm currently trying to source a small (jewellers type) hole punch set which I need to finish off the windows. The sets that were recommended to me seem to be out of stock, so I will continue the search. I have a lot of photographs of the exterior of each puma operated by the Royal flight but none of the interior. So at the moment at lot of the seating arrangements et al are educated guesses. The project is suppose to be secret from my Dad, but I have shown him this one to see if the interior is correct. I struck it lucky as the sink area is pretty spot on from what my dad remembers. However the Stewardess' seat should be near the step door ( not in the rear like I have put - I assumed that a luggage rack would go near the step door as the boot on these would be too small compared to the likes of the 332 L & L2 which I'm use to for offshore. However, the boot was used for the luggage but accessed from inside the aircraft). My dad is sure he has some photos of the interior of the Sultans VIP pumas - if drastic changes are required then I will modify things, if not then I'll probably leave as is. Anyway, enough jabbering from me here are some photos... A few of the copper wires have fallen out but easily replaced Thanks for looking Cheers Aaron Hi again, A couple more shots to show the seats and some dry fits with the assumed position of them. The pilot seats require a little more work - the tamiya tape has been used to try and replicate a stretched seat cover. After looking at the above photo, I think the pilot seats need to come forward a bit. It looks like it would be a hard stretch to reach the pedals; which incidentally is what I'm working on now... Thanks again Cheers Aaron 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 Cracking work Aaron. Everything looks extremely clean in there and you've certainly picked an unusual subject. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beard Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 If this turns out half as good as your Gazelle build, this will be very good indeed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Lime Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 Aaron, Some nice work on the cockpit there, liking the detail on the rear of the IP with the cabling. Just in case you're not aware of it, the undercarriage oleos on the Airfix Puma need shortening as they were moulded at full extension. Mark. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milktrip Posted March 17, 2014 Author Share Posted March 17, 2014 Thanks very much guys @Col. Trying to put the name to the face - were you the chap sat next to Mark (HarryLime) with all the hunters at the last Aberdeen modeller club meet? I'm sure some of your posts looked familiar. @ Mark. (Mr Lime) thank you indeed - I was aware but for some reason thought it would be easier to shorten them when fitted. Must have been something in my tea when I came up with that theory... I was thinking shortening them by 1mm, Is that about right? Cheers Aaron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dermo245 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 Cool build Aaron! My sis and her husband lived there in the late-80s; I remember the heat and that smell of jet fuel too! Look forward to more of your build. Dermot 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milktrip Posted March 17, 2014 Author Share Posted March 17, 2014 Thanks Dermot Small world; do you recall if they lived in the royal flight complex? It was not far from Muscat airport. If so, chances are my folks may have known them. My Dad use to go down to Salalah (in the south of the country) quite often. We occassionally went down there as well. I do remember big geckos crawling around the house, my dad picking up rotisserie chicken for our dinner and my sisters babysitting me and not letting me watch 'honey I shrunk the kids' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 @Col. Trying to put the name to the face - were you the chap sat next to Mark (HarryLime) with all the hunters at the last Aberdeen modeller club meet? I'm sure some of your posts looked familiar. That was me yes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Lime Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 @ Mark. (Mr Lime) thank you indeed - I was aware but for some reason thought it would be easier to shorten them when fitted. Must have been something in my tea when I came up with that theory... I was thinking shortening them by 1mm, Is that about right? Aaron, That might not be a bad idea as I think the extra length is in the oleos. Have a look at the oleo scissor links and see how much they are extended. I'm not sure on the amount to be removed, haven't paid too much attention to the finer details of the Puma as I won't be building one for a wee while yet. Mark. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milktrip Posted March 18, 2014 Author Share Posted March 18, 2014 Ah, well hello Col. Nice to meet you Cheers Mark. As with the gazelle, there are some pretty detailed walkarounds available online. The same photographer, whose pics I used as a main reference for the gazelle, has an equally good walkaround of a French 330 on primeportal. There's also a great walkaround of an RAF puma which has plenty of engine and undercarriage / wheel detail. Plenty of pictures to stare at anyway... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbojones Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 only just came across this thread, will be watching it with alot of iinterest... brilliant work on the model.... keep the updates coming jamie. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heloman1 Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Looking good there Aaron, nine work. It's a pity we only have the Airfix/Heller kit in 72nd scale, I think we need to chat to the good folks at Airfix and let them give us a 48th Puma kit. Colin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Aaron, it will be hidden by the door, But. Outboard of the RH pilot's seat. On the floor, The hydraulic hand pump for pumping down the gear in emergencies. The handle (IIRC) stows on the bulkhead. (Finding a picture may be difficult) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzn20 Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 (edited) I worked on everything in Oman's AF, except the choppers! But the VIP suite that was on a pallet that was just loaded on and fixed to the floor on a BAC1-11 was that same gold and red velvet seen on the VC10, DC-8, Gulfsteam etc,etc. What you've done for the cab so far looks good as to how they'd fit it out! It could even have the Gold map outline of Oman on the bulkhead just inside the pax door like the other Royal flight kites. That's just the Oman part of the map , not the rest of the Arabian peninsula. And the shields, crown with the crossed Khanjars. Nearly forgot the gold carpet! Edited March 21, 2014 by bzn20 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milktrip Posted March 21, 2014 Author Share Posted March 21, 2014 Thanks very much guys, appreciate the feedback. @ Pete: unfortunately I can't see the photos I've uploaded due to Internet restrictions at work. However, I know what you are talking about (I did wonder what exactly that little manual pump was for but assumed it would be for the gear). I'm not sure if you can see it in the photo but I have fitted a handle to the bulkhead. I was using a French aircraft for main refrence but the photo didnt give a clear shot. There was another picture I found (think it was a Portuguese puma) that did show a slightly better shot of the bulkhead and the handle. I was going to paint the whole handle black and yellow chevrons. @bzn20 I was intending of adding some shields with the crossed khanjar on the bulkhead behind the pilots. Good call on the map, didnt think of that. I think the pumas had red carpets but it will have gold trim, including the sink. Apparently the Sultans seat had a phone too. That would be fun to add. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzn20 Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 I would think the Sultan's seat would be gold his minions the red, his seats on the bigger 'planes were gold, minions red. I cant remember the throne colour (in a private room. I only said gold carpet because all the rest had gold. That's just a guess, if you think they're red, they probably were. I also remember a gold Falcon too, not 100% sure but I think its almost the same as the Gulf Air Falcon logo. Its a pity, I knew a Royal Flt. guy on the choppers but we lost touch a while back. That 1-11 VIP suite on a pallet I mentioned, had gold carpet and all the seats, four, were red and a "bar" and sink combo. I had to fork lift it on a few times through the freight door. Happy days...........Sometimes! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan B Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Nice job so far Aaron. Duncan B 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troschi Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Aaron, damn - I was so busy last weeks that I almost forgot about your project :-( I will send you pics of German BGS doors by the beginning of next week. I'm glad to see the project progressing. Nicely done and convincing interior 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 The pump handle (On RAF Puma's) was just matt black with a black plastic grip (satin). Minions? Love those films. Too good for kids. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milktrip Posted May 25, 2014 Author Share Posted May 25, 2014 (edited) I've not forgotten about this one. Currently on hold as I've been waiting for some more info. I was round at my folks this evening and bagged a load of maintenance manuals of various aircraft from my Dad. Four volumes on the 330 puma which includes the seating arrangement for VIP versions (I don't think the Sultan's was fitted with a toilet though). I note that the attendant's seat is next to the step door (as mentioned earlier) and there's also a partition between the VIP area and the seats for the proles. I'm still waiting for the actual interior details of the royal flight a/c from my Dad as he can get access to some sort of data base I think. I've also got the maintenance manual for the turbomeca Makila engine used on the 330 - so no excuse not to detail it She's still on hold as I've started an italeri Bell 47 (another for project "Dad's retirement") so would like to finish that before I get back onto this. Also got an amodel MBB BO-105 I'm slowly working my way through. P.S. on a side note; found out today I was breast fed on the royal flight's VC-10. A good enough reason to add one to the 'to build list' Edited May 25, 2014 by milktrip 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badger Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 (edited) Hi, There's a royal flight vc-10 at Brooklands musuem in Surrey just down the road from me. Might have some photos if you want? Kind regards Ben Edited May 30, 2014 by badger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vitor Sousa Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 Keep up this work, I'm following it Watch this from Portuguese Air Force Puma 330 test floaters Changing tyres in flight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H2a9CBmsCA 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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