Synopsis Posted October 10, 2016 Share Posted October 10, 2016 Hi guys, Well I've struggled with my mojo over the summer thanks in no small part to an SR-71 build thats stalled but I think its time to get back on the horse and I can think of no better way than with one of AZs lovely little Cobra kits. This time I have the Murder Inc boxing of the kit: I do like these AZ kits I have to say, I will be building this using Eduards lovely little etch set for this kit, you will also notice below there is a Pavla canopy in the image, not sure if I am going to use it yet as the standard one is actually looking in pretty good nick truth be told and I don't have that much time to get this build over the line. I was hoping to have got started on this yesterday but a combination of a cat induced lack of sleep and a PH crash in my marine tank meant I lost most of yesterday, I haven't really done much with etch before so this will be my first real go at it, so I spent what little time I did get going over the instruction sheet for that. I will start cutting sprue after work tonight though and hopefully be able to post some real progress! Cheers Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stakor Posted October 10, 2016 Share Posted October 10, 2016 Good choice!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synopsis Posted October 13, 2016 Author Share Posted October 13, 2016 Quick update as to where I am at the moment! The office is nearly complete, I still have one or two things to finish off and I want to drop a quick interior wash on it too, I have to admit I love the addition of the AC hoses that Stakor has added to his build of Crystal Ship but I am not sure if I have the required materials to put some together for my build. I have also started adding the etch parts to the fuselage etc although I didn't think to take any photos of that yet! I am not sure if anyone knows much about the Cobra in service in Vietnam but I was searching online for references to the airframe I am building here, unfortunately there aren't many as she was lost to small arms fire which ultimately ended with the loss of the crew too after she went down into a river in flood and they drowned whilst the pilot was trying to rescue his crewman, but one of the references to Murder Inc I did find was in a book called Helicopter Gunships: Deadly combat Weapon Systems by Wayne Mutza. Anyway in this book there is a small image from a difficult angle but in its caption it describes Murder Inc as being in "Heavy Hog" configuration by carrying four XM-159 Rocket Launchers! Now I have very little knowledge when it comes to things with whirly wings but the only other times I have heard the term Heavy Hog is with reference to UH-1's when loaded with 48 rocket tubes (2 x 24 config I believe), but this says 4 x XM-159s on a Cobra which I believe are 19 tubes per launcher, which would mean it was armed with 76 rockets, unfortunately the image in the book is side on and I can only make out 1 launcher so does anyone know if this load out is indeed a correct and viable option? As it happens I do have 2 spare XM-159s in my spares box from my TH-1G build earlier in the year so I if it is a correct and viable load out I would love to represent it. Anyways here's some photos of the office! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synopsis Posted October 14, 2016 Author Share Posted October 14, 2016 Postman bought me a package today from the big H part of which was this lovely chunk of resin. At least I won't have to worry about her tail sitting! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milktrip Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 Lovely 'pit work. I'm afraid I don't know a great deal about cobras but I do like the sound of the weapons load! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synopsis Posted October 17, 2016 Author Share Posted October 17, 2016 I managed to get a little more time at the bench over the weekend, got some more of the etch attached and the fuselage together. Still plenty to do but at least its starting to look the right shape! Have sanded off the detail from the bottom panel too as the instructions indicated to do, I assume Cobra's of this age didn't have the various lumps and bumps on the bottom that are moulded onto this panel as standard. I am actually a little further along than this picture as the panels installed and the tails now attached too. A little more work with the filler and one or two more pieces of etch and she will be ready for primer. With regards to the weapon load I found an image of another Cobra carrying four XM-159s so this combined with the caption on the photo of my chosen airframe is enough for me to chose this as the load out I am going to represent. Hopefully get an hour or two to work on her again tonight after the marine tank gets its weekly maintenance. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Dapple Posted October 17, 2016 Share Posted October 17, 2016 She's coming along nicely Mark Cheers, Stew 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synopsis Posted October 17, 2016 Author Share Posted October 17, 2016 Hi Stew! Thanks for the compliment, you know I was looking at your build thread yesterday, I have to admit I was quite intrigued by the black basing you did and was contemplating giving it a go now I have an airbrush more suited to the fine work, not sure yet though, might just chuck on a coat of the tamiya extra fine white primer and pre-shade, depends how bad the surface looks after I have finished assembly! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synopsis Posted October 19, 2016 Author Share Posted October 19, 2016 managed to get a couple of hours at the bench tonight, almost ready for primer! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 Very nice. And quick work too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synopsis Posted October 24, 2016 Author Share Posted October 24, 2016 Quick update on the Cobra, managed to get some time at the bench again this weekend so I detailed the main rotor up as can be seen below, I have also added the etch to this and it awaits primer tonight, I still have to attempt putting together all the little etch parts for the tail rotor though! Also managed to get some paint down, here's a shot just after the penultimate coat of Olive drab. I have since finished the main colour and painted the tail fins the required Dayglo orange! Hurah for Dayglo, I do love it a bit. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Dapple Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Looks really nice Mark, did you go with the black-basing or is that 'regular' pre-shaded? The Day-glo fins should set off really nicely against the OD Cheers, Stew 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synopsis Posted October 24, 2016 Author Share Posted October 24, 2016 I did give it a go with the black base Stew but I thought the Olive Drab was coming out really dark (I did have it fairly thin to go through the airbrush) and that it was going to take a while to build up the paint sufficiently to get the right shade so I ended up just giving it a quick blast of my Tamiya extra fine primer in white and reverted to traditional pre-shading. I haven't given up on the technique though and will certainly be giving it another go in the future. Cheers Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Coming along very nicely indeed, good work. Craig. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S5 modeller Posted October 29, 2016 Share Posted October 29, 2016 Nice work, so far, never tried pre shading before. Must give it a go. Matt 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synopsis Posted October 29, 2016 Author Share Posted October 29, 2016 Well the paint on the fuselage is finished and I'm just waiting to ensure the gloss is fully cured before decals go on tomorrow. I've built up the etch for the tail rotor assembly.... What a pain in the backside that was! I will post a photo update tomorrow as my phones flat at the mo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stakor Posted October 29, 2016 Share Posted October 29, 2016 Nice! I can't wait to see it tomorrow! I was trying to find some pics of 'murder inc', I looked through my books but indeed not much reference... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synopsis Posted October 31, 2016 Author Share Posted October 31, 2016 So here's a little pic of where she sits. All decals done, they're getting sealed in tonight with a coat of gloss prior to a subtle wash. I will also be sorting the clear parts out tonight as the canopy still need painted etc, once that's done and the wash it dry I will add the armament and last few detailing, paint the black on the nose as I have just noticed I haven't done it yet then give her a coat of matt to flatten everything down! 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 Very nice work, the decals have settled down nicely. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synopsis Posted October 31, 2016 Author Share Posted October 31, 2016 The decals have conformed nicely, good old decal fix, just have to be very careful when using on top of Tamiya acrylics, make sure there's plenty of coats of Klear on prior to decals and use the decal fix sparingly. Just popped a couple more coats of klear on just there and am waiting for that to dry before I attempt the clear parts 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight_Flyer Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 Looks like it's coming along nicely. Bit late I know, just noticed the Osprey book I have does have a photo of "Murder Inc" armed with four XM-159's. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synopsis Posted November 1, 2016 Author Share Posted November 1, 2016 Thanks for the confirmation Knight, its always good when others can confirm things from alternate sources. I look forward to seeing your AZ kit completed 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stakor Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 Nice work Good luck with the canopy - I hate painting canopy making chopper models.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synopsis Posted November 10, 2016 Author Share Posted November 10, 2016 Hi guys, I wanted to have finished this by now but my parents arrived for a visit. Luckily there isn't much left to do and today's the last day of the visit so I should be able to get her finished tomorrow evening! Cheers Mark 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synopsis Posted November 13, 2016 Author Share Posted November 13, 2016 Here she is, all done and dusted: And a group shot with a couple of fellow Hueys: 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now