junglierating Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 Well here its one not so careful owner low milage maritime conversion in a dashing not so junglie grey.If I have broken any copyright regs then please feel free. to delete then thrash me soundly http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2016/october/28/161028-royal-marines-new-helicopter-completes-its-maiden-flight 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Britman Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 B****** grey again! Getting more like airliners every day, white tubes with a splash of colour on the tail, absolutely boring. And I do build both choppers and airliners, but it is getting hard to do anything with an interesting scheme. Thank goodness for the Portuguese and Canadian Merlins. I'll ggo and find a dark room. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latinbear Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 I prefer the original green scheme. In fact I liked the Danish bronze scheme most of all. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truro Model Builder Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 I was rather hoping for a two-tone scheme similar to the Wildcat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junglierating Posted October 31, 2016 Author Share Posted October 31, 2016 Well I've been told it's all about reclaiming the maritime environment or some such.....I guess it works for the USMC. Saw one at work to day wanted to take a phot but I was engaged in a. Conversation about a test set so tough but it's got me a trip up to Scotland I can say black alphanumerics and pink and baby blue roundles....nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junglierating Posted October 31, 2016 Author Share Posted October 31, 2016 4 hours ago, T7 Models said: I was rather hoping for a two-tone scheme similar to the Wildcat. Shouldn't go by the brochures.....got see it for real never mind the quality feel the width Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meatbox8 Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 So how is this being done? Are the Mk3/3i airframes being converted one at a time in order to maintain an operational fleet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aeronut Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 They will be fed one at a time into a production line. There are enough changes for the aircraft to be almost totally stripped. It's not just a case of sawing the tail off and inserting a hinge, from the ramp back it's a whole new airframe. Then there is a new main rotor head and main gearbox to allow the blade to fold, new avionics, changes to the undercarriage, the list goes on and that's just the Mk 4. The 4a will have its Windows replaced so that it is the same configuration as the Mk 4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truro Model Builder Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 16 hours ago, Aeronut said: They will be fed one at a time into a production line. There are enough changes for the aircraft to be almost totally stripped. It's not just a case of sawing the tail off and inserting a hinge, from the ramp back it's a whole new airframe. Then there is a new main rotor head and main gearbox to allow the blade to fold, new avionics, changes to the undercarriage, the list goes on and that's just the Mk 4. The 4a will have its Windows replaced so that it is the same configuration as the Mk 4. Were they in time to catch the free upgrade to Windows 10? Seriously, it really does make you wonder, when you add in the cost of the Puma HC.2 upgrade programme, whether it would have been cheaper to retire the Puma, let the RAF keep its Merlins and buy new ones for the CHF. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent K Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 But I think you'll find that the Puma met a requirement for size, performance and capabilities that the Merlin could not meet hence the Mk. 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truro Model Builder Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 Don't you mean, 'but I think you'll find that the Puma met a requirement for 'an-upgrade-will-be-cheaper-and-we-won't-have-to-think-about-forking-out-real-money-to-replace-it-yet' that the Merlin could not meet hence the Mk. 2'? Excuse the cynicism; comes from years of working in the public sector. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent K Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 20 hours ago, T7 Models said: Don't you mean, 'but I think you'll find that the Puma met a requirement for 'an-upgrade-will-be-cheaper-and-we-won't-have-to-think-about-forking-out-real-money-to-replace-it-yet' that the Merlin could not meet hence the Mk. 2'? Excuse the cynicism; comes from years of working in the public sector. No, I meant what I said. They are different helicopters with different performance and capabilities. The Merlin is medium to heavy lift, the Puma medium lift, Merlin is too big for some of the mission requirements. Puma has better performance (hot and high) it has a better and newer FCS and digital cockpit. Having the Puma, Merlin and Chinook force gives a wide spread of capabilities to be called upon. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truro Model Builder Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 I think any Chinook crew would be wetting themselves with laughter at the thought of the Merlin being a heavy lift aircraft, to be honest. And as much as I am a Merlin fan, I have to agree. Having the three types does give a good spread of capability, I agree. What would be an even better spread of capability would be the existing Merlins remaining with the RAF and the CHF receiving new aircraft built from the outset to meet their requirements. But the Puma was upgraded for the reason I stated -if somewhat sarcastically. There was no political will to find the money to buy a new aircraft, so it was down the upgrade route, and for once it has done what it said on the tin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent K Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 40 minutes ago, T7 Models said: I think any Chinook crew would be wetting themselves with laughter at the thought of the Merlin being a heavy lift aircraft, to be honest. And as much as I am a Merlin fan, I have to agree. Having the three types does give a good spread of capability, I agree. What would be an even better spread of capability would be the existing Merlins remaining with the RAF and the CHF receiving new aircraft built from the outset to meet their requirements. But the Puma was upgraded for the reason I stated -if somewhat sarcastically. There was no political will to find the money to buy a new aircraft, so it was down the upgrade route, and for once it has done what it said on the tin. I can agree with that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aeronut Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 Ivan flying his Mil 26 almost dropped his vodka bottle hearing the Chinook described as heavy lift. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted November 11, 2016 Share Posted November 11, 2016 The aircraft that should have been ordered for the CHF replacement 15 years ago 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FIGHTS ON Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 On 31/10/2016 at 1:32 PM, T7 Models said: I was rather hoping for a two-tone scheme similar to the Wildcat. ugly colour scheme, I was hoping for at least some to be done in the Arctic Junglie (stripes) scheme. I guess this is nearer to the USMC schemes...........makes you wonder what colour the MV-22s for COD the RN will buy will be painted 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 The Arctic Junglie scheme is only a temporary covering, only being applied when the sqn deploys to Norway or other northern climes. There is the possibility of this when they are fully operational and deployed north; least I hope so. Does anyone know what external differences there are between the Mk.4 and the Mk.3 which they are converting from? I'm asking mainly from a modelling standpoint, to modify existing kits. Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troffa Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 The main external differences are related to the Folding Tail and the Folding Main Rotor head- A big hinge on the stbd side of the tail boom and head tension links differ. The Mk3 "Antlers" on the nose cap have been deleted as well. The cockpit has got the latest 5 Display set up as well, a bit of a step up from the original fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 Thanks. Apart from the rotor head assembly, the rest sounds to be modifiable with some cuts and addition of plastic rod etc. I mainly work to 1:144 scale so the display set up probably won't have any impact. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truro Model Builder Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 On 11/14/2016 at 7:36 PM, bootneck said: Thanks. Apart from the rotor head assembly, the rest sounds to be modifiable with some cuts and addition of plastic rod etc. I mainly work to 1:144 scale so the display set up probably won't have any impact. Mike Who does a Merlin in 1/144? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 1 hour ago, T7 Models said: Who does a Merlin in 1/144? Annigrand did one as a bonus kit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truro Model Builder Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 What a shame they couldn't release it separately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 Here is an Anigrand 1:144 Merlin that I built a while ago. Apologies for the hazy image. Same model with a 1:144 Sea King by Sweet Decal. I have another Merlin kit, it is that which I want to convert to a Mk.4 and hence the query. Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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