wellsprop

A bit of an update, Been too busy to model (sadly) and I've been getting busier at work - which is great as I've got a fair few projects I'm working on I was given a go on the AW159 engineering simulator at work and managed to crash it (and I've got a Pilots License ) - I managed to get a tailstrike because I flared too much! I've got to know a few other engineering graduates, one of them has a 3D printer.... wildcatboom by Ben Standen, on Flickr Here's the two attempts at a 3D printed tailboom for a Wildcat in 1/72 scale

I've been waiting about 5 years for a decent 1/48 Spitfire XIV low back - I'm certainly happy!

I'm sure there are a few people who'd like to get their hands on that (the *wrong* hands that is). There are a few ok CAD models about on 3D warehouse, these could be imported into CAD and scaled. I also have a CAD model of the tailboom in 1/72 scale and I'm working on the nose. The main problem is the top deck/engine cowls are horrendous to model - infact, it's somewhat beyond my abilities as a junior design engineer!

Haha, I can't say I think much of the looks of the Whirlwind, the dumpy looks make it seem obvious why Harold the Helicopter was based on a Whirlwind! Here's (another rather low quality) picture showing the steps and the winch, I added a bit of detail with a scratch built hook and wire. IMG_20180923_100759 by Ben Standen, on Flickr

There is a very good drawing here; https://www.the-blueprints.com/blueprints/helicopters/agusta/40936/view/agustawestland_aw159/ The basic list of things you'll need to do are: scratchbuild the new horizontal and vertical fins scratchbuild a new tail boom (not too hard as it's all slab sided - the real thing is of a monolithic construction) modify the tail rotor blades to look the new profile and fully articulated version modify the nose modify the sponsons change the cockpit doors scratchbuild an entire new top deck & exhaust I'm toying with the idea of the conversion too, it's hard enough even when I have access to all the CAD models for the 159!

And the last bit of work for tonight, the front undercarriage is on and the rear u/c legs are attached. I scratchbuilt the pilots' steps from wire as well as a step for the cargo door, in addition, I've made the exhaust from a bit of cotton bud, as well as scratchbuilding a scissor link (that's the bit between the rotor head and the rotating swash plate - essentially a rotating torque link). IMG_20180922_220738 by Ben Standen, on Flickr

Again, not exactly accurate, but I've scratch built some torque links for the front u/c. I've will also reposition the undercarriage from the sides (and too far back) to their correct position (still yet to glue on though). IMG_20180922_200922 by Ben Standen, on Flickr

The paint has bled a little (despite oversparying the masking with the white base) and the cheatline is a little thick, but hopefully it'll look okish once touched up! IMG_20180922_184314 by Ben Standen, on Flickr

On the 7th coat of green now and it's STILL patchy... Humbrol 2 acrylic brush paints absolutely beautifully but its one of those glossy light coloured paints that takes forever to get a solid colour. Maybe I should have brush painted over grey primer (though this tends to leave a dull flat colour to the gloss

Hopefully going to wrap up the Whirlwind this weekend! Masked before painting the green. IMG_20180922_092345 by Ben Standen, on Flickr This is going to take a while... IMG_20180922_101202 by Ben Standen, on Flickr

More progress on the Whirlwind, I'm somewhat happy with the first layer of white paint... HOWEVER, an awful amount of the primer literally peeled off. In the 10 years I've been modelling, I've always used Halfords grey plastic primer, never have I had it peel off a model. Very frustrating, but I'm hoping the model will look ok from a distance. IMG_20180908_200807 by Ben Standen, on Flickr

Cheers all Glad other think it looks alright! It's far from perfect, but I'm happy that I've got a replica of my favourite (and certainly the best looking) Lynx

Been a busy week, getting familiar with CATIA and the way things work, starting some actual useful (I hope) work next week. Back to modelling, I'm hoping to get some done this evening (going to make the most of the sun and get out on my [pedal powered] two-wheeler ), after that, it's the boring bit for the Whirlwind - cleaning up the final few rivets, filling and sanding. I've already got my eyes on my next conversion (still got a Wessex to build yet!), I'm going to convert a 1/72 Lynx HMA8 to an AW159 Wildcat! It's not actually a terribly hard conversion, in 1/72 scale, all I'll need to do (from front to back) is; scratchbuild the nose and FLIR modify the footwell window modify the doors scratchbuild the T800 engine cowl (more or less the same as the Super Lynx 300) scratchbuild the IR exhaust diffuser scratchbuild the entire rear fuselage, tail boom and horizontal/vertical stabilisers Fortunately, I have literally every CAD model for every component and assembly of all the AW aircraft, so it should be a case of scaling down drawings and making the panels from plasticard The monolithic construction of the rear fuselage and tail boom means modelling it should be fairly simple, there are also no panel lines. The hard part will be the T800 cowl!

Managed to get a few pictures of the Lynx, check out the RFI IMGP0194 by Ben Standen, on Flickr

Here is the first of my Westland Trio build, Airfix's 1/72 Lynx AH.1 converted to the Speed Record holding G-LYNX. Conversion included: Removing all the raised panel lines and rescribing the cowl area Scratchbuilding BERP tips (remodelled from Airfix's 1/48 Lynx AH.7) Making the rotor collars from Miliput Scratchbuilding the horizontal stabiliser and fins (from plasticard) Modifying the exhausts and cowl to the "straight" type I've modelled the aircraft as it would have looked on the morning of the 11th of August 1986, before setting the speed record of 400.87 km/h over 15km, which remains, to this day, unbroken by any conventional helicopter. IMGP0188 by Ben Standen, on Flickr IMGP0190 by Ben Standen, on Flickr IMGP0192 by Ben Standen, on Flickr IMGP0194 by Ben Standen, on Flickr IMGP0195 by Ben Standen, on Flickr IMGP0197 by Ben Standen, on Flickr IMGP0200 by Ben Standen, on Flickr IMGP0201 by Ben Standen, on Flickr IMGP0202 by Ben Standen, on Flickr And here's the real machine, shortly before taking the record A real looker if you ask me, I've been very lucky to live only a few miles from where she now resides, restored to her former glory - so I was able to pop in a visit quite a few times before moving closer to her birthplace (where I now work, as an engineer, in the same design office where she was once drafted!). I'm fairly happy with how it turned out, it was an enjoyable build and it looks about right sat on the shelf Cheers, Ben