Whirly

Been quite busy in the last few days and did also small progress in the build due to the poor fit of the components. First a view on the rear pilon details: I used a sprue as support for the scratchbuilt pieces which created a problem with the cargo bay roof... ok, just a minute work with a file. then I had to scratchbuild the ventral winch panel: somehow it was missing from my box. Look how much filler, dissolved putty and plasticard I used. very poor fit of the tail components. As I said elsewhere it's better to glue each part to the respective fuselage and then join all together. more filler needed also for the interchangeable engine panels. that's it for now. I will be away for a few days, Happy Easter to everyone!

I confirm this approach is the way to go: I made some progress on my build but not posted images yet. I found the rear pilon halves already glued by the previous owner of my kit and had to fight hard to align the parts and then to fill the joint.

Thank you all for the positive comments! Simply to avoid scratching/smearing the windows before applying proper masking, no secret techniques here 😉

Hi Craig, good progress on this one, she's looking very bright! Glad you are using the correct orange instead of yellow 13538 suggested in the Print Scale instruction sheet. Also Field green is completely off, what are you going to use for the Gloss Olive Drab? Seems 14087 is quite different from the later matt variant and no off-the-shelf paint is available.. Cheers Fabio

The main visual difference are the larger sponsons. Academy offers this alternative in a special boxing, we have two builds ongoing, unfortunately in 1/72 I too am not aware of any conversion.

Hello, looking at many reference images online I got an itch for doing an HMX-1 VH-46F, only it seems they are all of the 'Bullfrog' sub-variant. Is there any 1/72 conversion available or is it all up to your Milliput reserve? Thanks Fabio

Hi Smudge, time available is subjective: depends on your penchant for super detailing and speed of build 😉 That Microscale sheet is really one of the very early ones, should make a fine model. The other subjects are also interesting, didn't know there were Jolly Green Giants in overall Engine Grey.

Finished the cockpit with cyclic and collective lever, then my cheap simulation of seat belts with grey painted paper tape. Finally the fuselage is closed. Hoped for better fit, all the joints needing attention and remarkably big gaps near the transmission cover (apologies for the dark images). Will need several applications of Tamiya liquid putty. Thanks for looking!

Actually Academy's rendition is quite crude but not so distant from the truth! There are two doors covered in thermal insulation material which give access to the engine bay. This is the only web image I can find, I have more if you need it.

You are too kind! Some more progress: all painted dark red and installed, I had some issues with the metal wire which didn't want to remain straight. No real issue since the cargo hold will be closed, but I have to keep it in mind for the next occasion. And here a little weathering to the tail pilon details so they don't look too stark. Hope to complete the cockpit rapidly so as to finally close the fuselages. Thanks for viewing!

Wonderful result with an extremely eye-catching livery. I wish I was so fast at completing my models, and in 1/48 too!

Thank you all for your positive comments! No, I hadn't forgotten this build, I was deeply pondering on how to represent realistically the red canvas seating, since I had come to a stall with another helicopter for the same problem. This time I am experimenting with fine tape and much, much patience... I gave a light coat of future to keep togheter all the webs (too light...) and after much cursing I came to be ready for paint. You see, Flex-i-file has multiple uses 😎 In the meantime I also painted the main cabin and cockpit, different grays since I don't want the rear space to be much visible. Zync chromate yellow went in the rear pylon as per photos, the internals will be installed only after joining the fuselages.

Hi, I did the same a few weeks ago, no reply. Tried with the mail above too, nothing changed. Are you OK? BR Fabio

Thank you MM! Yesterday I had some free time at the bench and tackled the rudder pedals. The worst part was shaping the pedals themselves (and it shows) but the overall effect is satisfying to my eyes. I put together this "representation" of what's inside the rear pylon, after all it won't be exposed with open doors: just a big sprue and some copper and tin wire to give the right impression.

Oh, well.... 😱

Some more progress: I opened up the rear transmission cooling intake since there was a nasty join to hide anyway. Will see if and how to fill the resulting hole, more refining with needle files when the fuselage will be assembled. Anyone has a close image of what's inside the tail pylon? I found a few but all from a good distance... Added a plasticard bridge between the two cockpit bulkheads so the pilots won't loose their shoes in the hole 😁 Then I installed the front door and the side windows with Revell Contacta glue to have a strong joint without risking damages to the clear parts. I initially wondered why the upper door was transparent seeing no mention of it in the instructions, then I noticed that US CH-46s has it, another compromise due to the multi-option kit. I returned on the pilots seats because I don't like the deep groove around their edges, but the first attempt with Perfect Plastic Putty was not a great success, will see with a second application. Obviously I should have done it BEFORE applying the side rods....

Exactly the same image I based on, you preceeded me MM! That posted by Nigel is from a US Sea Knight which I believe has armoured seats, there are many details to pay attention to with the Kawasaki built machines: they are far more similar to the civil V-107 than to their american military counterpart.

I finally managed to start with a bit of assembling. The cockpit is quite well furnished but the collective levers seem quite overlong, will remedy that later. Also will try to make somthing for the pedals, they are quite prominent from the cabin windows and the kit ones are very approximate. more done behind the cockpit. I plan on painting everythig dark gray and adding only the canvas seats that can be seen through the windows, no open doors. The front seats are toylike, I removed the "sides" and will replace them with stretched sprue. The side sponsons assembled quite well, unlike the external tanks that will need much more work.

Thank you all for the welcoming words 👍 MM, you have very good eyes: I didn't even notice I was showing my secret intents 😎 If time permits I'd like to build also a Labrador in delivery colours (white/blue/dayglo) with the Belcher Bits decals, but I'm quite cautious going from past experience...

Hello, for a start I will build this fujimi box in the early gloss olive drab scheme. Cheers Fabio

Seems the Tamiya greens could the best candidates. Unfortunately I can't use weathering as an excuse as I want to do an helicopter in near pristine condition, probably this subject or a straight trooper:

Hello Fuad, the model is astonishing especially the weathered paint: would you care to comment on how you achieved such a realistic finish, which paints and other products did you use? thank you Fabio

The Heller T-6 has a much better rendition of the engine cowling compared to Academy's.

Thank you for the suggestions, though it is not so easy as adding gloss to 34087 😟 The real colour is distinctly darker and greener than the more common matt version, hence my question.

The title says it all: gloss paint FS 14087 as used on early UH-1B or OV-1B for example. Anybody has an out of the pot suggestion, easily available in Europe? thanks a lot Fabio