Jump to content

jrlx

Gold Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    4,609

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    3

 Content Type 

Posts posted by jrlx

    +++ Finished!!! +++ Marines attack helicopter AH-1G Cobra, Vietnam 1970 (AZ Model, 1/72)

    in Work in Progress - Aircraft

    Posted

    Hi again,

     

    While manipulating the model, I managed to knock out the gunner's instrument panel and control stick. I had to re-glue them in place:

    y4mWejdgRUHsRZpfyIcOKQLrRvmfQZbyTBNKSIq7

    IMAG7008

     

    I used thin strips of plasticard to straight the horizontal edges of the front air intake. Unfortunately, the grid of the intake wasn't perfectly aligned and I couldn't adjust it:

    y4mx2mUIZugp1fx3CBH32rttxOY9wbDUpYOkSn5T

    IMAG7011

     

    The piece of acetate representing the pilot's head up display was CA-glued in place. A better option would be using Aquagloss or other clear varnish to glue it in place:

    y4mgPsIe2wdEsULad6hLysf_p1btwxZ2aCwx24Yp

    IMAG7012

     

    Next, the canopy was glued in place with Contacta Clear glue:

    y4mMJvEND9h6GsH4iI5mHVzsvfhG5hqU49AriEvN

    IMAG7013

     

    The wings were next. They were glued in place and the model was left to rest on a LEGO gig to ensure proper alignment of the wings:

    y4mvcZuC9OaOszoBqbFDoL4a3_JxNdK2SoecUFMb

    IMAG7014

     

    y4mYEMi4ebTMtcOevl0gEaq9tDMiWur_G90gmzYm

    IMAG7015

     

    The horizontal stabilisers were next:

    y4m7YP5-yJEesLy7vX1QgVSoIIC5AVgNs28DEvhW

    IMAG7016

     

    The joints of the canopy, wings and stabilisers with the fuselage weren't good enough, so additional PPP was applied:

    y4mkne0TGb6E8CNvv6bNi97lV0HYwXKKlp0Afxuo

    IMAG7017

     

    Look after removal of the excess PPP:

    y4m2wcVPWueTTdP2kUY59mzHbfvwcePOYVD4p15K

    IMAG7018

     

    The cockpit interior colour was re-sprayed but the joints between canopy and fuselage still needed improvement:

    y4mOzuw7pIh5VC35DAyy9JqbxgNFi21FI8PK0KAx

    IMAG7019

     

    y4mrXoGlYYhjLm79f4IWw32Ekvo_RSD71iICbnWq

    IMAG7020

     

    Therefore, additional work was done to improve these joints: a lot of scraping, sanding and more PPP. I also sealed the opening for the main rotor shaft and the exhaust with blu-tack, to protect them from the main painting phase:

    y4mk6yn7YnqQ0u44bmVF8lT7WWj3Qp2srcfhX0Io

    IMAG7021

     

    y4mZE6tEo9HsQDzv6fGkvpxATRFq6QUryDTSUBeb 

    IMAG7022

     

    Another task before starting the main painting phase was drilling a hole on the nose for later installation of the pitot tube:

    y4mlK9cMf8VCO5pzZhHySIEb_-oGS0kYkB1prbku

    IMAG7023

     

    Another re-spraying of the canopy with the cockpit's interior colour was done to ensure the joints were now good enough. After that I applied a coat of Alclad's Black Primer and Microfiller. This revealed several seams that still needed improvement. After a lot more work, the final black primer coat was applied:

    y4m1CSx-LYC633Bk6gyUeVupsmamNRrORZXKwy4_

    IMAG7024

     

    The primer on the nose area was masked to make the black anti-glare area of the nose.

     

    For providing tonal variance, I applied a layer of "marbling" using two shades of green, both lighter than the Field Green of the colour scheme: first Gunze's H312 Green (the shade used as "interior green" by British Aircraft of WWII) was mottled inside the panels, followed by Sky.

    y4mHZb0S68K_exoBti5ilkzySD62YCZ--mQqBsDt

    IMAG7025

     

    y4mz7CH3Eu9RRNp-kkvInodgFq8XO9FwxQIITJ9U

    IMAG7026

     

    The same "marbling" was applied to the small parts:

    y4mG3o_7rcxRY_8RYGVg3eoFGYr4hglWEsH5phyJ

    IMAG7027

     

    y4m6rBhW73VYqXPBDNr4IQ4Y5_6NcY7DFXrwVrHB

    IMAG7028

     

    y4mdRuGVkaw-bkzzW88_urogNWGvduE9TLakicEL

    IMAG7029

     

    The main colour was applied in thin layers, panel by panel:

    y4mCETzU2HLz1GZtW7_-yOfd8xtzokJM2gJbJ5HN

    IMAG7030

     

    y4m5COriMJymwOJHfzKIjYZJnWCH7X0-Cvu8cn0j

    IMAG7031

     

    y4mIryBwr0MUPeL3An1MMqHhtbT0amKj1yJyMOid

    IMAG7032

     

    Thin layers of the main colour were also applied to the small parts:

    y4m7qdrPAgqbE-LGaQdrgVKJFVtmKkejoo2HM8Ek

    IMAG7034

     

    y4mtaYDx2Gcr3XMsvZZqTVQ3spyHhsamdJF1Eqmy

    IMAG7035

     

    y4mYTXt2xViKywbA72GeOcjAfeITnrSEF4t3i3bB

    IMAG7033

     

    Thanks for looking.

     

    Cheers

     

    Jaime

     

     

    • Like 5

    +++ Finished!!! +++ Marines attack helicopter AH-1G Cobra, Vietnam 1970 (AZ Model, 1/72)

    in Work in Progress - Aircraft

    Posted

    7 hours ago, Jackson Duvalier said:

    Perhaps cutting the moulded canopy to leave the stationary parts and using the appropriate portions of the Pavla vac for the opening bits would be a workaround?

    I considered doing something like that but opted for not trying to cut the kit canopy and risk ruining it. By the way, the Special Hobby kit provides separate transparent parts for the moving and fixed parts of the canopy.

     

    7 hours ago, Jackson Duvalier said:

    My big issue is decals.  I've three of the things to build, with no markings and little aftermarket support from what I've been able to determine

    So it seems... In a quick search I could only find a Printscale decal sheet for AH-1 Cobras, but only two schemes are applicable to the version of this AZ Model boxing.

     

    Cheers

     

    Jaime

     

     

    +++ Finished!!! +++ Marines attack helicopter AH-1G Cobra, Vietnam 1970 (AZ Model, 1/72)

    in Work in Progress - Aircraft

    Posted

    Hi again,

     

    Finally, a new update on this build, which I already finished two weeks ago.

     

    I glued the pilot's instrument panel assembly in place:

    y4mY1epzPGIr7-jGnuV22RGLlcjDf6gwsQ0dqMWp

    IMAG6992

     

    The left side panel is partially obstructed by the instrument panel but the later sits well in place, nonetheless.

    y4mzdohA_to9zkxt9duUIQAKsizzfT0myC0SCFm1

    IMAG6995

     

    The tail fin sits a bit below the tail spine. I had to elevate it using a piece of plasticard:

    y4mVHq8VfjEh6PSMmrFMzSDLvQnGghFCqUg3Gba-

    IMAG6993

     

    y4m2eurJqPjNcFGvjlSD5bMShIwVEf4Y4gCI9Nyc

    IMAG6994

     

    The excess plastic was later carved out.

     

    On the lower edges of the canopy, I carved out a small indent to install the PE opening handles for the moving panels of the canopy:

    y4msBgyodejU0iW60SgJaCCHGIv5QuL1oLpr2slM

    IMAG6996

     

    y4me_SQKdEwWOyzHPfOeHXnGhsruMb0zqbuI-5Zc

    IMAG6997

     

    Next, Perfect Plastic Putty (PPP) was liberally applied on the seams on the fuselage:

    y4mn4H886uhIFwMuOLok3Onz3nPfEwDqG-cUceju

    IMAG6998

     

    y4m0ONtp-YI9fhYKfoNYYKh4ZJZFbzEfP9-h04I3

    IMAG6999

     

    PPP was also applied on the joints between the wings and pilons:

    y4mPPxpOT3D8Oen8-xcZ01IQwOdyf71VqWjvOZso

    IMAG7000

     

    and on the seams of the weapons:

    y4muPRtGrofhCgHYl63s8Xp_0jOYIMW0LJgKmHde

    IMAG7001

     

    The PPP dried for at least a day and the excess was, then, removed with a damp cotton-bud.

     

    I also masked the canopy, both outside

    y4m58pBfuM3hvcbcIfvz7GIyU7Qk-nTKoeLaLmkt

    IMAG7003

     

    and inside:

    y4ms85ffHuszwm2FEeO1-rDvt5lTFhPtbSqhEYN5

    IMAG7004

     

    The interior colour (Gunze's H317 Dark Gull Grey) was airbrushed outside and inside:

    y4mg8hCyioZCul8vcc-ovsmEDCtzWwstd8GM3Knw

    IMAG7005

     

    The paint was allowed to dry and a gloss coat was applied to the inside of the canopy, in preparation for the application of a dark wash.

    y4mWXuJgatiHBr6oByMpgwI14yQuA_sptxZ5bYR7

    IMAG7006

     

    Here is the set-up for the wash application:

    y4mKb84WNIN6BcSZdM3PSVaJvePi5yLZyv8S2jWC

    IMAG7007

     

    To finish with the canopy, the PE parts were applied and the inside was sealed with an Alclad Flat coat. Here's the end result after removing the inside masking:

    y4m0tC6nIXoRdwUh9qJ3DoXTfGpUPTz6g0CaRvud

    IMAG7009

     

    y4mZWHtagS2gA9uUpzD03BhGKHw_I-KjX3liZCQB

    IMAG7010

     

    Thanks for looking

     

    Jaime

     

     

     

    • Like 2

    +++ Finished!!! +++ Marines attack helicopter AH-1G Cobra, Vietnam 1970 (AZ Model, 1/72)

    in Work in Progress - Aircraft

    Posted

    12 hours ago, Jackson Duvalier said:

    I've enjoyed catching up with your build, Jaime.  I too have a stalled AZ AH-1, as well as two additional kits still in the overtree Joy Pack, and the Brengun PE set and the Pavla vac.

     

    Hope to see more soon, cheers.  

     

    Thank you for your interest Jackson! This kit is a bit "vague" in terms of fitting but the level of detail and the shapes are good. My experience with the Pavla vac was frustrating, as shown in the posts above, and in the end I used the kit provided canopy. The Brengun set is good and is a great improvement to the detail of the  kit.

     

    I'm now waiting for the delivery of Special Hobby's 1/72 Cobra, in its "early tails" boxing. Seems to be a good kit, hopefully less problematic than the AZ's. I still have to order the PE set from Brengun for the SH.

     

    8 hours ago, heloman1 said:

    Excellent build, I like what you have done.

     

    Colin

     Thank you very much Colin, much appreciated!

    +++ Finished!!! +++ Marines attack helicopter AH-1G Cobra, Vietnam 1970 (AZ Model, 1/72)

    in Work in Progress - Aircraft

    Posted

    On 27/10/2020 at 08:15, CedB said:

    Life often gets in the way Jaime, but it'll be good to see it progress :) 

     

    Hi @CedB

     

    Indeed life gets in the way. I've already finished this build (mid-December) but my time has been very limited since the Summer holidays and I had to choose between progressing with the build and updating the thread.

     

    I'll update the thread in the following days, hopefully.

     

    Cheers

     

    Jaime

     

     

    • Like 2

    +++ Finished!!! +++ Marines attack helicopter AH-1G Cobra, Vietnam 1970 (AZ Model, 1/72)

    in Work in Progress - Aircraft

    Posted

    On 22/09/2020 at 08:44, CedB said:

    Great, precise work as always Jaime. Impressive i/ps. :) 

     

    That canopy is a pain… I've had similar problems with vac forms and, to be honest, they're not my favourites. It looks like you're sorting the issues though and she's coming together well.

     

    Thank you very much, Ced! Very kind, as always!

     

    I'm afraid I didn't manage to finish the build in the time frame of the GB, in keeping with my tradition regarding GBs...

     

    I did manage to progress slowly since I returned from my holidays in September but real life has been extremely busy since.

     

    I'll update the thread in the coming days, possibly in the regular WIP area.

     

    Cheers

     

    Jaime

     

    • Like 2

    +++ Finished!!! +++ Marines attack helicopter AH-1G Cobra, Vietnam 1970 (AZ Model, 1/72)

    in Work in Progress - Aircraft

    Posted

    Hi again,

     

    After closing the fuselage, I test fit the canopy and found that it didn't fit in the front. This was due to the incorrect positioning of the front instrument panel: since there were no location tabs, I had glued it in a position that was too inclined to ther front and interfered with the front of the canopy:

    y4mQdS-UIR-qWO2PabFedsYOnuUAIt3AnZ7oP6Da

    IMAG6906

     

    After a lot of sanding of the instrument panel's cover and thinning of the canopy's front under the frontal rim, I managed to make the canopy fit in place:

    y4moJNuEH6NRLoQ3hMYvLmIY04F8I-zbqQcKd231

    IMAG6909

     

    This is how the instrument panel's cover was after all the sanding:

    y4m32wzW2aTVuK52DaghLO8yMN1-jv06nM2vU6St

    IMAG6908

     

    Just to compare, I also test fit the vacform canopy, which still showed gaps, especially in the frontal area:

    y4m7DuFkdTj3dKu0xc4dqhERba3slyGxomNBQLt0

    IMAG6909

     

    y4mj0CMRNCiRn-AjEylORpNODubeO5JoxQiuYMXn

    IMAG6910

     

    y4m2f6v8hCDntEtIjv8F6Gri4RxdAszcXCAQOv7J

    IMAG6911

     

    The somewhat loose nature of the fit of the parts of this kit also showed up in the back of the cockpit, where gaps between the back cover and the sides can be seen:

    y4mnrELba-AbqZnlwj2a4Grs9Ei0F7lx2wV8ioDp

    IMAG6912

     

    Since the underside opening of the fuselage was still not closed, I filled in the gaps from the inside using super-glue.

     

    There are also gaps between the cockpit base and the port fuselage part but I didn't manage to reached them from inside to fill them with super-glue:

    y4mEyxCgJWlPUfkDTzeoYy0r3IQg8mfl9iCnRu-a

    IMAG6913

     

    Finally, I closed the underside of the fuselage. As can be seen, the fit of these parts could be better and I'll have to fill in a few gaps:

    y4meV_QZ56j2eLRbK5zPLE5t-EsxgsVhgTjbDGK7

    IMAG6914

     

    Thanks for looking.

     

    Jaime

     

     

     

    • Like 8

    +++ Finished!!! +++ Marines attack helicopter AH-1G Cobra, Vietnam 1970 (AZ Model, 1/72)

    in Work in Progress - Aircraft

    Posted

    Hi again,

     

    The kit's canopy had a sprue stub attached, which I sawed off. The setup used to avoid damaging the transparency of the part was this:

    y4mnMBwBh7P3Im_1a2jQ4PE19zDOEDdVgumCl4Zj

    IMAG6885

     

    The canopy was washed, left to dry and later given a bath of Alclad Aqua Gloss to increase brilliance and transparency.

     

    Next, I painted the cockpit parts, including those still in the PE fret:

    y4mbRMWi4EId0G9aFTWfH_zfw5XcpL4--P5ndUg8

    IMAG6888

     

    After applying a coat of Aqua Gloss, a dark wash was used to weather the cockpit parts:

    y4mNijdmo0bGmvzTDgcH5Rm7MXxY3tkNbIbRO5K5

    IMAG6889

     

    Here's the cockpit base after application of the wash and a silver dry-brush on the floor and side consoles:

    y4mROf4Gv504iWCVHJmLv7Z4pcpaTESEaRfLgTzv

    IMAG6890

     

    Here's the PE fret in final form, with all the colours applied:

    y4mMxZ6ABQ6pfZ-mpSI2pR6x9pxhXa04y4iMSk_S

    IMAG6891

     

    The next step was the assembly of the instrument panels. Each of these are made up of a PE part and an acetate with the instruments (whose back I had already painted with flat white):

    y4mwDzXNv25hzD-lZ6LoKpy0BFIfV_h-u3rs1W3f

    IMAG6892

     

    The PE parts were removed from the fret and the instruments cut off the acetate:

    y4mYOTjOgc3XyTwz7wQwU4_N0WycSXiy1yjD8Fxx

    IMAG6893

     

    I used Aqua Gloss to glue the PE and acetate parts. This also provides a nice "glass-like" cover to the instruments:

    y4m90cnsxUAT97Ul2jmUJgnvm5LZ3SjBbuj0EFcr

    IMAG6894

     

    Final assembly of instrument panel consoles:

    y4m9w7ZSyq6Yc4QV86yrmBdpcDu8bLsQNIHwHMV6

    IMAG6895

     

    Next, I installed the PE seat belts:

    y4mTEr0WywW7c9S2AbPZSxHbsgFtNJ91M970GTnG

    IMAG6896

     

    and the control columns and levers on the cockpit base:

    y4m7Wnhh-rK6F9XoWZuWtKxP5wWzYP7KY5uaSBf8

    IMAG6897

     

    The seats were glued in place:

    y4ml43c9MRZXvl2vX3eU7lkwMXGVYSLIp7r4szMB

    IMAG6898

     

    From reference pictures, I noticed that a control lever was missing on the left front console:

    87wRSG6GTL6Y92hLiwxNuZW5vC6b5PRlqjrGYMqm

     

    So, I scratch built it using a piece of plasticard and a small length of copper wire:

    y4m98Lu6vuMxjJ-NEzi8twx411iiq076Z3k6WOlA

    IMAG6899

     

    This was painted matt black. A bit of red was also applied to the inside of the front right console, to replicate the label that can be seen in the picture of the cockpit above:

    y4msCKeJBNWG2SsrhLQlTtQMiXFHuDmbAQhGuvrE

    IMAG6900

     

    I glued the cockpit base to the starboard inner side of the fuselage. I also glued in place the front instrument panel and the back end of the cockpit. However, there were no guides or tabs to keep the front instrument panel in the right position. I had to guess where to glue it and inserted a piece of sprue to hold it in place:

    y4msSadBdpnD46hTQ4iNUfRmifMeUDbAVi_8Bc0v

    IMAG6901

     

    Here are two views of the results:

    y4mNmImXQIsT8sD6ejLKx4ADDl53Qq2F86-mxDvJ

    IMAG6902

     

    y4mGPc8TjVFuh61fsfJEbLQrzFkRus9BfRzonOjL

    IMAG6903

     

    To finish this phase of the build, I closed the fuselage:

    y4m8xHxu4kpiSF7cXyuT-P1fyJM7GxJJbMN7jKkG

    IMAG6904

     

    y4mwVSwJnRWBizlscy6Z9KeHJFF7jKFibj81ppfA

    IMAG6905

     

    Thanks for looking

     

    Jaime

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    • Like 8

    +++ Finished!!! +++ Marines attack helicopter AH-1G Cobra, Vietnam 1970 (AZ Model, 1/72)

    in Work in Progress - Aircraft

    Posted

    Hi again,

     

    After priming the parts that will be painted with metallic colours, I needed to mask some of them.

     

    Here's the PE fret after the first round of masking:

    y4mThrs2oljVnLhh91Rmiv4uu3u021c_Jsb_K-oq

    IMAG6871

     

    The rotors have black blades with yellow tips, with metallic shafts. I'll use the black primer for the black blades, so, I masked the parts accordingly:

    y4m6xvBbeSH4ofLa_LMfi4QTKYP75gJMCg0HsKDt

    IMAG6872

     

    y4mFnXABhsviGGxRBFa64Es1flXcpRPlLUpo2cfM

    IMAG6873

     

    y4mEzExX7OKzL0KBkzzAojD9Eupq4WgCRyYchU_z

    IMAG6875

     

    The centres of the rotors and the shafts were painted with Alclad White Aluminium

    y4mBR2oRCIAudsKVXXOGHQpKjAWz6H6zg2MB4wIO

    IMAG6876

     

    y4m5ndJqtSBuvItvSx49_xDY-_uMq-7d39PiuMwd

    IMAG6877

     

    The guns were painted with Alclad Gunmetal and the exhaust parts with Alclad Burnt Iron. The exhaust part with the turbine face was, then, masked inside and out, except for the turbine face, which was painted with Alclad White Aluminium. Then, I used blu-tack to mask the turbine face, as shown in the following picture, because the turbine shaft would be painted with Alclad Aluminium:

    y4mkEyFoy5EYFBMmEDw1JoSALjCGy2nN4s3cgUZx

    IMAG6884

     

    After unmasking, here is the end result:

    y4moq0ArLRWgPhiOQYuTwJJTC_Hk8hMP7U9v33pd

    IMAG6887

     

    While waiting for the different metallic shades to dry, before moving to the next one, I decided to cut the vacform canopy.

     

    Here it is before cutting off the surrounding plastic:

    y4miFCRoSmtrzu7utv8xk5gf7wnZKMiINPjW1vk7

    IMAG6878

     

    It should be said that it is not very clear were the cuts should be made, because there's not a sharp separation between the canopy's frames and the surrounding material. As a result, I may have cut it too short or the canopy itself was moulded too short, because it didn't fit properly on the fuselage: there were some visible gaps, especially in front of the canopy:

    y4mNAuqC2R67ZaCkHFD9PgCpvXISEIatiHfqzcPD

    IMAG6879

     

    y4mFtq3dLliSxH2cSQfMrL4Ea35bZyFmD3rNJVao

    IMAG6880

     

    In contrast, the kit-supplied canopy fits almost perfectly:

    y4mdqGUqdMSZZDZtfoIhfkh91YZ27qOkAtf0qlrH

    IMAG6881

     

    y4m4tWk9rLCsuoU3S2Pro4QOB5UokyYjW1-Xekmq

    IMAG6882

     

    A side by side comparison of the two canopies shows that the vacform one seems to be a bit shorter than the kit's canopy in the frontal section:

    y4mgO_EOvXe7YrzPO9vvDp5ItC_QdgFXYpIyxXwQ

    IMAG6883

     

    I'll have to use the kit's canopy, then. Fortunately, it is very clear.

     

    Thanks for looking.

     

    Jaime

     

     

    • Like 8

    +++ Finished!!! +++ Marines attack helicopter AH-1G Cobra, Vietnam 1970 (AZ Model, 1/72)

    in Work in Progress - Aircraft

    Posted

    Hi again,

     

    Sorry for the lack of updates since mid-July. I've been working on this build but I haven't had the time to post updates.

     

    Continuing from where I left, I glued the parts through which the cannon and grenade launcher stick out of the gun turret:

    y4meEG7gdLK-s0VAAJD8zrG5VkVfwqDMh1ig9i61

    IMAG6850

     

    I also removed the cannon and grenade launcher from the sprues and glued them to a toothpick, ready for painting:

    y4mqMx42TgT0VpjnVYRDnzxwIm6W9eHqvVry34kv

    IMAG6851

     

    Next, I glued together the tail rotor blades and shaft. The shaft does not fit tightly on the corresponding hole in the tail fin. So, I glued a piece of thin plastic sheet around the shaft's end:

    y4mKWSACJn0mjLBo59i5CG5Uri-_lnmbA8kX68BY

    IMAG6852

     

    I also glued the PE part to the blades:

    y4mRTv0vMvyj1l0iCLGGSVnmFYUrqrDWuMc5q60S

    IMAG6854

     

    There were also a few PE bits that had to be glued to the fuselage:

    y4mbCvkVJ0A3v5cZo3yi5ksmG0Uz4JklLSwGrEAg

    IMAG6853

     

    The wings and pod holders were glued together (the parts on the left were cleaned from flash before glueing):

    y4m9PQBsGzNoVG7xjnvUuLytgS7CVi27kQ2dYbmn

    IMAG6857

     

    The exhaust parts were also removed from the sprues and cleaned, in preparation for painting:

    y4m35OgPoYS7m64_qO7yXF9uFMMvGo80V3khPWuA

    IMAG6858

     

    The next step was the installation of the links between the blades and the centre of the main rotor. These are build with PE parts and small sections of plastic rod, but I used pieces of copper wire instead of plastic rod.

     

    Here we can see the PE bits already bent to shape:

    y4mp_YO2Vkl1CLfDptgrEBZsc3MNwkRHB0lGRnaH

    IMAG6859

     

    These bits were glued in place:

    y4mVilxMTDHI4nXGZwJ6E4hjdPiI0IcY5pfY-Mcj

    IMAG6860

     

    After a few tries, to find the correct length, I glued the pieces of copper wire in place, as shown in the following two pictures:

    y4mL5vVCbX0g4yM1rnjJfjzZXS7bEIO_JoQpprPE

    IMAG6861

     

    y4mZuH1ezKFN-vZx6UTS6qUwqf0EdaoronT6VgHW

    IMAG6862

     

    To finish with the main rotor, I glued the shaft in place:

    y4mZM0zb8iD6d56jZBvNbfu2gDJzrZT7UFleYJeW

    IMAG6866

     

    There is an antenna to install on the lower port side of the fuselage, but there are no locating pins or slots. To ensure a proper installation, I drilled holes on the mating surfaces of the fuselage and antenna and glued a piece of copper wire on the antenna:

    y4mCxUdmJ1Y2s6XkIAoaPM52iOpT8TZIFv4Z1jSq

    IMAG6864

     

    The final PE bits to be installed on the exterior are the bits that go on the skids. To ensure a proper installation, I drilled holes on the skids before glueing the PE bits in place:

    y4mSek7ot_CHBbE5DclMjpvfZT2h1BQaPBQS3YXj

    IMAG6865

     

    Finally, Alclad Black Primer and Microfiller was applied to all parts which will be black or need metallic paints:

    y4mPpHi9u1qs0uqgUYXsD5Di6kQrW2h_oUpTAtpG

    IMAG6867

     

    Thanks for looking

     

    Jaime

     

     

     

    • Like 7

    Parasaurolophus Diorama Set - Tamiya 1/35

    in Figure Work In Progress

    Posted

    10 hours ago, Mrs PlaStix said:

    Hi Jaime,Thanks!  How's things with you? I've been tied up with school and lockdown and have only got back into building when Stix suggested taking part in the Blitz build..

    Hi Mrs Stix!

     

    I've been working from home since mid-March due to COVID-19. First we were under State of Emergency till the end of April. After that things have been slowly returning to normal, but I will only return to office in September. I like working from home and it suits my day job perfectly but it can be quite exhausting.

     

    In the meanwhile I got my C2-level German Language certificate and managed to finish two models: an Ekranoplan A-90 and a B-1 Excalibur

     

    I'm now working on a AH-1G Cobra for the Helicopter GB, but progress has been slow and I still have to update the build thread with the latest work. I'm also enlisted in the BoB GB with a Do-17z but haven't resumed work on it yet...

     

    What's your next project?

     

    Jaime

     

    • Like 1

    +++ Finished!!! +++ Marines attack helicopter AH-1G Cobra, Vietnam 1970 (AZ Model, 1/72)

    in Work in Progress - Aircraft

    Posted

    6 hours ago, JOCKNEY said:

    That looks the business can you tell me who makes it and where i could get one please.

    Hi Pat,

     

    Sorry for not providing the link right away. @CedB provided the updated link to the bender I have. It is expensive but I believe it's worth the price. The quality of the tool is very high and it's made of solid machined metal.

     

    Cheers

     

    Jaime

    • Like 2

    +++ Finished!!! +++ Marines attack helicopter AH-1G Cobra, Vietnam 1970 (AZ Model, 1/72)

    in Work in Progress - Aircraft

    Posted

    Hello,

     

    I've resumed working on this build.

     

    As I said elsewhere, while the build was stored away on the shelf of doom, I've bought Master's brass gun for Cobras. However this gun is for later versions and won't be used with this kit. Now I have a good excuse to buy Dream Model's AH-1Z Viper :)

     

    I also bought a vacform canopy for this specific kit:

    y4mP-DTjeNF6-Xl2I40rDxQ8scoDlrWia7fybhFD

    IMAG6829

     

    To start with, I cleaned the moulding marks from the main rotor shaft and cut the plastic piece which served as head-up display:

    y4m5Za5gva9W6uS8kSJytlQcVn45d822cibZTSIH

    IMAG6831

     

    The HUD will be replaced by piece C of this acetate sheet, where instrument panels are also shown:

    y4mzO2Pj40jk1ng36Pec8WzpCT0XGhScl4fLX29H

    IMAG6832

     

    The backs of the instrument panels were painted flat white.

     

    Some additional work was needed in the cockpit. The pedals are replaced by PE parts nº 27:

    y4mMfBhEFSoO1do0QnpTxrUIe1383cHvey9NClhD

    IMAG6834

     

    Here they are, glued in place:

    y4mYCs4EboiT-KIQzePiCw05OJCxrdKrY6u6MFNz

    IMAG6835

     

    PE part nº 11 is to be glued inside the canopy but must be bent to shape before installation:

    y4mNT3SS39gwvvm4OJbk9yMwi6k0AGodTXyLsmbA

    IMAG6836

     

    Final shape, ready for painting:

    y4m_t2pJ8KbIsAUaJtlWSamE68SAxDRrS7DT_aae

    IMAG6837

     

    A lever for the pilot station must be scratch built. The instructions suggest using stretched sprue but I used plasticard rods. The diameters suggested in the instructions seem to be out of scale (1,5 mm and 1,0 mm diameter). My first attempt used 1,0 mm and 0,66 mm but it also looked out of scale. So, I used 0,75 mm and 0,5 mm for my second attempt. The picture below shows the instructions and the two attempts glued to a toothpick, ready for painting:

    y4m5yW1za3itZCfUd_ZzvTGfkVSOUZHzqutzuk8y

    IMAG6844

     

    The insides of the pod parts were painted black:

    y4m8WNvAOr4ICxrbYEcEYEsqfdaVjqKd1wiPxTge

    IMAG6833

     

    The paint was allowed to dry for a few days and, then, the pods parts were glued together:

    y4mY9X-Q9LECxGYOVfm57sxOi3lYul2Iuqs3PxRS

    IMAG6845

     

    Clean up of the seams and some filler will be needed.

     

    There is a PE part to apply to the bottom of the cannon turret:

    y4mDVUef5z26p3d90df7wGpmRAEMLQPD3kAXAqow

    IMAG6842

     

    The PE part was glued in place:

    y4mn5lg51rwF3867ZnUbRsgE1NYS9--Xy6mUGQWl

    IMAG6842

     

    The openings on the bottom of the turret were made:

    y4mCi2-0rbS4SoFsvMxSrYfcfnRRkylTsZAppuAt

    IMAG6847

     

    There are some grids to install on openings around the engine. I chose to use the PE parts that came with the kit, instead of the same parts from the Brengun fret, because the grids are actually perforated:

    y4mz1qcGw_Dh-E2qt0-iz8PexRwNAx_Ziv9LWM38

    IMAG6838

     

    Here the grids are glued in place

    y4mNaa4vJ9se10oI1bTfzsdadcKnwPnyRl_f7rIx

    IMAG6839

     

    That's all for now. Thanks for looking.

     

    Cheers

     

    Jaime

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    • Like 11

    +++ FINISHED! +++ B-1 Excalibur (Academy 1/260)

    in Work in Progress - Aircraft

    Posted

    4 hours ago, CT7567 said:

    The B-2 from what I've seen is very good - certainly an improvement on the vintage Testors kit.  I was hoping for better on the B-52, but their research team clearly let them down by confusing variants and getting some shapes plain wrong.  Since the changes over time to the B-1B are less dramatic than the BUFF I'm hoping they won't have any major snafus.

    I'm relieved to know the B-2 is good. I hope they eventually launch a good B-1.

     

     

×
×
  • Create New...