faceman

Superb models, one teeny weeny nit pick though. Are the REME ARV crew sporting RTR beret badges ? Regards Keith

Indeed so. I'd forgotten about that. Keith

the Spitmunk also had a glider tow hitch under the tail. Keith

Hi Tony Academy do a Bell 47D but it has a saddle tank, so it would take a lot of scratching to turn it int a Sioux Keith

Thats a VHF aerial, which means they didn't use the Army fit of an STR37 on top of the instrument panel and an aerial on the back of the radio. Methinks a VHF set with a bit more poke or an older one on the avionic deck. Keith

The aerials were for the tactical radio, but I noticed that the second cover is on the avionic deck, presumably for a second UHF radio to go with the second UHF blade aerial. Keith

There are I believe that there were 3 diiferent shaped bubbles for the 47G-B3. I think that this to do with where they were built. USA (Bell), Italy (Augusta) or UK (Westland). If you have the 1/72 version which I am currently building, the following may be of use. You need to make sure you use the correct fuel tanks and I am not sure of the avionic fit of the CFS cabs, but the full width radio box was not used on UK fits, there is a platform on the top of the framework and HC1 (Army) had two covers on this, one for the UHF radio and one for the Tactical VHF. CFS may have used Tactical VHF in the HT2 but someone else may have the answer. Regards Keith

I thought it was about time to do a bit more and add a few pics. I have been trying different methods of making seat belts. I have also made a new tail rotor drive shaft using masking tape bearings. tape looks better (in 1/72) center seat belt, as usual unused and clipped together, and the seats finished I am going to try and crack on to finish this quickly before I have a bit of open heart surgery at the end of the month, otherwise there may be a long gap to the next installment. Keith

All the British Military Sioux were Bell 47G-B3 variant. The RAF cabs were HT2's and in red and white livery, while the Army HC1's in green and brown (flourescent orange patches could be found on Advanced Rotary wing's a/c) All were "3" seaters, the middle seat was not used unless absolutley neccessary as it was not the most comfortable. The Army's basic rotary wing a/c were civil Bell 47G-B4 operated by Bristows and were 2 seaters and also not turbocharged. The cockpit and canopy was slightly narrower. They were in light blue livery. Regards Keith

thanks, You made a very nice model. I intend to scratch top and bottom of the engine bay. AAC versions did not have covers on. The belts on the side were the main drive from the engine to the main rotor gearbox. Keith

Thanks for that Steve. The info is great, a good starting point for working out the build. I'm looking to do a large scale version as a first full scratch build in the future. Keith

Thats great news. Any drawings of the engine bay framework would be brilliant. I'm determined to finish the Sioux before starting the Skeeter, but I am already starting to plan what plastic to cut and what bits to make. Keith

I think i would have to shoot some flower pots

I shall be there in my guise as Bandmaster of Staffordshire Wing ATC Band. Come and say hello. Keith

the P4 compass was a fairly standard fit in RAF aircraft for years. I think the P10 is basically the same, slightly modified. Keith