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faceman

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Posts posted by faceman

  1. I've since been studying the second photo more closely and it looks like the second/front disc on the tail boom has a thin short yellow aerial (about a foot long) mounted on it which I've seen on fixed wing RAF a/c of that period.

    Steve

    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

  2. Looking at the first photo the CFS machines didn't have the Dipole aerials on the tail boom like the Army a/c's did but they do have an extra blade aerial on a smaller disc in front of the standard type also they didn't have the whip aerial at the rear of the tail boom.

    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

  3. 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

  4. 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.

    DSCF1562.jpg

    tape looks better (in 1/72)

    DSCF1563.jpg

    center seat belt, as usual unused and clipped together, and the seats finished

    DSCF1564.jpg

    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

  5. Were all RAF Sioux three seaters , and is the canopy bigger than for a two seater ?

    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

  6. It makes a nice little kit. It's worth removing the engine grill and scratching the gearbox and struts as the grills seem to have been removed in service. I found the decals a bit tricky to use so it may be best to use aftermarket.

    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

  7. I've a couple of unbuilt Aeroclub Skeeters and I've always fancied building a 35th Skeeter as part of a diorama but no found a round toit yet, anyway heres the drawings.

    All the best

    Steve

    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

  8. If you need any info I've got a copy of the manual for the Skeeter.

    Steve

    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

  9. do we approach, look from side to side, and utter the words.. "I understand the A-team is minus their Faceman?" to know it's you? :D (probably to be met with "ohh god.... Britmodellers!")

    I think i would have to shoot some flower pots :coolio:

  10. Gents,

    I have a friend who came accross an aircraft compass in very good shape and we are trying to find out what aircraft may have used it. It looks RAF, it has two stanps on it, the first stamp is "Type P4A" and then over top of it it has aa stamp "Type P10" any ideas. The word "aft" is also stamped on it on the rear portion of the compass and there are two sets of two grid lines which run north/south and east west.

    TIA

    Brad

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

    Keith

  11. Hi folks,

    I've been doing a bit more fettlin' and snapping.

    First attempt at the front of the instrument panel.

    DSCF1375.jpg

    Rear of the instrument panel and the Tannoy speaker (turned steel)

    DSCF1376.jpg

    Mk2 instrument panel front part built.

    DSCF1377.jpg

    Mk2 Avionic deck.

    DSCF1378.jpg

    Instrument Panel front completed (?)

    DSCF1386-1.jpg

    Instrument Panel rear completed apart from separating from the bar.

    DSCF1385.jpg

  12. I remember flying up and down the A34 by Worthy Down ranges where boffins were monitoring me reading a script to trial 2 types of Airbourne PA.

    Getting a SARO Skeeter kit has given me the KUTA to crack on and finish this Italeri 1:72 Kit

    The Lycoming flat 6

    DSCF1731-1.jpg

    Very white streched sprue control cables, they didn't stay there very long!

    DSCF1728.jpg

    my way of painting streched sprue

    DSCF1735.jpg

    adding the pulley supports for the elevator control cables.

    DSCF1734.jpg

    Avionics platform in situ.

    DSCF1372.jpg

    the carpet monster grabbed the instrument panel. It would have needed some work but now it needs a whole lot more.

    DSCF1373.jpg

    the battery connector cables and acid overflow jar fitted.

    DSCF1374.jpg

    thats all for now folks.

  13. Having finally got hold of a SARO Skeeter kit, many thanks to John at Aeroclub and some further info regarding 814, thanks Aeronut, I can start contemplating building.

    However this has given me the KUTA to finish the D&T Sioux seen on the right of the photo.

    IMAG0067.jpg

    so there might be a bit of a gap to the first update.

  14. I think the black and white prop was a late change probably assymetric to match tailrotors and stop people walking towards it. I'm fairly sure that the only spitmunk at Wallop when I was there during the 70's had a black prop. Note also that it had a glider aerotow hook under the tail.

    regards

    Keith

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