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

Hi folks, I've been doing a bit more fettlin' and snapping. First attempt at the front of the instrument panel. Rear of the instrument panel and the Tannoy speaker (turned steel) Mk2 instrument panel front part built. Mk2 Avionic deck. Instrument Panel front completed (?) Instrument Panel rear completed apart from separating from the bar.

T H A T...... OK I'll get my coat

Mark The Sioux is back in the 2011 catalogue. I intend doing a fair amount of kit bashing on the Skeeter. Keith

Just keeps getting better. Superlatives just stopped being meaningful. Keith

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 Very white streched sprue control cables, they didn't stay there very long! my way of painting streched sprue adding the pulley supports for the elevator control cables. Avionics platform in situ. the carpet monster grabbed the instrument panel. It would have needed some work but now it needs a whole lot more. the battery connector cables and acid overflow jar fitted. thats all for now folks.

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

Very Big Car for Infantry?

Just goes to show that the edicts from the Air Ministry could be subject to various interpretations at the sharp end. Could give the rivet counters palpitations though.

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

Hi Guys I suppose I should leap in with the list on my signature block. Whether I manage to get anything done soon is another matter, maybe a KUTA is just what is required.