vulcanxm603 Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 Started this kit, a Heller 1/50 SA330 Puma. Lots to be done due to the following: 1) Fuselage is warped. 2) very basic kit. 3) It is an old kit so the parts have a lot of flash on them - plenty of cleaning up. The interior is built separate and slid into position once completed. Then the canopy is glued into position. Undecided whether to do it as a French, RAF or SAAF model. If SAAF will have to make decals. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F4u Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 I like your Puma never knew this kit existed I done the 1/32 Matchbox one many years ago wish someone would bring a new tool 1/48 or 1/32 RAF Puma out ! Will be keep an eye on this one. Guy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yose75 Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 I will follow this topic with interest. Never build a Heller kit but they have some unique helicopter models in their catalogue... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedy Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 As above never knew this existed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worm Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 I knew Heller did a 1/50 Puma but never seen one or a build, I shall be watching with interest. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve4428 Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 I've just about finished the 1/32 kit and have the 1/50 kit in the stash, looking forward to this build! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted October 4, 2015 Share Posted October 4, 2015 I'd forgotten this kit existed. Great to see you working on it. The RAF option gets my vote from personal experience of the real thing but it's your model to do with as you please. Are you adding internal and external detail? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcanxm603 Posted October 4, 2015 Author Share Posted October 4, 2015 Have already made a ceiling and installed it in the cabin area. Might open the air intakes and scratch build parts for them. Externally will be doing basic details such as cabin steps, tail boom warning arm, antennas. Re colour scheme and country markings - still undecided. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted October 4, 2015 Share Posted October 4, 2015 Boscombe Down, red, white and blue scheme would look pretty cool! Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcanxm603 Posted October 4, 2015 Author Share Posted October 4, 2015 Boscombe Down, red, white and blue scheme would look pretty cool! Martin Does anyone have any photos of the Puma in the Boscombe Down colour scheme? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcanxm603 Posted October 13, 2015 Author Share Posted October 13, 2015 Some more work done on the Puma - Interior installed, Cockpit and canopy installed, Rotor started (main and tail), Air intakes drilled out, Air vent at the rear of the motor housing drilled out, Tail warning skid scratch built and installed. Still got the main compartment door steps to scratch build and install. So far I have had problems lining up the sponsons as no alignment holes on the kit. Also the tail is slightly out of alignment due to the warping. Filler has been used on the upper and lower fuselage as well as where the sponsons join the fuselage. Plenty of filing. The main compartment is stuffed with tissue at present and will be until the camo scheme is completed. Taken a while due to health problems. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 Certainly looks Puma-shaped Hope you are in better health now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregair Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 Any progress on this build? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcanxm603 Posted May 25, 2016 Author Share Posted May 25, 2016 (edited) Gregair. There has been some progress. Was waiting for some decent photos of the Puma when they were delivered to the SAAF. Got some and have done in overall olive green. Just got to make a few decals. Will post more pics on the weekend. Still need to scratch build and install the main cabin steps. External antennas now fitted ( one above the rear cabin roof and one under the pilots lowest window). Edited May 25, 2016 by vulcanxm603 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregair Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 That's great news, I look forward to seeing it. I received one of these kits yesterday...its going to be a tough build, you have done a great job on it. C'mon Airfix....how about a new 1/48 Puma.....and Wasp, Gazelle, Alouette III etc etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcanxm603 Posted May 25, 2016 Author Share Posted May 25, 2016 Some pics of the work in progress. As well as the items mentioned earlier in the thread, I need to cut out the underside rear window (at present it is a domed piece of solid platic) and install a clear plastic piece. Main rotor blades cut straight at the end of the blade. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregair Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 Man that's looking good, you do not have too far to go, what green did you use?. I noticed on mine that the canopy is a good 1-1.5mm wider (in total) than the fuselage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcanxm603 Posted May 25, 2016 Author Share Posted May 25, 2016 I had the same problem with the canopy. It was either use plastic card on the front of the fuselage to widen the fuselage, or fit the canopy and emery the joint down. I did the later. Paint used for the Green was rattle can Humbrol Acrylic Light Olive (No 86). The steel sections are done using Vallejo Acrylic Natural Steel paint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_W Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 That's a nice build. The Puma is such a pretty helicopter, and wore some interesting colour schemes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F4u Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 Nice work ! Think I will have to keep an eye out for this kit will sit nice with my Gazelle. Guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Headroom Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 That's a very tidy build of an attractive chopper. I would buy a new tool 1/48 kit in a heartbeat. I've never seen this kit, let alone built, so I'll be very interested to see it built. What is the surface detail like - I'm assuming raised. Trevor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcanxm603 Posted May 25, 2016 Author Share Posted May 25, 2016 That's a very tidy build of an attractive chopper. I would buy a new tool 1/48 kit in a heartbeat. I've never seen this kit, let alone built, so I'll be very interested to see it built. What is the surface detail like - I'm assuming raised. Trevor The surface detail is raised but only very faintly. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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