Bladerunner Posted November 26, 2018 Share Posted November 26, 2018 (edited) Hi guys, I started on refurbishing the ancient and extremely rare Revell Junior BK-117 snapkit recently. The kit is very basic and has no interior (besides two "couches") or clear parts. The fuselage dimensions are 1/48, making things a bit easier. Started with the floorboard, center console, instrument panel and cowl, and then realized that I better get the blanks done for the clear parts. These were made from resin and filler, but the overhead windows didn't feature, and had to be carefully cut out. Noticed that the engine covers did not have the bulges, and the middle section was too high. Cut two slots on either side of the center line to lower it, and then added two strips of plastic card on top of the engine covers to shape the bulges. The intakes had to be opened up a bit, which brought another issue to light. The fairing that separates the intakes is too narrow and too rounded. This was cut out and a new one built from plastic card. The main rotor blades are 12.5mm too short, and the chord just a fraction short. Lengthened one blade with a section of another to use as a master. Also added a thin strip to the trailing edge, of which most will be sanded down to adjust the chord. Cheers, John Edited November 26, 2018 by Bladerunner 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k5054nz Posted November 26, 2018 Share Posted November 26, 2018 John, are you ScaleWorx? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bladerunner Posted November 26, 2018 Author Share Posted November 26, 2018 27 minutes ago, k5054nz said: John, are you ScaleWorx? Yes indeed. Still a modeler though 😉 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bladerunner Posted November 29, 2018 Author Share Posted November 29, 2018 Some more progress Cheers, John 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 Really smart work. I'm impressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bell209 Posted November 30, 2018 Share Posted November 30, 2018 Looks like a C-1 - are you modelling it as one or modifying it into a B-2? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bladerunner Posted November 30, 2018 Author Share Posted November 30, 2018 (edited) Thanks guys Bell209, I'm building a SAAF BK117, and what a mix they are... Some came from Venda, Transkei, Ciskei, and Bophuthatswana. They were A3, A-4 and B1. All currently upgraded to B1 as far as I know. My model will be one that came from Venda serial number 381, (an A3) with the older type dogbox airfilter and without the windows on the clamshell doors. Edited November 30, 2018 by Bladerunner Missing info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bell209 Posted December 1, 2018 Share Posted December 1, 2018 It's coming out nicely! I'd love a B-2 or C-1 to do in the (then) Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service colours when we were sponsored by AGL. Maybe one day someone wil give us a kit in 1/48 that covers a few versions. Even a BK117C-2/EC145 would be nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bladerunner Posted December 1, 2018 Author Share Posted December 1, 2018 Bell209, glad you like it. It's unfortunate that this lovely helicopter has been neglected in 1/48. The plan is to use this build as masters for a resin kit. I intentionally made the effort to retain the standard intakes and be useful for modelers that would want to build another version without the airfilter. The external differences are minimal between the variants. An EC-145/UH-72 will be a possible future spinoff from this. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bladerunner Posted December 2, 2018 Author Share Posted December 2, 2018 I managed to get the engine deck, basic gearbox and swashplate done. Tail fin and tail rotor also being modified. Some before and after pics. Cheers, John 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bladerunner Posted December 2, 2018 Author Share Posted December 2, 2018 Just did a quick test fit of the dust filter. Cheers, John 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bladerunner Posted December 5, 2018 Author Share Posted December 5, 2018 Masters completed 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROBOT Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 awesome work! can't wait to see progress. Thanks for sharing olli Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bladerunner Posted December 16, 2018 Author Share Posted December 16, 2018 Thanks ROBOT Here's the final resin parts, as well as some pics of the hoist assembly and rudder pedal mechanisms masters. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted December 16, 2018 Share Posted December 16, 2018 Very smart. Well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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