perdu Posted December 20, 2018 Share Posted December 20, 2018 In my ever growing (against my own wishes) stash I have been nurturing a couple of helicopters in the 'make it some day' category Neither were very high up my interest scale but they were not big money so I did what you must, it is in the rules after all Merlin is represented by the Italeri kit and yes I remember railing against the brand many times, but it was cheap and looked quite nice in the box so ... And the CH-53 is the venerable Airfix boxing, this one came with two sets of transfers, US Marines and German Army versions but I was thinking of the grey (gray) coloured ones and thought that I should do a pair of grey ghosts with them SO I AM Here is the box for the, well you can see what it is Nicely packed for all that the box is showing its age It has options for the sponsons to be plain faced or with the mounting points for drop tanks which I will need for the Marines Gray one Transfers not going to be used except the instrument 'decals' I am breaking the cardinal rule but as this is a stash reduction rather than labor of love exercise I won't be filling the insides with love and bits, just painted grey(s) Without much ado Not keen to sit quietly for the glue I found... Now I began to quite like the look of Merlin when wandering round the displays at Yeovilton at last year's air day so I took a few pictures just in case A busy airframe with lots happening all over its skin, who wouldnt love to have a bit of a go? Lots and lots to do I have yet to open the new window position behind the port entry door, but it is on the way, You'll see Anyway, the box Richard informs me this was based on the prototype and you can see there will be bits to add lots of lovely grey huh Funny kit make-up, you have to glue the side panels into the fuselage structure, as in If this were to have been Hasegawa or others I would have said oh well they know what they are doing Can we leave the jury out for now? The sonar, and assorted electrical bits are kept under strict lock and key by the two guys (guyesses?) who sit here Those display units were not right for the early or later versions but a prototype? Who knows, maybe they were to watch telly on Interiors started Dont get your hopes up, that has changed now I think we'll pause here to catch our breath More later this week, bye all 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinky coffeeboat Posted December 20, 2018 Share Posted December 20, 2018 I'll be following this one, offering advice and support when required. Jeff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted December 20, 2018 Author Share Posted December 20, 2018 Thanks Jeff, be ready to offer broad shoulders I have serious trepidates for these... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 A CH-53 and a Merlin, whats not to like..............😁 Terry 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted December 21, 2018 Author Share Posted December 21, 2018 I was contemplating turning the CH-53 into the MH-53 sitting in Cosford, just up the road for easy reference, but since the Pave Low has been produced by Revell and Italeri already I've decided not to reinvent the wh.. Nose section and make Pave Low a possible future subject if I come across a kit at Halifax next year Our own Richard sent me some additional pieces off a Merlin he built a while back so I can add some better details, thanks Richard Amongst the gear in the bag is a selection of resin and etch upgrades including the sonar gear ducting and a mysterious box intended to 'be' the sonar unit and the paper templates for cutting holes in the floor and fuselage and an assortment of etchy bit for surface enhancements They'll be fun huh kids I can't get the tablet to play with Postimg this morning so I will do pictures later, thanks for looking. 😕 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 Ooh, front row! Beer acquired (with one for our host of course!) 🍻 and Happy Christmas! Ian 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 Will follow along too Bill if you don't mind, I always learn lots from your builds. Promise to sit quietly. Seasons Greetings to you and all BMer's Roger 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 I'm quietly demolishing a glass of Black Sheep ale, and have nothing else better to do than watch from over here. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-FAAWAFU Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 A Bill Wobbycopter build. In fact two BWs. Yum yum. I wish someone would would release a 1/48 ASW Merlin, but breath not held. I have the Airfix HC3 in my stash, probably to be built as a Junglie Mk4, but I could be tempted to convert it to ASW... However, I am no Merlin expert; questions elsewhere, Young William! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBaron Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 Rousing rotary routines in the offing methinks.... Go it dear Bill! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corsaircorp Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 Hello Dear Colleague ! Bill is on his way to Crispinize now ! Great choice Man ! I'll follow too if you don't mind ! Chimay blue ? Ready and checked ! Cheese cube from Maredsous ? Ready and checked i Ride on Bill, we are at the ready to support this great effort ! Nice job already done ! Sincerely. CC 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted December 21, 2018 Author Share Posted December 21, 2018 Glad to have you illustrious gentlemens aboard, lets see if we can do something with these shall us I have mentioned that the CH-53 is getting minimal alterating but Merlin certainly seems to warrant a trifle more application huh As I mentioned this morning I found amongst the stuff Richard sent me,( bless him) the sonar ducting and a grey box Using photos readily available in the Walkarounds near the back pages of the site I saw the sonar box (sic) I think the grey box was intended to replicate that box so I modified the box to look like the base unit and made up a top section from extra plastic to look like this Consider this is in 72ths of a inch I thought not bad Til it was put inside the fuselage And filled it SO I made it again in a more 72th looking size Much more proximate to the size of the cabin and its windows I think this will do and this is me off to the pub, in the rain... catch y'all tomorrow 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinky coffeeboat Posted December 22, 2018 Share Posted December 22, 2018 Are you building a mk1 or mk2 Merlin? Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JosephLalor Posted December 22, 2018 Share Posted December 22, 2018 I didn't know there was a Heeresflieger boxing of the CH53. I remember seeing one flying over my school when President Karstens visited Ireland in 1980. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted December 22, 2018 Author Share Posted December 22, 2018 8 hours ago, pinky coffeeboat said: you building a mk1 or a mk2 Merlin? Hopefully a mk2, as I was advised. Black seats, twin twin screen consoles five plus two display units on the dashboard and the window behind the port entry door being added too But since I am not au fait with either or any I'm taking any advice I can get Better perspective on the photo of FLASH would bve a help but if I can't get it right it'll have to be close Like the above Today I'm working on the racks and (possibly) sonobuoy dispense unit in the corner at the rear of the cabin I am making the yellow dinghy? pack that sits behind FLASH and in front of the sonobuoy thingy All and any interference is begged for, tell me what you know and show me pictures of your buddies larking about All the dits that have made Naval stuff fascinating for us landlocked lubbers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted December 22, 2018 Author Share Posted December 22, 2018 6 hours ago, JosephLalor said: I didn't know there was a Heeresflieger boxing of the CH53. I remember seeing one flying over my school when President Karstens visited Ireland in 1980. If the part used decal sheet appeals send me an address It does not have the instrument decals any more, I have used them but all else is as you saw them 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted December 22, 2018 Share Posted December 22, 2018 You seem to have picked up quite a cyclic mix of keen whirlyists in your collective rotor wash Bill. Pardon the puns there! I don't have either of these in my stash but am being tempted by a Merlin. As Crisp has suggested, a 1/48 one would indeed by awesome. Terry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinky coffeeboat Posted December 22, 2018 Share Posted December 22, 2018 (edited) I'll see what I can dig out, but for you landlocked lubbers FLASH is generally referred to as ADS (Active Dipping Sonar). It's strange and slightly amusing to read in places how people refer to the names of systems on the aircraft by their "official" names like Orange Crop/ Reaper, Blue Kestrel etc.. as if that's what they're called in day to day life - "need a Pinky on the line, 68s got a Blue Kestrel snag"!!! "Get a grubber out there, the number 1 RTM322 has starting issues" Most times the systems are called by what they do - the radar, the ESM etc... I was at RIAT years ago presenting our tiger striped Merlin (though it looks more like a grey mackerel) and I was caught in a dit lock with someone who worked in the factory where the screens were made. He seemed a bit disappointed when at first he told me he worked for Smith's and I stared blankly at him. You see, most don't really care about such things but only if they work, are reliable and easily replaced. (I must admit though, as an aircraft enthusiast, I do have an interest in such things). Not a criticism or mockery of you at all, far from it because names and terms aren't often known outside the circle in which they're used. Like people calling the Tornado the "tonka" (civvy spotter name) when in crab parlance it was referred to as the "fin" (I think?)! How detailed is the model going to be? Jeff Edited December 22, 2018 by pinky coffeeboat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted December 22, 2018 Author Share Posted December 22, 2018 Some diamond padding inside, if I can trace a decent substitute Some but not all or many cable runs Only the decal seat belts off the kit I presume the sonobuoys will need a launch hole underneath and there will be wiggly cables hanging where headsets and mics can be expected Ish As I said the sonobuoy racks and the big launchy looking drum at the back I have separated the pairs of crewseats into 'one, two, three' configuration to spot around the floor Oh yes FLASH, I like the sound of it, soundtrack of one of cinema's great sci-fun movies But suitably chastened I'll keep it down, OK? Really looking forwards to your input, as are the rest of the slathering horde watching along of us 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinky coffeeboat Posted December 22, 2018 Share Posted December 22, 2018 (edited) 2 hours ago, perdu said: Some diamond padding inside, if I can trace a decent substitute The diamond pattern is about 2 inches across. Quote Some but not all or many cable runs The umbilical for the ADS changed places from the mk1 to the mk2. In the picture posted of the ADS you can just about see the pictures umbilical on the right side (as in the photo). This came from connections in the roof and down to the ADS. It had a label attached saying "NO HAND HOLD" because honestly it was the most conveniently placed hand hold in that area. The mk2 relocated the umbilical to the left side wall, well clear of straying hands! Quote Only the decal seat belts off the kit I presume the sonobuoys will need a launch hole underneath and there will be wiggly cables hanging where headsets and mics can be expected There are two holes under the rear of the aircraft, just forward of where the fuselage and tail cone meet. Two dispensers can be fitted, left and right with the left the more common fit. The mk1 had one mic/ tel lead in each crew position and at the cargo door. The mk2 has more (duplicated at the crew positons). Edited December 22, 2018 by pinky coffeeboat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomoshenko Posted December 22, 2018 Share Posted December 22, 2018 'bout time you got crackin' on summat Bill... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinky coffeeboat Posted December 22, 2018 Share Posted December 22, 2018 2 hours ago, perdu said: ....separated the pairs of crewseats into 'one, two, three' configuration to spot around the floor Oh yes FLASH, I like the sound of it, soundtrack of one of cinema's great sci-fun movies But suitably chastened I'll keep it down, OK? Really looking forwards to your input, as are the rest of the slathering horde watching along of us The standard day to day fit is a forward facing three-man troop seat in front of the ADS, on the left hand side with a 2-man troop seat in the rear right cabin position. The 1-man seat is placed in the right hand side, rear facing adjacent to the rear crew position. It's used mainly as an instructors seat. Jeff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted December 22, 2018 Author Share Posted December 22, 2018 17 minutes ago, pinky coffeeboat said: The standard day to day fit is a forward facing three-man troop seat in front of the ADS, on the left hand side with a 2-man troop seat in the rear right cabin position. The 1-man seat is placed in the right hand side, rear facing adjacent to the rear crew position. It's used mainly as an instructors seat. Jeff Yep, got that from the pictures Only going to fit the port sided dispenser so the seats can be back there like on the walk-around shots Must say, the tiger stripes don't really work for me Mackerel really does 😂 Great info thanks, would you like to hazard a guess at the height, in cabin, of the sonar fingy so I can decide if mine is near enough to splash paint on please 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted December 22, 2018 Author Share Posted December 22, 2018 23 minutes ago, Tomoshenko said: 'bout time you got crackin' on summat Bill... Well I've been playing with these for a week or three Tom, any good? You have a good time y'hear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hendie Posted December 22, 2018 Share Posted December 22, 2018 just found this hiding in the undergrowth did I make it into page 1? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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