perdu Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 The brief: Take the cheap Italeri Merlin HM1 I picked up at one of the stalls at the Birmingham IPMS Show a couple of years ago and attempt the heavily varied colour effects seen on most of the Royal Navy's Merlin fleet after nigh on twenty years in service The aircraft entered service in the Medium Sea Grey scheme and over the years various panels have needed repairs or replacement which resulted in a large number of versions of the Grey all over them Much of the variation might be down to issued touch up and respray paints having various property changes in service, maybe some didn't get as mixed up as they should and maybe different manufacturers supplied 'off spec' paint Who knows? But the effects of the colour changes are visible all over the Merlin fleet, possibly on the Lynx/Wildcats too I have not looked into their colours Yet Any road up, this is what I was looking for... Pretty and intriguing for me So I present for your critical eyes, with much help from Scimitar and Pinky Coffeeboat and many other helpful friends ZH847 of 814 Sqn NAS The Un - Italeri details you can see dotted around are mostly thanks to kind efforts of Richard who sent me lots of pieces of etch and resin bits and later moulded alterations from redundant (I hope!) Revell kits which have far better detail added to the original Italeri mouldings The cabin interior has its sonobouy launcher and ready use racking inside and also the sonar winch assembly has been scratchbuilt and added The exterior Defensive suite has been scratchbuilt and popped onboard too as has the starboard side mounted FLIR Wescam Slight change of perspective More I hope you like it, I rather do Thanks for looking 55 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tunguska Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 That's a top result! You've managed to pick up the subtle variation in greys you were after. It certainly looks the part. Never seen a Merlin up close, but the Royal Australian Navy and USN choppers I've seen on various ships definitely have that same look. 'Aftermarket' equipment scabbed on too. They must take a hammering from salt and weather. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBaron Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 No more need be said 'about work of this quality Bill. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted April 15, 2019 Author Share Posted April 15, 2019 The gaffer seems to agree Tony, she made me put it on its little bread board stand on the sideboard surrounded by the trophy collection fame at last After years of 'playing with little bits of plastic rubbish' 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 1 hour ago, perdu said: I hope you like it, I rather do I certainly do. Stunning job there Bill. I need to get onto one of these myself! Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silenoz Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 Splendid work on this one, nice additions too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 Very smart indeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 One of the best helicopter models that I have seen for a long time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastcat Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 Lovely little model Bill and amazing attention to detail. All those little fiddly bits..................................! One to be proud of. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giemme Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 I managed to miss your build thread when it started, then when I found it I was way too late to catch up. Anyway: boy, you know your stuff about them 'copters! Impressive job! Ciao 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMCS Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 Superb 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 Smart! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 Looks great,...... the best Merlin that I have seen yet,.......... beautiful job mate, Cheers Tony 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phone Phixer Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 Luverly job there, Bill. The finish and all the extra lumps and bumps make it spectacular. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junglierating Posted April 16, 2019 Share Posted April 16, 2019 Fine piece of work ...I'm mean it's a filthy pinger not a junglie but still great job.BZ😆😀 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted April 16, 2019 Author Share Posted April 16, 2019 Thank you all for these comments, I appreciate them 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted April 16, 2019 Share Posted April 16, 2019 Bloomin' marvellous Bill, another perdu masterpiece 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat C Posted April 16, 2019 Share Posted April 16, 2019 Very nice Merlin and the paint job really captures the look of the real thing - big beast isn't it!! Pat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomoshenko Posted April 16, 2019 Share Posted April 16, 2019 Bostin Bill. All round great build. As I remarked in person I do like the fiddly bits. Fiddly as they are they add to the depth and detail. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellsprop Posted April 16, 2019 Share Posted April 16, 2019 Excellent work Perdu, enjoyed this build As to why the Merlins are many shades of grey (or many shades of green), I have been told it's because of the differing finish from the multiple material types used throughout the airframe. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spadgent Posted April 16, 2019 Share Posted April 16, 2019 Wonderful finish Bill. I thought there was some masking tape on the side window. On 4/15/2019 at 12:34 PM, perdu said: Then I saw it was just looking through to the other side. 🤣 Bravo sir. You have come up trumps yet again. 😀 Johnny. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missile-monkey Posted April 16, 2019 Share Posted April 16, 2019 What's the boxy thingys on each side just above the sponsons? Regards MM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troffa Posted April 16, 2019 Share Posted April 16, 2019 The "Boxy Things" are the IR Jammer and Chaff and Flare dispensers- they are scabbed on a frame as role fit- nice pic here: Merlin Defensive Aids 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted April 16, 2019 Author Share Posted April 16, 2019 Ii am still not happy with my chaff and flare blocks so I have mounted the units empty for now Thanks for liking the Merlin, I became more of a fan during the build 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkdipXV711 Posted April 16, 2019 Share Posted April 16, 2019 Superb work... stunning attention to detail and fantastic painting. 👏👏👏👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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