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Agusta-Bell AH-1 - Italeri 1/72


CedB

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Yes, I know, it's a helicopter! 

 

I've not had much love for these spinny-winged things in the past, especially after my pathetic attempt to actually fly one of the smaller ones some years ago.

Recently, after spending time with some BMers here on BM and in real life (you know who you are), I've grown to like them.

A bit.

Well, early ones anyway.

 

I mentioned my growing, er, love in a post recently and posted that I would really like to model one of those bubble nosed ones, you know like the one in Whirlybirds:

 

 

I remember watching the TV show as a kid. Ahhh, the memories.

 

Within minutes (or so) @TheBaron had PM'd me and offered me this:

 

49345485952_547c3d0f6d_z.jpg

 

What a kind and generous man he is. Thanks Tony, it's a real pleasure to know you matey :) 

 

The parcel duly arrived and Tony had included a photocopy of the Radio Times from 1959:

 

49345274126_90bdd732cb_z.jpg

49344815138_221c1d78c2_z.jpg

 

5:15, just after Blue Peter. I would have been five or six then. Bless.

 

Tony also enclosed these:

 

49344816748_9c2ed2d65b_z.jpg

 

Unicorn sanding sticks! Aha, have we finally found the secret of his marvellous modelling skills?

 

The kit had two part trees:

 

49365800138_18211d7702_z.jpg

 

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…with some very nice detail:

 

49366475527_ee228e98fc_z.jpg

 

…and of course the bubble:

 

49365805153_b62ec17600_z.jpg

 

I'd like to model her as a UK version, obviously, and found that the Historic Army Aircraft Flight Trust has one, XT131, still flying. There's a video of her displaying at Dunsfold in 2016 here.

I've also found some photos and PM'd one of our members in the hope I can get some more.

 

Strangely excited to get this started.

Even if it doesn't have wings.

 

No, despite Tony's kindness, I won't be re-building the 'fuselage' in brass, sorry. :) 

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Me too

 

I have a couple of real photos somewhere, they'll be in the post once I uncover them

 

I had a flight in a Jet Ranger, guess what was hangared next to it?

And guess who took handy photos?

 

Going to enjoy this one, I gave my kit away to last year's club charity build but the sod didn't build it

 

Might look for one at Halifax

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Gooood !! Ced is turning to chopper, sorry spinning to choppers !!

So, no brass tail on this one ??? I saw somewhere that there is a PE set for it...😈

Well, I'll take a seat at the bar if there's still some room !!

And if you don't mind of course !!

So, the secret is pink unicon clad sanding stick ?? 

Sincerely

CC

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36 minutes ago, andyf117 said:

Interesting that the three in the bottom photo from that first link are carrying 'Police' as well as 'Army' titles....

....of course, there's always the pretty two-tone blue ones - I remember seeing them display back in the day:

[snip pic]

Thanks Andy - oooh, Blue Eagles, weren't they a display team? 

Going to be XT131 as a ) she's early UK and b ) there are decals in the kit for the tiny serials! :) 

33 minutes ago, TheBaron said:

Looking forwards to this episode of 'Watch With Ced'. 😁

Thanks Tony, couldn't have happened without your kind kit donation :D 

27 minutes ago, andyf117 said:

As long as he isn't overly-influenced by his childhood viewings of Blue Peter, and simply goes "Here's one I made earlier"!

Nah, the Radio Times shows it was Christopher Trace and Leila Williams in those days - I don't remember them 'cheating'! :) 

27 minutes ago, perdu said:

Me too

 

I have a couple of real photos somewhere, they'll be in the post once I uncover them

 

I had a flight in a Jet Ranger, guess what was hangared next to it?

And guess who took handy photos?

 

Going to enjoy this one, I gave my kit away to last year's club charity build but the sod didn't build it

 

Might look for one at Halifax

Thanks Bill :) Your help will, as always, be appreciated.

15 minutes ago, corsaircorp said:

Gooood !! Ced is turning to chopper, sorry spinning to choppers !!

So, no brass tail on this one ??? I saw somewhere that there is a PE set for it...😈

Well, I'll take a seat at the bar if there's still some room !!

And if you don't mind of course !!

So, the secret is pink unicon clad sanding stick ?? 

Sincerely

CC

Hi CC and welcome! I did look for the PE (including the tail) but no luck :( 

5 minutes ago, andyf117 said:

If Ced does a pretty red one one, perhaps he and Perdu might be persuaded to do a joint display:

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Thanks Andy :) Now then, there's a line up. 

 

 

I said I couldn't wait to start:

 

49366681457_28d9413133_z.jpg

 

It's not very clear from the instructions but I think the little cooler goes like this:

 

49366478506_1a1979c648_z.jpg

 

I'm not glueing that belt anywhere until I'm sure where it goes.

 

Now, I know this lot is going to be mostly hidden but I want to make a nice job of it so I'll try and find some pictures:

 

49366028868_cc3c94ff25_z.jpg

 

The instructions say silver and black.

Boring.

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4 minutes ago, Spookytooth said:

Well Ced, I will sit at the back and watch this from the bar.

It will be interesting to see what you can make of this kit.

 

Beer anyone?

 

Simon.

Pint of Peculier if you'll be so kind

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Weren't they, didn't get to snag any Bilvedere interior shots any time did you

 

My next excursion is delayed for lack of innards info

 

Er, asking for a friend.

Honest

 

He's probably lurking from the wind in his polytunnel as we chat...

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1 hour ago, perdu said:

Weren't they, didn't get to snag any Bilvedere interior shots any time did you

Not my pic, Bill - an openly-downloadable one, replacing the originally linked-to version which I hadn't immediately noticed was ATI copyrighted (as seen in Ced's quote)...

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Just now, keefr22 said:

 

Doom Bar, pint of, for the drinking of, please Simon.

 

Busy already isn't it - and he only posted the link 3 hours ago! Still nice comfy bar stools back here!

 

Keith

Ah Doom Bar, another fine ale sir, 1 pint coming up Keith.

 

Simon.

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Ooh, a spinning wing thingy, and from Ced too!

I think there might have been a Watch With Mother called Mr Ced, about a man who disappeared into his room and came out with something different each time!

Or maybe it was The Clangers.... not too sure yet, update soon!

 

Pint of Spitfire for me, very kind of you Simon!

 

Ian

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I remember seeing seeing the Blue Eagles doing a display in an Aberdeen park when I was a youngster. The actual display went without incident but the team also had a Westland Scout as a support vehicle which obviously created a greater downdraft than the Sioux. When the Scout departed, the wooden benches at the edges of the park were blown in all directions.  It’s a miracle someone wasn’t flattened by flying furniture. 

 

If there’s any beer left, I’d love to sit in for this. 

 

Craig. 

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