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Agusta-Bell AH-1 - Italeri 1/72


CedB

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Great shot - thanks Andy, I'll be using that for 'line up' :) 

 

 

While I'm waiting for the transfers to dry and given that I need different varnishes that I'll brush, I thought I might as well:

 

49437787763_92332ef0b7_z.jpg

 

The scratches on the top (and one on the bottom) will be MicroMeshed.

 

Some clean up required (as perdu predicted) on the canopy glue:

 

49438482602_8de090ee44_z.jpg

 

49437792008_d3cbec093e_z.jpg

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Yes Keith! Brushed gloss on the bits where the transfers were to go. you can see it on those close ups? 

 

 

Scratches attacked:

 

49437927948_df7a74ef40_z.jpg

 

That's after the first pass with 4000.

I used to be nervous about this but now I know, with gentle passes at 90º to each other, the scratches soon vanish.

Especially with a coat of Aqua Gloss (still wet here):

 

49438429426_6d0af5efd5_z.jpg

 

To do list:

- [ ] Nav lights on skid tips
- [ ] Silver pipes (maybe)
- [ ] Side windows and screens (maybe)
- [ ] Silver fillers on tanks
 

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Oh BUGGER!

 

Ced mate I feel very awkward about this but I am going to say/write it anyway

 

I should have noticed the other day, there is plenty of visual evidence in the pictures of the real whirlybirds

 

The phosphor bronze tail rotor shaft bearings must be set to rest on top of the uprights along the frame, that is why they are there

 

Just having them spinning round with the shafts is kinda against what they are for

 

Please study the pictures on the preceding page for live examples, I feel guilty for not spotting it earlier

 

Should it have been located from the opposite end?

 

Sorry...

😱 😵  😲 😟  😞 😖 😔 😓 😱

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Bugger ye not matey - the bearings don't line up with the support whichever way you try it - ask me how I know! :) 

 

You can save my madness by suggesting a method of getting tiny bits of wire to stick with a 'cone shaped' mount:

 

49438517631_9678413f67_z.jpg

 

Rats, out of focus.

 

This is what the real ones look like:

 

49438768672_d9e094d102_z.jpg

 

Filler caps painted. Big deal.

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We get the same basic antenna array on most military helicopters including the Chinook

 

As there was nothing suitable in the kit, thick dollops of dollop would describe the Matchbox approach, I have turned some new cones in the button lathe and then drilled a .03mm hole across them for the wires to go in

 

I don't think I have shown them yet in the Wokka build, they go on this weekend after every other wire and cable

 

They will be vulnerable poking out of the front of the nose on it

 

So to recap a very fine .03 drill to make it fit

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35 minutes ago, perdu said:

We get the same basic antenna array on most military helicopters including the Chinook

 

As there was nothing suitable in the kit, thick dollops of dollop would describe the Matchbox approach, I have turned some new cones in the button lathe and then drilled a .03mm hole across them for the wires to go in

 

I don't think I have shown them yet in the Wokka build, they go on this weekend after every other wire and cable

 

They will be vulnerable poking out of the front of the nose on it

 

So to recap a very fine .03 drill to make it fit

Thanks Bill - great minds! See below :) 

11 minutes ago, Martian Hale said:

This has really sprung to life Ced, looking very promising!

 

Martian 👽

Thanks Martian :) 

 

3 minutes ago, keefr22 said:

Naff transfers then with all that silvering?? :(

 

K

Yep. I'm hoping the varnish will cover the problem, otherwise it'll be DullCote :) 

 

 

While I was putting the 'Green Stuff' away I noticed the spare bits I'd previously put back in the box, just in case they came in:

 

49438157718_42e104f0bb_z.jpg

 

Drill out:

 

49438632226_604fd00a38_z.jpg

 

Done:

 

49438191258_78d6f412c3_z.jpg

 

I'll put those somewhere safe and fit them at the end I think.

 

 

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getting dizzy trying to keep up here. 

 

Your little Bell has come on wonders in the last 24 hours Ced.  It looks fantastic with the masking finally removed.  

 

and nice solution to the aerial mounting problem!

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Thanks Ian, Rob, Giorgio and Ben :) 

 

1 hour ago, hendie said:

I think Ced has found his sweet spot!

Noooooooo! This is far too stressful…

 

Now it's got to the stage where it's almost impossible to pick up without knocking something off.

Last two things on the list and then I need to stop to preserve my sanity current level of madness.

 

What now? Nigel heath inspired plastic swords come into their own:

 

49439444647_54b9af60e4_z.jpg

 

Sand flat and cut off the tip (nasty):

 

49439448757_b778f51004_z.jpg

 

There. Can you see them?

 

49439591562_ced8690b18_z.jpg

 

Nav lights on the end of the front legs. They'll get mostly painted green when they're dry.

 

What are the windows for you may ask.

Er, windows.

I pondered this for a while and decided I would attempt the side windows if I could find something to represent the wind deflectors.

Sadly I found something.

 

Sanded down to 4mm they were glued on with some MacTac to represent the windows.

 

49438990923_3f6d587ee1_z.jpg

 

Mental.

 

Tie down on the rotor, fix the aerials then I'm done.

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Thanks Heather :) 

 

 

Finally done.

 

49439966767_de3ce53304_z.jpg

 

Aerials fitted and tie down down.

I tried cotton at first but it was impossible. 

I've painted the wire canvas - sort of.

 

49439968002_1262abc8bb_z.jpg

 

Glad that's over!

I'll do an RFI later (or maybe tomorrow)

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Sorry, I can't get any decent photos as I'm tired at it's SO TINY.

 

Some attempted shots just for you.

 

49439789726_c39bc0f364_c.jpg

 

49439329373_0a2c509346_c.jpg

 

49439329448_dcc24a23ee_c.jpg

 

49439329488_04ff272e7b_c.jpg

 

49439329523_4ae54cd795_c.jpg

 

49439801296_011d44596b_c.jpg

 

Now in the cabinet with my only other helicopter:

 

49439810321_c95fa7e51d_c.jpg

 

I'll come back here tomorrow and post a link to my next build, a Spitfire. I need the break!

 

Thanks as always for your help, support and company - always appreciated.

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1 hour ago, CedB said:

What now? Nigel heath inspired plastic swords come into their own:

Wait, wait, wait: I wanna know all about this stuff! Please? :) 

 

Excellent result all round, Ced :worthy:  As you know, I know nothing about helicopters, so I can't judge on accuracy, but she sure looks great to me! :clap: 

 

Ciao

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Lovely job Ced, a real little treat.The blade ties are a lot simpler than our Hendie's Wessex too!

However I will not go so far as to call it c**e.

Sorry, but that word is not in my vocabulary!

 

Ian

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Lovely pint-sized teetering head flying scaffolding.  I drove past the entrance to Middle Wallop today (the actual airfield entrance a few hundred yards down the road from the Museum), and sitting there is a Sioux in exactly your scheme.

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