CedB Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 I'm always very pleased to be gifted kits by kind fellow BMers and this is no exception. This one's a very kind gift from Bill (perdu) - thanks Bill When I built my first Helicopter, Revell's Mi-24 Hind I put it in the cabinet and thought it would be my last one. Then, following hendie, Bill and other's builds I though 'Hmmm, perhaps…'. Then I spent time with Crisp (Ex-FAAWAFU) on several occasions and, well, you can't doubt his enthusiasm - and some of it rubbed off. Then I mentioned my affection for Whirlybirds (the TV series) and Tony (TheBaron) kindly sent me a kit - thanks Tony - which I built here, with lots of help and encouragement. I quite enjoyed it and said so. Uh oh, that started a trend. Adrian very kindly sent me a Belvedere (thanks Adrian) and I also have a Dragonfly in the stash and some others on my wishlist. Looks like I've 'caught the bug'. I DO want to stay close to my WWII theme so stated that I only wanted to build early helicopters and lists were provided - thanks guys! HAAF also have a Skeeter and it's cute (sorry Ian, I know you hate that word, but it IS!). So, that's how it started… Scary? Why scary? We shall see… The kit is a fairly rare short-run from Aeroclub and, as you'd expect, comes in a small box: I can do small. I think. Opening the box is quite a surprise - lots of little bags with lots of little parts and some white metal - actually quite a lot of white metal. Scary - I've not used this before. Here are the parts: Plastic fuselage and blades - OK. Vacform canopy - scary. Rod and strip for some scratch building - scary. White metal - scary: How do I clean it up? How do you glue it? How do you paint it? Does it need primer? No idea. Scary. I can at least have a play with cleaning up the metal, choosing a not-very-scary piece to start with: How does it file? Fine, but with a lot of mess - better use a holder: OK, that was fairly painless. I also found that 'flash' can be removed with a blade: Sorry for the blurred shot, but it is tiny! Finally the canopy: Cut line marked with a Sharpie but fuselage just held in front - too scared to cut it yet. Are you now wondering 'What's so scary about that?'. Are you? Well, how come, when I searched BM for builds, I could only find incomplete ones? Faceman had a go in 2011 but stalled on page 1, albeit with some nice reference stuff in the thread. 825 had a good go in 2015 but stopped on page 1, then did a KITA, another single page. Still not scared? Well, what if I told you The General didn't finish his either? Eh? That said he got a long way and I'll be studying his thread, a lot. Told you, scary. Anyway, I plan to gird my loins and see if I can bash it into the HAAF's XL812. Lots of references to look at; the HAAF page and their FaceBook and the walk around here on BM. Still scary. 27 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(ex)Sgtrafman Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 Hey Ced Now this looks interesting - I'm in I love the look of the Skeeter it almost looks too fragile to actually fly and nice one Bill, that's a real act of generosity (but hey that's our community for you!) Cheers Iain 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(ex)Sgtrafman Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 Ha just noticed I'm the first one at the bar! But as you will find I have short arms and deep pockets! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Kay Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 Whitemetal isn’t scary. It’s got a high lead content, so bear that in mind. Being soft, the parts may deform easily. You just have to be careful when tidying up. Use a sharp blade to scrape back flash. Don’t be afraid to gently bend something back if you accidentally bend it. Don’t bend anything too quickly or it will snap. Glueing, well, good quality superglue or epoxy resin. That new-fangled UV CA stuff might be perfect. Clean mating surfaces - steady on now! - perhaps a little mechanical abrasion to give the glue something to hold. Also consider if a part might need a brass wire pin for better support. That's it, really. Have fun! 6 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyf117 Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 Ooh, another teeny-tiny chopper... ....cue the (in)appropriate response! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hendie Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 (edited) Ced joined the clu-ub. Ced joined the club! There's no going back now Ced. Edited February 3, 2020 by hendie 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted February 3, 2020 Author Share Posted February 3, 2020 12 minutes ago, (ex)Sgtrafman said: Hey Ced Now this looks interesting - I'm in I love the look of the Skeeter it almost looks too fragile to actually fly and nice one Bill, that's a real act of generosity (but hey that's our community for you!) Cheers Iain 11 minutes ago, (ex)Sgtrafman said: Ha just noticed I'm the first one at the bar! But as you will find I have short arms and deep pockets! Welcome Iain She does look fragile which is another reason I'm a bit worried - getting everything to scale. Scary. 8 minutes ago, Heather Kay said: Whitemetal isn’t scary. It’s got a high lead content, so bear that in mind. Being soft, the parts may deform easily. You just have to be careful when tidying up. Use a sharp blade to scrape back flash. Don’t be afraid to gently bend something back if you accidentally bend it. Don’t bend anything too quickly or it will snap. Glueing, well, good quality superglue or epoxy resin. That new-fangled UV CA stuff might be perfect. Clean mating surfaces - steady on now! - perhaps a little mechanical abrasion to give the glue something to hold. Also consider if a part might need a brass wire pin for better support. That's it, really. Have fun! Brilliant, thanks Heather Really appreciate the tips and slightly less scared now - slightly. 2 minutes ago, andyf117 said: Ooh, another teeny-tiny chopper... ....cue the (in)appropriate response! Fnaar! Thanks Andy and welcome 1 minute ago, hendie said: Ced joined the clu-ub. Ced joined the club! There's no going back now Ced. Hmmm, might have Thanks hendie - it's all mostly partly your fault! I've just re-read the PM Bill sent me when I let him know the kit had arrived safely. "Dont fear it, enjoy". Not at all scary then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71chally Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 Nice to see this build, gotta love the Skeeter! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 Oh good grief, not another one already??!! OK, my round, who wants what? Keith 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avereda Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 White metal - I found cleaning it up kind of therapeutic. Not greatly different to plastic, I think I just used skinny sanding sticks. I’ve only done it once mind you so don’t bet the house on it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 10 minutes ago, keefr22 said: my round, who wants what? London Pride please. And start a tab... The really scary thing to my mind is that the hub seems to have long arms of white metal. I can see the weight of the blades causing them to sag a lot. If I were doing it I'd be looking at brass or steel wire for that bit. Regards, Adrian 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 Another Ced 'copter and a mini one to boot! Loved watching the Skeeter preform at airshows in the past will take a seat and watch you beat this into submission and boldly go where..................................................... Roger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitsticker Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 (edited) Good luck with this build Ced - new material to work with - exciting! Great tips from Heather how to deal with white metal - you will definitely need to prime by the way All the best Geoff Edited February 3, 2020 by Kitsticker Add a comment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aeronut Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 I completed my Skeeter last year, but, and it’s a big but it was thrown together for a purpose and I could hear the howls of kit collectors as I did it. The Curator at the Army Flying museum, Middle Wallop had asked me to build models of the museum’s aircraft to assist with the planning of moves during the museum’s revamp. My model had to be robust enough to take repeated handling during planning meetings, as a result the rotor blades weren’t fitted (the museum’s are folded anyway), and the cockpit was filled with Milliput to prevent the model being a tail sitter. That said the kit’s white metal undercarriage was used and has survived, which can’t be said for the Gazelle’s skids (another blob of Milliput resolved that). If anyone is interested I have scans of the Skeeter Illustrated Parts AP which is a useful source of detail. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 Not another one, and tiny! One of these in 1/32 would be too small for me. Good Luck. John 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Work In Progress Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 This might become the first completed one I've seen. It's probably too tiny for me now to try to build myself but thank you for the photographs which effectively make it 1/24 on my screen! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdave22014 Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 This looks like fun. Certainly a multi-media kit. Ahh, white metal. I remember building entire locomotives out of that stuff. Oh what fun! People worry about being on the first page for a Ced build. I don't see why. If you miss it just wait a few minutes for the next build 😁 1 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 And watching... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giemme Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 There's quite a crowd in here already! White metal: ditto to what @Heather Kay said - I will just add that I normally prime it with the same primer I use for plastic, to wit Vallejo Grey Primer thinned with Future/Klear/whatever you call it. Ciao 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted February 3, 2020 Author Share Posted February 3, 2020 Welcome all! 4 hours ago, 71chally said: Nice to see this build, gotta love the Skeeter! Thanks James Cute isn't it? I hope my feelings towards it last… 3 hours ago, keefr22 said: Oh good grief, not another one already??!! OK, my round, who wants what? Keith Thanks Keith Well, to be honest, I'm cheating - the Spit needs time to dry so… 3 hours ago, Avereda said: White metal - I found cleaning it up kind of therapeutic. Not greatly different to plastic, I think I just used skinny sanding sticks. I’ve only done it once mind you so don’t bet the house on it. Thanks John - I probably will need therapy… 3 hours ago, AdrianMF said: London Pride please. And start a tab... The really scary thing to my mind is that the hub seems to have long arms of white metal. I can see the weight of the blades causing them to sag a lot. If I were doing it I'd be looking at brass or steel wire for that bit. Regards, Adrian Thanks Adrian Ah, but I have a plan… 3 hours ago, Hamden said: Another Ced 'copter and a mini one to boot! Loved watching the Skeeter preform at airshows in the past will take a seat and watch you beat this into submission and boldly go where..................................................... Roger Thanks Roger 2 hours ago, Kitsticker said: Good luck with this build Ced - new material to work with - exciting! All the best Geoff Thanks Geoff - exciting wasn't quite what I was looking for but hey ho 2 hours ago, Aeronut said: I completed my Skeeter last year, but, and it’s a big but it was thrown together for a purpose and I could hear the howls of kit collectors as I did it. The Curator at the Army Flying museum, Middle Wallop had asked me to build models of the museum’s aircraft to assist with the planning of moves during the museum’s revamp. My model had to be robust enough to take repeated handling during planning meetings, as a result the rotor blades weren’t fitted (the museum’s are folded anyway), and the cockpit was filled with Milliput to prevent the model being a tail sitter. That said the kit’s white metal undercarriage was used and has survived, which can’t be said for the Gazelle’s skids (another blob of Milliput resolved that). If anyone is interested I have scans of the Skeeter Illustrated Parts AP which is a useful source of detail. Thanks Alastair Big? Where did you get the kit? Oh wait, not 'big' but… I'm planning to build mine with the blades folded (should stop Adrian worrying a bit) - do you have any detail of the supports please? Is she in the museum? If so, I may 'pop down' for a look see. 1 hour ago, Biggles87 said: Not another one, and tiny! One of these in 1/32 would be too small for me. Good Luck. John Thanks John 1 hour ago, Work In Progress said: This might become the first completed one I've seen. It's probably too tiny for me now to try to build myself but thank you for the photographs which effectively make it 1/24 on my screen! Thanks WiP - let's not speak too soon eh? 52 minutes ago, Bigdave22014 said: This looks like fun. Certainly a multi-media kit. Ahh, white metal. I remember building entire locomotives out of that stuff. Oh what fun! People worry about being on the first page for a Ced build. I don't see why. If you miss it just wait a few minutes for the next build 😁 Thanks Dave 17 minutes ago, perdu said: And watching... Hi Bill - it IS definitely all your fault 1 minute ago, giemme said: There's quite a crowd in here already! White metal: ditto to what @Heather Kay said - I will just add that I normally prime it with the same primer I use for plastic, to wit Vallejo Grey Primer thinned with Future/Klear/whatever you call it. Ciao Thanks Giorgio I'll try my usual Stynylrez then. I've checked on the web and it does say it's OK on metal. Progress? Some: Polished up the intake and stuck it on with my usual Loctite CA - seems OK, fingers crossed. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 Ced, I would urge you to study the joint between the canopy and the fuselage The Plastic version seems bulkier than the real thing No obvious ridges around them just a thought But dont worry, 's'only a model.................................. 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hendie Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 31 minutes ago, perdu said: Ced, I would urge you to study the joint between the canopy and the fuselage looks to me like those ridges on the model are there to support the canopy from the inside 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 5 hours ago, (ex)Sgtrafman said: Ha just noticed I'm the first one at the bar! But as you will find I have short arms and deep pockets! Easily resolved. One of us each side and we'll pick you up by your trouser belt. It may make your eyes water, but you'll be able to reach! This looks very interesting Ced, white metal is nothing to fear, but it does bend easily! Ian 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 Aah the original teeny-weeny helicopter from my blessed homeland! For those that don't know, teeny-weeny was a term used by the RAF SH fleet for any helicopter smaller than a Walter (the Whirlwinds had been retired by my time). It was said the Skeeter couldn't get off the ground on a hot day with a fat pilot let alone a passenger no matter how tightly you'd wound the elastic band! I shall watch from the bar, being long-sighted has to have some advantages. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveWilko Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 Having seen a Skeeter many,many years ago "up close and personal",they are even smaller than the Sioux. One would say that the cockpit is very "cosy" indeed. One remembers a "rolling take off"into wind was employed(rather than the usual "vertical")due to the meagre power of the Bombardier(one think's)engine. The pilot "drove" down to the far end,revved up and "let her rip"shall we say...... Sterling work once again Sir. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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