Revell 1/72 HH-3E Jolly (not so) Green Giant

[Romeo Alpha Yankee]

I started this one back in August 2018 and it kept my attention for a whole month!

 

I have Wolfpak decals (Sheet 72-024 Alaskan Air Command) for it for a machine based in Alaska in 1969. The Wolfpak instructions give you a lot of hints on how to spruce up this very basic kit.

 

I added some detail to the cockpit

 

The Wolfpak guide suggested shimming the sponsons to get the level

 

Some clamping to get the fuselage together

 

I also added the card to the top of the rotor housing which was missing from the kit.  That is how the kit sat from September 2018 until yesterday.

 

So in the last two days I have assembled the main rotor and replaced the rotor mast for the kit part that went MIA in its shuffle around the modelling room.

 

More great hints from the decal guide suggested robbing parts from a Fujimi SH-3 to spruce it up. I have a couple of the Fujimi SH-3s but don't want to part them out, so I decided to scratch build the engine FOD guard using a Fujimi example for reference.

 

and a test fit with most parts 

 

Then I remembered I had a box with 3 Airfix Sea Kings part started (which I might get on and finish as well). One was a Christmas tree kit so I used parts form it for the HH-3E.

 

So I added the pitot probes, hoist and curved VHF Loop antennas to the HH-3E, can you spot them?

 

I have also now drilled out the landing lights ready for a spot of silver paint and a drop of clear cement when the time comes. I also sanded down the rivets that cover the kit since a lot were obliterated when correcting seems.