Krajina Serb Mi-8 +++Finished+++

[CliffB]

To quote Wikipedia, "The Yugoslav Wars were a series of separate but related ethnic conflicts, wars of independence, and insurgencies fought in the former Yugoslavia from 1991 to 2001, which led to the breakup of the Yugoslav state."

In total, eight factions were involved in the conflicts at some time or another.  They had many differences, but one thing that they had in common was their use of the Mi-8 helicopter (which was I believe the only aircraft type operated by all eight groups).

 

IPMS Serbia's theme for this year's Scale ModelWorld at Telford was to have been the Yugoslav Wars and the centrepiece was to have been a display of the eight different Mi-8s.

I've been allocated the one operated by the Krajina Serbs (a group of irregular Serb forces, who occupied the Krajina region of Croatia), so I thought it would make a good subject for this GB.

 

I know nothing about Mi-8s, and even less about the 1/72 kit options, but I had the opportunity to buy a cheap second-hand Zvezda kit, so I did 

 

The kit looks pretty good to me, with some fine rivet heads supplementing the mainly recessed panels lines.  So far, the only problem I can see is that the main rotor blades have a few sink marks (they're quite thick mouldings).

The decals, such as they are, have come from Blue Rider's 'Insignia' magazine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheers

 

[exdraken]

Oh, a very nice because rare and obscure!

Any photos available of the real beast?

[modelling minion]

A great choice Cliff, one of my favourite helicopters and one that I have actually flown in.

The Zvezda kit is quite nice, I built one years ago, and certainly builds up into a decent replica of the real thing. If you look into the Mi-8 you will find that there are almost as many variations in internal colours and cockpit/cabin layout as there have been Mi-8's built so my advice is to find a decent walkaround (there are loads online) that you like the look of and stick to it.

This is a bit of a step up from your usual 1/100 scale stuff mate, how did Zoran talk you into it?

[CliffB]

5 hours ago, exdraken said:

Oh, a very nice because rare and obscure!

Any photos available of the real beast?

Thanks @exdraken

I've only seen one photograph on the net (but there's plenty of artwork based on it).  I think the colour scheme relates to the aircraft's previous use by the police (although I may be wrong about this).

Here's a link to the photo

https://www.mycity.rs/slika.php?slika=78013_300185608_Mi-8_Milicija_Krajine(AFM12.92.).jpg

 

 

3 hours ago, modelling minion said:

A great choice Cliff, one of my favourite helicopters and one that I have actually flown in.

The Zvezda kit is quite nice, I built one years ago, and certainly builds up into a decent replica of the real thing. If you look into the Mi-8 you will find that there are almost as many variations in internal colours and cockpit/cabin layout as there have been Mi-8's built so my advice is to find a decent walkaround (there are loads online) that you like the look of and stick to it.

This is a bit of a step up from your usual 1/100 scale stuff mate, how did Zoran talk you into it?

Thanks for the advice Craig and I'm very jealous of your Mi-8 flight.

With regard to your question about Zoran, the answer is "Slivovitz" .

 

I've made a small start on the kit, just fitting the rear clamshell doors in the closed position.  They weren't a brilliant fit, but nothing too bad either.

 

 

I'm puzzled though, by a stepped rectangular item under the tail boom, which looks to have been incorrectly moulded such that the two halves do not align.

Luckily, I don't think that my subject had this item, so I'll be removing it in any case.

 

 

Cheers

 

[modelling minion]

12 minutes ago, CliffB said:

With regard to your question about Zoran, the answer is "Slivovitz" 

Ha, yes he is a bugger for pushing the stuff under your nose isn't he, and it has been known to loosen wallets!

 

The piece you're referring to under the tail boom is a chaff/flare launcher, not fitted to all Mi-8's.

[exdraken]

2 hours ago, CliffB said:

Thanks @exdraken

I've only seen one photograph on the net (but there's plenty of artwork based on it).  I think the colour scheme relates to the aircraft's previous use by the police (although I may be wrong about this).

Here's a link to the photo

https://www.mycity.rs/slika.php?slika=78013_300185608_Mi-8_Milicija_Krajine(AFM12.92.).jpg

 

thanks!

that IS an interesting scheme! did not count with a civil one!

 

[CliffB]

On 8/30/2020 at 8:03 PM, exdraken said:

 

that IS an interesting scheme! did not count with a civil one!

 

Yes, it is a little different.  I need to get some further advice on how dark the blue actually was.  I think the photo may be too dark, although Blue Rider (the decal manufacturers), do suggest Insignia Blue.

 

A little bit of progress to report, mainly to do with the internals.

The instructions quote Gull Grey throughout, so that's what I've used (although I didn't bother to paint the walls and floor of the cabin).

It's strictly OOB, apart from some masking tape harnesses.  They look a bit naff in the photo, but are OK when buried in the cockpit and viewed through the glazing (especially if you squint a bit ).

 

 

 

I've also been getting my head round how to de-militarise the kit.  I've already removed the chaff/flare dispenser (thanks @modelling minion), and beyond the obvious rocket pods, I'll also need to omit two pieces of (what I take to be) external cockpit armour.  The chaff/flare dispenser left a hole in the tail boom once it was removed and my efforts to sand off the mounting straps led to some of the other surface detail being lost.  I don't think this will be too noticeable though, when under paint.

 

 

As well as these omissions, I'll also need to add something to my model - namely a rescue hoist. 

Luckily there's a resin aftermarket part which I've now ordered, along with a set of window masks.  I managed to resist the PE set!

 

Cheers

[modelling minion]

Coming along very nicely Cliff.

I wouldn't be surprised if there's a hoist hidden on the sprues somewhere as Zvezda have released this as a rescue version too and I think (though could be wrong) that the sprues are common to all the releases.

[exdraken]

15 minutes ago, CliffB said:

Yes, it is a little different.  I need to get some further advice on how dark the blue actually was.  I think the photo may be too dark, although Blue Rider (the decal manufacturers), do suggest Insignia Blue.

 

nice progress!

on the colors, I'd suggest to compare it to the insignia. To me the blue is either the same as in the flag or even a bit lighter....the letter background half-circle is much darker I'd suggest!

http://wp.scn.ru/en/ww4/f/40/278/0

 

some more references to draw conclusions

http://www.drareg.nl/Markeringen/Landen/bosniekrajina.htm

 

 

[CliffB]

1 hour ago, modelling minion said:

I wouldn't be surprised if there's a hoist hidden on the sprues somewhere as Zvezda have released this as a rescue version too and I think (though could be wrong) that the sprues are common to all the releases.

That crossed my mind too Craig, but looking at the Rescue kit instructions, it appears that the parts for the hoist are actually on a separate sprue.  Just £2.99 for a nice resin part though, so not too bad .

 

1 hour ago, exdraken said:

nice progress!

on the colors, I'd suggest to compare it to the insignia. To me the blue is either the same as in the flag or even a bit lighter....the letter background half-circle is much darker I'd suggest!

http://wp.scn.ru/en/ww4/f/40/278/0

 

some more references to draw conclusions

http://www.drareg.nl/Markeringen/Landen/bosniekrajina.htm

 

 

Great references, thank you.  Interesting too, to see that the hoist is absent on the B&W photo.

 

Cheers

[Hewy]

 Looks great ,Super choice cliff, 

[CliffB]

On 9/1/2020 at 9:49 PM, Hewy said:

 Looks great ,Super choice cliff, 

Thanks Hewy 

 

 

My A/M bits arrived yesterday, so I was able to get the cabin windows masked and then the fuselage halves stuck together. 

 

 

 

I wanted to mask first, in case I accidently popped a window out whilst rubbing the masks down.  As it happened, I had no such problems.  It's the first time I've used Montex masks and they seem to have worked very well, conforming nicely to the slightly convex cabin windows.  It's been great buying A/M stuff again - something I can't do much with my usual 1/100 scale builds!

 

 

Cheers

 

 

[CliffB]

Some more progress to report, as the fuselage is now ready for its first coat of primer.

 

 

 

I don't know if it's just me, but I've really struggled to get the major parts to fit properly.  It's required plenty of sanding and a little bit of filler.  I think it's OK now, but I have lost quite a lot of surface detail.

I'm sure all will be forgiven though, once I've got some paint on 

 

[JOCKNEY]

Lovely work Cliff

That tail must have been an unpleasant surprise

Look forward to seeing the next instalment 

cheers Pat 

[CliffB]

16 hours ago, JOCKNEY said:

Lovely work Cliff

Look forward to seeing the next instalment 

 

Thanks Pat, it's going on back burner for a week or so now, but should then be full steam ahead.

 

Cheers

[modelling minion]

Your Hip is looking great Cliff.

I has similar issues with my build but the end result is a nice looking helicopter.

Those Montex masks do look really good, I shall bear them in mind for future builds.

[Col.]

Have you had a chance to do any further work with this one Cliff?

[CliffB]

On 9/20/2020 at 8:05 AM, Col. said:

Have you had a chance to do any further work with this one Cliff?

Thanks for the nudge Col.  Unfortunately, there's not much progress as I've been concentrating on getting another build finished in time for a Zoom club night tonight.

I have found time though to spray a bit of primer along the seams and to tidy them up as necessary.

 

 

Less good news is that a couple of the Montex masks have lifted a bit, which may be down to me over-stretching them.  We'll find out what the damage is in due course!

 

 

Cheers

[modelling minion]

A step in the right direction Cliff.

I find that a damp wooden toothpick works well for removing overspray from clear parts, just don't press too hard!

[CliffB]

9 hours ago, modelling minion said:

A step in the right direction Cliff.

I find that a damp wooden toothpick works well for removing overspray from clear parts, just don't press too hard!

Thanks Craig. 

'Fixing things that have gone wrong' is an essential skills set for all modellers 

[CliffB]

I'm back on the Mil full time now and have added the undercarriage and the white coat.

 

 

The grey struts are still loose (to facilitate painting the cheat lines), and will be painted separately.

 

For the white, I've used Tamiya primer from a rattle can.  I love this paint as it dries with a beautiful sheen - most un-primer like!  It works brilliantly as a white top coat for airliners and the like.

I'll be masking and applying the blue next.  I've been led towards FS 15050 "Blue Angels Blue", so have ordered a tin of Xtracolour which should be arriving tomorrow.

 

Cheers

[desert falcon]

Looking good 

[CliffB]

 

On 9/29/2020 at 6:32 PM, desert falcon said:

Looking good 

Thanks @desert falcon 

 

Some more progress to report - all masked now and ready for some blue.

 

 

Cheers

[CliffB]

Time for another update (self-explanatory!)

 

 

Not too much left to do now 

 

Cheers

[modelling minion]

Really good job on the painting and masking Cliff, very neat.