Westlandaircraftenthusiast Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 Before i started posting on Britmodeller, i was working on a 1/72 Airfix Gazelle, and that project came to a crashing halt as i found that the canopy was cracked and clouded after using tamiya x-thin on it to get it in place. Throughout Lockdown, i was wondering what to do with it, trying to find a replacement canopy, and even a new kit for a gazelle, but fast forward a few months, i was talking to someone that worked on Gazelles and i was told they used brown paper to protect the windows and canopy while they were in storage, i could have decalled it up at that stage and replicated the the paper, but the decals were way beyond usable, and i had no black letters/number (xtradecal X72 157) and still dont, as every timed i checked, they were out of stock, ironically they are in stock now. So while i have a break from Merlin and Wessex for a couple weeks, i thought this would be a nice little project. But alas i know what scheme im going for, it will be XX453, used by The ETPS and QinetiQ. It will have some fictional aspects, but i will get it as close as possible During lockdown i did manage to get another Gazelle, which decals were also out of register, and the schemes were of a HC.2, while the kit was quite clearly an AH.1, with the GOA. I will be doing this one as XZ347 used by the AAC during Operation Granby. Most of the the ones used during the war had a dessert camouflage, sand filter and an exhaust facing upwards, this one had none of that, and was a one tone (dessert yellow) with no filter and a normal exhaust, i cant find any info as for why, but if anyone knows, please say. Lets start with the old first, So here is what she looked like before i found out the canopy, quite a nice looking Gazelle if I'm honest I have converted her into the version QinetiQ uses, with the antennas and not what (if you know what the are used for, please say i think i know what the long thin ones out to the side are but am not sure one the centre one) As for the one i recently started, here is the cockpit so far: Im planning on having a crew present, the two front figures are from this kit, while the one in the back is from the one in the back is from the other gazelle. I have tweaked it a little so it is in a different position Hopefully it will turn out with a happy ending this time 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-FAAWAFU Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 It’s a guess, but I don’t think the centre one is an aerial at all; its root is at the same position as the pitot head on a ‘normal’ Gazelle. Might it therefore be one of this ETPS wacky pitot heads designed to get maximum accuracy performance readings by sampling as far out of the downwash / disturbed air as possible? Got to love a Gazelle. What I’d give for an hour solo in one nowadays! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westlandaircraftenthusiast Posted September 16, 2020 Author Share Posted September 16, 2020 45 minutes ago, Ex-FAAWAFU said: It’s a guess, but I don’t think the centre one is an aerial at all; its root is at the same position as the pitot head on a ‘normal’ Gazelle. Might it therefore be one of this ETPS wacky pitot heads designed to get maximum accuracy performance readings by sampling as far out of the downwash / disturbed air as possible? That would make alot of sense, i did think i read somewhere that it was what you described, but wasn't sure. Thanks! 48 minutes ago, Ex-FAAWAFU said: Got to love a Gazelle. What I’d give for an hour solo in one nowadays! With the lynx, has to be one of the best looking helis aswell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 Centre antenna is an RWR antenna, there should be one on the tail too. The whip antenna are FM homer antenna for the old Clansman radio. Don't forget KwintyKew used to operate fleet leaders which had the then current fit plus any trials fits too. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westlandaircraftenthusiast Posted September 17, 2020 Author Share Posted September 17, 2020 9 hours ago, Wez said: Centre antenna is an RWR antenna, there should be one on the tail too. The whip antenna are FM homer antenna for the old Clansman radio. Cheers, i do think i added one to the tail but i have no idea. Just using pictures i found laying around the internet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 That's the one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westlandaircraftenthusiast Posted September 17, 2020 Author Share Posted September 17, 2020 1 hour ago, Wez said: That's the one. That's good, cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westlandaircraftenthusiast Posted September 20, 2020 Author Share Posted September 20, 2020 The Qinetiq bird has been painted blue (white has been applied but i will take pictures to tomorrow) 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar side Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 Nice Gazelles. Keep meaning to do a 1/48 kit but the Heller one is supposed to be nearer 1/50 & not really sure about the rest. This one landed not far from my old house in Colchester, next to a public road. Around October 2005 I have a better shot of the front f that helps? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westlandaircraftenthusiast Posted September 21, 2020 Author Share Posted September 21, 2020 On 21/09/2020 at 08:48, bar side said: Nice Gazelles. Keep meaning to do a 1/48 kit but the Heller one is supposed to be nearer 1/50 & not really sure about the rest. This one landed not far from my old house in Colchester, next to a public road. Around October 2005 I have a better shot of the front f that helps? Wow, that must have been an extraordinary sight. Yean i would love to see the front shot, cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar side Posted September 21, 2020 Share Posted September 21, 2020 No problem. We used to get Pumas drop in over the house. Ramp open & the guy on the back would wave at you. This Gazelle landed opposite the military police building & was clearly there to pick someone up 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted September 21, 2020 Share Posted September 21, 2020 This looks good, shame about the canopy glazing. Got one in the stash hoping to do a Sharks display team version. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonners Posted September 21, 2020 Share Posted September 21, 2020 On 9/16/2020 at 8:48 PM, Ex-FAAWAFU said: What I’d give for an hour solo in one nowadays! Seconded!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westlandaircraftenthusiast Posted September 22, 2020 Author Share Posted September 22, 2020 White has been applied, not too accurate but as long as i am enjoying it, accuracy isn't needed. I've also painted up all the smaller bits and then gave it a gloss coat ready for decals. (i do still need to paint the tail drive shaft) I was thinking about having the rotor and blade on, but as i am going to be having it as if it was in storage, that wouldn't make much sense. So i cut off the blades, and changed the rotor slightly to make it somewhat more accurate and then repainted it. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted September 22, 2020 Share Posted September 22, 2020 Scheme looks great, enjoyment is the main thing to. Great work. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westlandaircraftenthusiast Posted October 3, 2020 Author Share Posted October 3, 2020 I have been working, just haven't posted yet. XX453 has had no progress upon it, but i am making a diorama for it (for both Gazelles actually). XZ347 has been made and now is ready for paint, but i only have pictures of the cockpit currently . i didn't do anything too fancy, I added some paper in the back to try and some mapping or maybe a note book. I did try to add some radio wiring on the top 'console' but i didn't go to far on it I will probably take pictures of her tomorrow 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westlandaircraftenthusiast Posted October 6, 2020 Author Share Posted October 6, 2020 Just taken some pictures, and you get to see them before my Instagram does which will be a rare occurrence. I have scratch built some antennas on the tail, I made the RWR on the tail, but needs a bit of a rework. This one isn't a tail sitter luckily. I also need to mess around with some more filler around the top glazing. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westlandaircraftenthusiast Posted October 11, 2020 Author Share Posted October 11, 2020 XZ347 has been painted, all but the exhaust and transmission. I did preshade, but that has faded quite a bit now (due to paint repairs) On the real thing, it seems to have invasion stripes that has got removed or painted over on the underside, so i tried to replicate that. I also did a bit of work to the rotor as it was very crude. It still is crude, but it looks a tad better. I cut the blades off, and did a similar thing to the rotor head that i did to XX453. I then sanded and rounded off the ends of the rotor so i could fit in the cut on the blade grip. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Britman Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 Great work and such a lovely kit even now. Keith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westlandaircraftenthusiast Posted October 11, 2020 Author Share Posted October 11, 2020 5 minutes ago, Britman said: Great work and such a lovely kit even now. Keith Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 Very nice indeed, lovely model and great work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 Fabulous Gazelles, I loves 'em 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westlandaircraftenthusiast Posted October 17, 2020 Author Share Posted October 17, 2020 Final post on this one, finished both Gazelles now, I enjoyed both gazelles, giving one a new life and starting a new one. I have made a quick base for both, not the best but it gives it a bit of context into the models. With the end of this project, i go onto another one, or two. A Development Lynx Mk.8 and Half a Heron.... Here are a couple pictures (more will be on the Ready for inspection Topic) 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted October 17, 2020 Share Posted October 17, 2020 Lovely little Gazzles. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westlandaircraftenthusiast Posted October 17, 2020 Author Share Posted October 17, 2020 Just now, perdu said: Lovely little Gazzles. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now