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RNZAF Bell UH-1D Iroquois - No. 3 Squadron


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Hi All,

 

Place Holder for this GB, Kit box photo

( Photo is not the best, flash kept going off - one of those days:footy:) I'll post a new one in next day or so

 

 

b8c8f936-7350-4fb9-a27d-49bbe35919f4.jpg

 

RNZAF  Station Hobsonville - where I grew up -  Post Sunderland era

WhG744-86.t5f0d22de.m600.x1PKNmElR.jpg

(RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions)

Cool looking Huey in cool looking scenery - NZ3813 Mount Cook National Park - Southern Alps (South Island New Zealand)

WgG8644-71.t5f74f572.m800.xOyvPMWtq.jpg

(RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions)

 

I'll post more soon

 

Regards

 

Alan

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On 1/13/2021 at 4:34 AM, Corsairfoxfouruncle said:

Oooh another good looking build. Im happy there are so many nice to follow as this will be a fun group build. 

 

On 1/16/2021 at 5:18 AM, JOCKNEY said:

It's a Huey, IMHO the most iconic chopper ever built.

Thanks Dennis & Pat,

 

Yes this GB should be quite interesting with the multitude of subjects that can be built from

either County's history.

I know I mentioned the Wellington MK III/Spitfire/Meteor in the GB Chat, but I was earlier this week

looking through my Model cupboard, when I saw this. Some years ago I had given this as a Christmas

present to my Son , but he never built it (gaming took over....... so no time to build:waiting:).

Upon seeing this, and a quick discussion with said Son, here we are :thumbsup:

 

The Huey has now long gone from the RNZAF Inventory (2015) and it's certainly quite around the

Neighborhood these days (Whenuapai is some 5-10 minutes drive from me as crow flies) as I live

pretty close to the approach vectors for aircraft landing at Whenuapai - Even when they where close

to retirement the indicative "Whop Whop" always got me with nose pressed against the Sun room windows

or heading outside to watch as it/they flew over.

The Iroquois as they were well known in the RNZAF/wider community began service  circa June 1966 for

the UH-1D, and Uh-1H deliverer Mid-late 1970. Interestingly they all (AFAIK) arrived by RNZAF Hercules.

(Good double build/diorama there) - The UH-1D's were upgraded to "H" standard mid 1970's.

Edit  Found a photo of  RNZAF UH-1D NZ3801 arriving from US at Whenuapai 1966.

Being unloaded out front of 40 Squadron Hangar

WhG10565-66.t5d5b159f.m600.xoSZxXbJW.jpg

(RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions)

 

The Iroquois has a close and personal history with me, part albeit very sad.

Living at RNZAF Station Wigram (In Christchurch, South Island ) life was pretty good as a youngster,

we had access to the Base swimming pool, Base  amenities etc, could wander on base to see my Dad....

With the Swimming Pool, the Base had a "learn to swim programme" and I was part of that, where upon completion

you earned the coveted "Swim Badge" to sew on to your togs and wear with pride (and bragging rights).

The Chief swim instructor was a Sergent PTI (Physical Training Instructor), and he trained all my younger siblings as well.

The funniest was my youngest Sister (at the time) was learning to swim, and was holding onto the side of the base pool

with others her age (about 5ish), when the PTI told them to put their faces into the water and blow bubbles. My Sister didn't

so he helped put her face into the water - resultant with " He tried to drown me":D

 

Some time later a group of  Airmen (mainly LAC's etc) had to go on a training exercise on one of the major rivers

in the Canterbury region. The group were white water rafting, the same PTI was on the river with them. However one of the

younger Airmen had forgotten his life jacket, so the PTI gave him his...... the raft flipped in the rapids, and unfortunately in the

ensuing scramble to get back into the raft, the PTI was not to be seen........:confused:

SAR was started immediately, but after a a few days it turned into recovery. To this day I still recall seeing a lone Iroquois

flying back into Wigram low and slow, and I knew it was bringing back the PTI's body.

 

The more happier note was as a young Cadet, I was standing outside No. 7 Hangar at Wigram waiting to go on Parade,

when an Iroquois crew did a start up. The thing to this day was the long flame shooting out from the exhaust reaching

all the way down the boom - so cool:thumbsup:

 

Below is a YouTube link to an RNZAF Iroquois start up - sorry no flame

RNZAF Iroquois Start up

 

 

Anyway life story over, on with the kit shots

Box top (sans flash)

56a20d07-01e6-4670-9a7c-6b378af93bc0.jpg

 

Sprues

cb186261-e42b-4660-b266-50c76bbdcdb7.jpg

f28213e1-c32e-47b1-9dfb-d9bb2088aed0.jpg

1953ba1d-4978-4498-8ff1-e8baf168d57e.jpg

Bag of parts that had come off the sprue trees, along with Photo Etch

0961fa81-20b4-4e1f-abe5-7433baa9ac64.jpg

 

Transparencies

95585ce5-563c-42a0-9455-1e4378a6be9f.jpg

 

Kit Instructions

f4f725d3-6f12-441d-8987-717560ee8416.jpg

9c154e92-c8d0-48fa-9427-fe687efbce34.jpg

 

Kit Build decals are bring ordered this week - from Old Model Decals

See RNZAF UH-1D/H 1970-78 in link below

UH-1D decals - Old Model

 

Catch you all when this starts in over a weeks time

 

Regards

 

Alan

Edited by LDSModeller
Addition of new photo
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On 1/16/2021 at 1:05 AM, LDSModeller said:

Interestingly they all (AFAIK) arrived by RNZAF Hercules.

(Good double build/diorama there) -

 

Set a few years later but yes, a great idea. Here's Orange Roughy going into 003. A 1/48 Hercules diorama is big enough so maybe not in in 1/35 though!

 

.

 

Colin

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11 hours ago, Colin W said:

Set a few years later but yes, a great idea. Here's Orange Roughy going into 003. A 1/48 Hercules diorama is big enough so maybe not in in 1/35 though!

 

That's a really nice Model diorama Colin - Your Herks looks great

in the light Grey paint

It was a snug fit inside the cargo area

WhG10561-66.t5d5b159f.m600.xoyL_PLcH.jpg

(RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions)

 

I have a 1/72 Herks in high vis markings to build (possible for this GB - we'll see:D)

The Iroquois will just be it's own model in 1/35

 

Regards

 

Alan

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Hi All,

 

And we're off and Racing:D

 

So Plastic has been cut, sanded/scraped and below

some dry fitting to see how it fits - thus far

RNZAF+Bell+UH-1D+-2c.jpg

 

I will have to redo the seats, as the kit has Seat Armour, which the RNZAF Iroquois's didn't carry frequently

RNZAF+Bell+UH-1D+-2d.jpg

 

No Seat Armour

WhG584-79.t5f850cd7.m600.x-8YupAs0.jpg

(RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions)

Good illustration (though the Huey had come to grief) Note our Iroquois pilots flew in comfort,

that's good old New Zealand Sheepskin on the seat - only the best for our Air Force :D

Ak2046-90.t5f80b700.m600.x-yxymHjX.jpg

(RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions)

 

The Rudder Pedals have some sink marks which need to remedy, as they are quite distinct and face toward

ones view

RNZAF+Bell+UH-1D+-2a.jpg

 

The same goes for the main sliding door

RNZAF+Bell+UH-1D+-2b.jpg

 

Didn't get too much done, but tomorrows another day :D

 

Thanks for looking in

 

Regards

 

Alan

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by LDSModeller
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Hi All,

 

A little more done with my build :D

 

The forward mini structural bulkheads/Supports needed some

work on the holes within

RNZAF+Bell+UH-1D+-3a.jpg

 

Judicious use of various sized drills helped greatly

RNZAF+Bell+UH-1D+-3aa.jpg

 

These were then glued into place using the fuselage to keep in correct alighment

RNZAF+Bell+UH-1D+-3aaa.jpg

 

Both in place and secured till dry

RNZAF+Bell+UH-1D+-3aaaa.jpg

 

The seat frames received some attention with some scrap card added between the seat support

RNZAF+Bell+UH-1D+-3b.jpg

 

A quick mention about the Seat Armour mentioned in previous post

At RAF Station Tengah on detachment. The RNZAF Crew member is Warrant Officer D.O.G Muldoon

(Unit Mascot) with 141 Flight - I'm picking the name "Muldoon" is possibly in honour of The Prime

Minister during that time Rt Hon. Robert Muldoon.

MUS0800534.t5f7b6628.m600.xU8qup3XX.jpg

(RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions)

 

Peace keeping in East Timor - Armour fitted

MUS0212030_1.t5fd9043e.m800.xi4fahJc6.jp

(RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions)

The actual seats themselves with moulded on harness - not too sure where I will go with this yet :footy:

RNZAF+Bell+UH-1D+-3c.jpg

The kit does have Photo Etch belts. more on this later

 

Frames/card now shaped and glued together and place to keep the floor supports correct in positioning

RNZAF+Bell+UH-1D+-3e.jpg

 

Gave the seats a coat of paint - boy that's bright - will need to tone down me thinks ^_^

Note the belts do not go down the rear of the seat

RNZAF+Bell+UH-1D+-3cc.jpg

 

Aluminium Paint applied to the rear bulkhead soundproofing with paint brush to give some texture, before

applying the Interior grey

RNZAF+Bell+UH-1D+-3d.jpg

 

Flight deck as it looks currently - sans seat frames

RNZAF+Bell+UH-1D+-3f.jpg

 

Thanks for looking in :D

 

Regards

 

Alan

Edited by LDSModeller
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  • 4 weeks later...
  • 1 month later...
On 4/15/2021 at 8:38 PM, JOCKNEY said:

Hi Alan

I am really enjoying your Meteor build, is the plan to return to this one after the Meteor is finished  ?

Cheers Pat 

Hi Pat,

 

Thank you for your kind words and support - I have enjoyed building the Meteor.

 

Whilst I hope to complete the Meteor this weekend (weather permitting), I still have

 another three builds, Mossie/Hind/ Lone Avenger, in the works.

If I can squeeze all three into the next few weeks maybe...... I can restart the Iroquois.

Possible thought, Do you think You and Dennis @corsairfoxforuncle  as GB Mods/Managers could

have a thought about possibly extending the GB deadline to end of May (couple of weeks extra), then

yeah, I could get the Huey finished (famous last words caveat etc etc :eat::whistle:)

 

Thanks

 

Alan

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37 minutes ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said:

I was going to ask Enzo for the extension in a week or two. Right now with almost a month left its hard to tell who/how many will need the extra time ?

Okay, Thanks Dennis, Sorry if I spoke too soon..... :closedeyes:

 

I for one would most certainly welcome it:thumbsup:

 

Regards

 

Alan

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