Popular Post alxzinbox Posted March 14 Popular Post Share Posted March 14 (edited) Hey All, I found this kit in the clearance bin at a Canadian Tire- overlooked and unwanted, and most importantly for just C$10. I started on it way back in August 2023 as an quick weekend attempt to break out of a 3 year long modelling dry spell. The detailing devil crept in starting with a riveting pass. Having recently purchased a 3d printer, I took on the challenge of modeling and 3d printing out the landing gear, main rotor head, tail rotor, hydraulic winch, sand filter and other bits and bobs around the aircraft. The build thread can be found here. The success of the build is largely in part due to the wealth of reference photos here at britmodeller.com. I also received a lot of helpful suggestions and hints, and even some in-depth knowledge of Sea King operations from user Jonners in the build thread. Hugely appreciated! I initially planned on modelling the helicopter in flight with rotor blur, however main rotor droop was a problem that I was unable to solve despite multiple tries over as many months. I finally bit the bullet, downgraded plans and posed the helicopter on the ground. Decals were from the kit, along with PRINT SCALE decals for the 202 sqn logo, and ZE370 serial number from spares Spring has come early with gorgeous golden hour light, perfect for photography. The (real) grass is still dormant though I used AK's Hyper Thin Rigging line for the antenna rigging. This particular aircraft had sea grey on the port landing gear with a white hydraulic actuator, and white on the starboard landing gear. Painted with Tamiya X-8 Acrylics and weathered with oils. Preshading on the rivet lines was done in brown over a white primed plastic Scratch built rear view mirrors. Antennas on the bottom made using fishing line 3d printed tail rotor, and static discharge rods using fishing line. Ventilation grates on the tail boom were added using wire mesh inserted in cutouts in the plastic Figures posed from purchased pilot figures. Injured woman downloaded for free from cults3d.com Black caulking on the pontoons made using a fine tip marker. Red emergency release tabs on the windows were made using Enamel paints. 3d printed rotor head with cabling and cap. Handles on the air intake hatches made with copper wire. Handles above windows made using copper wire. The grey trim around the cockpit windows was painted with enamel grey that allowed for sharp outlines (using enamel thinner to wipe the imperfections away) 3d printed winch. Hook from kit part. Steel cable from fishing line 3d printed landing gear and wheels/ tires. The landing gear was installed in the un-weighted position due to the 'lofty' plans at the beginning of the build. However, they were glued in place and I was unable to switch to the weighted landing gear after grounding the build. 3d printed sand filter, and wire mesh for the grates installed after making appropriate holes in the plastic. Looks way better than the supplied kit decals. Some images of the 3d printed detail parts: Motion blur effect on the tail rotor tests R What a difference a riveting pass makes. Worth the extra effort. If you've made it this far, here's an image of the rotor blur tests I did: note the warpage in the rotors. It got progressively worse within a few hours. There was a sense of relief in completing this build, more than a sense of accomplishment and joy. Sitting unproductive on a project for months does that to you. Good thing is that the mojo is back, and I've got some other fun projects (albeit without the 3d printing) on the table now. Thanks for watching! Cheers, Alex. Edited March 14 by alxzinbox 72 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmerboy Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 Absolutely brilliant, marvellous work in such a small scale 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SebTartar Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 Lovely vignette! The 3D items are a serious improvement over the kit parts! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev67 Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 My favourite scheme of the Sea King, these starter kits are relatively cheap in the UK for such a nice accurate kit 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.E.SAUNDERS Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 hi ALL , I have just started on a SWEET 1/144 Sea King...... it's gunna be RAN Chopper. Thanks to your pics I have an idea as to wot the "dangly things " are like...... that hang orff the Helicopter are 🖥️📝🤗 Have ordered the RAN Decals from Peter at HAWKEYE DECALS cheery " modellin' " mumbas ! Geoff 🤗🐈⬛ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John R Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 All I can say is...WOW! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dermo245 Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 That turned out a bit special. Love it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlxBNE Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 Superb. Very well done. Welcome back to your mojo. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly9mm Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 Simply stunning! Love it. Marcin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in a shed Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 Brilliant work. Outstanding amounts of detail that transforms the old kit into something really special. I hope you have a modelling club where it can be shown. Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonners Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 Fantastic...and realistically grubby! Those printed parts are a huge improvement on the kit offerings, especially the hoist, which looks more like a hosepipe reel! Jon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cardiff guy Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Very nicely done.👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philly1860 Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Nice build and fantastic photography too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Dyck Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Unbelievable! I thought the first picture is the original! I had to look two times ! Then I thought it’s the 1/48 one! Really breathtaking work! very very nice! Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Absolutely wonderful! Meticulous detailing, immaculate finishing and atmospheric photography. My only question is why a girl with a broken leg and arm should have decided to go hill walking in the first place? Regards, Adrian 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmitriy1967 Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Great helicopter! It's a great idea to blur the propellers, it's a pity that it couldn't be implemented. A very visual comparison of the parts from the box and those printed on the printer. And, of course, photos! They are very lively. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred piket Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Beautiful Seaking! Weathering is spot on and the diorama is fantastic. With the 3d prints it's a great improvement. Well done! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonners Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 5 hours ago, AdrianMF said: My only question is why a girl with a broken leg and arm should have decided to go hill walking in the first place? Adrian, you'd be amazed...! Jon 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tentacles Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 I liked this on Reddit yesterday. Absolute pleasure to like it again here! Superb build, really well done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twinpin Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Absolutely brilliant. Is this particular Airfix kit a good one? I think with some versions of the kit the rotors are not so good ?.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard JS Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Stunning Build. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Far North Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Superb job on this iconic helicopter. I like the weathering - the exhaust soot got everywhere on these beasts and it was rare to see one clean! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FIGHTS ON Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Amazing build from the airfix kit that so many of us are familiar with. Thank you for taking the time to post the images and the work-in-progress. Even getting a decent yellow finish is a challenge for most of us! As Jonners states, there is no surprise with what some people do or wear in the mountains in the UK. Flip Flops & t-shirts isn't out of place on the Welsh mountains it would seem - although I like to think of it as Darwin's natural selection process at work. I have helped my son set up his 3D printer and the results are pretty amazing. I haven't yet had the time to learn how to make my own parts, so I use some of the various websites that either sell (or offer for free) some of the .stl files. (website selling GBU-24 .stl file) I know I am 1 of hundreds that are desperate to find a decent 1/72 sandbox filter.....maybe your path to becoming a multi millionaire lies in cornering the market!.....actually, learning to use Blender has just crept up my list of urgent things to do !!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keeff Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 That is superb! 👌 Your detailing devil has done you proud .... and the disply really sets this off! Keith 😁 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robertone139 Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 Excellent work and amazing 3d printng, are those items your own or did you have them done on contract? 1 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