Sikorsky CH-53G Heeresfliegerregiment 15, Revell 1:48

[NorbertBu]

Being a CH-53 pilot (now retired), I always wanted to build a decent model of a  German CH-53 in 1:48 scale. The Revell kit is from the early 1980s and represents the technology of that time. Revell has researched the newer versions very well, added new parts (new rotor blades, tanks, radar and missile detection system, chaff and flare dispensers) for the CH-53GS and GA editions but the main parts remained unchanged during the many reissues of this kit. Nevertheless, It is worth every cent of it's price, because it offers the opportunity to spend a huge amount of time working on it. How boring is a Tamiya kit compared to that, where everything is correct and fits perfectly?

 

Well, it was more than 10 years ago, when I started this kit and I gave up, when it was already masked, painted and partly decalled, and put it into the so called shelf of doom. I was not in the mood then to correct all the shortcomings and flaws. 

About one month ago, a former comrade asked me to repair some broken parts from his model, which he had bought somewhere. I did so and remembered my old started model in the basement. And all of a sudden, I enjoyed rediscovering all the missing details and flaws that needed attention and working on it. Here is the result, still far away from being perfect. Some things I haven`t changed, because the model was already airbrushed, but I learned from then for the other two models I am working on right now, a GS and a GA verion.

 

This model had to be one of my former regiment, Heeresfliegeregiment 15 in Rheine-Bentlage (ETHE). The numbers of the decal sheet allowed the 84+75, which was fine. This model represents the aircraft between about 1989 and 1997. About 1989 all the static discharge systems were removed, because it had proved to be ineffective, and 1997 the old Aluminium rotor blades as shown here were replaced by more modern and aerodynamically more effective so called "Improved rotor blades" .

 

Things I have changed or improved:

 

- Remove the part for the air refuelling boom from the glass part and polish it, 

- shorten all three landing gear legs by 2 mm

- add details to the top of the instrument panel like map storage and stand by compass

- Remove the crude mechanism of the tail rotor and rebuild it

- add hydraulic lines to the main rotor head

- reduce the height of the main rotor head above the blades by 2 mm

- add yellow stripes to the main rotor blades as forklift markings 

- add engine front intake covers, as the compressor is nicely modelled, but too far forward

- reduce the height of the front wheel cover by 2mm and add a small stripe of plastic on the bottom

- add details to the wind shield wipers

- add two small pins above the cockpit for the ice detection system and the outside air temperature gauge (which is already gone again)

- add the shimmy damper to the the right front wheel (that cylindrical thing)

- add various hydraulic lines for the blade fold mechanism at the main rotor head

 

Things that should be done, but that I avoided, because the model was already assembled and painted:

remove the premodelled wind shield wipers

drill holes for the air intakes in the "dog house" above the cockpit for heating and Auxiliary power plant (APP)

rebuild the front landing cover, because it is way too thick

 

Here are the pictures, which I took at Rheine Bentlage airfield, which is still a military installation, but not used for military flying any more.

 

greetings from Germany,

 

Norbert

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 24, 2024 by NorbertBu

[Drakendk]

Just amazing! Very well done. This helo is one of my favorites.

Thanks for sharing your story of: ‘never give up’ 🙂

[KingCobra]

Ah, CH-53. Still missing the sound of 'Nachtflug' (nightflight) from time to time, bringing me to sleep.

 

BTW: nice kit, well done!

 

Regards from Bochum

[noelh]

Very nice indeed. The CH-53  is one of my favourite helicopters and you did a beautiful job on it.

[Toryu]

Excellent Norbert. The pictures look like 1975 when I joined - Grüße von der Luftwaffe an die Heeresflieger!

 

Michael

[kelly9mm]

Absolutely impressive. Great that you didn’t give up on it!

 

Cheers,

Marcin

[CH-53D]

Very nice!  Always good to see a -53 well built.

 

 

 

 

[spruecutter]

A very fine result, Norbert, with an impressive list of improvements/additions. Well done for rescuing it from the shelf of doom in your basement 🙂.

[PhantomLover]

Very, very nice! Being from the east of the Netherlands, I have fond memories of spending time along the fence at Rheine-Hopsten and sometimes seeing the CH-53 making low passes there. Always thought the CH-53 one of the best looking helikopters..  

[Abandoned Project]

Absolutely superb! The first 2 photos made me do a double-take as they're so well shot! Fantastic whirlybird. 

[Alpha Delta 210]

Outstanding model of.one of my favourite helicopters. Your knowledge of the subject is obvious. 

 

It was great to see and hear one at RIAT last week!

 

 

 

 

[Keeff]

That's very good ... and great that you got the need to finish it. 👏 

 

Keith 😁 

 

 

[TimB]

Very impressive model of the beast.  Well done.

 

Tim

[tempestfan]

Excellent! Looks like you managed to mostly preserve the rivets, which - well, belong on almost all helos. They look naked without...

[Andy Dyck]

Exorbitantly good , Norbert! First thought the first pic is the reference photo. Nice background story too. Remember also the sound when they flew here over Celle. I think from time to time I saw one, maybe one or two are stationed in Fassberg? Don’t know exactly. Your model turns out fantastic! The natural light pictures are amazing!

 

Thx for sharing!

 

Andy

Edited July 24, 2024 by Andy Dyck

[olivierR]

59 minutes ago, Andy Dyck said:

Exorbitantly good , Norbert! First thought the first pic is the reference photo. Nice background story too. Remember also the sound when they flew here over Celle. I think from time to time I saw one, maybe one or two are stationed in Fassberg? Don’t know exactly. Your model turns out fantastic! The natural light pictures are amazing!

Thx for sharing!

Andy

 

 

Great model ! 

Fantastic job for this old kit...

 

Andy  :yes the CH 53 from Fassberg flies toward Celle ...

[modelling minion]

Excellent result on your CH-53 Norbert, a fantastic model of a fantastic helicopter.

[Pete in a shed]

Superb result. Your efforts have produced a fine replica of the CH-53 in its most attractive markings.

Pete 

[AlxBNE]

10 hours ago, NorbertBu said:

it was more than 10 years ago, when I started this kit and I gave up, when it was already masked, painted and partly decalled, and put it into the so called shelf of doom. I was not in the mood then to correct all the shortcomings and flaws. 

.......................... And all of a sudden, I enjoyed rediscovering all the missing details and flaws that needed attention and working on it.

Thank you for sharing, not just the photos but also the back story.

The photos are great you have done a wonderful job on that model AND....you have inspired me.

I have a couple of projects hanging around half completed because I wasn't in the mood to correct all the shortcomings I discovered as I worked on them.

but.... I think I should go back and have another look with the @NorbertBu positive attitude that these short comings represent value for money in the time and enjoyment spent correcting them.

 

As for......

 

10 hours ago, NorbertBu said:

Things that should be done, but that I avoided, because the model was already assembled and painted:

remove the premodelled wind shield wipers

drill holes for the air intakes in the "dog house" above the cockpit for heating and Auxiliary power plant (APP)

rebuild the front landing cover, because it is way too thick

 

Here are the pictures, which I took at Rheine Bentlage airfield, which is still a military installation, but not used for military flying any more.

none of the "should have, would have, could have" details spoil the final result and the backdrop for the photos is an excellent choice.

 

When do we get to see the GS and GA versions that you are working on?

[dnl42]

It may have been a long time coming, but it is very well done!

Bravo! 

[Ad-4N]

Those outdoor shots are a masterwork!  Well done my man.

[Fred piket]

Norbert, excellent result, beautiful pictures!

[Patton gunner]

I only can repeat what others have said already:Outstanding!!!! Great skill in taking the pictures ,too ! Thank you for sharing.

 

Walter

[Viking]

Lovely work Norbert, a great rescue from the shelf of doom.

 

 

[Rob K.]

Nice build and background story. Looking forward to the upcoming GA and GS.

 

Rob