NorbertBu Posted September 21, 2024 Posted September 21, 2024 (edited) Here is my second finished CH-53, here in the version CH-53GA, A for "advanced". The first model, a CH-53G can be seen here: Click The GA has got new avionics, a full auto pilot, a 5-display-glass cockpit, HF-Radio, SatCom and a new Electronic Defence system. Since 2013 the former army operated CH-53 Helicopters are now flown by the Luftwaffe, The GA are stationed in Holzdorf, south of Berlin. The Revell kit is very old, only the new parts for the modern versions are nicely researched and moulded. So almost every single part has to be worked on, sometimes even completely scratch built like the windshield wipers or the front gear cover. Again the list 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 - rebuilt the front wheel cover completely - 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 - drill holes for the air intakes in the "dog house" above the cockpit for heating and Auxiliary power plant (APP) Now, here are the pictures. Enjoy! Edited September 22, 2024 by NorbertBu 61 2 4 4
AlxBNE Posted September 21, 2024 Posted September 21, 2024 Lots of good improvements to the old Kit to produce a nice model. The hard work definitely shows. Thanks for sharing. This must be a big model in 1/48 scale! 1
Red Dot Posted September 21, 2024 Posted September 21, 2024 Excellent job with all the details and being able to finish an old kit Norbert. I like the colour scheme you chose, Andy 1
Farmerboy Posted September 21, 2024 Posted September 21, 2024 Stunning model, and all the more so due to the huge effort you have put in to correct and enhance the base kit. 1
Drakendk Posted September 21, 2024 Posted September 21, 2024 Wow it looks great! It must be a monster in 1/48 as i have just finished a HH-53C in 1/72 which was large enough 🙂 The raised surface detail and paint job is spot on. Thanks for sharing. 1
Keeff Posted September 21, 2024 Posted September 21, 2024 That's an impressive build and very well presented. The close up of the nose could be the real thing, it's that good! Keith 😊 1
Charles68 Posted September 21, 2024 Posted September 21, 2024 That looks great! Great job in saving the details!! That kit bested me years ago, I ended up with a big green piece of plane that had no rivets left i had no appetite to re scribe. 1
fernandocouto Posted September 22, 2024 Posted September 22, 2024 The best 1/48 CH-53 work I've ever seen. 1
paulsbrown Posted September 22, 2024 Posted September 22, 2024 Fantastic build and a super color scheme. Any build photos showing the cockpit? I'm making the same kit (slowly) but into an MH-53.
Caerbannog Posted September 22, 2024 Posted September 22, 2024 Very nice build and finish. I am tempted for month to get this kit and your post did not make it easier to reject 🙂
NorbertBu Posted September 22, 2024 Author Posted September 22, 2024 11 hours ago, Charles68 said: That looks great! Great job in saving the details!! That kit bested me years ago, I ended up with a big green piece of plane that had no rivets left i had no appetite to re scribe. Thank you for the nice comment. The main problem areas are in fact very large, but a riveter is all you need. That worked out very nice and easy. 5 1 1
NorbertBu Posted September 22, 2024 Author Posted September 22, 2024 (edited) 2 hours ago, paulsbrown said: Fantastic build and a super color scheme. Any build photos showing the cockpit? I'm making the same kit (slowly) but into an MH-53. Thank you too for the nice comment! The cockpit needs some detailing indeed. I added an overhead panel, which can later hardly be seen, but I know it is there. Also map holders and stand by compass were added. I added some wiring for the instruments to fill that empty space behind the panel. You want to add some plastic strips to avoid a step between glass and fuselage. The seats need some treatment, too. Edited September 22, 2024 by NorbertBu 7 1 1
Red Dot Posted September 22, 2024 Posted September 22, 2024 Lovely work Norbert even if it can't be seen Can you make an MH-53 from a CH-53? The MH has more engines doesn't it? Andy
NorbertBu Posted September 22, 2024 Author Posted September 22, 2024 Hi Andy, you can make a MH-53J (pave low). It needs all the sensors at the front, but has two engines and the new rotor blades. The MH-53E, which you built in Japanese markings (of course) has three engines.
Red Dot Posted September 22, 2024 Posted September 22, 2024 You live and learn. Just testing you 🙂 Andy 1
Fred piket Posted September 22, 2024 Posted September 22, 2024 Beautiful build, fantastic paintjob! 1
Shorty84 Posted September 22, 2024 Posted September 22, 2024 Nice improvement of an old kit! 👍 Cheers Markus 1
Hook Posted September 22, 2024 Posted September 22, 2024 Lovely finish and weathering! She does look good in Norm '83. Cheers, Andre 1
TheyJammedKenny! Posted September 22, 2024 Posted September 22, 2024 Beautiful job, Norbert! What were these machines like to fly? Clumsy?
NorbertBu Posted September 22, 2024 Author Posted September 22, 2024 7 minutes ago, TheyJammedKenny! said: Beautiful job, Norbert! What were these machines like to fly? Clumsy? Thank you very much! Not at all clumsy, but very agile, especially when not fully loaded. 130 knots at low altitude, that was fun. 1 1
Pete in a shed Posted September 22, 2024 Posted September 22, 2024 Another great CH53 build. Fabulous work Norbert. Pete 1
exdraken Posted September 22, 2024 Posted September 22, 2024 Very nice! I di have one in the stash, your explanation is veryhl helpful! Thx!
paulsbrown Posted September 23, 2024 Posted September 23, 2024 21 hours ago, NorbertBu said: Thank you for the nice comment. The main problem areas are in fact very large, but a riveter is all you need. That worked out very nice and easy. Ouch, lots of putty! Thanks for the warning. Once again, fantastic color scheme and paint job.
Viking Posted September 23, 2024 Posted September 23, 2024 That is a real stunner, a huge improvement on the old kit. Cheers John 1
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