Westland Lynx SH-14D MLD - 1/32 Scale

[ruudster]

On 12/9/2024 at 9:24 PM, Rob K. said:

Thanks Ruud,

 

Yes, I have visited the Den Helder Naval base a couple of times during “open days” when I was growing up in The Netherlands. Great looking helicopter in my opinion the “real” Lynx. Hopefully I can pull a reasonable mini replica off. Just wish I had the DutchDecal sheet to go along with it.

 

Thanks for the feedback!

 

 

Hoi Rob,

I think i have the 1/32 sheet.  I was sent it by mistake iirc.  I will look around when i'm home again if you'd like.

[Rob K.]

38 minutes ago, ruudster said:

Hoi Rob,

I think i have the 1/32 sheet.  I was sent it by mistake iirc.  I will look around when i'm home again if you'd like.

Hi Ruudster,

 

That would be great, I have looked high and low for this sheet.

Will keep my fingers crossed. Happy to purchase it from you if you still have it. Think it is number DD32016 from Dutch Decal. 
 

Rgds,

 

Rob

[IGKent]

I enjoyed watching your build of this helicopter. 

[Rob K.]

16 hours ago, PeteH1969 said:

Try Rail Tech for rivet transfers.

 

http://www.railtec-models.com/rivets.php

 

Pete

Hi Pete, did come across that website and product at one point, but was unsure which size to order.

Meanwhile battling on with the HGW rivets.

 

Thanks for the suggestion, may look into this if I don’t like the HGW result.

 

Rob

[Rob K.]

2 hours ago, IGKent said:

I enjoyed watching your build of this helicopter. 

Hi Igor,

 

Glad you’re enjoying the build. It’s quite a nice kit. Wonder why they didn’t bring it out in more versions and various national schemes.

 

Rgds,

 

Rob

[Rob K.]

Hi,

 

Applied as many positive rivets as my patience allowed me to. After 2 days I succumbed and did the rest with a rivet wheel. So we’ll just have to see if this is going to look odd later on.

 

 

Tried to look at some photographs of where rivets should be placed and did to some extent, but it is near impossible task for my concentration level, so compromised to what looked good and acceptable to my eyes.

 

 

 

Sometimes when you peel away the backing film not all HGW rivets have attached to the surface, after which I carefully tried to place it back with some more Micro Sol. In other places I did some repairs by cutting small sections of rivet lines.

 

Also noticed a seam at the joint fuselage/boom, so filled it with some Vallejo filler which was smoothed out with a moist cotton bud.

 

 

When you look at the tail section close to the rotor, it is a true rivet bonanza on the actual aircraft, so did the same on the model:

 

 

 

 

Just hope after all this work, the positive rivets will show through as they can hardly be felt when checking by touch.
 

That’s all, thanks for watching,

 

Rgds,

 

Rob

 

 

[heloman1]

Excellent work with the rivets Rob, as you say, lots of patients required there and not always going to look like the real think. Compromise is best, give the illusion.

 

Colin

[Rob K.]

Hi,

After all the tedious rivet work, it was finally time for some painting Only had a little little bit of MRP Extra Dark Sea Grey (EDSG) left, so I decided to mix my own from some Mr Color greys and very dark (night) blues. Came close, but placing it next to my SeaFury there was still a slight difference.

 

However, the grey blue mix was a good and close enough base for the half bottle of MRP EDSG I had left, so applied a light coat.

 

The result:

 

 

 

With the light shown onto the surface it is clear that there are very few positive rivets left despite the light lacquer coats. The ones you can see are negative rivets.

 

 

The instructions does call for them to be “polished up”. Am a little sceptical about that, but will give it a try tomorrow when the EDSG has hardened some more.

 

Rgds,

 

 Rob 

 

 

[IGKent]

On 12/12/2024 at 5:05 PM, Rob K. said:

Hi Igor,

 

Glad you’re enjoying the build. It’s quite a nice kit. Wonder why they didn’t bring it out in more versions and various national schemes.

 

Rgds,

 

Rob

Thanks, Rob!

I will continue to watch with interest... 

p.s. I started making Ka-52 from Zvezda

Great rivet lines, Rob! 

Edited December 13, 2024 by IGKent

[Rob K.]

Hi,

 

A little disappointed for the rivets not “positively” showing after the EDSG coat, I was keen to try to rejuvenate them by polishing them back up, according to the manufacturers (HGW) instructions.

 

Used a 4000 grit polishing cloth and gently started polishing away.

 

 

It wasn’t the look that I envisaged before I started the rivet application, but I don’t dislike the effect. It is however more flush than positive.

 

 

It doesn’t really work with 2 colours on top of each other. It didn’t quite work on the black anti glare panel and the yellow tail, which were sprayed on top of the EDSG.

 

As you may have noticed, I airbrushed the underside with MRP RAF Sky.

 

 

 

For the yellow tail section I used yellow from Mig Atom because I heard they cover really well. Indeed, a couple of light passes with the airbrush, using their designated thinner on top of the dark grey was no problem.

 

 

The yellow looks a little dirty since I used my “dirty” polishing cloth on top. The colour is also a little pale and it needs to be slightly more vibrant.

 

I gather the HGW rivets would do well on a nicely used and weathered aircraft.

The Dutch MLD lynxes however always appeared to be quite well maintained.in general.

 

That’s all, will do a few corrections on the paint coat today.

 

To be continued,

 

Rgds,

 

Rob

 

 

 

 

 

[Rob K.]

Good Evening,

 

Short update. Thought I had finished the riveting part of the build, but decided to place some HGW on the yellow tail section. Initially with the intention of airbrushing a slightly more vibrant yellow shade and then sand it back so the rivets would re surface. However, I do like the look of the tail with the shiny rivets showing, so may leave it as is.

 

 

Did scuff the yellow a little, but may leave this as “wear”.

 

Also when I sanded the anti glare panel back for the rivets to show, the grey appeared, which didn’t look great. Therefore decided to re apply the rivets and re-spray the black. (and more carefully sand to expose the rivets). Discovered though that if the coat is light enough, the rivets show through. Quite liked that effect, so left it looking as per below:

 

 

So getting a little more used to these HGW rivets.
 

Also discovered that the Mig decal-set and Mig decal-fix work better with the rivet film than the suggested Mr Mark Softener this second time around.

 

Might tackle the inside of the doors tomorrow and need to look at further detailing the  maintenance hatches and the engine compartment.

 

Thanks for watching,

 

Rgds,

 

Rob

 

 

[heloman1]

Looking better all the time Rob. Some neat airbrush work going on...

I'm liking the rivets.

 

Colin

[Rob K.]

On 15/12/2024 at 06:57, heloman1 said:

Looking better all the time Rob. Some neat airbrush work going on...

I'm liking the rivets.

 

Colin

Thanks Collin, yes, I don’t think I should do anymore riveting when I do receive the Archer Decals. They will be for another project. Surprisingly, the bottom of the fuselage has some fine positive rivet detail.

 

 

Thanks for the comments,

 

Rgds,

 

Rob

[Rob K.]

Hi,

 

Currently working on the engine.

 

Used some lead wire for the hoses.

 

Scratch build the oil-cooler (red rectangular highlight) from 2 spitfire wheel hubs glued together where one halve received a cutout receiving a little open box shape from a left over part from the Mk88 winch. Also made some engine foundation supports from some evergreen I-beam. (Requires a paint touch up)

 

 

 

Will have a look if I need to add more wiring/pipes and hoses. The real engine compartment is a lot busier of course.

 

 

 

Some touch ups and weathering/staining to be done as well. Also need to construct the inside of the engine hatches which double as steps and working platforms.

 

To be continued.

 

Rgds,

 

Rob

 

 

 

 

[heloman1]

Neat work Rob. I built mine from s photo of one on storage at RNY Fleetlands , main gearbox etc removed. I thought removing parts would make the build easier, ha!

That was for a Lynx STGB a couple of years ago. The Archers rivets worked well, although some of the quality of some was suspect. I did get replacements.

I've built two of the Airfix 48th kits, one HAS Mk3 using my ROTORcraft conversion parts. Then, I have another four in the stash!!!

 

Colin

[IGKent]

Great continuation...!

[Rob K.]

Hi,

 

Not much to show.

 

Today I have been part scratch building the interior of the engine cover and rotor maintenance hatch:

 

Engine cover with the maintenance walk way and the rotor hatch with “step”

 

 

 

To be continued,

 

Rgds,

 

Rob

[Rob K.]

4 hours ago, IGKent said:

Great continuation...!

Thanks Igor,

 

How is the KA-52 coming along?

 

Rgds,

 

Rob

[Rob K.]

Hi,

 

Thought I Would finish all the extra detail work concerning the open panels and engine covers, so I can concentrate on continuing with the main build.

 

The rotor hub inspection hatch with step:

 

 

A close up photo, reveals all…. Including some irregularities.

 

The Engine cover with walkway (fitted with blue tac for the photo)

 

 

Everything painted with MRP paint (including walkway).

 

Getting pretty close to placing decals.

 

I have contacted DutchDecals once more and they will have a look if a 1/32 Lynx sheet  32016 can be located. The sheet has been out of circulation for a while. Fingers crossed. I have the Heliscale Quality if needed.

 

That’s all, thanks for watching,

 

Rgds,

 

Rob

[CJP]

Good luck hunting down that deal sheet you want Rob - looking great so far

Chris

[Rob K.]

12 hours ago, CJP said:

Good luck hunting down that deal sheet you want Rob - looking great so far

Chris

Thanks Chris,

 

I still have the Heliscale Quality decals and I could also try and get the Cricut out. Have Insignia sheets so that should also not be a problem. Also have 2 Mark 88 and 1 HAS 3 Revell decal sheets plus a Danish and French Lynx Decal sheet for the more technical stencils. It would be nice to get the DutchDecal Lynx sheet though.

 

Thanks for your comment,

 

Rgds,

 

Rob

[Rob K.]

Hi,

 

Brush painted to what I think are the emergency floatation devices green with some Revell aqua colour.

 

 

The front pair contours were softened a little with some thinned Tamiya filler.

 

 

In addition I made yellow tail section a little more vibrant by airbrushing a light coat of Tamiya orange clear. This enabled me to keep the rivet detail showing.

 

 

One item I forgot to look at were what I presume are sensors at the nose as per below image:

 

 

I was going to scratch build the pair, but in the HAS 3 box, some parts for a Mark 8 were also present, resembling the SH-14 sensors.

 

 

According to instructions found on Scalemates the left ones are indeed for the nose, albeit in a lower position. Nevertheless, I have dry-fitted them in the SH-14 position and they follow the contours nicely. I did sand the housing down a little in height as the real ones appear smaller. They do have sink marks, which are filled up with black CA.

I should be able to glue them with some Mig PVA type glue in order not to damage the paintwork.

 

Also have been looking for a more detailed torpedo as an aftermarket improvement, but was unable. I think Mk 44 or Mk 46 would be appropriate?

Nevertheless, they are available but only in 72 an 48 scale as far as I can tell.

 

 

 

That’s all, thanks for watching,

 

Rgds,

 

Rob

 

[Rob K.]

Hi,

 

Applying decals at the moment. Decided to use the Heliscale Quality Decals. The DutchDecal set 32016 is unlikely to surface anytime soon and I wanted to make some progress. Since I had  “commissioned” these Heliscale decals some months back, I just had another good look at font type and size and it looked fine to me. The small technical stencils has very fine lettering and some symbols unique to the SH-14 compared to other NATO Lynxes, like the fire extinguisher and first aid symbols at the door post were included at my request. You do have to cut quite close to the symbols as the transparent film can be quite large.

 

 

The “Koninklijke Marine” tail boom lettering felt slightly raised on the decal paper. The film is however quite thin. I expect that after 1 or 2 clear coats it will all be blended in, hopefully just like the Heliscale decals un my UH-34 build.

 

In fact, the lettering settled and responded quite nicely to some of the raised detail found especially on the port side of the boom.
Initially I thought I would use the Insignia from a DutchDecal roundel set, but since the Heliscale ones conformed and responded nicely to Mr Mark Setter and Mig Decal fix 2 and Micro Sol, I used the latter decals. I found that Mig Decal set 1 softened the decals too much at the setting stage and it was hard to move them around and position as they got immediately stuck on the MRP gloss coat.
 

Had to work with some softeners at insignia on both sides, since they are placed on some awkward raised detail.

 

Also using various stencils from both Revell kits, which are no better or worse.

 

So far the latest update.

 

Rgds,

 

 Rob 

 

 

 

 

[IGKent]

Superb! 

Rob, this is how I do it... I apply the decal, after it dries, I varnish just the decal. And then I blow airbrush the whole model. And all the decals looks perfectly.

[Shake]

Late to the party, but very impressed by your build! Lovely detail and a very speedy build. After finishing the Wasp I am going to build a 1/72 MLD Lynx and will use your build as example, great work.

 

Sjaak