John Masters Posted February 15 Posted February 15 Here’s my next entry. This is the KP kit, neé Heller, of the Alouette III, in service of the Czech Mountain Rescue Team. That’s what’s on the boxtop, btw... The profile... The sprue…the plastic suspicuously resembles the newwer Airfix plastic. That blueish grey tone. Decent detail. Nothing fancy. The decals... I started in on the cockpit, the motor and the basic fuselage. The fit is decent and there are even some mounting points to keep thigs in line. Not sure about the cockpit but I think it will look good. I skipped the IP decal as it didnt want to stick. I hope that is not a harbinger of things to come! —John 18
bianfuxia Posted February 15 Posted February 15 Welcome! I've learned two things already - that this old Heller kit is still around and that apparently the RAAF had Alouttes once! Looking forward to yours!
John Masters Posted February 16 Author Posted February 16 3 hours ago, desert falcon said: Very nice subject 👍 Thank you... I'm just saying... I think someone is building this one over in the other GB... It comes together easily. More anon... --John 15
CliffB Posted February 18 Posted February 18 A nice looking helicopter and kit 👍 It's interesting too that a mountain rescue has been painted white (rather than something hi-vis). 1
John Masters Posted February 18 Author Posted February 18 46 minutes ago, CliffB said: It's interesting too that a mountain rescue has been painted white (rather than something hi-vis). I thought so too. This must have been before Health and Safety! 2
bianfuxia Posted February 20 Posted February 20 Does seem weird but perhaps it doesn't snow much in those mountains - summer rescue of day trippers who aren't prepared for turning weather? Then white would make sense I suppose. Either that or, like with new cars, white was free but metallic burnt orange is a $1500 extra along with leather seats and wireless Android Auto. 2
John Masters Posted February 20 Author Posted February 20 I have masked the goldfish bowl and a test fit tells me it fits pretty well. I will attach it later tonight. I think there will be some gaps to fill but I'm not sure where. The primer will illuminate them. --John 13
John Masters Posted February 24 Author Posted February 24 19 hours ago, Grandboof said: Great start John Watching Thank you Martin. I have assembled and attached the glass bits. There was a gap at the top and you can see the PPP filling that in. Before I prime it for paint, I'll check the masks and make sure they are as straight as I can make them. Some of them seem a little askew... --John 11 1
John Masters Posted February 27 Author Posted February 27 The primer went on and I found a few more gaps that needed filling. At this point I think I could paint it. It's all white, so it's not a tough job. Crossed fingers that the decals hold together! --John 12
John Masters Posted March 3 Author Posted March 3 Timne for decals. Spolier alert: terrible decals. Shattering... I am already thinking of binning this build at this point. But I shall persevere. maybe I will feel better about it tomorrow. There are better kits out there... Knowing what I know, I cut up the long black stripes to make them easier to handle. They are painfully thin and delicate and I am not going to be able to make them go all the way around the front of the chopper. The registration says it all "OK-FIT"... The other side is the same, i.e. not very nice. See? It's already heading towards the bin as I speak. I'll wait until tomorrow. Maybe the midnight modelling elves will fix it all for me... --John 6 3
de Larch Posted March 3 Posted March 3 maybe you could try the microscale liquid decal film with those decals? so far i've had exclusively bad experience with KP decals, they always seem to disintegrate.
John Masters Posted March 3 Author Posted March 3 3 minutes ago, de Larch said: maybe you could try A bit late for that unfortunately. KP decals are hit or miss for me. But I get it. Thanks!
bianfuxia Posted March 3 Posted March 3 OK-FIT! It's hard to believe that wasn't a deliberate move by someone in the KP factory! Despite your challenges I have to say this is looking pretty good. Don't chuck it! 3
John Masters Posted March 4 Author Posted March 4 12 hours ago, bianfuxia said: OK-FIT! It's hard to believe that wasn't a deliberate move by someone in the KP factory! Despite your challenges I have to say this is looking pretty good. Don't chuck it! Ok. I'll give it a second chance... 2
John Masters Posted March 6 Author Posted March 6 On 3/4/2025 at 7:06 PM, Bobby No Mac said: Fingers crossed you can, um, rescue this one, John 🤞 I will, and am...almost done. I think this one will look best from 75cm... --John 13
John Masters Posted March 7 Author Posted March 7 I wrapped this one up late last night...check the gallery! --John 4
John Masters Posted March 8 Author Posted March 8 1 hour ago, CliffB said: That's fabulous John. Congratulations! Thank you Cliff. 1
bianfuxia Posted March 10 Posted March 10 Well done! I am also glad you didn't send this off to the Shelf of Doom. It looks really good - congrats!
John Masters Posted March 10 Author Posted March 10 1 hour ago, bianfuxia said: Well done! I am also glad you didn't send this off to the Shelf of Doom. Thanks mate. 😁 1
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