fox1_BE Posted March 10 Posted March 10 (edited) Hi all, A Vietnam GB should really contain at least one chopper, so this will be my attempt at building one of these: I have the AZ Model kit, as well as a small PE fret from the same source, and a spare clear vacform set from Croco (to be seen if I need to use that). As I am working on a few other builds now, it may take a while before I can actually start - but at least I have a seat reserved! Cheers for now, Patrick Edited June 13 by fox1_BE 8
Pappy Posted March 11 Posted March 11 Love the 'killer egg', hopefully your subject will be something other than 'Miss Clawd' cheers, Pappy 1
heloman1 Posted March 16 Posted March 16 YES! another Loach, great! I'm right behind you with my Huey build. Can't have too many chopper builds. Colin 1
fox1_BE Posted April 29 Author Posted April 29 ... With my desk cleared from completed builds, I guess it's about time I do some catching up with other builds that are progressing nicely in this GB 😎 I was indeed looking for a somewhat different set of markings for my Cayuse, @Pappy. I came across an interesting looking chopper on the AOA "Low level scouts" decal sheet (which is for 1/35 models): Searching a bit further, it appeared that this particular aircraft was used for "Snoopy Operations" over Vietnam, where these choppers were equipped with chemical sensors (XM-3 airborne personnel detectors) to detect human presence in the Vietnam jungle. Such aircraft were also referred to as "Sniffers" and flew low-level missions, in conjunction with helicopter gunships. On the ARC forums, when this AOA decal sheet was released, some pictures were shared of this particular airframe (see page 2 of this topic, copyright owner unknown): http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?/topic/291968-new-decals-oh-6a-loach-in-the-vietnam-war/page/2/ As the pictures show, this chopper flew without any doors, so my first stop was to remove all four molded doors. Set out with a fresh blade and working slowly, this was actually an easy task, as the AZ plastic is fairly soft and easy to handle. By the way, probably due to the kit being of the short run type, there is quite a bit of flash to be cleaned up from the parts: Next update to follow shortly, I hope ... Thanks for looking! Cheers, Patrick 2 1
SoftScience Posted April 29 Posted April 29 Wow! The photo with the big MG sticking out the door. Imagine being expected to get shot at but also having to stick around long enough to shoot back from this tiny exposed little bubble. Was this a punishment battalion? I look forward to seeing more of this project. 1
Pappy Posted April 29 Posted April 29 6 hours ago, fox1_BE said: ... With my desk cleared from completed builds, I guess it's about time I do some catching up with other builds that are progressing nicely in this GB 😎 I was indeed looking for a somewhat different set of markings for my Cayuse, @Pappy. I came across an interesting looking chopper on the AOA "Low level scouts" decal sheet (which is for 1/35 models): Searching a bit further, it appeared that this particular aircraft was used for "Snoopy Operations" over Vietnam, where these choppers were equipped with chemical sensors (XM-3 airborne personnel detectors) to detect human presence in the Vietnam jungle. Such aircraft were also referred to as "Sniffers" and flew low-level missions, in conjunction with helicopter gunships. On the ARC forums, when this AOA decal sheet was released, some pictures were shared of this particular airframe (see page 2 of this topic, copyright owner unknown): http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?/topic/291968-new-decals-oh-6a-loach-in-the-vietnam-war/page/2/ As the pictures show, this chopper flew without any doors, so my first stop was to remove all four molded doors. Set out with a fresh blade and working slowly, this was actually an easy task, as the AZ plastic is fairly soft and easy to handle. By the way, probably due to the kit being of the short run type, there is quite a bit of flash to be cleaned up from the parts: Next update to follow shortly, I hope ... Thanks for looking! Cheers, Patrick That is a cool option, looking forward to seeing more progress cheers, Pappy 1
fox1_BE Posted May 3 Author Posted May 3 Next task was to build up the interior, especially needed with all doors removed and the interior being well visible. The cockpit walls were modified/detailed and I used various parts from a PE set from AZ as well as some bits and pieces from the spares box and wiring to busy up this area and the instrument panel. Below are the main cockpit elements. On the right-hand side are two parts that will make up a seat for the operator of the equipment in the rear cabin. Not sure if this particular aircraft carried a seat in this position, but I will add it anyway. 3
fox1_BE Posted May 6 Author Posted May 6 Just a small update: I got the interior bits finished and primed. Here is a test fit to see how everything plays together. 3
fox1_BE Posted May 16 Author Posted May 16 Cockpit and interior are basically finished. I already fitted (in the back cabin) my rendition of the XM-3 airborne personnel detector that this helicopter was equipped with, using the above two photos as reference. The only item remaining on this equipment is the external sniffing device, I will add this when the chopper is on its legs. 4
fox1_BE Posted May 27 Author Posted May 27 Working on other bits and pieces: the rotor and blades have been mostly prepared. This was a very fiddly affair, with the blades having only very small mounting points to the rotor head. I added some brass wire reinforcements, hopefully that will provide sufficient strength. Same thing with the legs: also these have only minimal mounting surfaces, so I added small brass pins for reinforcement and allowing a more stable setup. The back seat on the right is ready for mounting later on also, as well as a fire extinguisher that will go into the front. I have also been adding some bits and pieces around the airframe: navlight added on top of the doghouse, two lumps next to the rear doors, a smaller bump and antenna housing beneath the tailboom and 4 mounts below the bottom, also for antenna wire. 1 1
fox1_BE Posted May 30 Author Posted May 30 I have started the paintwork on this one. First, the clear parts had been prepared: the bulby canopy was cleaned up and dipped in floor polish for better clarity. In the end, I decided to use the Croco vacform replacement: this is very thin material allowing some slight bending and maneuvering to fit in. The top roof windows were painted Tamiya smoke / grey, as per the AOA instructions (and as was quite common on Vietnam helicopters). I already painted the exterior window frames on the canopy in camo colours prior to mounting it, to minimize the need for masking and handling of this delicate part when mounted. Next, the canopy was blended in using Vallejo putty. This was a trick I picked up from @heloman1 on his UH-1B build👍Being an acrylic putty it cleans up easily with a bit of water. As I was a bit worried that the white putty might be showing through from the inside, I added a drop of Vallejo dark grey paint to it. Once this dried, I added a thinned layer of Tamiya basic putty as this can be sanded very well for a smooth finish. Finally, the main camo colours were applied, using Gunze acrylics. 5
fox1_BE Posted June 2 Author Posted June 2 Good progress has been made on my little egg over the (long) weekend 🙂 I completed the painting and decals are on; an oil panel line wash has been applied and a flat coat to seal everything in. The decals are bits and pieces from several decal sheets. This is where I am now (not much left to do, so I expect to wrap this one up rather quickly): In the meantime, I have been working on a small side project: this is Trumpeter's M706 Commando Armored Car, also in 1/72 scale. This is really a nice little kit, simple to construct and with great level of detail. I mounted the top hatch in open position and opened one of the side doors, while adding a bit of detail here and there. Interestingly, the tires are made of some sort of rubber, looking very toyish out of the box. I simply sprayed these Tamiya Rubber Black, making them look much better. The idea is to have this vehicle combined with the OH-6A in a simple diorama, hopefully the two will blend together nicely. Cheers, Patrick 7
hakkikt Posted June 3 Posted June 3 This is turning out very nicely - what I like in particular is the busy cockpit with some seriously tiny detail work! 1
fox1_BE Posted June 13 Author Posted June 13 Thanks guys. Well, I got the final smaller bits added. A few details were added to the main rotor housing, stretched sprue was used for the tailboom antenna while the antenna wire under the belly was done with rigging wire. The last item to be added was the typical sniffing device, mounted on the left side leg and connected to the onboard detection equipment - and with that my Vietnam chopper is done; likely the smallest flying object I have ever built ☺️ Credits background picture: Freepik, https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/misty-morning-field-with-mountains-background_11678309.htm#query=desert foggy&position=2&from_view=search&track=ais More pictures are in the Gallery. This was another great GB, with excellent builds participating. Thanks to those viewing/following my build and a thank you to @DaveJL for moderating this GB!! Cheers, Patrick 5 1
hakkikt Posted June 14 Posted June 14 I like this build very much, starting from the decision to build a Loach without doors to really show off the interior and not be hindered by working around the transparencies. Very well placed inside simple yet convincing surroundings. Congratulations! 1
AdrianMF Posted July 13 Posted July 13 What a super model and a smashing diorama! It all looks real. However, I'm skeptical about the sniffing aspect, especially when the sniffing device is mounted in the downdraft of the rotor!* Regards, Adrian * which is blowing the air past open doors of a box that contains people! 1
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