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1/48 Lynx Mk8 Sru


OzH

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This is my first commission build, so wish me luck!

I have been asked to build a Lynx Mk8 SRU for a serving pilot in the Fleet Air Arm who suggested that we meet up and have a look at the real thing. I had to spend the day, with my son, in Yeovilton, climbing all over a number of Lynx Mk8’s, in particular the SRU version. What a hardship, days don’t really get better than that, well this one did… we were then taken across the field to the flying club’s hanger, where we had to endure getting up close an personal to a whole load of aircraft including a Seafire Mk17, a Wasp, a jet provost and an Auster.

Anyway, enough gloating, back to the build…

I’ll be using the 1/48 Belcher Navy Lynx, I’ve built the Army Air Corps version, so know what to expect.

Here’s the box top

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What’s inside

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Had a sort through what I need

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Whats left over

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And what I want to achive

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First up, the tail boom....

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Edited by OzH
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Looks very nicely cast Oz... you really are a martyr to your hobby though. I hope you didn't hurt yourself when you were taking all those pictures... there there :wicked:

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Looks very nicely cast Oz... you really are a martyr to your hobby though. I hope you didn't hurt yourself when you were taking all those pictures... there there :wicked:

You have to soldier on!!!

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Oh dear Oz,

I don`t envy you your job of building this `monster' of a kit....I`ve been building mine for over 5 years now and have got to the stage where I only visit it every now and then when I`ve nothing else to do...which isn`t often! I`m stuck on the rotors at the moment and waiting until I feel brave enough to cut the tips off and replace them with the BERP tips instead...then after sanding them to remove the seam its on to scratch building some windscreen wipers and then on to the armament.....aagghh!!!

Here it is so far.

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Good luck matey

Tony O

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Looking good Tony

Cutting the tips isn't a bad as you think, I did it on the AAC version, I did use fine wire to strengthen the join.

Cheers Oz........Considering your usual standard I`ll look forward to seeing this one when its finished (and I mean that in a nice way!!)

All the best mate

Tony O

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I'm also oging to follow this build with interest as I am also a Lynx SRU pilot. I have heard that a major manufacturer is tooling a 48th Lynx so I think I'll hang on for that one! Who is the chap you're making this for, I'm probably going to see him tomorrow as I go back to work after my post deployment leave.

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  • 1 month later...

Some work completed to show you all...

The tail and boom is coming along, various lumps and bumps.

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Some inital detail work on the belly, cut out the deck attachment recess, changed the forward wheel area that was incorrect for this version.

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And some work on the cabin and the electronics towards the front of the cabin.

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Hi Oz,

That's my build on the box cover - it was a good 7-8 years ago now, but if you've got any questions or would like photos of anything let me know and I'll give you what info I can.

Andrew

Andrew

Wow, must be great to see you work published that way. It looks like a top job, espeshelly the folded rotor's, a good looking Lynx.

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  • 1 month later...

Some more progress made

The interior is almost done, the pilot and observers seats are ready, sound proofing/insulation (or padded cell) is all in. The cabin roof of the SRU contains a whole load of electronics, thankfully hidden by more of that padding.

The specific build that I have been asked to do will have a single seat against the back wall holding the dingy and have an “eagle harness” fitted. This is a rope fit on the floor that enable passengers to carabiner clip safely onto the aircraft, but still having relatively free movement. This will be added after painting

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This fit does still require a winch, that is missing from the Belcher kit and in the second picture the life raft/dingy.

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I've had to carry out some modifications on the Instrument panel for the Mk8 SRU to include the large central monitor, almost done.

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And finally I have fitted the nose, fairing the top and bottom sections correctly and have started to prepare the glazing with the doors open

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Next I wanted to start work on the rotors and get the BERP tips added, as I removed them from the carrier, as well as being a little bendy, two have large air bubbles really close to the surface, I think a little filler here will sort them out

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And a shot against the beautiful Dorset morning sky!!

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eagle harness” fitted. This is a rope fit on the floor that enable passengers to carabiner clip safely onto the aircraft, but still having relatively free movement

No one clips onto the Eagle Harness. It's only used for fast roping troops who will just cling on if the aircraft goes in!

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I'll dig out those eagle harness setup diagrams think i have found some drawings at work which may help.

Thanks that would be great, I have a couple of photo's but the more information the better, that would be tops!

No one clips onto the Eagle Harness. It's only used for fast roping troops who will just cling on if the aircraft goes in!

From the expert, thanks Haggis, I stand corrected!

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I forgot to mention, the EH and the 4 man inflatable seat are incompatible. That's not too much of a snag in the SRU though as the 3 man seat across the back can be fitted.

Cheers for that Haggis, I was asked by the customer (who I believe you know) to put the inflatable dingy in the port side rear seat, so that's where its going at the moment, otherwise the cabin will be empty.

Edited by OzH
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I’ve been working on the foot wells this week, added the cyclic, stick and foot pedals and some cabling to add some interest.

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I wasn't happy with the centre panel, so built a new one (it’s on the right!!!)

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Finished the winch and dingy

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then worked on the rotors, cleaning them up:

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Straightening them up:

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Getting the BERP ends fitted and filling those lovely holes....

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As you can see the bottom one is not very good, I may just copy one of the good ones….

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Looking good Tony

Cutting the tips isn't a bad as you think, I did it on the AAC version, I did use fine wire to strengthen the join.

Oddly enough that happened in real life, there was an Airworthiness alert about it, someone had bought some rotorblades for a Bell 47 and during a prefit inspection it was found that someone had butt joined onto the end of a set of Hiller ones a section of rotor to make them longer then passed them off as the more expensive items, they had literally glued on about 4 foot to the end!........ think the types are correct, remember reading the report

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  • 4 weeks later...
Oz, any update old chap? It's been a while.

Sorry, getting ready for Christmas, parties etc got the way, but, I have managed to get some done:

The cabin is all but done, single rear seat configuratoin with the life raft stowed, as requested by the customer. I still need to fit the winch and the eagle harness, the cab just needs the instrament panel:

Have just noticed that the foward floor section in the cab seems to be curling a bit, need to fix that!

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Inside the cabin roof

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The lid test fitted, the bits coming out to the front are supposed to be cableing, I used the seals from ammo box's!

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And the instrament panel just needs the Mike Grant treatment:

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