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Eurocopter EC-135 WM Police Air Support


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Hi All

I thought i would share my lastest build with you its the Eurocopter EC-135 P2+ for the West Midlands Police Air Support newest Police Helicopter due to be delivered in July/August 2010.

The kit i am using is the Revell Eurocopter EC135 German Army version and heavly converting into a custom helicopter for police work.The kit is 1:32 scale so that i can put plently of detail into the cabin area.As before with the doors open showing all the scratchbuilt cockpit and of course the custom decals that i make myself (Parkes682Decals)

The first thing is to cut out the doors,carefully not crack the thin area in the door area on the front doors.This EC-135 P2+ has got the shorter legs which is different to the previous EC-135 P2 (G-WMAO)which had the taller skids.The FLIR pod and Searchlight are mounted on to the starboard leg on special mounts.Well here's the photos.

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The photo is of the Suffolk Air Support EC-135 which has recently accuired there's but this is roughly what it will look like but different markings

Paul

Edited by Paul @ Parkes682Decals
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Looks great i wanted to do the south yorkshire one but i cant find an MD 900/902 Explorer kit for the life of me. Will definately be keeping an eye on this build

Russ

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Ah those were the days! I served on both the Squirrel and MD902 before leaving WMAOU Always considered doing both the Squirrel (couldnt find a twin version) and a 902 (no kit available) It was also the availability of markings which ultimately put me off. I cant mask to save my life!

I will be watching this with interest.

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Very nice, I thought this was in service now, as Im sure Ive seen it go over!

If not what are they using? I thought one was torched at the airport?

Hi Rich

The one you have seen is G-SUFF, on loan to them till new one arrives. G-WMAO was attacked by an arsonist and set on fire at HQ at Birmingham Airport and a replacement was found in G-SUFF and is serving as a replacement . Suffolk Air Support had a new one G-SUFK.Hope this clears things up as per your sighting.

Paul

Edited by Paul @ Parkes682Decals
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Hi All

Here's the next part's to the starboard skid.

The front pod is the FLIR pod which is mounted on the front of the skid all scratchbuilt,the pod under the top skid/footplate is the data link that drops down when the Helicopter is transmitting live pictures/data back to the force Headquaters in Birmingham. The data pod again is scratchbuilt,the other part is the searchlight that is attached to the rear of the skid.Thats the next job to make/manufacture and mount.

Keep watching

Paul

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Hi All

Here's the next piece of work to the Starboard rear skid,the searchlight and skid mount

Its totally scratchbuilt and there are power sockets to both units which will attach later in the build.

The next thing is to make for the Port side skid is the Skyshout Loudspeaker system which is attached to the rear of the skid.

The next photo show's the new EC-135 P2+ for the West Midlands Police,then in the middle (G-SUFK) also a EC-135P2+ version in the colour scheme of Suffolk Air Support.The third EC-135 T1 is (G-SUFF) in green plastic,in the current West Midlands Police colour scheme.You may notice that it has the higher version of the legs and skids.

Paul

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Hi All

Well here's the Skyshout system being made.

The loudspeakers are from the kit but there are only two supplied so i have made a rubber mould ready to cast some more.Also i have started making the floor and instrument panel this also will be cast to make some more for future builds.The Skyshout system needs 4 loudspeakers so ive done some closeups.I like to use a "blank canvas" for the cockpit/cabin area as much as possible.

I will show the castings as soon as they harden up

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Hi All

Well the build continues with the cockpit/cabin area started.

The skids are now done apart from some small work with electrical connections and small bits on the skid frame work.

Here's the skyshout loudspeaker finished and fitted into place complete with the foot plate for the front observer on the front of the skid Port side

The cockpit area is coming along nice with the instrument panels going in the seats are as the kit,they are the only parts in the kit i use inside apart from the instrument shroud.

The rear observer position has 2 screens and a computer console with radio boxes on the ceiling to go in next.

Well have a look at the photos

Paul

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Notice the resin castings used for this build,which i cast myself

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Hi All

Here's the latest in the cockpit build,the instrument panel has been finished ready for silicone rubber moulding and casting.Here's the results in the photo's and the rear observer position has been started.Also the seat is ready to go in for the pilots posistion on the starboard side.

Paul

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Wow this has progressed awesomely since i last checked on it looking very good the scratch built stuff is quite good you could probably seel that on as am for that kit if you made more hint hint lol

Russ

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Great stuff :)

Funnily enough I recently got my old EC-135 out which I intend to build our local police chopper G-PSNI, I got the decals all sorted and made which I thought was going to be the hard part, but was I wrong!!

I can't for the life of me get any pics as to the layout of the interior!! And then there's the box of tricks below the fuselage which'll need scratchbuilt but again I can't find any decent pics!!

Anyway, enough moaning, good luck with yours :)

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I am really looking forward to this build. I am planing to do a 1/72 EC 145 as used by the London's Metropolitan police but I am having a problem trying to find a match for the blue what are you planning to use? if you don't mind me asking

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I am really looking forward to this build. I am planing to do a 1/72 EC 145 as used by the London's Metropolitan police but I am having a problem trying to find a match for the blue what are you planning to use? if you don't mind me asking

Hi there

The is called Ford Galaxy Blue you can get from DIY motorist stores.

Paul

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Hi Paul great build watching with baited breath. Have bought the Revell 1/32 EC-145 with the German Police setup including Nitesun etc I am also doing it in UK Police colours thanks for the ford Galaxy Blue but what is the yellow reference.

If anyone else is thinking of doing one of these a firm in Germany do a 1/32 decal kit for Metropolitan London Police for the EC-145 ebay ref 360249874643 the firm is called Peddinghaus Decals and cost me 11.50 Euros including postage.

There are also some good dashboard photos on Airliner.net. www.met.police.uk/asu/images/eurocopter_ec145 good image of observers position.

Does anyone have pictures of the engine bay area of this chopper as I want to go all the way with details if possible.

Many thanks

Colin Maclachlan

p.s Any chance of a resin copy of your camera system and what costs involved.

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