Hi,

At the moment on my bench : a scratch conversion of the latest Puma family member, the Eurocopter EC725 Caracal, used by the Armée de l'Air in CSAR missions.

I deal with 2 Puma 1/32 kits from Matchbox.

Wanna have a glance at my scratch conversion ?

Follow this link

Should you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Cheers,

Richard

Howdy KeroJP8,

I am enjoying your build-up quite a bit. I'm especailly liking your metal floors...very nice. But, I am at the same time wondering if it was you who beat me at a somewhat recent Ebay bidding match for that Revell Puma kit !?!........
I was going to use mine for a somewhat different application, but you have done it some excellent justice...big 'thumbs-up" bud.
Your attention to detail is wonderful,and I must second the query of; where did you get the INTERIOR reference info???? I mean, the neon ceiling light placement.....come on! :-)

Just remember, you can't post too many pics!

Keep up the great work.

Tread.

Hi Tread,

Hey hey hey !!! I may be the one who gotten this kit on ebay a short while ago !

Thanks for your nice comments, that kinda boost the willingness to go on and on...

About the interior reference information... TOP SECRET

Nope bud that ain't any secret ! I went to Le Bourget Intl Airsho' in June, and saw two EC725 on display... I was there with my camera and a friend of mine had the opportunity to get on board. Thats all where the secret is...

I'll keep you posted when I got farther in the build progress.

Best regards,

Richard

Hi Richard!

Very interesting project!

Maybe you could post some pictures here as well in the future...

I'm looking forward to see more!

Jean-Luc

"...Hey hey hey !!! I may be the one who gotten this kit on ebay a short while ago !...."

I knew it!! .......you son of a goat herder!!!!! Just joshin' ya Richard, congrats on the win. You obviously had a much better ' future' in mind for the kit then I had, so bully for you.

I found a pic of the ship you're building, hopefully this is the right one?



Having enjoyed watching your efforts over at ARC, I would also suggest you share the photos you posted there, right here on Aeroscale. You have been kind enough to give us a portion of your progress, but I'm sure you will find a very receptive crowd here who will enjoy seeing the rest of your fine talents........so how's about it mate?

Also, since you are doing such a big up job of it, I was wondering if you had a good picture of the underside of the Caracal?

If not, here ya go....



warm regards,

Tread.

Ya right Dude, thats exactly the ship I am building.

I got your call and Teds' loud and clear ! I'm gonna update the post in the future on Aeroscale too.

Thanks for the underside pic, it really ain't a common sight, so its a nice addition to my collection.

I still got some work to do in the cab before I get to the cockpit and the outside.

I just luv that helo !

More to come...

Speak 2 you soon.

Best regards,

Richard

Hello,

Here is a long awaited update.. Yes, I know, but now she's back !

Let me show you round the progress.

Both the floor and the roof have been attached to the left fuselage half :



Then I painted a mandatory stuff while on duty ... The faithful FAMAS !



Then it was time to work on the mechanics seat in the passengers cab. The parts come from the Revell 1/32 EC-145 kit, barely identical to the one I needed. It was a spare in the box per the EC145 cab version I plan :









Then here is an electronics console where are gathered all the necessary controls, screens, pads, to service the ECM / flare chaffs devices :

Front


Side


Then come a huge work on the side MG stands. The machine guns on the pic is an infantry MG, will have to undergo lotsa changes to depict a FN MAG 58. The plasticard sandwich is the basis for the MG casings tray



Then the ammo boxes racks...

0.25 and 0.5 mm plasticard are my best friends at the moment :


Assembly


After glueing them I had to test fit the ammunition boxes


Citadel colors are used to paint the racks grey and boxes black :






I'll try and update sooner next time.

Best regards,

Richard

The weapon you have pictured is an M249 SAW and is nowhere near an FN MAG. The FN MAG is available in the Dragon Modern Machine Gun set listed by its British name of an L7A2. There are two very nice ones in the set. There is also one in the Dragon Modern Marines (OIF/OEF) set as well. Academy also has 2 in their M113 Zelda kit. There are a few available in resin sets too.

Good luck.

Hi,

Thanks HeavyArty. I noticed that too.

So in fact I have started working on a Dragon FN L7A2 that was in the box of 1/35 Israeli paratroopers (by Dragon).

There was only one in the box, so I ordered the Dragon "modern MG set" at my local hobby store and will get it in the middle of next week, hopefully they'll be the same.

I will keep you posted asap. At the moment my single L7A2 undergoes heavy surgery to match the FN Mag 58. Some 10 parts have already been added to the L7A2.

Cheers,

Richard

Nite,

I thank you all for your kind words.

Let me bring you to the full completion of a Mag58 from a L7A2. Here follows the step by step ...

About thirty (yes, 30) parts were added.

Raw material :


First parts first failures... Three tests before getting the right an sound shape ! The fourth was the one who made it !


Once set :



The trigger, 5 parts...



Casings trays prepared :


Gonna start smellin paint soon :


After painting and set on the arm stand :



In situ...



Got one right, the other one still has to be done !!!
Cheers,

Richard

The gun came out nicely. Good job on it.

Hi,

Thanks HeavyArty :-)

Here's a very short update to tell the second MG is done.




Good night.

Richard

Amazing work, Richard!

I love all the details you added mainly on the gun.
Looking forward to see this one done!

Hi,

Thanks !

Here are the last things I added in the cab, which is soon over.

Rear seats, out of plasticard, seats in Putty and lead foil






The winchman office




Cab mech seat




Regards,

Richard

Looking great. Good progress. Keep us posted.

Hi,

Here's a little progress on the forward landing gear bay.

Cutting alongside the red line


5 card parts needed hereunder,




Test fit shows things could ve been worse !


Stay tuned !

Cheers

Richard

More great progress. Keep at it, she's looking great.