Steve,

Nice little helo you got there! Keep the pics coming!



I decided to post couple of pics of my progress. I started this MH-47 in 1/35 scale about 2 month ago. Since I make a conversion from D mod into E I was quiet busy with new nose and new cockpit. I'll post some pics of it later, when it will be ready to paint.
For now I just post couple of pics of aft landing gear bays that I was working on this weekend. As you can see the drag links in the kit are way too long. I' am planning to correct mine.








Andy

damn that landing gear strut looks realistic!!!! great paint application!!!

what paint work did you do to it??

Thanks for the encouragement guys

Good luck on that landing gear adaptation, Andy !

Out of curiosity ?
Is it the correct length for the oob version of your helo ? ie is it a specific of the variant you are building that requires shorter landing strut. or ?
Has the kit mfr, completely got that part wrong

(frustrating if they HAVE got that wrong ! )

I look forward to seeing some more pics of your great build
the campaign updates seem to have slowed down a little, for the rest of the peeps

cheers
Steve B

Landing gear that I am holding with twizers on the pic is KIT's part! It is metal (smart move by Trumpeter cuz 1/35 Chinook ain't light). The only thing....IT IS INCORRECT! As you can see on the photo of the real bird...

Answering your question, Steve, - I am building E mod, but the aft landing gear on those birds should be identical to normal D mod.

Andy

Just completed the primer prep on the major components



I shall leave a few days to fully harden, then complete assembly, ready for the final fit of the canopy / windscreen and the olive drab painting

The master plan, is to get both the Cayuse ( Vietnam CampaignEntry) and the Lakota up to this part of the build, so I can spray all the olive drab components in a couple of sessions.

Oddly, but a relief even though the main fuz halves are not a brilliant fit in parts, they are perfect where it matters ( ie: on view) the canopy is a super fit, when dry tested...

I need to muster the enthusiasm this weekend, to glue the canopy /windscreens into both this and the cayuse, to progress further with the builds.



While this lot is drying, I am going to have bash making some decals on the pc....

More soon

Stevie B

Tail boom and turbine covers added to the main fuselage, and a test fit of the Medevac draft decal on the door.

Yes, this will be a Medevac version of the Lakota



As the pc decal paper is expensive... I test for scale/size using normal plain paper, when happy with the size, I commit to decal paper.

Still more to do, and this weekend the clear windscreen fitting to start..

Stevie B

Looking good. The decal looks the right size to me. I do the same with sizing them on paper first too. Did the interior decals above the door come with the kit, or did you make them as well?

Cheers Gino

The ADAC kit comes with a very extensive decal sheet, all the warning signs, Exit signs etc are part of the kit... It's only the specific Army /Medevac Lakota variant stuff that I shall have to make on the pc.

I am currently "battling" with the Font type for US Military decals.. but what I am doing looks promising.. thanks to the www

Steve

Good deal. I am supposed to be getting mine in the mail today. I find the best match for military font is Amarillo USAF and Stencilla-A. Both can be manipulated to look pretty close to the real thing.

EDIT - - Wow, I just received my EC-145. It is a great kit. You weren't kidding, the decal sheet is huge with all sorts of warning and info placards. Lots of stuff for different versions and the spares box too.

Great, Glad you are pleased with it..

Welcome to Eurocopter World

They certainly cram a lot in that box don't they,
Be careful with the sprue that has the floor plate and skids supports on... I had two kits that I returned cos a leg had broken off..
Now that's the first thing I check,, and then keep separate and safe from the rest of the kit.

Enjoy...

Steve B

PS

At this rate and the interest in Aeroscale, we will have more Lakota's delivered than the US Army

EDIT

Decal final trial fit.
The US Army and 72002 number will obviously be printed on clear decal sheet

Yup, two of the legs were broken off of mine too. I already fixed them with some wire and superglue.

After several hours masking her glazing off, the Lakota was ready for her olive drab coat today. So fired up the airbrush today

I used part of the Tamiya Spray stand set to clamp the helo into position, however I had to tape the rotating part as the power from the airbrush makes it spin

The stand springs fit the Eurocopter base perfectly... (the stand was a birthday present from the kids last month..and looks like it will be real useful)

Anyway, here she was left drying for the night...



and a little closer



I am quite pleased with my first airbrush attempt, though I shall need lots of practise, before I attempt anything in gloss !

More soon !

Stevie B

Looking good so far. Good job on the airbrushing. What brand paint did you use?

Thanks Gino

I am using Revell Airbrush Email, its a ready mixed enamel, the colour is Nato Olive Drab matt.
note: the photo below is NOT this colour !



My thoughts were.. trying to use an airbrush for the first time would be bad enough.. so having enamel pre-mixed to the correct thinner ratio was half the battle !

Steve B

@Stevie - That's a pretty nice paint job for your first airbrush attempt. Colour looks very even and not too thick. Nice one!

Wiz

More progress on my 1/35 MH-47E

New cockpit floor and instrument panel




Andy

Looking great Andy

Is that metal foil you are using ? It shows the rivit detailing beautifully...
Keep the pics coming

Steve B

Thanks, Stevie

Yes the foil is for representing the raised rivet detail on the floor.
Seats are almost done too aswell as overhead console , so the whole E mod cockpit will be ready for resin casting by next week.


Andy

Umasking /unveiling of the Lakota paintwork, completed today

Olive Drab + Klear + Matt Cote...

Given its my first attempt ever using an airbrush.. I am quite pleased to the way she has turned, out.. I have learned a few things,, and the next model will improve further.

Lessons learned on my 1st build (Swiss Rega) have been put into practice on this one.. particularly using specialist canopy glues for the glazing, has been very worthwhile.



The overview... ( pics a bit dark )



The canopy glazing is great, a much better fit this time, I just need to clean /polish those edges, but I am well pleased, this is a big improvement for me



The decals are a slight disappointment.. even after using Micro Sol /Set and several coats of Klear, before the matt cote, the carrier film is still visible, I think the decal paper I am using is too thick..
on plastic models ( originally I used for my R/c stuff) .

Fortunately, the Lakota doesn't sport too many !

On with the build !

Stevie B

Here she is with the sliding side doors fitted,,, with the home made PC decals.. Again, lessons learned, and thats what modelling is all about eh ? Improve with each build is my goal.

The Tail boom decals have bedded in quite nicely,


I am less happy with this, the stabiliser fin, as the carrier film can still be seen.


But overall, I am quite happy with the build , so far.



Stevie B

Looking good. Keep us posted.

Okay , a little more progress, as she starts to look the part

Main rotor assembly almost completed and test fitted, winch assembled and some small grab handles added..

I am very pleased with this so far.







Work has now begun on the floor plate and skids, and tail rotor..
with luck , she may appear in the "finished gallery area" this weekend

Stevie B

Hi Stevie!

It's not red and white but it looks very good... I'm looking forward to see this one finished!

Jean-Luc

Thanks Jean- Luc

Well, I guess she's just about done.. not perfect, but an improvement on the Rega... so I am happy

As the UH 72a Lakota is such a relatively new helo to the US Army, there are not many prototype photos on the web for reference

All the images I have got, vary in colour and fitments, so a little "modellers licence " has prevailed. The pics are not my best.. I shall post better ones in the Finished Guardian Angel Campaign thread, once I can get the lighting better.

I hope you have enjoyed watching her take shape.

Cheers

Stevie B

And finally, here are the "Twins", my 2 Guardian Angel Campaign entries.



Stevie B