Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: Kerick on October 13, 2023, 12:03:00 PM
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I started another chopper conversion at my clubs build a thon meeting a few months ago. Yeah, I seem to be addicted to this lately. I had picked up an ancient Hasegawa OV-1 Mohawk and a Matchbox Bk-117 at a show for a bargain. It seemed a natural for a switch. I tried to use as many parts from the "parent" Mohawk kit as possible. Even though I had lost the windscreen quite a while ago I kept working on it. I was hoping to either find it or find another kit. I can't blame the carpet monster as my work space is in the basement with a concrete floor. I managed to drop a model I had built years ago and parts went every direction. So I got out the vacuum cleaner with the collection bin and swept the entire area. Lo and behold there was the windscreen, completely undamaged. Score!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53254753325_7827ae7e89_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2p8WwNa)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53254551688_fbbb9c6fba_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2p8VuRE)
The Mohawk's engines are removed from the wings and positioned Sikorsky Sea King style. The nose wheel is now the tail wheel and the main gear legs are now part of, well, the main gear. Plus a repurposed paper clip for strength. Wheels are from the spares box. The gun under the nose is from a really ancient PT-109 kit. I can't remember what I had for breakfast but I can remember that!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53254551688_3cf95e1f0a_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2p8VuRE)
Yep, that's a Monogram F-111 repurposed cockpit. The kit cockpit is sparse to say the least. I need to find some instrument panel decals yet.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53254551673_5379c92049_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2p8VuRp)
The outer wing parts are shortened and still needed mucho putty to get a decent surface. I made a wing spar to go through the fuselage at the standard wing attachment opening just to get the wings to line up and be horizontal. Pylons are from one of the Apache kits used on the whopper chopper build. The little grey parts on the nose and tail are from a Fujimi Skyhawk kit.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53254263926_5ecc7027c1_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2p8U2jf)
The little winglets are from the vertical stabilizers from the Bk-117 kit, cut and trimmed a little. The tail rotor is one of the Mohawk's props with the pointed nose clipped off.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53254612004_112c6d6f60_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2p8VNMA)
Overhead shot with the four bladed rotors from the Bk-117.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53254264251_0f90a790b0_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2p8U2pR)
A couple of fuel tanks made from two 1/48th Mk-82 bombs. They sucked as bombs so this is a better use anyway. I think I have some 2.75" rocket pods or Zuni rocket pods laying around here somewhere. I also need a couple of steps of some sort for getting in and out of the cockpit. I'm going for a '60s or '70s time frame. If I can find the decals I might paint it that USMC green color they used on choppers. They needed something to escort those Frogs on the way to the LZ and just couldn't use that blinkety blank Army Cobra thing!
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Another fine example of kitbashing. Engines & rotor placement looks completely normal. Same for seats and landing gear. :smiley:
Gongrats on windscreen find -- ya beat the odds.
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That looks a really seamless transition to make it a helo... nice work
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This is some fantastic work! I like it as a Phrog escort, too.
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Oh me likely a lot!
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@Kerick: Those fuel tanks created from bombs are probably the best re-purpose of the old ESCI 1/48th scale Mk82R Snake Eye blobs that I have seen. Though, back in the day, those horrible ESCI weapons were pretty much the only thing available. Your Mohawk helicopter looks quite convincing and considering the real Mohawk was such a prize for the Army a rotary wing variant may have been an excellent work around to avoid the friction caused by the real Mohawk with the Air Force.
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Very convincing, thsu is gonna look great when finished . . .
Just a minor thing, to my eyes; the rear of the engine/transmission nacelle looks a bit draggy, maybe make that the oil cooler outlet . . . ;)
Also, what is the fin made from ?
cheers,
Robin.
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Wow, this is great! I was trying to figure out where you got the helicopter body, until I saw it was the original Mohawk fuselage.
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I wish I'd come up with this, it's utterly superb! I think I'm in love!!
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Thanks everyone!
The tail fin is the original Mohawk tail. I had to fill in the gap for the horizontal stab with plastic bits and putty. Perfect Plastic Putty is the white stuff. Still thinking of old school white Marine markings and field green paint.
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Well, I had a little luck left after finding that windshield. At my club’s contest and show today I found a micro scale decal sheet covering marine helicopters for 5 bucks and an old Airfix CH-46 Phrog to go with it for 4 bucks! So now I can have a coordinated pair for the display cabinet.
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Although Ilike the Mohawk just fine as a fixed wing bird, this looks entirely plausible, and pretty neat besides.
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Liking this a lot. Very cool! :smiley: Really like the landing gear.
Somehow, I picture the tail rotor being able to do this for some additional speed. Maybe it's the large stub wings.
(https://i.redd.it/qh95tpysti321.jpg)
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All Cheyenne style? That would be cool!
Too late for that now but I’ll keep it in mind.
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Well, I had a little luck left after finding that windshield. At my club’s contest and show today I found a micro scale decal sheet covering marine helicopters for 5 bucks and an old Airfix CH-46 Phrog to go with it for 4 bucks! So now I can have a coordinated pair for the display cabinet.
This just gets better and better ... :D
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Going to be a little while as I have to bash up an interior for the Phrog. I don’t think anyone can see much of the interior anyway so not a show stopper.
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I took a good look at the Phrog kit and it is complete except for the decals and instructions. Decals are covered and the instructions have been printed out courtesy of Scalemates. No interior bashing required so that's a win. I took a good look in the paint drawer and I have two bottles of USMC field green so a win there too. Now I just need my wife to go back to work and winter to set in so I have some time to do something!!