Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: Kerick on October 13, 2023, 12:03:00 PM
-
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!
-
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.
-
That looks a really seamless transition to make it a helo... nice work
-
This is some fantastic work! I like it as a Phrog escort, too.
-
Oh me likely a lot!
-
@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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
I wish I'd come up with this, it's utterly superb! I think I'm in love!!
-
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.
-
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.
-
Although Ilike the Mohawk just fine as a fixed wing bird, this looks entirely plausible, and pretty neat besides.
-
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)
-
All Cheyenne style? That would be cool!
Too late for that now but I’ll keep it in mind.
-
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
-
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.
-
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!!
-
I resurrected this project the other day. I installed the canopy and masked it off with scotch tape. I got out the ancient tin of Humbrol field green. I had to stir for like half an hour but it was worth it. I used a wide brush and it went on like butter. It needs a second coat in a few spaces but it looks like it was sprayed on. We’ll see what happens when I spray on some gloss for decals. I hope the color doesn’t change too much. Pics to follow.
-
Good to see Mohawk helicopter back on bench. Is well along at this point.
I also have builds halfway or more done that otta get finished.
-
Such a good feeling to move a long term shelfer along.
In the same boat here, rolled over two in the last month :smiley:
-
It’s good to take some action on these shelf queens. It needs another coat of paint then gloss.
-
Here's a couple of pics. I'm not sure if this is really USMC green or not. I can always say it's faded from being out in the field. The gloss will change the color, question is how much. I don't recall where I found that can of Humbrol paint but it goes on really smooth and doesn't dry as fast as other brands, enamel or acrylic. If I find any more I'm going to snatch them up.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54089698375_377f49c4b0_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qpHQSt)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54089713055_2d34c436df_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qpHVez)
I'm going to try and get another coat on tonight and maybe gloss tomorrow. Decals has been my road block lately. This one will be a minimum amount so that will be easy. The Starviggen has six red dots and then a million tiny stencils. I'll have to break that up into sessions.
-
Real world convincing design :smiley:
-
Squirted on some Rustoleum clear. It changed the color but I think it can still be considered Marine green. It looks like the Humbrol is getting along with the Rustoleum so far. I'll have to make a note of this combo when I do the CH-46.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54095247143_976a6f3e7d_c.jpg) (http://"https://flic.kr/p/2qqdhjT")
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54095455650_6346ba2bd8_c.jpg) (http://"https://flic.kr/p/2qqemiQ")
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54094128642_b88847876f_c.jpg) (http://"https://flic.kr/p/2qq7xQo")
Tell me what you guys think.
About the model.
Not about politics, religion or family members..........
-
Oh yes -- Truly coming into its own with that clear coat :smiley:
-
As the Firefly crew might say.... Shiny
-
I’ve started putting on some decals. Looking good so far.
-
I’m done with decals. It’s like one of those jobs you’ll do anything else to avoid it. I even cleaned my work desk last night to put it off. Pics in the am.
-
Here we go!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54099724221_d502e8cb25_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qqBecT)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54100179270_2df25dc475_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qqDyty)
I'll try to get some matte on today. I might just finish something!
-
Here we go!...
That looks so right! :smiley: :smiley:
-
Yep.. that is working :smiley: :smiley:
-
reminds me of a Seasprite!
that really works, great idea :smiley:
-
The decals and paint job look great!
-
Thanks everyone!
I sprayed on some acrylic matte and its drying. I'll post some pics after the mask is off, not much difference right now.
-
I think I finished something! First the Junkyard Dog and now this. I'm on a roll! I should decal the Starviggen and the Fire Spotter too. It's supposed to rain tomorrow. We'll see. Now for the pics as promised.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54106092576_fec0084b3b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qraSi7)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54106347988_51e749b005_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qrcbdL)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54106091536_920e5fcc34_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qraRZb)
One thing for sure, this shade of green shows every speck of dust. It doesn't help when I have dust on my fingertips. At least the matte coat was dry and it wiped off.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54105222032_cce58e4eee_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qr6pvJ)
I made the little domes with UV resin. I took one of my previous silicone molds and placed drops of UV resin and hit it with the UV flashlight. Not as easy as it sounds as I had a heck of a time getting two alike. I still ended up sanding one a little bit to round it off. Good old Testors red on the domes and the stripes on the tail rotor.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54106544360_196b81887b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qrdbAu)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54106541160_808d873109_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qrdaDj)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54106344523_af147e980c_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qrcac2)
I forgot to make a dome for the main rotor hub. Something to do tomorrow!
-
Looks tooo good not to be real world. Excellent concept and build. :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: 8)
-
Came swooping in to a brilliant finish! :smiley: 8)
-
Thanks guys!
-
Nice, very nice indeed! 8) :-* :smiley:
-
I'm humming Fortunate Son, so you know its good!
-
Maybe I’ll start on the CH-43 to go with it.
-
It came together great! Great design.
-
Incredibly good!
-
Most Excellent !
cheers,
Robin.
-
Great job!
-
I'm humming Fortunate Son, so you know its good!
;D ;D
-
Fantastic!
sooo... any ideas for a helicopter OV-10? ;)
-
Fantastic!
sooo... any ideas for a helicopter OV-10? ;)
With twin booms or without? :o ;D
I have thought about that. If it hadn’t been built here Tophe probably drew it.
-
It looks so right! Bravo!
-
Thanks everyone!
-
I finally cast a dome for the top of the rotor from UV resin. It took four tries to get one round enough that could be sanded a little to complete it. I painted it good old Testor's gloss red but I didn't wait long enough to dry and put a big ol' thumb print on it while glueing it on. So out came the red paint for another coat which straightened it out. Pics to follow.
-
:smiley:
didn't wait long enough to dry and put a big ol' thumb print on it while glueing it on.
Hmm, personalized copyright ? ;D
-
That would be a great explanation for it! ;D
-
I thought it deserved a completely completed pic so here goes.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54177677531_97e018aa16_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qxuL1t)
It's fun working with this UV resin. I can make a simple part so easily. One of my better model building tools.
-
Even better with latest touches. :smiley: :-*
You or anyone up for a development and service history writeup ?
-
Thems is very shiny disc-bits! 8)
:smiley: :smiley:
-
Beautiful, :-* :smiley:
-
Thanks everyone!
If anyone wants to tackle a story go right ahead. I suck at that so I’ll leave it to experts. Maybe something about Grumman teaming up with Sikorsky to compete against Bell.