Albert Moore Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Hi Guys, I'm thinking of building Italeri's HH-53C Super Jolly as my next project. I had heard that the external fuel tanks in the kit are the larger post-Vietnam type, so I was wondering if you guys knew where I could source the smaller tanks from. Also if anyone has built this kit, any problem areas? Thanks in advance! Cheers, Alby Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RotorheadTX Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 The best place to get the tanks you need is the Airfix kit. If you can't find one of those, I believe that tanks from an F-105 are correct. I started in on this project myself, but haven't got past the fuselage assembly yet. The only annoyance that I encountered was the fact that the bearers for the tanks in my kit were warped at their tails - one went up, and the other down. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Moore Posted January 28, 2008 Author Share Posted January 28, 2008 Thanks Tony, I'll try locating an Airfix kit. If all else fails, I could build my Super Jolly in this configuration; http://www.mh-53pavelow.com/linpha/viewer....552&stage=2 Not exactly what I am aiming for, but it is still in SEA camo so it will suffice. Thanks again for the info. Cheers, Alby Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hawg53 Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Hey Alby; the pictures on your link show a CH-53C bird from the 601 TASS stationed at Sembach AB, W. Germany. The camo is the same as a SEA rescue helicopter but the bird does not have the aux tanks installed for some reason. I have to agree the Airfix tanks are the correct ones for the helicopter you want to build. Hope to have a good time building the kit. The H-53 is still the greatest helicopter aver built.. But of course that is just my opinion........ Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Moore Posted January 28, 2008 Author Share Posted January 28, 2008 Thanks for the info in regards to that particular CH-53C, Bob. I also noticed that that particular airframe doesn't have an IFR boom as well. As far as the fuel tanks go, another avenue for the fuel tanks would be the new Trumpeter F-105D. I want to pick one up anyways, so that will save me the trouble of tracking down an Airfix HH-53C (looks like that kit has been long OOP, nobody has it in stock! Guess I'll have to do the Ebay thing if I really need to get one). Cheers, Alby Quote Link to post Share on other sites
italycrew Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 :lol: Hello guys,I think the model kit from Airfix is the best yet,so if you'll find one of this buy it and from Italeri kit take only the minigun and actuators ramp,Airfix kit don't have them,the residue throw away!!Ciao Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Glynn Jacobs Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Hi Alby, Let me chech my spares box to see if the 53 tanks I have from the MPC(?) kit are the same as the Airfix ones. If you can get me a pic, it might help me see if I have the correct ones. Besides, I owe you for the Israeli 53 and AH-1 decals! Cheers, Glynn "WARDOG" Jacobs Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Moore Posted January 29, 2008 Author Share Posted January 29, 2008 Hi Glenn, Thank you for the offer! I'll do some digging around to see if I can find a pic of the tanks, otherwise maybe one our more knowledgeable guys may know if the MPC tanks are correct. Thanks again! Cheers, Alby Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Glynn Jacobs Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 Thank you for the offer! I'll do some digging around to see if I can find a pic of the tanks, otherwise maybe one our more knowledgeable guys may know if the MPC tanks are correct. Hey Alby, The MPC kit IS the Airfix kit! I had both. The Airfix kit I had was for the German HEER so it didn't have the tanks and pylons but, the MPC one does have them. I can send you the tanks and pylons. Let me see if I can find the landing gear struts for the sponsons so they'll be a complete fixture to graft onto the side of the Italeri kit. You will have to supply the wheels though as I don't have enough spares for a full set (I'll check though!). Please send me your addy and I'll get these parts out to you this week. Cheers, WARDOG Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Moore Posted January 30, 2008 Author Share Posted January 30, 2008 You da man, Glenn! PM inbound. Cheers, Alby Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andyf117 Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 I agree with ItalyCrew - the Airfix/MPC kits are the best of the HH-53 family on offer.... I've had various opportunities to get 'up close and personal' with USAF HH-53Cs and MH-53Js, USMC CH-53Ds and Es, and USN RH-53Ds - and in my opinion the recessed panel lines on the Fujimi and Italeri/Revell kits just don't look right. The Airfix/MPC kits may be covered in 'rivets', but they're not over-done, and similarly the raised panel lines are restrained.... Some years ago, I fitted the MH-53 nose parts from the then new Italeri kit onto an Airfix kit, re-shaped the rotor blade tips and cuffs, added the various ECM 'lumps and bumps', and fully detailed the interior - the model won the Scale Aircraft Modelling Trophy at the IPMS-UK Nationals that year, so I must have done something right! And yes, the Airfix/MPC kits have the correct early-style fuel tanks.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HELO53 Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 Hi everyone the kit you have is not that bad. The worst part is that the interior is really bare! I added some spruce ribs and blocked off the opening up top. Other than that I built it out of box with some putty to of course. Looks good done tho. Good luck Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Moore Posted February 3, 2008 Author Share Posted February 3, 2008 Thanks for the feedback and suggestions, guys. I have the Italeri kit on hand already, but I do appreciate the pros and cons of the other kits. This build will be primarily OOB, the emphasis however will be on the painting and finishing aspects. Cheers, Alby PS- A big thank you to Glenn Jacobs for setting me up with small fuel tanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
arkhunter2002 Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 the emphasis however will be on the painting and finishing aspects. Hmm, if memory serves right, I hope you stocked up on filler/putty. Can't wait to see this build. Take care, Austin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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