scotthldr Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Nice work with the weapons, especially the TOW tubes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ichitoe Posted February 23, 2017 Author Share Posted February 23, 2017 Thanks guys for the compliments, very much appreciated! Well, I'm taking a step back on the build. I didn't like how the scraping of the canopy edge turned out, so I ordered a couple of the Werner Wings vacuform canopies. Once they show up I'll remove the kit canopy and prepare the vac canopy for installation. I'll post pics as I get into it. As I indicated in a previous post, I haven't had much success with prior vac canopy attempts, but hopefully, I've learned from my past errors..... Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ichitoe Posted February 26, 2017 Author Share Posted February 26, 2017 The Werner Wings canopies arrived, so taking off the kit's canopy was the task this weekend. It actually came off with no serious issues. I had some cleanup effort along the cockpit edge where the canopy was adhered. I didn't take photos of the cutting out and trimming of the vacuform canopy, but here it is for the most part trimmed and fitted. There are few gaps I'll need to address but nothing too challenging. It definitely looks 100% better than the kit canopy! I haven't decided yet whether I'll attempt adding the WSPS to the canopy or not. After a little more fine tuning of the fit, I'll get the canopy masked up and ready for painting. Thanks for checking in on my build. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
scotthldr Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 Looking good, looks like you got a good contrast between the decals and the paint Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AndrewPerren Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 Great progress and good job tackling the vacform. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
usmcski6502 Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 Man, what a difference the canopy makes! I seem to remember somebody tackling the framing and WSPS on another forum, it didn't look that difficult. Keep up the great work! Ski Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ichitoe Posted March 2, 2017 Author Share Posted March 2, 2017 I've spent the last several days fine tuning the fit of the vac canopy, and I have it about the best I'm going to get it. Vac canopies are delicate! It seems I just looked at the canopy and scratches appeared! I buffed the scratches out the best I could, but there are a couple that are too deep. Lesson learned to add a protective covering while handling during trimming and dry fitting. With the thin wall of the canopy, I was concerned about how solid of an attachment I could get with PVA glue, so I added some backing along the edge of the cockpit. I used Evergreen rod and strip. I also masked the canopy. My plan is to first paint the canopy then attach it to the fuselage. I'll paint black first to represent the interior frame then cover it with grey. Thanks for looking in on my build. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Winnie Posted March 2, 2017 Share Posted March 2, 2017 How will that nose fit with the Cobra Company NTS nose? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Floyd S. Werner, Jr. Posted March 2, 2017 Share Posted March 2, 2017 1 hour ago, Winnie said: How will that nose fit with the Cobra Company NTS nose? Yes it will. It will fit the Basic AH-1W, the Cobra Company NTS conversion and the Academy NTS version. You will have to cut the canopy like the real thing and paint the appropriate framework. Floyd Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Winnie Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 OK! So I guess I know where my next "appropriations" will be! Cheers Harald Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ichitoe Posted March 5, 2017 Author Share Posted March 5, 2017 Weekend Update: Whew, the vac canopy is on! It took several attempts, and it was more difficult than I thought it was going to be. The fit was a bit different when attaching it compared to dry fitting it. I had to do a bit of minor surgery to the canopy while it was partially attached! I used a combination of both PVA and CA adhesives. Overall, I'm happy how it came out, and it's an 100% improvement over the kit canopy. Next up will be adding the exterior colors to the canopy, and weathering it up to blend it in. I also need to do some touchup painting to the build as all the handling it endured during the dry fitting has worn through the paint in some areas. I also assembled the 20mm cannon. The turned aluminum barrels and resin bits included in the kit are 100% improvement over the kit cannon. And here it is painted up. I feel like I'm in the home stretch for this build. Now to be patient and not screw anything up! Thanks for looking in. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B-ONE27 Posted March 5, 2017 Share Posted March 5, 2017 Yesssir!! That Whiskey is coming along nicely!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ernest Posted March 6, 2017 Share Posted March 6, 2017 Wow ... those guns look great Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ichitoe Posted March 6, 2017 Author Share Posted March 6, 2017 This build is done! Overall, I'm pleased with how it came out. There are areas I need to improve upon. Build and learn, right? A couple of firsts for me on the this build: 1) success with a vacuform canopy (although, I definitely could have done a better job at cleaning up the frame!) and 2) weathering with the spray gun. Typically, I just use the Flory dark wash. I'll post a few more different photos in The Helipad. Thanks for following my build. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
usmcski6502 Posted March 6, 2017 Share Posted March 6, 2017 That is one good-looking Snake! Great job Mike, and thanks for taking the jump and using the WW canopy. Lots of notes taken for my (eventual) build, congrats on a fine looking Whiskey! Semper, Ski Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ichitoe Posted March 7, 2017 Author Share Posted March 7, 2017 Thanks Ski! The Cobra has always been a favorite of mine, and it's nice to FINALLY have one in the display case. I realized after I took and posted the finish build pics, I forgot to install the pitot tube! That's been taken care of! Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Floyd S. Werner, Jr. Posted March 7, 2017 Share Posted March 7, 2017 Looks great. The canopy came out nice and really smooths out the lines of the aircraft. Floyd Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CharlieUH-1H Posted July 5, 2017 Share Posted July 5, 2017 Hello, my friend since you built a marine cobra I am doing the same kit but as a tawain army if you will not use the decals are you able to sell them to me for a good cost? Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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