ScaleWorx Posted November 26, 2018 Share Posted November 26, 2018 Hi guys, I started on refurbishing the ancient and extremely rare Revell Junior BK-117 snapkit recently. The kit is very basic and has no interior (besides two "couches") or clear parts. From what I could find out about the snapkit, is that they were apparently handed out at airshows to get children interested in building models. The fuselage dimensions are 1/48, making things a bit easier. Started with the floorboard, center console, instrument panel and cowl, and then realized that I better get the blanks done for the clear parts. These were made from resin and filler, but the overhead windows didn't feature, and had to be carefully cut out. Noticed that for the sake of simplifying the injection molding, the engine covers did not have the bulges, and the middle section was too high. Cut two slots on either side of the center line to lower it, and then added two strips of plastic card on top of the engine covers to shape the bulges. The intakes had to be opened up a bit, which brought another issue to light. The fairing that separates the intakes is too narrow and too rounded. This was cut out and a new one built from plastic card. The main rotor blades are 12.5mm too short, and the chord just a fraction short. Lengthened one blade with a section of another to use as a master. Also added a thin strip to the trailing edge, of which most will be sanded down to adjust the chord. Cheers, John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LyIgor Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 Great start build! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GeejeeZ Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 Whoa! There I was thinking you'd just fabricate a floor and some seats and smack the rest of the parts together, but: no, more work! Nice work so far! I will be following this one! Gertjan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
snake36bravo Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 Bravo! Well done and looking forward to your updates. Its always great to see scatchwork and the skill involved. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ScaleWorx Posted November 29, 2018 Author Share Posted November 29, 2018 Thanks guys 🙂 The BK-117 is just another great little helicopter that's being overlooked by mainstream manufacturers in 1/48. I mean, it's been flying for decades and used by so many EMS services, a couple of military and civilian operators. Anyway, here's a quick recap on what has been done so far. That little fairing between the intakes needed an extra piece on top. Main rotor blade master completed. Still a couple of goodies to make, but I'll post some more updates as progress is made. If this one comes out nicely, I might consider converting one into an EC-145/UH-72 🙂 Cheers, John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tank Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 (edited) Looking good. I don't believe there is any UH-72 in 1/48, only 1/72 and 1/32. Edited November 29, 2018 by Tank Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Anthony in NZ Posted November 30, 2018 Share Posted November 30, 2018 Great work John! So good to see the BK getting the attention she deserves! Cheers Anthony Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ScaleWorx Posted December 2, 2018 Author Share Posted December 2, 2018 Thanks guys 🙂 Tank, that's correct, no 1/48 kit available. This build will be used as masters for a resin kit with vac-formed clear parts. I managed to get the engine deck, basic gearbox and swashplate done. The tail fin and tail rotor also being modified. Some before and after pics. Cheers, John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ScaleWorx Posted December 2, 2018 Author Share Posted December 2, 2018 Dust filter test fit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ScaleWorx Posted December 5, 2018 Author Share Posted December 5, 2018 Done! 🙂 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GeejeeZ Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 ….You rock!!! Magnificent work!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ScaleWorx Posted December 13, 2018 Author Share Posted December 13, 2018 Thanks GeejeeZ 🙂 Still busy making the molds, but here are some pics of hoist arm mechanism masters I didn't post the other day, as well as a pic of the first couple of the smaller parts. Cheers, John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ScaleWorx Posted December 16, 2018 Author Share Posted December 16, 2018 Here's all the resin parts. Cheers, John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tank Posted December 16, 2018 Share Posted December 16, 2018 That looks great John. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ice225 Posted December 16, 2018 Share Posted December 16, 2018 It's great that you close the gaps in the market. Keep up the good work! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hawkwrench Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 Any chance you could scratchbuild an EC-120? Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lupusprimus Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 @ScaleWorx: If it helps you, you can get our drawings or a resin cast of the mold of our EC 120B. This is only the fuselage contour. There is still a lot of work to do. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hawkwrench Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 (edited) Lupus, what scale is the EC-120? Tim Edited December 19, 2018 by hawkwrench Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lupusprimus Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 1:32. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hawkwrench Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 How much for the EC-120 drawings? Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lupusprimus Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 All OOT. This is the thread of ScaleWorx. Please send me a PM. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hawkwrench Posted December 20, 2018 Share Posted December 20, 2018 Scaleworx, sorry for the thread hijack. Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ScaleWorx Posted December 20, 2018 Author Share Posted December 20, 2018 Lol... No worries 😉 I can scratch build almost anything I'm passionate about, but the EC-120 doesn't really tickle my interest. However, the EC-635 does. I worked on that project 🙂 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hawkwrench Posted December 20, 2018 Share Posted December 20, 2018 The only reason I mentioned the EC-120 was because we have a member here that flies them professionally and I thought it'd be a cool idea to finally have a model of his helicopter. Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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