Academy 1/48 Hughes 500D TOW Helicopter

[Builder2000]

Hi All,

 

This is my completed Academy 1/48 Hughes 500D.

This was a very cheap kit, but it built up well. It was difficult to deal with all the clear parts as I had to be very careful. I tried some shading but trying to do that whilst making sure all clear parts and delicate parts were masked or out of the way was too difficult. I chose the Israeli Scheme as it was simple and sometimes simple is what I like. I did not want the chore of painting a camo over this delicate model.

 

The model was painted with Humrol and Tamiya enamels. Minimal weathering, being only some panel lines being highlighted with Tamiya Panel line Accent, Vallejo washes, and a Copic Multiliner pen. Some pigments were used with Tamiya Weathering master as well.

 

I just wanted to build a clean model, to try to make sure I make no mistakes. The wings and TOW launchers were very difficult to get into position and I think they are not perfect, but they will do. The decals were very bad, usually I use everything on my decals to make sure they do not silver, being gloss coat underneath, setting solutions etc, but it didnt work in this case. Overall I am happy with the result. A very fidly kit to build, but enjoyable nonetheless.

As always I am not concerned with historical accuracy, only with the build and the finish and so am quite happy. I hope you all enjoy the video and the photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Whiskey]

Very cool!

[The Madhatter]

You don't see too many of these built and you've done a great job on it. There's nothing wrong with a clean build instead of looking beaten up. 

I have a 1/35th Nightstalker from Dragon to do one of these days and I hope mine comes out as nice as this

Great work 

[Loach Driver]

Well done on a nice Defender.

 

LD.

[Bravosierra001]

Very nice! 

[Stalker6recon]

I have two of these on my bench right now, and I hope mine comes out a tenth as well as your did. You have one CMK attack conversion, and CMK man mover conversion. This has required me to remove the doors front and rear, which has been scary since the frames are already thin, but to my relief, I got them out with only a few micro-heart attacks along the way.

 

Question though, is your kit the MH-6 stealth? Mine came with god aweful yellow canopies, and I would prefer the clear, since that is the way they should be? I have considered buying two new kits just to get the correct glass, but I doubt mine will be good enough to warrant the added expense, since it represents my first build(s) in more than thirty years. I am not the brightest guy sometimes, first time building in that long, and I have to make it easier by going with resin and PE upgrades, neither of which I have ever used before in my life. Go big or go home, isnt that the saying?

 

Thanks for sharing, for the little kits these are, and you know, they are TINY, you did and excellent job recreating it to a realistic little bird, pun intended!

 

Anthony

 

PS. If all goes well, my next plan is to do these same birds in 35th from KH, their little resin figures are so cool, and they have two versions now. The only thing missing, are figures fast roping from the bench, part of a diorama dream I keep having.

 

Version one

 

 

Version two has troops evacuting an injured man, very cool for a diorama!

Edited April 10, 2019 by Stalker6recon
Forgot to picture