ismaelg Posted April 12, 2020 Share Posted April 12, 2020 (edited) Hello, I've had this model in my stash for over 25 years. I don't even recall how I got it. I'm sure my good friend Carlos R. had something to do with it. I've never seen a built one. I think I know why. It is pretty crude (an understatement), instructions are a JOKE and it is... well, very SMALL! Since I'm a masochist, here we go. This is a couple of hours of work so far... Sanded those braces a bit but still overly thick. If this was an important subject, it would be a good candidate for a complete scratchbuilt. But I'll leave that effort for something else. I'll just have some fun with this. Thanks, Edited May 30, 2020 by ismaelg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JohnEB Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 I have a similar (but possibly smaller) Heller kit, though mine has a clear plastic tailboom...I guess you're supposed to paint the raised tube segments. I've been thinking about building it, anyone know the interior colors for a civil ship? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted April 13, 2020 Author Share Posted April 13, 2020 Hello, John, from what I've seen online some civil versions are mostly dark grey (or maybe black) interior with seats usually of different color. I machined the stationary swashplate and added the control rods and brass driveshaft. Can you tell the difference over the kit's part? That plate is 5.5mm or 7/32" Quick mockup and adding details to the rotor Thanks, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted April 17, 2020 Author Share Posted April 17, 2020 Hello, This part and 2 control sticks are all there is for interior. I added the pedals that came out at a whopping 2.2mm And other side. Need to align them before attaching permanently. Thanks, Ismael Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted April 18, 2020 Author Share Posted April 18, 2020 Hello, Needless to say, this kit has NOTHING on the interior. So I did this little instrument dash as per 1:1 references. Printed my own instruments panel. Yeah, the altimeter needs calibration 🙂 Thanks, Ismael Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Loach Driver Posted April 18, 2020 Share Posted April 18, 2020 Amazing work on such a small kit! LD. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted April 19, 2020 Author Share Posted April 19, 2020 Hello, Made a fuel tank filler neck and cap. Looks big in the pics but it looks better in person, plus color will help disguise it a bit more. Thanks, Ismael Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted May 11, 2020 Author Share Posted May 11, 2020 Hello, Not surprisingly the rear seat and all belts were made out of masking tape. At this scale, even the masking tape thickness is noticeable. Still pending a little wash and dry brush on the seats for a hint of depth. And of course joystick, throttle, pitch, etc. Unfortunately most of this will not be seen once in the enclosed cabin. Remind me, what size is it?🙂 Thanks, Ismael Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rotorman Posted May 11, 2020 Share Posted May 11, 2020 yep thats small alright. in any case a great start so far. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
midnightprowler Posted May 11, 2020 Share Posted May 11, 2020 Not much bigger than a bug. Excellent work. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted May 12, 2020 Author Share Posted May 12, 2020 Hello, I couldn't help it! I did the pilot's headphones out of wire, glue and tubing. Lee (midnightprowler): This is your fault! 😃 and with that, cyclic control, throttle and pitch the cockpit is done! Thanks, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
midnightprowler Posted May 13, 2020 Share Posted May 13, 2020 On 5/11/2020 at 10:55 PM, ismaelg said: Hello, I couldn't help it! I did the pilot's headphones out of wire, glue and tubing. Lee (midnightprowler): This is your fault! 😃 and with that, cyclic control, throttle and pitch the cockpit is done! Thanks, Sheesh. And people think I'm crazy lol. Wow!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bo105flyer Posted May 13, 2020 Share Posted May 13, 2020 I have only seen one 1:1 scale up close in the flesh and yours is looking pretty awesome, especially at that scale. The pilot told me that an older helicopter pilot had asked him how he liked flying the 90 knot dog whistle. The nickname is appropriate as when the engine is at idle, it has an extremely high pitch scream like a whistle. I worked at a heliport in South Baton Rouge that the owner let the pilot/operator fly his Alouette, in support of a contractor to FEMA after Hurricane Katrina. It was an interesting aircraft indeed. Awesome work, I can't wait to see the completed model! Steve Sliger Greenwell Springs, LA Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ScaleWorx Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 Wow, that's some work on such a tiny helicopter! 😀 Looking forward to seeing this one finished. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted May 19, 2020 Author Share Posted May 19, 2020 Hello, So this is the box stock engine. That's it! 2 halves. And this is how it s going as of now. I machined an air intake cone. Adding a transmission coupler, what I think is a filter system of some sorts and a control box with wiring. Still pending some wiring and plumbing. Thanks, Ismael Quote Link to post Share on other sites
midnightprowler Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted May 24, 2020 Author Share Posted May 24, 2020 Hello, Since this is my helicopter I will pimp it to my taste to match the cars in my garage... 🙂 Good old Testors Enamel. The bottle is over 20 years old. A good shake and stir and good as new! Thanks, Ismael Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted May 25, 2020 Author Share Posted May 25, 2020 (edited) Hello, The turbine shaft has what seems to be like a brake rotor or something. Took out the plastic part and machined my own. My eyes hurt! Adjustable brass shaft. Thanks, Ismael Edited May 25, 2020 by ismaelg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted May 25, 2020 Author Share Posted May 25, 2020 Hello, Finished and sealed the cockpit. Mockup with the fuselage. Not attached yet. Thanks, Ismael Quote Link to post Share on other sites
midnightprowler Posted May 25, 2020 Share Posted May 25, 2020 Looking great. Love the color. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted May 30, 2020 Author Share Posted May 30, 2020 (edited) Hello, It is finally FINISHED! OK, so this is most likely the highest detail/scale ratio I've ever done in over 40 years in this hobby. Wiring, plumbing, brackets, clamps, seatbelts, tail rotor pitch control, etc. Even the pilot headphones. Pictures don't do it justice. I'm VERY happy especially considering what I started with and the scale. The story of the fictitious registration number: You can see this helicopter has registration NAUF1LT. After searching for weeks in hundreds of decal sheets and decal leftovers, I found the remnants of a 1/24 Williams-Renault F1 car I built years ago. There were 2 decals that said RENAULT F1. Right size and color (white). So I carefully cut them and rearranged to be NAU-F1-LT. The "RE" part was not used. Each registration is 3 separate decals. Heller 1/100 Alouette II Added navigation lights which are a very small strip of wire with a painted tip. The top's red strobe light is wire as well, with a white glue dome and painted red. Also added a strobe light to the rear. Added tail rotor pitch control and associated parts. Heavily modified tail rotor. Added the cylindrical thingy that looks like a filter or something, with labels, clamps and a bracket attached to the fuselage (Anybody knows what it is?). Added exhaust bezel (aluminum tape), hoses, plumbing, wiring, gas tank filler cap, swash plates, links etc. Well over a dozen parts were added to the 2 part kit's engine. Added steel wires holding the rotor blades, added related hardware. Not sure what those sticking things are but are prominent in reference pictures. Cyclic control can be seen as well. Added a control box with wiring and labels. Some of the interior can be seen here including full instrument panel, seatbelts and pilot's headphones among other things And this is the picture that puts everything into perspective: What do you think? Thanks, Ismael Edited June 5, 2020 by ismaelg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GeejeeZ Posted May 30, 2020 Share Posted May 30, 2020 Magnificent Ismael! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Loach Driver Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 That is impressive! Lots of delicate work has really paid off. That will be a medal winner in any model contest you enter it in. LD. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
midnightprowler Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 18 hours ago, GeejeeZ said: Magnificent Ismael! X2!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drifterdon Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 That is amazing! Well done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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