HeavyArty Posted April 5 Author Share Posted April 5 Yup, I agree. No seats it is. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HeavyArty Posted April 9 Author Share Posted April 9 (edited) Over the last few days, I have made quite a bit of progress. It’s almost ready for paint. First, I got it all closed up. It wasn’t too hard closing it up. A little bit of trimming on the cockpit floor sides and in the gunners’ windows and it closed up just fine. Here it is overall. I also used a few spare pieces of PE here and there to add details. IMG_20240408_213349526_HDR1920×1440 115 KB IMG_20240408_2137226761920×1440 112 KB IMG_20240408_2136542351920×1440 140 KB On the inside, I added the gunners’ seats and the squad leader seat between them. I had forgotten how much of a PITA the legs are on those seats. After wrestling with them for a while, I finally got them all in place. IMG_20240408_213424453_HDR1920×1440 164 KB IMG_20240408_213500471_HDR1920×1440 193 KB I also changed up the cockpit a little bit. I swapped out the collective handles and cyclic grips from a Live Resin set. The cyclic grips are in the pilots’ hands from the same Live Resin UH-60 pilots’ set. They look much better than what I had. IMG_20240408_213407334_HDR1920×1440 165 KB Here is the crew. I started with the Bravo 6 Vietnam Huey pilots and door gunners. I swapped the arms of the pilots for ones from the above-mentioned Live Resin UH-60 pilots set. They have their sleeves down and have the cyclic grips in their hands. They also have the chicken plate armor that was still being worn and molded on seat belts. I added the round seat belt release from the Kitty Hawk PE sheet. IMG_20240408_2140308471920×1440 151 KB The gunners are also the Bravo 6 Vietnam Huey ones. The seated one is straight from the set. All I changed on him was shortening his legs a bit to get his butt to sit on the gunner’s seat. The other one I took and added the legs from the standing gunner in the Dragon Vietnam Helo Crew set. I widened his legs, so he straddles the gunner seat on his side. He will be hanging out the gunner’s window and looking back, holding both grips on the M60D MG. IMG_20240408_2138005061579×1207 275 KB Next up is painting the crew and installing 3 of them. The standing gunner has to be added after since he will be hanging out the window. Then close up the glass and paint. I will add the troopers hanging out the side doors and all their gear in the back after paint as well. Edited April 10 by HeavyArty Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MattP Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 I missed this at first. But now, I'm watching this thread. VERY interested! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 6 hours ago, MattP said: I missed this at first. But now, I'm watching this thread. VERY interested! x2 Great start so far. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HeavyArty Posted April 14 Author Share Posted April 14 Thanks gents. I like how it is coming along. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Michael A. Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 Is this going to be a 160th aircraft on day one of the operation or a bird from the 82nd Abn Div. used later in the operation? The reason I ask is the 160th did not have Chicken Plates when they deployed for this operation. I can’t speak the 82nd’s aircraft used at Calivigny Barracks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HeavyArty Posted April 14 Author Share Posted April 14 This will be an 82d bird. They did wear chicken plate. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HeavyArty Posted April 14 Author Share Posted April 14 (edited) I completed the crew. I forgot to take pics before installing them in the helo. Here they are in place. One nice feature of the Bravo 6 crew is they come with PE boom mics. They look pretty good to me. Pilots IMG_20240413_103558800_HDR1920×1440 244 KB IMG_20240414_120054950_HDR1406×2115 295 KB IMG_20240413_103625686_HDR1780×2201 344 KB Port side gunner. IMG_20240413_103743120_HDR1847×2078 256 KB The starboard side gunner. He will be added after painting since he will be hanging out the gunner’s window. IMG_20240413_1038118401906×2414 345 KB Next up I need to install the canopy glass and tape it all off to prep for painting Edited April 14 by HeavyArty Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HeavyArty Posted April 19 Author Share Posted April 19 (edited) Over the last few days, I was able to get some paint on it. I painted it with Testors Model Master Helo Drab (FS34087) enamel. I bought a few bottles when I heard they were being cancelled. Luckily, I still have a few left. Here it is overall. IMG_20240418_2030528451920×1440 75.9 KB IMG_20240418_2030191671920×1440 71.3 KB I taped off and painted the black non-slip areas on the roof and the exhausts. I also shot the intakes and the side antennas with black. IMG_20240418_2030318072436×1118 355 KB I got it up on its wheels too. For the wheels, I used a resin set by Werner’s Wings. They look great and have sidewall details and the proper groves around them. IMG_20240418_2031118871920×1440 136 KB I will be marking it as a bird from B Co, 82d Combat Aviation Bn, 82d ABN Div. 82d UH-60A Grenada894×601 147 KB I will use most of the common decals on the Academy sheet for stencils and such. I made up and printed out my own decals for the ones that are specific to this helo. IMG_20240418_2031545311920×1440 44 KB Lastly, I received one last bit I have been waiting for. I got the Res-Kit M60D doorgun set from Ukraine. They look great and have PE rear grips, PE vented bipods and sights, and all the needed accessories. They should look really nice on it. IMG_20240418_2031260761920×1440 203 KB Next up is decals. Edited April 19 by HeavyArty Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HeavyArty Posted April 19 Author Share Posted April 19 (edited) After posting above, I realized I was using the wrong 82d patch. I went online and found the right one and printed up a decal for it. Correct one on the right. IMG_20240418_2143171622099×1639 365 KB Actual nose art. 1629×720 49.2 KB Edited April 19 by HeavyArty Quote Link to post Share on other sites
usmcski6502 Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 She's really looking the part, nice work! Ski Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HeavyArty Posted April 19 Author Share Posted April 19 Thanks Ski. I like how it is coming out too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HeavyArty Posted April 29 Author Share Posted April 29 (edited) Got some more work done on the UH-60A. Playoff hockey is slowing me down. Go Bolts!! Anyway, I assembled the rotorhead and blades. I was able to mainly use the Kitty Hawk parts as the naval versions have a totally new/different rotor head and blades. I also had some rotor parts on the extra C sprue I bought. I added the wiring that goes from the center out to each blade too. IMG_20240427_1039595101920×1440 179 KB I also got all the decals on it and flattened them out with a coat of dullcoat. Here are the 82d-specific ones I made. IMG_20240428_1929254571920×1440 166 KB IMG_20240428_1931517611920×1440 173 KB Some more overall. IMG_20240428_1929559901920×1440 163 KB Port side. IMG_20240428_1932173161920×1440 132 KB IMG_20240428_1929388201920×1440 103 KB Starboard side. IMG_20240428_1930172331920×1440 137 KB IMG_20240428_1930234881920×1440 138 KB I installed the starboard gunner and the Res-Kit M60D doorguns. They came out really nice. IMG_20240428_193007559_HDR1920×1440 197 KB And the port side gunner. IMG_20240428_193037224_HDR1920×1440 256 KB I also started on the GIBs (Guys In Back). They are mostly made up of Dragon ODS-era parts. The torsos w/PASGT armor, heads, and helmets are all from Dragon. The lower halves are mostly from the old Tamiya Armored Troops set since they are seated. I also used one guy from the Dragon USMC Tank Killers set: the seated Dragon gunner (he will be seated against the back wall), and one set of legs in resin from somewhere. The arms are from various kits to make them fit as I want. IMG_20240428_162417208_HDR1920×1440 454 KB Their weapons will be a mix of Dragon (M203 and M60A) and 3D printed M16A1s with 30rd magazines. IMG_20240428_162444991_HDR1920×1440 453 KB Here is their stack of gear that will go down the center of the helo. It has six rucksacks, water jugs, MREs, ammo cans, etc. IMG_20240428_1954545291920×1440 139 KB IMG_20240428_1954453581920×1440 175 KB I’m currently working on all the figures’ camo and finishing up their gear. I need to add some weathering to the helo as well Edited April 29 by HeavyArty Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rotorman Posted April 29 Share Posted April 29 i see some progress for sure on this, looks like you are almost done i bet. Is this part of a diorama? what color did u use for the fuselage?model master? What happened with the cockpit doors by the windshield, they look damaged.? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HeavyArty Posted April 29 Author Share Posted April 29 (edited) Thanks Oliver. It's getting there. No dio with this one. It will be a stand-alone, maybe hanging from the ceiling or below a shelf. The color is Model Master Helo Drab. I stocked up on it when I heard it was being discontinued. The doors are Kitty Hawk and the fuselage Academy. They don't fit perfectly. I may have some old Cobra Company doors for the Academy kit that I can try on it as well to see how they fit. Edited April 29 by HeavyArty Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rotorman Posted April 29 Share Posted April 29 I see, you did cut out the academy doors? I wish I had stocked up in Modelmaster colors as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Winnie Posted April 29 Share Posted April 29 you got the master warning unit on the wrong side of the glare shield, I think (no 60 just 76 experience). Something for the next model. CHeers H. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HeavyArty Posted April 29 Author Share Posted April 29 31 minutes ago, Rotorman said: you did cut out the academy doors? Yup, but the door opening is larger than the door when cut out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HeavyArty Posted April 30 Author Share Posted April 30 22 hours ago, HeavyArty said: I may have some old Cobra Company doors for the Academy kit that I can try on it as well to see how they fit Nope, they don't fit either, worse actually. Oh well, they are close enough. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hooker169 Posted May 2 Share Posted May 2 (edited) On 4/29/2024 at 1:53 PM, Winnie said: you got the master warning unit on the wrong side of the glare shield, I think (no 60 just 76 experience). Something for the next model. CHeers H. Might some early Alpha's have the caution modules mounted on top of the glare shield instead of the bottom? Curious Edited May 2 by Hooker169 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HeavyArty Posted May 3 Author Share Posted May 3 8 hours ago, Hooker169 said: Might some early Alpha's have the caution modules mounted on top of the glare shield instead of the bottom? Curious I was wondering/hoping the same thing as well. My gut was telling me they should be below, but I followed the instructions instead. I may still be able to get in there and correct them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kike Posted May 3 Share Posted May 3 Open doors, wouldn't work for you? they might look less "out of shape/place"... just thinking out loud... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HeavyArty Posted May 3 Author Share Posted May 3 Unfortunately, I was thinking in-flight with the crew and GIBs hanging out the cargo doors. The cockpit doors would need to be closed in that case. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hawkwrench Posted May 3 Share Posted May 3 All the early A models had the M/C 6 pack under the dash like all other hawks have now. Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HeavyArty Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 (edited) I am calling this one done. First, here are how the main and tail rotors came out. The tail rotor is Academy and the main rotor is Kitty Hawk. I added the deicing wires to both and added the color coding on all the parts. IMG_20240515_2042078191920×2560 253 KB Here it is overall. I lightly weathered the helo with a sandy wash and a little bit of oil here and there. These were pretty much new birds when they went to Grenada, so they were not yet faded and touched up all over as later ones are. IMG_20240515_2041081831920×1440 127 KB IMG_20240515_2041279431920×1440 145 KB IMG_20240515_2043386841920×1440 170 KB IMG_20240515_2044578861920×1440 203 KB IMG_20240515_2044061311920×1440 204 KB The nasty, scratched starboard chin window above has already been replaced. Some close-ups of the GIBs. There are six total. Two in each door and two inside along the back wall. They are all in BDUs w/jungle boots, PASGT vests, and Kevlar helmets as the 82d had just fielded all of these items just before being deployed to Grenada. I also added the troop strap to hold them in on both doors out of painted masking tape strips. On the port side, the guy on the wall is sleeping and has an M16A1 w/30 Rd magazine. In the door is an M203 gunner and an M60 gunner. IMG_20240515_204312612_HDR1920×1440 282 KB IMG_20240515_204320888_HDR1920×1440 323 KB On the starboard side, one guy is leaning against the rear wall with one leg hanging out and an M16A1 w/30 Rd magazine. The two in the door both have M16A1s w/30 Rd magazines as well. IMG_20240515_204507310_HDR1920×1440 293 KB IMG_20240515_204250545_HDR1920×1440 270 KB This was a really a rewarding build and I am very happy with how it turned out. It looks the part to me. Edited May 16 by HeavyArty Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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