Darren Roberts Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 I'm going to convert the Matchbox Seasprite into a -1 for a gentleman that flew them. In looking at the -1, it had three-bladed rotors. The rest of the conversion doesn't look too difficult, but getting the three-bladed rotors is stumping me. Are there any 1/48 scale kits that I could rob the rotors from? Is there a way to get from a four to a three (I'm thinking not easily!) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
silva963 Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 (edited) Without seeing the rotor hub, it's hard to suggest something without seeing the kit and what you have to work with, although You may be able to cut the rotor blades and rotor grips from the hub at the base. Using a section of tubular styrene and other details, fashion a new hub. reattach the blade grip to the new hub in their correct position.. I would drill and pin the grips to the new hub for strength. It may not be accurate although it may work if you are unable to find an adiquate replacement. Just a thought on the question posed, it may not even work, there are a lot of factors to consider!! Sounds like You have 95% on the parts.. Good luck on your build, it sounds cool!! Edited May 24, 2016 by silva963 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tank Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 Darren, I would love to see you pull it off but I don't think it will be that easy from the Matchbox or any kit. UH-2A's had one not two engines, so the whole top needs to be reshaped. The tail rotor is also 3 blades and it's profile looks to be different. For tri blade rotors- early birds like the H-19 or H-21 have that style. Don't think either will work for your needs but that is what is out there. Another late thought, an H-46. They can help with the angles but I think it will be a bunch of scratch building to make it happen. I thought CobraHistorain tried something similar years ago on here but couldn't find the build. Rotorcraft did UH-2A conversion but that was still a 4 blade bird not 3 but it might help with what needs to be changed. https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/RC7201 https://www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=10501&p=albums&album=16751&view=list Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted May 24, 2016 Author Share Posted May 24, 2016 Thanks guys! I'll have to ask the gentleman which rotor setup he had. I thought all the -1's had three. This might just be a "close enough" project. He's 80, and his daughter really wants a model built for him. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DonSS3 Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 Most non-modelers won't notice some of the things we do. In general they see the overall effect, not the details we sometimes agonize over. I think if you were to cannibalize a Revell H-19 or H-34 (after the other work needed) for a three-bladed rotor, they'd be happy. We know it isn't quite right, but thy'd appreciate that you took the time to build something to give them a remembrance of their loved one and he would appreciate for the memories it would bring. Just my $.02... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RotorheadTX Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 From the book KAMAN, Our Early Years: HU-2K design and production team, following first flight July 1959. There were no Sea Sprites with 3-bladed main rotors. 3-bladed tail rotors yes, but not the main. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tank Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 http://www.cloud9photography.us/Military-Aviation-12/Kaman-H-2-Seasprite-Photos/ ? looks 3 blades to me Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tank Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 (edited) double post Edited May 30, 2016 by Tank Quote Link to post Share on other sites
martin_sam_2000 Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 http://www.cloud9photography.us/Military-Aviation-12/Kaman-H-2-Seasprite-Photos/ ? looks 3 blades to me Just a trick of the camera angle. first photo: You can see the tip of the blade through the open door second photo: the fourth blade is completely hidden by the fuselage but you can just make out the edge of it in front of the rotor mast third photo: its lined up perfectly with the nearest blade at the front. The long blade is the far one and if you look about 2/3 of the way to the tip, you can make out the yellow tip of the closer blade. I am at work so I am unable to make the fancy red marks that seem to be the standard for these posts... hopefully my descriptions make sense Sean Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RotorheadTX Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 (edited) http://www.cloud9photography.us/Military-Aviation-12/Kaman-H-2-Seasprite-Photos/ ? looks 3 blades to me Here's #9026 in flight - FOUR blades. I don't just make this stuff up to troll people; I'm trying to help! Edited May 30, 2016 by RotorheadTX Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tank Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 (edited) I know you don't, it's just I thought recall years ago Cobrahistorian starting a build with 3 bladed Seasprite version, which matches up with what Darren was talking about and thought I saw some photos that match. Also just trying to help out and not claiming to be an expert on this bird, if that never was the case it make Darren's life easier in a sense. Edited May 31, 2016 by Tank Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rotorwash Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 From the book KAMAN, Our Early Years: HU-2K design and production team, following first flight July 1959. There were no Sea Sprites with 3-bladed main rotors. 3-bladed tail rotors yes, but not the main. Thanks. I was beginning to think I was missing something because in all the Seasprite pics i have are 4 blades as well. Ray Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.