ismaelg Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 (edited) Hello, Elsewhere in this forum I asked about the Cheyenne's rotor, since I just got a hold at an old Aurora kit. This thread will be for the progress of this build. I am by no means an expert on the subject, just an enthusiast. It's been over a year since my previous helicopter model. This will be a fun ride. Let's see how it goes..... The kit is simple and rather crude by today's standards. But it looks good and I've been chasing it for years. Interestingly, the fuselage seems to be pretty spot on in shape and size for the scale. Again, please rmemeber, I'm not an expert on the subject. Reference material is like money. There is no such thing as too much of it :wacko: Stay tuned... Thanks, Edited November 10, 2008 by ismaelg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andre Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 (edited) Reference material is like money. There is no such thing as too much of it Nice find! Never seen one of these kits in the styrene myself. Do you have the Wings of Fame or World Air Power Journal (don't know which of the two from the top of my head) article on the Cheyenne? It's a pretty good source of info. Nice pics too. I could look up the series and volume number tonight after work if you'd like. Cheers, Andre Edited November 10, 2008 by Andre Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted November 10, 2008 Author Share Posted November 10, 2008 (edited) The fun begins.... This blob of plastic the instructions call "rotor hub" MUST to be replaced. Let's start by machining a scale mast following dozens of reference pictures. Still a looooong way to go, but it's a start.... Thanks, Edited November 10, 2008 by ismaelg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted November 10, 2008 Author Share Posted November 10, 2008 Nice find! Never seen one of these kits in the styrene myself. Do you have the Wings of Fame or World Air Power Journal (don't know which of the two from the top of my head) article on the Cheyenne? It's a pretty good source of info. Nice pics too. I could look up the series and volume number tonight after work if you'd like. Cheers, Andre Thanks Andre! I don't have that publication. It will be great if you can get the information so I can look for it... Thanks, Ismael Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted November 10, 2008 Author Share Posted November 10, 2008 Made 4 plates that will eventually hold the blades. To be continued... Thanks, Ismael Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobrahistorian Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 (edited) Holy crap! That's fantastic! Already a 100% improvement over the kit. I'm definitely seeing some issues with the kit's doghouse cowling not matching up with the plans for it. Looks like the doghouse needs to be moved forward about 1/4". Jon Edited November 10, 2008 by Cobrahistorian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted November 10, 2008 Author Share Posted November 10, 2008 Thanks Jon, Now I just have a basic almost dumb question: What's the doghouse cowling? DUH! Thanks, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hoverlvr Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Outstanding! I have two of these kits (and have had them for some time now), so I will be eagerly watching your progress. this book might prove invaluable, if you have not seen it: http://www.amazon.com/Lockheed-AH-56A-Chey...1946&sr=1-1 and this fellow has AH-56 drawings and manuals on CD! http://www.up-ship.com/drawndoc/drawndocair.htm best of luck with the build! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobrahistorian Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 (edited) Thanks Jon, Now I just have a basic almost dumb question: What's the doghouse cowling? DUH! Thanks, Not a dumb question at all! The doghouse is the area above and behind the canopy that surrounds the main rotor. From what I'm seeing in the pic you posted, the kit has it too far aft. The area I've circled in red is what I'm talking about. Edited November 10, 2008 by Cobrahistorian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted November 11, 2008 Author Share Posted November 11, 2008 Thanks again Jon! I think that was the angle of the picture. If I hold it against the drawing is quite spot on, but I found it hard to photograph properly. I see a difference in the back of the exhaust been shorter in the kit. Thanks, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rigid Rotorhead Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Wow Ismael, what a great start! I will certainly be following this thread to see how it's going. Keep up the great work! If anyone is interested to see how some of our other fellow scale modelers built theirs, below are a number of links to build-ups of the various AH-56 kits available thus far. Keep in mind, the Anigrand kit is not included here, as its release has been pushed to January 2009. Only a couple more months to go... Of course, a 1/48 version would always be most welcome! Here are the links: Aurora kit: http://www.modelingmadness.com/reviews/viet/us/attard56.htm http://modelingmadness.com/reviews/viet/hamm56.htm Miku kit: http://www.ipmsnymburk.com/senft/cheyene.htm Legato kit: http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/port...ppers/ah-56.htm http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Gal5..._Duarte/00.shtm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted November 13, 2008 Author Share Posted November 13, 2008 The blade attachment to the hub needs to be thicker. So I needed a top part. I tried several times to make a concentric hole in the square part but was not satisfied. So I experimented the hard way. Made 4 identical pieces That will eventually form the part A little putty Alumium paint after sanding... and it looks like this..... Before we continue, we need to take a look at the blades....... Thanks, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted November 13, 2008 Author Share Posted November 13, 2008 Hello, I don't want to scratchbuild the blades because I would like to finish this project within my lifetime So the kit's blades need to be modified. They are thick and those bolt heads are 6 scale inches! So off they go, and reduced the thickness of the part a bit. Mounting tabs were eliminated and a notch cut in the part, again reducing the thickness... ...so it can be sandwiched with this. I'm not very convinced of the first part so I did another one, this time a bit bigger. This is the idea.... What do you think? Thanks, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BrittMac Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 I think I can't wait to see more of your progress. Thank you for the great detail! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JasonW Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 What do you think?I think I'm a wuss too afraid to attemtp something like this and that I need to work on my scratchbuilding skills........Great job! It looks great! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andre Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 I don't have that publication. It will be great if you can get the information so I can look for it... Sorry it took me a while to dig it up - my work, bands and social life have been pretty hectic the last week... Anyhow - it's Wings of Fame volume 14 (the issue with two Buccaneers on the front cover), p. 138 - 157. HTH!, Andre Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted November 25, 2008 Author Share Posted November 25, 2008 Hello, Very slow progress because I've been very busy lately, and I'll be out of town for a few days. But here is some more work: Eliminated the grossly oversized molded bolts and filled the link locator hole. Note I did a slight bend. From reference pics the blades were stiff and did not bend much on weight. The most important rework is to reduce the thickness of the blade. I rescribed the lines to deepen them and carefully sanded and sanded and sanded and sanded and then sanded some more. It is still thicker than it should be but looks much better. If sanded more I risk to loose structural rigidity (aka break them ) Oops! Had to add some material as I got a little over-excited with the sanding DUH! Started working on the links with brass. But I need to make sure all 4 blades are reworked before continuing with this. That's about it for now. I hope you like it. Progress will be slow but I'll do my best... Thanks, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Huey Gunner Posted November 29, 2008 Share Posted November 29, 2008 Thats a lot of work. Looking great!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lee White Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 Don't know if it helps, but here is how I did mine- http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.ph...yenne&st=45 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted December 8, 2008 Author Share Posted December 8, 2008 Don't know if it helps, but here is how I did mine-http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.ph...yenne&st=45 Lee, Thank you very much for the link! I read it completely and I must say it is outstanding! You did a GREAT job! I'll be using it as a reference. From what I see my approach to the rotor is similar in concept to yours. I haven't had the time to work on it recently, but I think I'll do another "ninja star" as mine is not perfectly symmetrical. Thanks, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted December 17, 2008 Author Share Posted December 17, 2008 Hello and Merry Christmas everybody! Progress has been very slow since I haven't been at the workbench for over 3 weeks. Here is my 6th attempted "Ninja star". It is now much better than before. Still a long way to go but it seems to go in the right direction. Boy! 72nd is a small scale Thanks, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oldHooker Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 You GO, Ismael!! Take care, Frank Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted December 18, 2008 Author Share Posted December 18, 2008 Hello, Some progress on the rigid rotor. This is probably the most complex single part I've ever scratchbuilt. Still a long way to go... Thanks, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lee White Posted December 26, 2008 Share Posted December 26, 2008 Lee, Thank you very much for the link! I read it completely and I must say it is outstanding! You did a GREAT job! I'll be using it as a reference. From what I see my approach to the rotor is similar in concept to yours. I haven't had the time to work on it recently, but I think I'll do another "ninja star" as mine is not perfectly symmetrical. Thanks, Hello Ismael, Glad i was able to be of some assistance. Your rotor is looking great, I hope to see more updates on the build soon- :) best wishes, Lee Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mmaker Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 Great scratch job mate!!! You can make molds of just one piece,to make sure they're identical! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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