Albert Moore Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 (edited) Hi Gang, Here is one for the out of the ordinary file, a Denel CSH-2 Rooivalk (South African Air Force attack helicopter). The kit is made by Scaleworx of South Africa and is a full resin kit with p/e parts and a vacuformed canopy. Given that this is my first go at this kind of kit, I'll be learning as I go here. Molded in blue resin, the parts casting is flawless, with petite engraved detail on the fuselage halves. The overall detail is very sharp. The parts layout (photo courtesy of Tim Vereecke of ScaleRotors.com); And progress thus far. The cockpit bulkhead had a sizable gap which necessitated styrene shims to fill (plus glazing putty filler). The bottom seam also required shimming and filling, though it was more my fault as the halves lined up quite well prior to joining them (got into too a big hurry when closing the fuselage). From here it is dealing with the seams around the rotor pylon and tail area, plus adding all the cockpit bits. Wish me luck! Thanks for looking. Cheers, Alby Edited January 15, 2010 by Albert Moore Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jabo Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 Very nice this helicopter. I'm very curious how it will be. Good luck with building...!!! Jabo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChernayaAkula Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 A Rooivalk! Great! :mellow: Looking forward to further progress. I think the camo on the Rooivalk is one of the nicest ever to have been applied to a helo. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andre Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Now there's one you don't see every day. Nice work so far! Cheers, Andre Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Deon Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 (edited) Cool.. nice to see SA model kits too. Do you have a link to the manufacturers perchance? I can see the scale rotors site, and the link to Aviation mega store, just wondered whether the manafacturers sell direct. Edited January 15, 2009 by Deon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChernayaAkula Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 (edited) Cool.. nice to see SA model kits too. Do you have a link to the manufacturers perchance? I can see the scale rotors site, and the link to Aviation mega store, just wondered whether the manafacturers sell direct. I believe some other thread about Scaleworx said they won't sell directly to Europe. All their business here runs through aviationmegastore. The Rooivalk is a tad expensive for my taste, although it looks like it's worth it. Edited January 15, 2009 by ChernayaAkula Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ruud Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 Hoi Alby, Man, the contents look daunting, but it looks like the construction is going well. later Ruud Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dakleton Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 I believe some other thread about Scaleworx said they won't sell directly to Europe. All their business here runs through aviationmegastore. The Rooivalk is a tad expensive for my taste, although it looks like it's worth it. Correct, due to the dreadfully high bank charges in SA both Scale Worx (John W) and Mav Decals (Zane J) have opted to let all non SA orders go through the aviation Mega-store. If you're into 1/48th, the Rooivalk is on its way in that scale, I saw (and held and drooled over) the masters several weeks ago while in SA! Andrew Spring Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Moore Posted February 1, 2009 Author Share Posted February 1, 2009 Now back to the Rooivalk though a minor update it is. I filled the gap in the rear cockpit bulkhead in, plus filled the gaps in the engine pylon-to-fuselage seam and aft tail section and primed everything to see how it turned out. A little refining with some Mr Surfacer is needed, but the bulk of that seam work is done. Next steps will be trimming the vacuum-formed canopy to fit and build up the cockpit. Cheers, Alby Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marcel111 Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 Alby, best of luck with the Rooivalk!! Now that's something out of the ordinary!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
madmike Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Looking good Alby. I hvae several all resin kits ion my stash incluing armour. One day I will be game enough to start one! MikeJ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Moore Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 (edited) Okay gang, small update but a major victory. The vac. formed canopy has been trimmed and fitted. This was one of the biggest things that made me nervous so I wanted to tackle it now while in the rough stages of the build. Now that that task is completed I can move on without trepidation. I also dipped it into some Future to help with clarity, which also helped with making the framing more visible. The styrene strip was added to give the canopy something positive to glue to. Comments welcomed as always. Cheers, Alby Edited February 8, 2009 by Albert Moore Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marlin Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Looking Nice Alby. I really liked your tip with the styrene strip. I'll sure remember that next time I have to handle a vac canopy. Best Regards Bosse from Sweden Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 looks great Alby - certainly a different subject Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Moore Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 Thanks Marlin and Ken. This is definitely something from left field subject wise. I am grateful for the opportunity to tackle this kit! Cheers, Alby Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fishwelding Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 An excursion into the less well-known corners of the rotorcraft world? Looks sharp! Looking forward to see it camouflage. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Moore Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 Thanks Fish! In addition to its SAAF colors, this would be a nifty whif build too. Given the Rooivalk's home land has its extreme operating environments, the Rooivalk would be quite at home in mid-east (like the IDF/AF!) or northern African air forces colors as well. Cheers, Alby Quote Link to post Share on other sites
geedubelyer Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Hi Alby, brave work on your 'copter but very successfully carried out This is an unusual subject. Kind of like a Super Cobra but...... different,.......if you know what I mean.... I look forward to seeing how this looks under a coat of paint. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Moore Posted February 24, 2009 Author Share Posted February 24, 2009 (edited) Hey Guys, Back with an update. The cockpit parts have been painted and installed. Given that the Rooivalk has a black cockpit, there isn't much to see really. The ballistics shields are photo-etched and come with the kit. I used Testor's clear cement/window maker for the blast shield glass. I'll do a little more detail painting where appropriate just to liven things up a bit. Next up, I'll finish the seam work and add the canopy. Cheers, Alby Edited February 24, 2009 by Albert Moore Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AnthonyWan Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 Looks good Alby! Good to hear the vac canopy is outta the way Wish they'd make this helo in 1/48 and 1/35...its a cool design B) =Awan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Moore Posted February 24, 2009 Author Share Posted February 24, 2009 Thanks Awan! Cheers, Alby Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aggressor Supporter Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Nice work so far. Reminds be of a beefier AH-1 Cobra. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 looks real good Alby - I like the seats and how they turned out Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Moore Posted February 25, 2009 Author Share Posted February 25, 2009 Thanks Richard and Ken. It reminds me of a beefier A-129 Mangusta! Cheers, Alby Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Moore Posted March 8, 2009 Author Share Posted March 8, 2009 Hi Guys, Back again with my next installment of the Scaleworx resin Rooivalk build adventure. I made a lot of progress this weekend. All the fuselage sensors and RWR antennas have been added, as well as some photo-etched bits, and the stubs wings epoxied in place. The joints OOB were butt joints so I drilled holes into the fuselage and corresponding holes into the wings to allow for the use of brass rod for alignment and strength purposes. Prior to adding the wings, all the weapons pylons were added and the seams cleaned up with Mr. Surfacer. Five minute epoxy was used to adhere the wings to the fuselage. I had to rebuild the area up around the back of the canopy with some putty and reshape it as I removed too much resin while cleaning the rotor pylon/upper fuselage seam. Next up will be adding the canopy, landing gear struts and getting everything up to snuff before painting commences. Cheers, Alby Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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