Looking good Gino. Gear looks great.
Thanks John. It is coming along.
Hey! HeavyArty!
You better watch it, helos have very specific load requirements. Based on the type of course, which leaves yours out. Why? With what you have she’s going to look great. Heck, the Bird is gorgeous. I would be tempted to steal it when you’re done! You are doing a nice job on all of it!
Thanks Tanker-Builder. Guess I’ll have to keep it locked up.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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This was a really a rewarding build and I am very happy with how it turned out. It looks the part to me.
Turned out great Gino. The figures really make the scene. Do you call the sleeping guy “Iceman” ? lol
Really great action and well executed figures.
I like the rotors a lot! This baby is pretty big, isn’t it? Congratulations on another finished build! What’s next, apart from updating the “Easy Rider”? Good luck with it and have a nice day
Paweł
Thanks guys. I am really happy with how it turned out. Not sure what is will be next, probably something w/wheels or tracks.
Hot Diggety Dog!
Now that it’s done it if fantastic! I absolutely love the figure work. You really brought the bird alive with them. Kinda looks crowded though Innit? I have a question. Are you familiar with Matchboxe’s “PUMA”? I bought one at a show and the instructions from step 20 to the finish are gone. I will need help there!
The reason I bought it used? I couldn’t afford the Helo New, and I got it for pennies on the dollar. I will have to hunt for decals too. The ones in the box are toast! I have always liked helo Birds but LARGE! Just sumpin about them. I have a mess of stuff for it too!
Thanks, glad you like it. Yes, even big Black Hawks get tight when filled with dudes and their gear.
The Puma instructions can be found at Scalemates. It is a great kit. I have built a couple over the years.
https://www.scalemates.com/products/img/8/9/6/120896-30-instructions.pdf
Above is the initial boxing of a blue/white helo. If you have another version, just click on it and scroll down.
https://www.scalemates.com/kits/matchbox-pk-507-aerospatiale-westland-sa-330-puma--120896
Beautiful work, the cramped highly detailed figures and their kit really bring this model to life. I’ve alway considered figures garnish - I see that I’ve been leaving a lot on the table, you’ve given me some idea’s, thanks for posting these pictures.
BTW, I noticed your first post on this was twards the end of March, did this project actually take under two months to complete?
Thanks Joe. I like to add figures so you see the scale of the model and it brings more of a human touch to them.
Yup, I tend to work kinda fast. That is about right for a project of this scale/size.
I am really pleased how this one came out.