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Here's the start of my build, I jumped in a couple of weeks ago, but haven't gotten too far. I have the Cobra Company kit and the Eduard photo-etch exterior set that I'll be using bits and pieces from.

I started with surface detail, Skuki's build a couple of years ago was very helpful. Lots of Dymo tape and patience.

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The kit has most of the detail, but it's hard to see. Between what's on the kits and my reference pics, I think I am close enough.

mason

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Hold the phone!!........Is that hand-made rivet detail I see covering that monster fuselage? Looks incredible. Was that done using a pinwheel device? I'd love to see an up-close pic of the fuselage detail and your tools.

Andy

Thanks a bunch, though you should see the first fuselage I started, like I said Dymo tape and patience...

Yes, I used a Pounce wheel. I used the smallest one in this set, Link. I just got one of the Rosie the Riveter tools, but it will be used for the next model.

I will get a close up later,

mason

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Hold the phone!!........Is that hand-made rivet detail I see covering that monster fuselage? Looks incredible. Was that done using a pinwheel device? I'd love to see an up-close pic of the fuselage detail and your tools.

Andy

I would agree. That is the biggest knock on the 53 and 46 kits, they didn't put any rivets on it. The one time it would be great to have it, they don't. :worship:

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I did some work on the rotor hub yesterday. I had already done a bit of work on one, but I decided to try again. Thanks to RiddleUSMC on FineScale for the inspiration for this. I do not have many good detail shot of the rotor head, so I am more worried about capturing the busy feel.

Here is the first one.

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This is the redo.

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I think I will add a couple lines to the hub itself, but I think it is feeling busier. I do not know what to do for the non-folding blade, it looks a little bare.

Thanks for looking

mason

Edited by doupnik
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Hold the phone!!........Is that hand-made rivet detail I see covering that monster fuselage? Looks incredible. Was that done using a pinwheel device? I'd love to see an up-close pic of the fuselage detail and your tools.

Andy

Here is a close up. Of course, now that I am looking at a close up pic, the goofs are standing out, but I don't want to start over... I still need to do a bit more sanding.

IMG_0035.jpg

mason

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nice work on the rivet detail! i have that pounce wheel set and it is tricky! as you said patience and dymo tape.

semper fi

Dan

Thanks, it's not perfect, but the overall feel it better than OOB.

When I started, I did one row and got a little frustrated with the thought of trying to get the rows all lined up and straight, but I started using a two strips of Dymo tape on each line, one on each side. Once I did that, things got easier.

mason

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I would agree. That is the biggest knock on the 53 and 46 kits, they didn't put any rivets on it. The one time it would be great to have it, they don't. :yahoo:

The really annoying thing is that there are lines are on the model in about the right places, but they are filled in or something. :)

mason

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Really excellent job......

José Miguel

Hi

It is really a very nice start and I love this bird too.

Looking forward....

Patrick

Thanks a lot, guys. I'm enjoying it so far and I am trying to take my time.

mason

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Holy great mother of all rivets!

That's a great start! Looking forward to see your progress.

Edited by Avus
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I got a little more work done. It's not done, but getting there.

IMG_0001.jpg

BTW, on the main rotor, I understand the blades are color coded, I forget the order, it's in my 53 build binder somewhere, but where specifically are the colors? I have looked around and checked out my walkarounds, but I can't find where the colors are and what they look like.

MTIA and thanks for looking,

mason

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I got a little more work done. It's not done, but getting there.

IMG_0001.jpg

BTW, on the main rotor, I understand the blades are color coded, I forget the order, it's in my 53 build binder somewhere, but where specifically are the colors? I have looked around and checked out my walkarounds, but I can't find where the colors are and what they look like.

MTIA and thanks for looking,

mason

Check out Landing Zone Publications. They have a really good book on the Echo (Don't recall the exact name, but nothing fancy) - I am pretty sure they have details of the color code/order for the blades. The tail rotors should also be color coded. I will look in my stuff tomorrow and see if I can get that info for you.

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Check out Landing Zone Publications. They have a really good book on the Echo (Don't recall the exact name, but nothing fancy) - I am pretty sure they have details of the color code/order for the blades. The tail rotors should also be color coded. I will look in my stuff tomorrow and see if I can get that info for you.

I have the book, but I still can't tell where the color coding is. It's probably a case of not knowing what I am looking for. I have decent pics of the tail rotor banding, so I am good there.

Thanks,

mason

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Mason,

Here is a pic of the E model rotor head. Note the wear on the leading edge part of the blade and the blade extension. Normally you see that kind of heavy wear if you have been flying in a desert environment. The blades are literally sand blasted as the move through the air. Something to consider when you are working on yours. In addition, you get a pretty good idea of the plumbing.

53ERotorHead.jpg

Hope this helps with the color question.

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Mason,

Here is a pic of the E model rotor head. Note the wear on the leading edge part of the blade and the blade extension. Normally you see that kind of heavy wear if you have been flying in a desert environment. The blades are literally sand blasted as the move through the air. Something to consider when you are working on yours. In addition, you get a pretty good idea of the plumbing.

53ERotorHead.jpg

Hope this helps with the color question.

That pic is great, what is on the leading edge of the back blades, the darker stuff? I am going to weather my blades a bit, the actual A/C had worn blades.

Here are some of my references...

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this one also shows the tie down.

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the head

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a close up of the last pic, are these the long looked for color codes, red circles?

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the tail rotor, with color bands, a little scratch building to get closer to this...

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the exhaust covers, I will probably be making these, but I didn't get a decent pic of what they use for the third engine.

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another 53E with my desired level of rear fuselage filth

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mason

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That pic is great, what is on the leading edge of the back blades, the darker stuff? I am going to weather my blades a bit, the actual A/C had worn blades.

Here are some of my references...

IMG_4198.jpg

this one also shows the tie down.

IMG_4201.jpg

the head

IMG_3856.jpg

a close up of the last pic, are these the long looked for color codes, red circles?

IMG_3856crop.jpg

the tail rotor, with color bands, a little scratch building to get closer to this...

IMG_4196.jpg

the exhaust covers, I will probably be making these, but I didn't get a decent pic of what they use for the third engine.

IMG_4219.jpg

another 53E with my desired level of rear fuselage filth

IMG_4562.jpg

mason

Very nice pics. As to the small color tabs by the lock pins, you are probably correct. That is one of the details that have slipped my mind over the years, but it would make sense that they would color code that part of the blade system. The blades themselves are interchangeable and are mounted on to 36" blade extensions. From that point in, is where it makes a difference due to the variance of the individual fold angles. But, what we really need is someone more current with the E. Hope that helps.

As to the dark leading edge on the blade, I don't recall what they are made of off the top of my head, but I have heard that the maintenance people apply some kind of a tape to the leading edge while they are in the desert to help prevent some the the sandblasting. Maybe that is it?

Edited by 53 Marine
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