Cobrahistorian Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 Hey all, Well, my MH-65C was coming along pretty well. I've added the scab plating on both sides of the tailboom, started to paint and detail the interior and got the main rotor assembled into something that actually looks like a Dolphin main rotor. I have not yet closed the fuselage, since I really want to detail up the cabin with the weapons mount and racks, etc. I test fit the windscreen and found that the bottom edges were quite warped and would not fit without some serious reshaping. So I decided to heat it with hot water. I made the mistake of heating the water too much, and when i dipped it in, things seemed to go well initially. The warping came out instantly. However, the bottom edge of the piece shrunk. Considerably. Like 1/8". The other piece fared even worse and no matter how hard I tried to correct it, it just got worse. So now i've got an MH-65 with no windscreen. Does anyone make a vac form one? Or would any of you fine gentlemen out there happen to have an extra set that I could buy from you? Thanks guys, Jon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tgoetz Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 Check your inbox. Your friendly Eurocopter parts department. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobrahistorian Posted April 14, 2010 Author Share Posted April 14, 2010 Thanks Todd! I'm currently finishing up my paper for the American Helicopter Society conference, but I think I'm going to get the cockpit and cabin interior done this weekend. I'll get more pics coming as soon as more progress is made! Jon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blackhawk7 Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 (edited) Looking good Jon! Shame about the windscreen, though. Is that the Cobra Company set your using there?? Tom Edited April 14, 2010 by blackhawk7 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobrahistorian Posted April 14, 2010 Author Share Posted April 14, 2010 (edited) Tom, Sure is! The set is awesome and really allows you to do up a beautiful interior where there was none before. The MH upgrades are fairly simple. I used sheet styrene for the scab plates and .035 styrene rod for the HF antenna. I'm sticking with the Fireball update set Fenestron tail rotor, since 6530 didn't have the 10-bladed fan when I photographed it. Chris warned me about the main gear not sitting straight on several copies that he'd seen, so I enlarged the post holes and made sure they were seated properly before gluing them in place. There are also a lot of fuselage details that have to be added to be accurate. I'm going to build the searchlight mount on the left side next. More later! Jon Edited April 14, 2010 by Cobrahistorian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EDWMatt Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 Jon, That's looking great! I've thought about using that kit to replicate the "Whistling S**tcan" that we tested out at AEFA. Man, I haven't been to AHS in years! What's your paper on? I presented one ages ago at on the pneumatic boot deicers we flew on the Huey. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobrahistorian Posted April 14, 2010 Author Share Posted April 14, 2010 Matt, It's on the evolution of helicopter close air support and the failure of lessons learned from the 1972 Easter Offensive. I'm having a blast with it. Really getting into some great historical primary source stuff for it too. Jon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SpiritZeroThree Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 Jon, while you are waiting on parts you might want to adjust your scab plates on the left side of the boom. The aft plate should extend to about 1/3 of the way down the grab rail, and the forward plate should have what looks like about 45deg cuts on the upper portion. a couple good shots form prime portal Forward plate Overall view of left side Looks good though, you can check on mine here... HH-65C Build Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobrahistorian Posted April 21, 2010 Author Share Posted April 21, 2010 Thanks Nick! I couldn't tell from the walkaround that I shot. There were too many people around the bird to get really good close-in detail shots. I'll fix that tonight. The new windscreens arrived yesterday and I installed them immediately (thanks Todd!). They fit perfectly! Jon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
marine4 ever Posted April 22, 2010 Share Posted April 22, 2010 Mmmm how did I miss this little lovely! very nice so far John! Semper fi Dan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fred Garvin Posted April 22, 2010 Share Posted April 22, 2010 Jon, while you are waiting on parts you might want to adjust your scab plates on the left side of the boom. The aft plate should extend to about 1/3 of the way down the grab rail, and the forward plate should have what looks like about 45deg cuts on the upper portion. a couple good shots form prime portal Forward plate Overall view of left side Looks good though, you can check on mine here... HH-65C Build Hey I took those at Kenai! Nice to see someone's getting some use out of them. Can't wait to see the rest of the build Jon. Sal Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobrahistorian Posted April 22, 2010 Author Share Posted April 22, 2010 Thanks guys! This build has been keeping me sane with all the crap I'm dealing with at work. I've been in some serious need of stress relief. I've been working from the Walkaround on the main site here for the interior colors, etc. Should have the cockpit and cabin interiors done tonight if all goes well. I still need to order the weapons and get some decent refs of the racks and pintle mount. Jon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shepard Posted April 22, 2010 Share Posted April 22, 2010 Jon.. fantastic job!!..awesome work!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SpiritZeroThree Posted April 23, 2010 Share Posted April 23, 2010 Jon, Not sure how in depth you are going with this build, but here's a shot of the underside, which basically has to be sanded smooth and redone on the trumpeter kit. It also gives a good view of the interior of the FM's hatch (which it looks like you cut out and i assume will be building open) and how the cabin door attaches to the rails. -Nick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobrahistorian Posted April 23, 2010 Author Share Posted April 23, 2010 Awesome! I'd like to do it as detailed as possible. Fixing the underside should be pretty easy. I''ll scratchbuild up some antennas no problem! Jon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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