Mi-8 helicopter, Cuba, (1/35)

[John Everett]

Since I seem to be on a Cuban kick of late, with the AN-2 just about done, I'm going to build Trumpeter's Mi-8 in the colors of Cubana, the national airline.

the box is large.




Considerable time and scratchbuilding will be invested in the engine and transmission sections.




There's a lot of mojo happening in the engine zone. So it's going to be a long project.


In 1993 this helicopter was stolen and used by 34 Cubans to defect to Miami.

[dierk]

Cool! Front row seat for me.

[Leon]

I'll be following John!

[midnightprowler]

Looking forward to this.

[John Everett]

Added some mojo.

[Leon]

SWEET! Engines are looking good John!

[wbill76]

Should make for some of your usual fun to watch John! Looking good on those engines so far.

[John Everett]

There's been a lot going on. But I'm finally back at the bench with the Mi-8.




Pretty neat stuff, this. Find it at your local fishing store, in the fly tying section. Dozens of colors.




Moving along with the transmission.



The transmission will be open and visible. So I need to cut some doors. (Drag the tip of the blade backward along the cut line and let it gouge out a thin ribbon of plastic with each pass. Brass sheet is a flexible guide edge.)





I also produced my first casting of a passenger seat. The mold turned out better than expected. This seat is a single piece of resin.










Cockpit detail ahead. Stay tuned!

[Leon]

WOW.....Nice work on the plumbing, seat casting and surgery John!

[midnightprowler]

Wow!

[dierk]

Excellent stuff!

[wbill76]

Really going the extra mile on the details on this baby John, it's paying off.

[jpc1968]

Great work John

[John Everett]

Thanks, everybody.

Some more hours place in the transmission bay.

[Leon]

WOW.....That is looking really awesome John!

[midnightprowler]

It's not right that you pass off a real aircraft as a model!

[wing_nut]

Stunning work. Uni-Thread is great stuff.

[wbill76]

Impressive details for sure, hard to tell the difference between it and the reference shot!

[John Everett]

Omaha's done. Back to the MI-8.

Hoses and wires.

[willc453]

Was really impressed with your wiring/plumbing, then comes along your seat? How'd you get the resin to pour into everything....did you use one of those vacuum things? Wonder if this helicopter is the same type as yours.

[Leon]

Excellent work John!

[mustang1989]

Man that is just too cool of a show with those engines!! Wow!! Detailing at its finest right there!!!

............and I'll be taking this into the auto modeling world............thanks ALOT for that tip!

[wbill76]

That engine looks like it could fire up right there on your workbench John, very cool.

[John Everett]

Just realized I've not updated this since before the Omaha show. So the transmission area has been done as well.











I've also begun work on the cabin.

[Leon]

Nice progress John!

[mrversatile]

Nicely done, John. It seems the cabin will be a bit easier than the engine work.

[John Everett]

Some movement in the cabin.

[Leon]

Nice progress on the cabin John!

[John Everett]

Just about ready to enclose the cabin.

[dierk]

Stunning workmanship!