1/35 HUEY Helicopter - (San Diego Fire Department)

[John Everett]

I’m still working on the fantasy, floating steamship thing. But as usual, I need at least two things going or I just don’t feel right.

This is Panda Models 1/35 twin HUEY (UH-1N). It’s.....well it’s Panda Models. So let’s get the major modifications underway, shall we?

[Leon]

Off to a nice start on the modifications John! Looks like a cool project.

[dupes]

Now THAT'S a paint scheme!

[fhvn4d]

THIS was one of my fantasy jobs.... had I ANY brains when I was in my 20s and early 30s, I would have let the Army Guard SEND me to flight school instead of spending 10 grand on my PPL(H) that I never got..... watching this one CLOSELY.....

[TRM]

Very nice John...off to a superb start I might say!

[Prop Duster]

A real favorite to see overhead when the wind blows and the fires roar, here in the SD area. Your changes look like a great start.

[John Everett]

I got a few hours on the bench yesterday and was able to rivet wheel the fuselage halves.

The original model is cast with roundhead rivets which measure 15mm in diameter when scaled up to full size. I'm not one of those crazy for accuracy people, you know, "rivet counters", but these things are just too, too big.

[Leon]

Nice work on the rivets John!

[John Everett]

Building up the interior since much of it will be visible. I also got very, very lucky when I stumbled upon some good pictures of the actual helicopter in question.



Cutting away a lot of plastic to make way for engine detail.

[Leon]

Nice work on the cut away John! Those are some great ref. pics.

[John Everett]

The smallest big step. I glued the interior to one half of the fuselage. I’ve found that this works well in creating anchor points and making way for all the bulkheads and formers which I’ll need to create for the engine and transmission deck.








I can see that I’m go to need to do a lot of filling and mojo behind the instrument panel.

[chris0423]

Hi John, hope all is well.

i do love a huey, and love your interior so far. looking forward to see what you do with all the wiring.

all the best, Chris.

[Leon]

Interior looks good John!

[John Everett]

Committed to joining the two halves. There's still some detail to add before the roof in glued in place. But access will remain easy until then.



Here's a problem which hides until the final part's fit is tested. I'll have to deal with this when the roof is attached.





The prototype has this funny little window cut into the side of the door. I'm not sure why. But there it is.



And I'll also need to figure out how that bubble window will work.




The open space will be filled with "engine stuff", scratchbuilt engine stuff. So there's that.

[Leon]

The Huey is looking good John!

[joelsmith]

I would suggest making a master of the window, and, them vacuforming a new window.

[midnightprowler]

Looking great!

[John Everett]

More stuff and things.








Thanks for watching!

[Leon]

Just keeps getting better and better John!

[Tojo72]

Really looking good

[John Everett]

More things of sealing and gluing.

[Leon]

Nice progress John! Starting to look like a Huey now.

[John Everett]

I've mounted the "engines". But I need a lot of work yet on the wiring and piping.

[Leon]

Engines are starting to look good John!

[joelsmith]

It is amazing that with all the EPA warnings and potential health risks, aircraft manufacturers are still using zinc chromate paint. Looking real nice John.

[deafpanzer]

WOW! Looking great especially the cockpit!

[John Everett]

Finally getting off my lazy arse and getting some ductwork completed in the Huey.

[moramarth]

"Finally getting off my lazy arse"
With the progress you're making on the Steampunk Airboat as well as this, I can only wish I had a touch of that " lazy arse" syndrome; mine must be catatonic...

Impressive work, as always!

Regards,

M

[John Everett]

I'm just about done with the engine bay and will plan to glue the cowling in place shortly.

[joelsmith]

Looking very nice!