After most of a year of work, and
the trials and tribulations, my Blackhawk is done. If you have followed along
with my past ARC articles on how to improve this big kit, then you know that
I've put a lot of effort into it. The plan was to have it finished Feb.
2003 for a contest, but in pulling an all-nighter before a contest, I cracked
the windshield. After a move across the US, replacement windshield and a nose
repaint, the finished product is here. In all, it's a rewarding project, and
gets a lot of attention. I am happy with it, and will do another
BLACK-hawk soon.
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I pretty much added
everything I could think of to this kit. It is complemented by the incredible
Cobra Company UH60 Update set and the comprehensive Eduard Photoetch set,
which contains more photoetch than I care to think about. Check the ARC
Gallery feature for my articles on how to improve the interior and install the
seats: my method allows you to install all those photoetched seat braces under
each seat and maintain some level of sanity. I grabbed a US flag image off
the web, shrunk it to size and printed it out, mounting the flag to the back
wall, a common feature on many aircraft during Desert Storm. "Tinnin",
the subject of this kit, has a "scoreboard" of the Iraqi POW's it transported between
the CEs' station and the pilots' door. I used the kit's comprehensive markings
and they reacted fairly well to MicroSol. I really liked all the stenciling for
the large main rotors and tail rotors, most of which is readable.
In addition to all
the interior upgrades, PE and resin installed, I wired the main rotor, chaff and
flare dispensers, ran brake lines with their quick disconnects down to the
brakes (the QD's are made from telescopic tubing), replaced the molded tie downs
with thick wire, made communications cords for the CE and gunner from solder
wire, added photoetch windshield wipers from Detail Master and straight-
pin air temperature probes in the overhead windows. Notice that they
are not tinted: blackhawk overhead windows are left clear. The tail rotor 90*
gearbox received brass screen, and Dzus fastener clips from strip stock.
The kit weapons are
OK but look far better with the photoetch parts from Eduard installed. The
empty ammo box is far more convincing than the plastic part: I covered the spent
brass catcher with aluminum foil and painted that faded OD. For added realism, I
articulated both M60D mounts, installing one folded-up inside the gunners'
window. Unfortunately all the work I put into the cockpit does not show in
the photos, but it's well-detailed. Co-pilots' collective stick is in stowed
position, and the pilots seat armor is extended.
For paint and markings,
there was only one option for me: Desert Storm veteran "Tinnin" with
the faded, worn out, raggedy, sun-baked and flaked temporary sand camo.
Don't ask what color it is, I made it the same way the real paint was made, by
mixing this that and the other. I probably have some Armor Sand, Army/Marine
Corps Gulf War tan and dark yellow in there. This was airbrushed over a
base coat of preshaded and pre-weathered US Helo drab. Rubber cement was applied
where photos show the paint flaking off the real machine, and where paint is
known to wear heavily. Numerous thin spots where the green peeks thru
were added later. I painted it keeping in mind that the real machine was
painted quickly by hand, probably with a cheap spray gun in the feild, so
sweeping motions from the perspective of painting on a short stepladder was
kept. Undersurfaces remain green overall. This is a BIG model, measuring
22" rotor to rotor, and it makes an impression. If you have any questions
feel free to contact me, and check my web page for more models and information.
David
Visit Hover Lovers' Model Page
at:
http://www.angelfire.com/ca4/hlmp/home.html
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