Started this one: Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior - Italeri 1/72

[Ziper_it]

Hi all,

I was getting tired of assembling seats for my NH90 and started this one.

It should have been a quick build but ... well, you see the picture.

View attachment 69486


Current target is this one (If I find the decals):

View attachment 69485


Let me know if you'd like me to post more as I progress.

Francesco

 

[0ne48thtel]

very nice looking forward to seeing this one progress

 

[eddiesolo]

Indeed, carry on and post.

Si

 

[papa 695]

Do post more Francesco looks a very good start

 

[Polux]

Hi Francesco! Of course we want to see the progress, keep the pics coming!

Nice start.

 

[Ian M]

Silly question. Of course we want to see it being built and painted.

Ian M

 

[Ziper_it]

Many thanks for your interest, more will come as I progress.

In the meanwhile some shots of the kit taken from HS (http://kits.kitreview.com/italeri1185reviewgp_1.htm as I did not take by myself.

The kit is quite old and not the best one, with raised panel lines and canyons where recessed one. Also it model an old version.

There will be some work to be done to rescribe panels (first time for me, wish me good luck) and scratch build some parts (ALQ and GPS).

View attachment 69557


View attachment 69558


View attachment 69559


Francesco

 

[tecdes]

Yes Franseco more posts. Looks a nice model with lots of external detail. The sort of model I have become attached to.

Just started a Merlin Helicopter lots going on on the outside.

Interesting that the colour of the plastic on your Kiowa is so similar to the colours of the Helicopter. Hope all goes well.

Laurie

 

[Ziper_it]

Thanks Laurie.

I would be interested in seeing your Merlin too, I'd like to build one.

Bye,

Francesco

 

[Ziper_it]

Ok, I owe you some update and here it is.

I've continued adding few missing details.

View attachment 69826


Here I added ribs on the wall, modified the top frame, added first aid bag and fire extinguisher, some avionics modules and started to add cables.

View attachment 69827


Here added rudder pedals with part of the mechanism, adjusted thickness of foot holder, reshaped base for the seats, prepared base for the avionics in the back.

View attachment 69828


Added center panel, side storage box and some avionics modules in the front.

View attachment 69829

added airbag, reshaped the whole dashboard, added ribs and rifle holder.
That's all for now.

Francesco

 

[Ziper_it]

Some paint, a little matt and few drybrush later ...

View attachment 69865


View attachment 69866


Seats, cyclic, collective and rudder pedal still missing. I'm almost done with the new seats, have still to do the collective (so pity they didn't put it in these old kits).

I also started rescribing the fuselage, first time and not an easy work for me. I sprayed it with primer and it looks decent, not perfect though.

Francesco

 

[papa 695]

Coming along very nicely Francesco Really liking the additions

 

[flyjoe180]

It's a fugly looking thing, but nice start Francesco. These Italeri helicopters are great kits and very enjoyable to build.

 

[Ziper_it]

I hope i translated this correctly and that the "thing" is the real heli, not my model.

LOL

Thanks

Interior complete,Ii will post some picture tomorrow.

I also reviewed the panel lines on fuselage and started the assembly of mast and loads.

Francesco

 

[Ziper_it]

Ok, here we go with the complete pilot's office (pictures taken at different phases).

View attachment 70038


View attachment 70039


View attachment 70040


So smalllll!!!

And few close-ups to close:

View attachment 70041

View attachment 70042

View attachment 70043


View attachment 70044

View attachment 70045


Francesco

 

[papa 695]

Some lovely work there Francesco and boy is that tiny

 

[Ziper_it]

Thanks Papa.

Finallly closed the fuselage, gluing ongoing.

A built from scratch the doors and added the grids, both should get a little retouch. Then I will continue rescribing, I'm still not satisfied with it, few panel were already done couple of times.

Critiques, please?

Francesco

View attachment 70121


View attachment 70122

 

[Ziper_it]

Hi all,

Short update on this project.

I added the new air intake to the doghouse, panel on the side and ALQ support (some sanding required).

Knowing the complexity of making the air intake with plastic card, I thought for an alternative method, pictures below.

View attachment 70557

View attachment 70558

View attachment 70559


View attachment 70560


Francesco

 

[Ziper_it]

Primed

View attachment 70561

 

[eddiesolo]

Top workmanship so far Francesco, nice use of materials to create what you want. Like it very much.

Si