1/35 UH-1C Medevac Huey - WIP

I have put aside my Mi-8 helo project for a while (it was starting to feel like the last project).

I have started the MRC Huey "Charlie model" in 1/35 scale.  I wanted to do something new and decided to do a medevac version of that helicopter.

I have found very little for the interior so I have started scratchbuilding. I  am planning to add a Jungle penetrator  and a hoist in the cabin.

Your feedback is always welcome.

 

Oliver

Comments

norbert's picture

Nice to see you scratching

Nice to see you scratching that all. Do you make the seats fabric in paper or is it PE ? They are cut nicely

Norbert

Norbert

oliver's picture

Nothing is PE in what you

Nothing is PE in what you see. It is all scratchbuilt. I use black aluminium foil for the canvas seat and stretchers (much easier to work with than paper) I have redone since the post the rods for the stretchers in brass wire (photos to come). I used Waldron Punch to cut evenly. Oliver
CoolRuehle's picture

Seats

Aluminum foil is a great idea.  I'll have to try that out next time, most likely on a larger model (easier to do the first time). I found some foil last year that was used to wrap the top of champagne bottles. It is quilted and looks like the stuff you'd see in a huey. Definately 1/35 scale or 1/24th. I think I saved 4 or 5 of them from last Christmas.

Your Huey is looking really nice inside. Keep us posted on the progress.

--Jon

Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered automatic weapons!   - General Douglas MacArthur

oliver's picture

Thanks for the reply. I am

Thanks for the reply. I am trying to use new materials and mix up the things I take for granted. I have not seen the quilted foil but that would a very nice touch. Thanks for the tip. Oliver
shark64's picture

MRC UH-1C

I have redone the stetchers attachement in various sizes in brass wire and use parts of a WW2 German tank from Eduard to duplicate the locks on the rods. I have added a weapons rack (may not use it) in solder wire. I changed the ammo box into a medical storage crate. My next venture will be to scratchbuilt a hoist on the floor.

MRC UH-1C Huey

MRC UH-1C Huey

Oliver

M-VT's picture

UH-1C Medevac

Impressive! I'm looking forward to the finished model. If it is half as good as your Hound then it is still stunning ;-)

Michael

Joe's picture

UH-1C

I have this kit and what you are doing with it is very very nice! Rgds Joe
oliver's picture

Something different

Thanks! I'm glad you like it. I wanted to do something different inside. Oliver

shark64's picture

UH-1C Medevac Huey

Hi,

Here are latest pictures of  on my Medevac Huey. I have opened the front of the helicopter and scratchbuilt on the avionics using a range of photoetched parts from various companies to try to duplicate the real thing.

I will start on my engine next but I have to do some research because I am planning to have engine lifted on a crane on a aircraft carrier.

Oliver

norbert's picture

It start to look like the

It start to look like the mess we see often in a helo.

Great build so far. Was the hoist included in the kit ?

Norbert

shark64's picture

Hi Norbert, Glad you like it

Hi Norbert,

Glad you like it . The hoist is all scratchbuild.  I use part of a rotor mast from a Cobra in 1/48 scale. Photoetched from Part for the Hind. I agree its getting too crowded inside, I might take out the jumpseat...dont know yet.

Oliver

Jens's picture

Crowded

Hi Oliver, great job so far. Please don't leave out the seat, it never can be too crowded! :-)

Jens

shark64's picture

Hi Jens. Decisions.

Hi Jens.

Decisions. Decisions. I made the seat out of brass rods first than I saw a photo of a hoist in rescue helicopter, I had to do the hoist. I guess once I paint everything inside that will tell me to either leave it or take it out. In any case thanks for the input.

Oliver

norbert's picture

I'm with Jens it needs to be

I'm with Jens

it needs to be crowded, I was positive !

Norbert

shark64's picture

Hi Guys. Ok! I'll keep the

Hi Guys.

Ok! I'll keep the seat in there. You both are now part of this project.

Oliver

shark64's picture

UH-1C Seats

I am going to use the Eduard photo-etched part for the seats but after careful review a lot of surgery has to be done in order to install the armored side panel on the seat. I decided to cut out the whole seat apart and recreate a frame for them out of brass rods. The hardest part was to recreate two identical frames. I still have to install the side sliding armored panel in a open position from the photo-etched parts. I also cut the collectives out and install a throttle on them out of 2 different  brass rod sizes. I have wrapped the collectice with a protective sleeve out of foil paper just like in the real machine

Oliver

Jens's picture

UH-1C Seats

Hi Oliver,

those scratch built seats look fantastic.

Very fine details. Almost a pitty to paint them :-)

I've never seen a Medevac UH-1C, do you have a good source for pictures on the net?

Jens

shark64's picture

Hi Jens. I am glad you like

Hi Jens.

I am glad you like the seats. There are almost done. It was challenge for me to complete them.  I had to teach myself to solder. I  have several books on the Huey  and the internet is always a good source ( do you need the books title?).  I will agree  you with 100 %. There no such thing as "C" in medevac version only in the "B" model. I wanted to do something different with this kit  and thats why I went that route. I dont always try to build accurate version.

Oliver

Austin Kennedy's picture

CC set

Do you have the Cobra Company backdate set? www.cobracompany.com/35008.htm

Take care,

Austin

shark64's picture

Hi Austin. Thanks for the

Hi Austin.

Thanks for the tip with Cobra Company.  There are nice resin pieces. I do not have that set.  I am not planning to switch my "C" to a "B".

Oliver

Ted's picture

Nice  job Oliver. Ted.

Nice  job Oliver.

Ted.

shark64's picture

Thanks!  Glad you like

Thanks!  Glad you like it.  Is the Chinook in ARC yours ?

Oliver

shark64's picture

UH-1C Engine compartment

Here are the latest on my engine photos. I have almost finished the transmission cylinder, few more things here and there . I will start on the small details for that  next.  I am still struggling with the transmission box somehow i cant get to duplicate it. I still have to add all the rivets and the connection for all the wires and all the controls links from the main rotor

Oliver

Patrick Nabinger's picture

Medevac Huey

Hello Oliver I follow your medevac UH-1C build with a big interest here on Scale Rotors and on ARC. It will be a great model ! But post after post, I see you be aware of a problem: UH-1C where not medevac helos and as you say, you are at a crossroad right now. In fact you must choose between 3 possibilities :
  1. Continue your build how you envisioned first ( UH-1C medevac ) and it will turn in a nice model. But knowing UH-1C are not medevac helos, you  will perhaps be a little disappointed or frustrate with your model.
  2. Switch your build in a accurate UH-1C gunship. It will be a fantastic model, but of course, the medevac inside is already build and it was not what you envisoned first, and again disapointment and frustration.
  3. Switch your build in a accurate UH-1B medevac helo using the Cobra Company UH-1B Backdate detail set. Its not too late and not a so hard job. And here you will be happy and proud with your model. OK, I know the price of this set : 30$ but your model is sooooo beautiful...

Hard decisionI send you a few photos of the CC set, it will perhaps help you to take a decision

Regards

Patrick

TimV's picture

Medevac UH-1B/C

Hi Oliver,

Although I share your vision and I prefer a good painted model over a 100% accurate one I have to agree with Patrick. As it is still fairly easy to create an accurate B model I would go for the Cobra Company backdate set as well. And it is still not too late and the conversion is also fairly easy so it shouldn't "delay" the finishing of your model.

But in case you stick to your original plan, that's fine as well.... Looking forward to see it finished

Cheers, Tim

shark64's picture

 Hi Patrick. Hi Tim. Both

Hi Patrick. Hi Tim.

Both of your comments make perfect sense. Everybody has been so supportive with this build. The amount of technical support I've received from talented modelers( Ray,Charlie, Huey Crew,ect...) is without question.

As I mentioned before I don't always build only for accuracy. I've always been more interested in the final visual of the project rather than an exact reproduction. I hope I don't offend any Huey fans. The Huey history speaks for itself. For me, no matter how it's painted, built or portrayed it always will be a monument to the machine.

I really appreciate everybody's input... It doesn't fall on deaf ears.

Oliver

shark64's picture

UH-1C transmission plate

Here are a few updated photos. I finally figured out to make the transmission plate after so many tries.

Next will be the gas tank and connections and the bottom of the transmission gear.

Oliver

shark64's picture

UH-1C - Latest photos

Here are the latest photos. I have started doing surgery on the Huey and cutting the cowlings out.

Oliver

gschmidt's picture

UH-1C

Hi Oliver,

Very nice. Pete Halem wrote a very good book on the "charlie model". He's started the Cobra Co. When it comes to acccuracy never say always and never say never. who know somebody could have done it . Keep up the good work!

shark64's picture

Hi Gary, I agree never say

Hi Gary,

I agree never say never. Thanks for the kind words. This build has been challenging from time to time but it has been fun so far. Working with brass is really a new thing for me. This project is going to take a while to finish. Ill post new photos soon.

Oliver

shark64's picture

UH-1C - Main Rotor

I went back to work but I did manage to put in a few hours after work.I have added the linkage to the main rotor (Still need to be trimmed) and attached the air filter to the transmission and to its wall. I also made couple of FOD.

Oliver

shark64's picture

UH-1C - Next steps

Finally a wide shot of the project with everything inside.

I put the 2 fuselages together in order to see how it looks like. I am noticing the gap that everyone is taking about with this kit. I haveto do a little plastic surgery inside. I think my fuselage is warped but I am not quite sure yet.

I will have to redo the brass floor and make it wider   in order to eliminate the gap between the fuselage and the engine floor.



Oliver

shark64's picture

Here are the latest on the Huey.

As you can see my huey looks like it got a severe haircut. I made a huge mistake in my calculations and I sanded way to much plastic in the cowlings area of the helicopter. I have decided to cut in front tof the tail rotor shaft attachement in order to correct my mistake (it is accurate with the real machine as far as it looks when all cowlings are off). That goes without saying that venture created more scratchbuilding in order to fill up the gaps

I have redone the whole floor in brass after making a template in plastic in order to give it strenght for the main rotor unit. I had to make the exhaust and the attachement plate for the exhaust. All the wiring has to be dealt with it right now before painting.  I also detailed the inside of the exhaust because I am planing to leave it open.

When I got the huey I wanted  to show everything open but I thought my skills were not up to do so much surgery on the it...little did I know.

Oliver

Oliver

Anonymous's picture

Amazing detail

Amazing detail, even without paint this model would look good

shark64's picture

Huey Engine floor

I worked on the engine floor today. I made a template in styrene first. It is easier to work with styrene first when you have to deal with fit problems. Once that was done I used my pounce wheel to make the rivets. This is definetly more work that I had expected to do.

I love this project. I am expecting another 6 monts of work on this project. I am now gathering pieces for the diorama...Can you spell Aircraft Carrier?

 

Oliver

CoolRuehle's picture

Wow! What a project!

This is really going over the top on detail!  It is looking very very nice. Keep us posted (as you have) on the progress.

 

--Jon

Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered automatic weapons!   - General Douglas MacArthur

shark64's picture

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE KIND

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE KIND WORDS. I AGREE ITS A BIG PROJECT.

OLIVER

shark64's picture

Medevac Huey

I worked on the cowlings braces in styrene (white ladder like pieces) and I am debating if I will attach the cowlings to them????

I took a photo of the fuselage and cabin together,,,I was displaying at a show here in Los Angeles so it was a dry run to work on the best display positions.

Oliver

Marco's picture

Huey

Hi Oliver,

nice to see you advancing on your Huey! Very nice details

and "pre-assembling" a kit with Tamiya tape to see how it will look is a my second hobby :-)

cheers,

Marco

shark64's picture

Thanks Marco, I am glad you

Thanks Marco,

I am glad you like it.  Tamiya tape is a life saver. I always put everything together several times in my build so I dont have surprises later. Thanks for the king words. I put aside the engine and I went back to the cabin area to fix the little details i had forgotten.

oliver

shark64's picture

Next steps

Here are some new photos. Work has been crazy and I dont have much time to work on the Huey as much as I want to.I started working back on the inside of the cabin. I hope to start painting soon. I have also added some light on the cabin roof and a rotor brake.I am using a combination of the kit inside colums and the Eduard photoetched.

Oliver

TimV's picture

Medevac Huey

Hi Oliver, nice nice nice... I'm looking forward to see your paintjob!

shark64's picture

Hi Tim. You and me

Hi Tim.

You and me both.....cant wait to start. I am debating between all grey or all black interior.

Oliver

TimV's picture

Black or grey

I would go for all grey, it gives you more possibilities to weather... black is more difficult I think

shark64's picture

Hi Tim, I am doing a 3 tone

Hi Tim,

I am doing a 3 tone camouflage on this helo. I have done all black in the Mc Donnell Douglas 530  that you have here on the forum. I like grey very much as well and black is fun to to weather with pigments. I am just afraid that all black interior will kill all the details on this one.....cant decide yet.

Anyone listening...I am open to suggestions!

Oliver

gschmidt's picture

UH-1C

First you need your head examed . LOL Why don't you do both? Different shades of grey. Excellent work !! Gary

shark64's picture

Hi Gary. Thanks for kind

Hi Gary.

Thanks for kind words. I ll check on the head exam (LOL)

I will do a paint test on the interior on a scrap model  in black and grey this weekend. Maybe that will help in deciding.

Oliver

shark64's picture

Huey Doors

I was able to work on my doors this weekend after almost 2 weeks of no modeling....

Oliver

ice's picture

It´s always a real pleasure

It´s always a real pleasure to watch your work.

Stefan

shark64's picture

Thanks. The best part of

Thanks.

The best part of this site other than to see helo modelers display their great work is getting feedbacks from fellow modelers. its priceless.

Oliver

shark64's picture

Fire extinguisher

I was all ready to start painting on the Huey till I discovered that I had forgotten the bracket for the fire extinguisher. I ended making a new fire extinguisher in the process. I am not sure if I am going to keep the Eduard part yet. In any case here are some photos.

I found some time  today to work on the seats. I am getting ready to paint but I had to finish the seatbelts. I did not want to handle the seats once they were painted.

Still have not decided on black or grey interior.

Oliver

Avus's picture

Your work is always amazing,

Your work is always amazing, Oliver!

shark64's picture

Hi,   Thanks so much for

Hi,

Thanks so much for that.

Oliver

ice's picture

I think I missed it: when

I think I missed it: when is the planned date for the maiden flight?

Great details and thank you for sharing!

Stefan

shark64's picture

Thanks for that. The first

Thanks for that. The first maiden flight should be the one of interior painting. if all goes well in the rest of the build...we are looking a 9 months from now.

Oliver