ITALERI Merlin HMA.1 new build from the box,1/72nd scale

warning: filemtime() [function.filemtime]: stat failed for http://partner.googleadservices.com/gampad/google_service.js in /home/scalerotor/domains/scale-rotors.com/public_html/modules/javascript_aggregator/javascript_aggregator.module on line 56.
Mon, 2010-02-08 18:58 — spadfan1

Hello everyone. Well this is a new start for me.I have been out of the modelling fraternity for a few years now,work taking control of life. However times have changed and i am now able to get back into the flow and start to enjoy model building again.

I spent 11 years in the army and had many experiences of flying in various types of helicopters ranging from an Allouette in Cyprus to Gazelles,Pumas,Chinooks and even landing aboard HMS ARK ROYAL in a SeaKing whilst it was steaming along in the English Channel. I left the army in 1994 due to an accident whilst driving a Chietain tank in Canada. Since then i have been round the world working on oil refineries and also driving HGV's.

Now though things have changed and i have the time to re-kindle the flame of past memories of modelling.I have just finished building a Tamiya 1/48th Skyraider to get the feel again and with looking on this website and having an interest in helicopters my next challenge was decided. A visit to my local model shop saw me walk away with an ITALERI 1/72nd scale Merlin HMA.1

The reason for this model is that last year at the Waddington Air Show i had a close up look at the Merlin and was impressed with its lines,so with a kit being available i took the challenge.

This is my first ever recorded 'from the box' build and i will be photo-recording it from start to finish. I hope the end product will be worthy to feature on this website. I will be building from the box with no aftermarket accessories only adding detail from out of my bits box.

Any suggestions along the way will be much appreciated,oh and i only paint with a brush, i don't have the luxury of an airbrush yet!

Many thanks, Andy

‹ Revell Lynx, prototype? H-19 in UN-mission in Congo. ›

Comments

Mon, 2010-02-08 19:13 — ice
ice's picture

Hi Andy! Good to hear you

Hi Andy!

Good to hear you are back in modelling. I started again last year after many years of absence and - funny coincidence- built a Merlin since January 2010.

It's a nice kit with some tricky steps but if I can I'll try to provide some help. Unfortunately I didn't post the updates here but perhaps my report on arc helps a little bit: http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=175334

The Italeri-Kit is very good since it has the correct wraparounds on the rotorhead (the revell kit doesn't) but the decals are better from Revell.

Stefan

Mon, 2010-02-08 19:51 — spadfan1
spadfan1's picture

Thanks for the advice

Thanks for your reply and advice Stefan,the Merlin must be an easy way in to the helicopter build scene??Laughing,i will surf the net also to glean as much info as i can before building. I,ll see how i get on with the decals when the time comes...otherwise i might give in and give Hannants a call?? Ha..Ha!! Andy

Tue, 2010-02-09 15:09 — offroadstevie_uk
offroadstevie_uk's picture

Lucky you finding that

Lucky you finding that Italeri kit.

I won two on the well known auction site, one never arrived and the one that did arrive had to be given away as a christmas present to my brother-in-law. It was either that or the RAF version, which he was never going to get! lol.

I was very lucky this weekend at the local ModelKraft 2010 show, to notice the Italeri logo on a kit partially hidden by other kits on a stall. The box was the right size, so I pulled it out to find the kit  of the HAS.1.

 

Talk about being a bit chuffed!!.

Hope you have fun building it and I look forward to seeing your build photo's as you post them.

Steve