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Member Projects => Ken's Projects => Topic started by: Ken Pugh on July 30, 2012, 05:29:28 PM

Title: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: Ken Pugh on July 30, 2012, 05:29:28 PM
I missed building something for Naval Aviation's 100th (shame on me, being a Navy man and all).  I plan to build something for them later.  Right now, I'm building something for the USMC Aviation's 100th.

This project is the magnificent AH1W Super Cobra in 1/72 scale.  I have been building it for some time but have not released anything on it just to make sure I will complete it.  I do have pics but they will be posted later.

Oorah, go Marine Corps!

Ken Pugh
Title: Re: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: lastvautour on July 30, 2012, 06:11:21 PM
Looking forward to it.

Lou
Title: Re: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: Airmedical on October 04, 2012, 12:35:02 PM
Well, you might as well post pictures because now that we know you are working on the project, some of us will be hounding you on pictures and progress.  Hint, hint, wink, wink,  ;) elbow, elbow....Uh Hem! ;D

To all our veterans, those serving and those that gave them selves.  Thank you.  I solute you!
Semper Fi! Ooorah!

Title: Re: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: Ken Pugh on October 28, 2012, 02:22:01 PM
I found that I did have some early pics stashed away so I will post about construction details.

Ken Pugh
Title: Re: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: lastvautour on October 28, 2012, 02:43:39 PM
Looking forward to them.

Lou
Title: Re: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: Ken Pugh on October 28, 2012, 02:51:44 PM
I have steadily moved away from block construction of my solid builds and this one is completely built in layers, just like the bread and butter ship models.  The main reason I did this was because of the helicopter's tail rotor shaft from the engine.  It looked easier to get right by building in layers.  I like this method so much I will be doing more of it in the future.

This build also has more paper in its construction, a method I will be using a lot more in future.

First up, plan out your layers.  This was planned around the available sheet thicknesses of basswood available.  Originally, I used a lot of poplar instead of basswood for strength, especially in thin structures like the wing and tail.  Now, I will be using layers of thin wood and paper.  Homemade plywood.  After I designed my layers I traced out templates on drafting mylar.

(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/10019/normal_ah1w001.JPG)
http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pid=7281 (http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pid=7281)

Ken Pugh
Title: Re: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: Ken Pugh on October 28, 2012, 02:53:49 PM
Here you can see the fuselage layers and main rotors.  The rotors are two layers thick.

(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/10019/normal_ah1w002.JPG)

http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pid=7282 (http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pid=7282)

Ken Pugh
Title: Re: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: Ken Pugh on October 28, 2012, 02:54:49 PM
Fuselage glued up.

(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/10019/normal_ah1w003.JPG)

http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pid=7283 (http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pid=7283)

Ken Pugh
Title: Re: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: Ken Pugh on October 28, 2012, 02:58:14 PM
The fuselage has much of the shape carved in.  Another layer is now added for the cheeks.  The AH1W has tons of improvements tacked onto it allowing for large amounts of detail.  There is a large amount of variation in individual examples due to upgrade progress.  A good pic of your chosen subject is necessary to get all the proper upgrades installed.

(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/10019/normal_ah1w004.JPG)

http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pid=7284 (http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pid=7284)

Ken Pugh
Title: Re: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: Ken Pugh on October 28, 2012, 03:03:06 PM
Engine nacelles are ready to go on.  The whiskey model is twin engined and was a big performance boost.  The zulu is a drastic change with a four blade main rotor.

Originally, I wanted to make the IR reduction nozzles for the engines.  After much aggravation I settled on the version with the bare exhaust nozzles.  I'm glad I did as it allows me to develop my paper techniques.  The horizontal surfaces are not glued in, they are there for illustration.  Both are 1/32nd basswood at present, though the front wing will be built up in layers.  The rear will be covered with paper.

(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/10019/normal_ah1w005.JPG)

http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pid=7285 (http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pid=7285)

Ken Pugh
Title: Re: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: Ken Pugh on October 28, 2012, 03:08:28 PM
Paper nozzle construction.  First you need a form.  For the nozzles this was very simple.  The form is covered with plastic wrap then a strip of paper rolled over.  After the first layer, I used simple white glue.  Once the glue is dry, you can remove the entire nozzle from the form.  If you are happy with what you made, soak it with thin CA.  It will then be hard as a rock and can be cut or sanded just like wood.

(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/10019/normal_ah1w006.JPG)

http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pid=7286 (http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pid=7286)

Ken Pugh
Title: Re: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: Ken Pugh on October 28, 2012, 03:10:55 PM
Here is the nozzle shape removed from the form.  Elmer's Glueall is flexible enough that you can do a little shaping by squeezing until you get just what you want.  When you are satisfied, soak with CA and your part becomes permanent.  Both nozzles will be cut from this piece.

(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/10019/normal_ah1w007.JPG)

http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pid=7287 (http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pid=7287)

Ken Pugh
Title: Re: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: Ken Pugh on October 28, 2012, 03:12:15 PM
Details added to the nozzles, also from paper.  Build up layers to get the thickness you want.

(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/10019/normal_ah1w008.JPG)

http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pid=7288 (http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pid=7288)

Ken Pugh
Title: Re: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: Ken Pugh on October 28, 2012, 03:15:41 PM
Nozzles cut to size.  Since these things are so thin, gluing them on can be a problem.  I just sawed off some of the form to support.  By doing it this way, I can paint the fuselage and nozzles separately and glue the nozzles on at the end.  Because of the plastic barrier it is not a tight fit but that does not really matter, Tacky Glue will fill that gap quite nicely.

(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/10019/normal_ah1w009.JPG)

http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pid=7289 (http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pid=7289)

Ken Pugh
Title: Re: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: Ken Pugh on October 28, 2012, 03:21:32 PM
The tail is a mess and very weak.  Paper again to the rescue.  When I make up my plans I print several copies, some in paper and some in card stock.  On the card stock version, I drew in a fold line along the leading edge.  Cut that section of the tail out, fold over on the leading edge, then cut out the rest of the tail.  This will now glue on as a cover over the tail, refining the shape and strengthening the structure.

The tail rotor hub is also shown here.  This can be a difficult part to securely attach to the tail.  Brass tubing was cut for the hub and it was wrapped with floral wire, just like blocks on model ships.  The wire tail will lay along the leading edge of the tail and covered with the card stock.  Prime the metal before gluing all this up.

(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/10019/normal_ah1w010.JPG)

http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pid=7290 (http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pid=7290)

Ken Pugh
Title: Re: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: Ken Pugh on October 28, 2012, 03:24:52 PM
Tail glued up.  The tail rotor hub sits on top and is securely attached.  It still rotates a little.  You can use a large piece of brass rod in the hub and adjust it so everything is aligned squarely.  When you are happy, put some epoxy in the top area to secure the rotor hub and strengthen the top of the tail.  The paper cover can now be coated with thin CA.

(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/10019/normal_ah1w011.JPG)

http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pid=7291 (http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pid=7291)

Ken Pugh
Title: Re: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: Peter on October 28, 2012, 06:14:06 PM
It looks really good so far Ken! I can't wait to see it finished. I build card models as well mostly architectural. Paper is an underrated material, it's versatile and surprisingly resilient. I have a model of a French Chateau I built 12 years ago and it still looks good.

Peter
Title: Re: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: lastvautour on October 29, 2012, 12:12:09 PM
This article is fantastic. Your method lends itself to many other projects. Once my bench is cleared of current projects I would like to tackle the earlier Cobra using your method. Thanks for the photo array which are tremendously useful. Excellent workmanship throughout Ken.

Lou
Title: Re: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: Ken Pugh on January 03, 2013, 04:52:39 PM
I thought I had pics of how I made the outer shells to the nozzles but I don't.  I used the same form that made the nozzles and added more layers of plastic.  The paper shells were formed the same way.  These were installed on the turbine enclosures and formed over the nozzles, which are removable.  After coating with CA and plenty of rounds of putty/sand, they were smoothed into position and this part was coated with Polycrylic.

I then spent much time cleaning up the fuselage.  My piano finish method, seen in other posts, was then used.  Raise the grain with water, sand down, coat with wood filler, sand down, then coat with Polycrylic.  From this point I made the gun turret, which I do have pics for and will follow that up soon.

Ken
Title: Re: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: Ken Pugh on January 07, 2013, 12:01:48 AM
Sorry the updates are so rare but my disability is really whipping up on me.  Normally, I do better in the winter since the problems are worse in the heat, but I have been having a lot of trouble since Thanksgiving.  I can work on something for less than an hour then, when I get up, I find that I am in trouble and have to lay down.

I worked on the front optical turret tonight and did take a pic.  Building these things in layers helps the process significantly.  Parts that can be complicated to carve are a breeze when they are built in layers.  I have seen the ship modelers do this in practically everything they make but it never clicked for me until this project.  When you visualize the part, mentally break it up into layers.  You can do some coarse shaping of the layers before glue-up.  It also helps to make one of the layers long so you can use it for a handle while you shape the rest of the part.

You may have noticed that the nose on the model is mis-shaped and large.  The extra material was left on until the turret was built.  Now I can just trim everything down so it all fits together.

More to come.

Ken
Title: Re: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: lastvautour on January 07, 2013, 01:47:31 AM
I hope the new year finds you feeling better. I have yet to start my Huey Cobra but will keep your processes in mind.

Lou
Title: Re: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: Peter on January 07, 2013, 04:01:12 AM
Hi Ken,

Ship modelers refer to building things in layers as bread and butter construction. I have used it in constructing ships in bottles too. I hope your feeling better.

Peter
Title: Re: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: Ken Pugh on January 07, 2013, 02:09:12 PM
Thanks all.

Actually, I am referring to the ship modeler's ability to build deck furniture in layers.  They rarely just block and carve, everything is pieces.  Watching them build ladders is brilliant.  Small parts may seem fiddly to tackle, but carving small parts can be annoying.  I have found building a hole is much easier than drilling/carving a hole.  Building in layers also lays down a built-in ruler to guide in construction.

The main wing is next.  After that I'll need to plan out the metal bits for the rotors.  Little details on the fuselage will come after everything is settled.

Ken
Title: Re: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: cliff strachan on January 07, 2013, 06:08:57 PM
Hi Ken. All very interesting tips. A lot of methods that I, at least, am not aware of. Hope you are feeling better. Some things are more difficult to handle than one would expect.
Cliff.
Title: Re: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: Marsh on May 15, 2013, 10:35:08 AM
Hi Ken, Thanks for this post.
ATB  Marsh.
Title: Re: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: Ken Pugh on July 28, 2013, 09:11:49 PM
The Whiskey Cobra is not dead and still progressing.  We have been experiencing the mildest summer in my memory here in eastern North Carolina (yeah, I know, global warming is out of control) and it has been milder on me with my physical problems this year.  I have wrapped my mind around how to accomplish things on this model and tackling problems slowly.  The main work on the fuselage is done but details are needed.  Still need armament on the wings but that will come last.  The brass landing gear is made and I am now tackling the main rotor.  Once that is done the tail rotor will be simple.  Main rotor structural parts are brass and detail will be in paper and wood.  Same with the tail rotor.  Armament will be paper and wood.
Title: Re: 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation = AH1W
Post by: lastvautour on July 28, 2013, 10:54:12 PM
Good to hear from you Ken. We await your results however long they take. After all, the dreaming stage is very important and highly pleasurable.

Lou