Kitty Hawk UH-1Y Venom, 1/48 scale
BEHOLD! The latest addition to my growing collection of Good From Afar but Far From Good models!
Kitty Hawk UH-1Y Venom in 1/48 scale. External fuel tank by Werner's Wings. Decals by Flying Leathernecks.
Batwing antenna above the cockpit, SATCOM antenna above the rotor head, FMV antennas on the tail cone are all designed and printed by me. I also designed and printed the engine exhaust cans and 7-shot LAU-131 rocket pod. It may not be easy to see but the tubes are hollow.
ADDITIONALLY, I scratch built the rotor brake inside the cockpit, broke and rebuilt/replaced the main rotor pitch control rods and pitot tubes with Albion Alloys tubing, removed and reinstalled the windshield at least twice to clean up glue leaks and shim a large gap with plastic, broke then drilled and pinned the tail stinger. I also cannibalized the FLIR from my son's discarded build of this kit since (I kid you not) the dog ate mine.
To top it off, during my photo shoot today, the wind picked up, windmilled the main rotor head and launched it onto the asphalt. One main rotor blade now needs to be drilled and pinned back in place.
Once that gets fixed, I am calling this finished enough. I was going to add pitch control rods to the tail rotor, since Kitty hawk failed to even include them in the kit but I think I should just leave well enough alone.
As always, I seek and appreciate your comments and critique.
Looks pretty good to me, Ramon (@anvil6). Well done.
thank you George!
Several things. First, a sense of humor is definitely needed in this sport, and You seem to have that. Second(ly) You seem to have the sort of occasional bad luck I frequently run into. Sympathies. Third your experience with the wind-I had that! Was taking pictures on the roof of my car at a park, to get that woodsie background, and along comes Mother wind and my nice Nieuport 28 took flight.
Anyway fourth, your models are more than good from afar, looking well done to me. That's some very dusty weathering there. Nice fading and chipping wear. Happy rotoring.
Thanks Bill, that does make me feel a bit better about this exercise in frustration. Next up, either a Monogram Harrier in 1/48, or perhaps the 1/48 AH-1Z by... @#$&! Kitty Hawk, because I am obviously a glutton for punishment!
Looks like a perfect build to me, Ramon @anvil6
A very nice result on this helicopter.
Paintwork and weathering is very good.
Thanks John! its far from perfect but I did learn a lot from this build and will apply lessons learned going forward. Cheers!
A teal building adventure, Ramon, but an awesome result!
Well done!
thanks Spiros! Growth through adversity seems to be a trend with me, but thats how one learns 🙂
I like the effects of wear and tear that you've depicted. Adds to the realism.
thanks, that was where i was having the most fun!
Great looking model, most of us have experienced the same ups and downs.
Thank you George! Solidarity in adversity, ammirite?!
I'm not a rotor head buy, but I know a really well-done model when I see it! Lovely weathering and paintwork.
thank you!
Between dog bites and attack of the rugrats there's always a mishap around the corner. Great looking build from a far and near!
thanks Robert, much appreciated!