1/48 Academy CH-46A/D Helicopter of HMM-165
In July of 2024 the International Plastic Modelers Society (IPMS) held their National Convention in Madison, Wisconsin. This was only a couple of hour drive from my home. I used Academy's 1/48 CH-46A/D – U.S. Marines –Vietnam kit. The scheme is from HMM-165 also known as the “White Knights”. They were based at Chu Lai Combat Base in central Vietnam from 1966 thru 1968 then transferred to the USS Valley Forge LPH-8.
I super detailed the interior using scratch building techniques and added 16 LED's and 6″ of Fiber optics to illuminate the aircraft. The Eduard cockpit photo etch set was used and I illuminated the instrument panel. I set the model on a display base representing a typical air field from the Vietnam War.
You can see all the build photos from start to finish in the build log at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-ch-46a-d-helicopter/
Here is a video of the completed project https://videopress.com/v/5e9op3AL
Great work, thanks for sharing!
Excellent job, David!
Excellent build. Lighting models is quite a challenge. Always interesting to see one lit up.
I've just started one that I am going to light up.
Damn that’s cool.
That's an excellent build, David @davids_models
It looks great with the lighting added.
Very nice, David @davids_models. Illuminating models are always interesting, especially with that long cargo bay and ramp. Well done.
David, very nice, love the little light. I've got to figure out how to do that on my Tamiya BF109G-6.
I have a tutorial on my website that shows you how to illuminate different models using LED's and fiber optics. (Aircraft, ships, vehicles, and space) and it even includes a section on how to wire everything up. https://davidsscalemodels.com/tips-and-tricks/lighting-model-ships/
Great looking Chopper, David (@davids_models).
Great build, even without the lights- but what a great way to show all the interior work that otherwise wouldn't be seen so well.