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Richard M

jssel's build will be reported here.
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Rich
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"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time... like tears in rain... Time to die."

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jssel · Posted: Sun 01 Feb 2009 01:28 am Post subject:

I will be attempting a Westland Seaking AEW (Searchwater) conversion based on the Alan W Hall article appearing in SAM on March 1984. It featured the Fujimi Seaking with selected bits from the C Scale set number 2. This set features many items found on Westland SeaKings like the orange crop ECM and the port side fuselage strake plus many other bits. The Fujimi kit features a six bladed tail rotor saving me a bunch of time.

For my references I will be using both the SAM article and Aeroguide number 10 which is based around the SAR Seaking. That will help me fill the gaps. I have in my collection a rather old SAM decal sheet designed around the Falklands campaign but just may provide for me the needed decals if I chose a particular scheme.

Cheers
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Jeff S

Just Build it!

Nightstalkers GB

jssel · Posted: Mon 02 Feb 2009 14:42 pm Post subject:

OK, this morning I have started construction with cleaning up some parts, drilling needed holes for antennas etc, and laminating some balsa as didn't have any the correct size.

Also spent some time adding C Scale parts like the fuselage strake and orange crop gear. Same as indicated in the Alan Hall article. And as he states, it saves much scratch building time.

Noticing that the flight deck bulkhead does not fit very well to the cabin wall, I made a bulkhead out of sheet.

Thanks for looking everyone and cheers
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Jeff S
_________________
Jeff S

Just Build it!

Nightstalkers GB

jssel · Posted: Tue 03 Feb 2009 15:17 pm Post subject:

Stage two of the A W Hall build. In preparation for interior painting, I checked the fit of the fuselage halves and the cockpit glass. Everything seems in order. Next to the model is the balsa block turned to radome mold. It was carved and sanded by hand using a correct diameter ring to make constant checks for size. Two coats of sealer was laid on. Aero Dope is what was used that had the talc already mixed. If you have never done this before, when dry, the wood has a very powdery texture to it. It actually turns white. Using a light grade sand paper the block was rubbed down. The wood became very smooth. Everything was topped off with two coats of clear coat. A demarcation line was drawn on to mark a cutting area once the mold is made.

Some more bits were added from the C Scale set. Mr Hall really did not state exactly how much of his set was used.

On to some interior painting now.

Thanks for looking and cheers everybody.
_________________
Jeff S

Just Build it!

Nightstalkers GB

Ratch · Posted: Tue 03 Feb 2009 15:57 pm Post subject:

Cracking along Jeff

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and was Jerusalem, builded here
The new No. 2
Airfix Club 500287
IPMS 10983

thomasweir · Posted: Tue 03 Feb 2009 18:56 pm Post subject:

If you want to do any super detailing here is the inside of the AEW SeaKing.

jssel · Posted: Tue 03 Feb 2009 20:14 pm Post subject: Sea King AEW

Wow, what a fantastic picture. Now I know how the door operated with that arm hanging there. Also I noticed a tow tone camo scheme. Would like to know more about that.

Thanks for sharing and Cheers

Jeff
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Jeff S

Just Build it!

Nightstalkers GB

jssel · Posted: Wed 04 Feb 2009 14:05 pm Post subject:

Stage 3 is when some gremlins entered the workspace. I broke off a cyclic for the co-pilot and it is MIA. A replacement was taken from a Testors/Fujimi Sea King release. As usual the missing part will turn up after the kit is done right?

The old Fujimi decals for the instrument panel and center console would not separate from the backing sheet. After careful trimming they where glued on. Like JRatz, I may need Merlin standing by to get this thing completed.

Here are the remaining C Scale parts of which some will not be used in this conversin. The FOD cover was pitted pretty bad so I reall had to file it down.

Thanks for looking and cheers everybody
_________________
Jeff S
_________________
Jeff S

Just Build it!

Nightstalkers GB

jssel · Posted: Thu 05 Feb 2009 13:36 pm Post subject:

Well stage 4 is short on content today. I now have the fuselage halves together. Also the sponsons, horizontal stabilizer, dorsal radome and engine fronts were added. The seam rub down will begin. Overall the fit is wonderful so this will not be an issue. Time will be spent also finalizing how I will bash mold the Searchwater radar dome. Still need to make the mate for balsa shape to it into. The picture does not show it well but the side glazings are in place.

Thanks for looking and cheers everyone.
_________________
Jeff S

Just Build it!

Nightstalkers GB

thomasweir · Posted: Fri 06 Feb 2009 13:08 pm Post subject:

Another picture of the Sea King in its glory for you.

jssel · Posted: Fri 06 Feb 2009 13:37 pm Post subject:

Thank you sir. Much detail in that one. I love it.

Cheers
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Jeff S

Just Build it!

Nightstalkers GB

jssel · Posted: Mon 09 Feb 2009 15:34 pm Post subject:

Another quick update on the Sea King AEW. This morning I have finished the other form for molding the Searchwater radar dome.

Upper left is the main rotor blades after clean up. Upper right is the six bladed tail rotor waiting for the glue to dry. I broke off one blade during clean up. Lower right is a color card. Have been experimenting with RAF Blue Grey with black to see how the lettering will contrast.

I have also primered the tail section to highlight any flaws in seams etc.

All for now. Thank you for looking and cheers everyone.
_________________
Jeff S

Just Build it!

Nightstalkers GB

Ratch · Posted: Mon 09 Feb 2009 17:50 pm Post subject:

Nice work Jeff

_________________
and was Jerusalem, builded here
The new No. 2
Airfix Club 500287
IPMS 10983

jssel · Posted: Mon 16 Feb 2009 15:32 pm Post subject:

It was finally time to put away my childish fears and get to the spirit of the Alan W Hall article. Crash molding the Searchwater radome. Along the way I have learned a couple of things worth sharing.

1. Select the right thickness of sheet styrene. Most of the stock I had was either to thin or to thick. A very cheap source for sheet styrene is the hardward store. Purchase plastic FOR SALE placards. At under a buck (U.S.), sheets run around 12 x 15 inches. The thickness is aound 20-30 thou.

2. Best to find a consistant heat source. Tea lite candles may not be enough. The small burner on the stove (wear oven mitts) works fine

3. Use steady, light, pressure when drawing the form over the mold. Too much and it tears through. Not enough and it will mold incomplete.

4. Above it all take your time, you will be rewarded.

This image shows failed attempts. The plastic got to hot, then not hot enough so that the mold would not slip over the form.

Finally, I was able to mold several "keepers". I think I have a thing for yellow plastic?

This was the final configuration of the mold and form. Hindsight tells me next time to use clothes pins as they handle heat better.

So what have I learned from Mr Hall up to this point? Molding sheet styrene is a cheap, simple way of converting an existing kit. Most of all it is light weight compared to resin so attaching these pieces are a little less stressful on the model.

So now, it is onward and upward in the project. Trim up the good copies I have and press on.

Thank you for looking and cheers everyone.
_________________
Jeff S

Just Build it!

Nightstalkers GB

Lincolnlanc · Posted: Mon 16 Feb 2009 15:41 pm Post subject:

Its brilliant.

So looking forward to seeing the next stage ...

DH764 · Posted: Mon 16 Feb 2009 20:35 pm Post subject:

Really enjoying watching your progress

Keep up the good work

Andy
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jssel · Posted: Tue 17 Feb 2009 15:42 pm Post subject:

A rather short update today. Dry fitting the windscreen, tail rotor, and half of the main landing gear. Still have a little seam work and attention around the engine intakes to take care of. White glue (Elmer's) is my choice for filling larger gaps. In the foreground is the Searchwater radar bag which has been fitted onto it's mounting base and primed. Some more work in clean up is needed there also. A total of six useable bags were molded in case of screw ups.

In the photo you will notice the Orange Crop gear, antenna stancheons and other lumps and bumps which Mr Hall used from the ED Models (C Scale) set. The FOD guard is finished and in the box for attachment later. The overall finish will be RAF Blue Grey but I will admit the overall gray scheme would be sharp too.

All for now and cheers everyone.
_________________
Jeff S

Just Build it!

Nightstalkers GB

jssel · Posted: Mon 23 Feb 2009 15:44 pm Post subject:

Today's update is small but rather important to the big picture. I have completed construction on the Searchwater radar dome. It is primered and ready for final painting. The attachment arm was made from rod mounted to a disk. The disk was cut from sheet with a regular three hole punch. The door has a mounting piece added . My plan right now is to drill a small hole in the door, run a piece of sprue through the hole and mount the attachment arm on the spruce. The whole idea is to make the radome retractable for whatever reason. Alan Hall elluded to this in his build article.

To the right is the beginnings of the rotor hub and the folding of the blades. There are a lot of nice pictures on the web on how this works but I am taking my time here as not to srcrew it up to badly.

Thanks for looking and cheers everyone.
_________________
Jeff S

Just Build it!

Nightstalkers GB

Lincolnlanc · Posted: Mon 23 Feb 2009 16:55 pm Post subject:

It looks like you got things nicely sorted there and a dab hand at vac forming.

I have tried it the past on smaller object so i know it CANBE differcult.

Press-on, take your time, and lets see the finnished project mate cos it looks one terrific build.

Ratch · Posted: Mon 23 Feb 2009 16:56 pm Post subject:

Fine work

_________________
and was Jerusalem, builded here
The new No. 2
Airfix Club 500287
IPMS 10983