Academy 1/48 CH-53E Super Stallion

[NecronautDrummer]

Some fine work and craftsmanship!

 

[PANZERMAN]

Nice screen detailing on the tail rotor section. Going to that degree of detailing will make
this kit a real jewel. Congrats! Bill

 

[schweinhund227]

There isn't much styrene left in the Tail rotor section

Awesome work! Don't rush anything on our account..... She deserves your full attention!

This is going to be real nice when completed!

Nice work my friend!

 

[adampolo13]

Thanks Norm!!! I have to say I am kinda looking forward to the end of the BSC so that I can get back to working on this thing. Hahaha

 

[adampolo13]

Okay guys so I took a day or two off from any modeling "work" and just relaxed. I came back to the Stallion tonight just to start to get a feel for her. Here are a few pics of dryfit stuff just so you can get an idea of how big she is. I spent most of the night staring at this and the box art! :

I will have to take some close up shots of the seams as the panel lines line up PERFECTLY all the way around the hull. I really couldn't believe it.

I also went ahead and started drilling out the holes for the fuel pods and other little bits that get attached on after the two halves go together. I decided I would drill/cut out everything a little bit on the small side just to be safe, I figured after she is closed up it it would be easier to make the holes wider rather than having to fill them back in. I think tomorrow I'll cut out the areas where the PE mesh goes onto the main hull.

Oh yeah, one more thing. As I dryfit everything I also put the inside walls on. Even though Academy really should have put the mold pins marks on the inside area where they get glued I realized that they really wont be too too noticeable. I did put drops of extra thin in there anyways.

 

[Glorfindel]

That's a ton of sharp looking PE you have there. On a bird this big it has to make that cockpit look incredible. Great work on this so far, she's going to look amazing.

 

[aaron.zylman]

I had this kit in my stash until recently. I decided to sell it so I could pursue other (modeling) projects. Seeing your work makes me regret selling my -53E. Yours is looking great! Keep up the great work, and keep us posted!

Aaron

 

[adampolo13]

Hey Aaron thanks for the kind words. Dont regret selling it, you can always get one on ebay if you want. the kit itself is great but the Big Ed set makes it pop even more. I will def keep the blog goin.

 

[adampolo13]

Alright, so I am going very slow on this build to make sure I get all the PE set up and in the right place. But first a quick pic of how nice the panel lines line up. I haven't found a seem point where they aren't lined up like this.

Now to the PE stuff.

You will see in this picture the call out for the mesh part 41 to go to the left hand side of the door opening.

Here is the part itself. (I hate my fuzzy pictures)

What I did to make sure I got it right, using a pencil I lightly marked the outside of the PE and then put a dot in the center area of the mesh.

I then drilled it out:

The really nice thing as that there is the cargo piece that gets glued onto the inside of the fuselage so you wont see right through the grill into the cabin. Drilling the hole has just added some depth to it.

Here is a fuzzy picture of what it will look like.

I copied this on the other side and then called it a night.

As always, thanks for looking!

 

[adampolo13]

Alright folks,
Sorry I didn't get pictures during the whole process but I have gotten a lot done. I got all the mesh areas drilled out. Then I re-scribed the panel lines, just made them a little deeper so they are more pronounced. I really want to work on my pre and post-shading and panel lines etc. (The real thing has rivets all over but I'm not ready to tackle that challenge just yet.)

From there I went ahead and put the glass in for the windows, got everything thing for the interior prepped and given a base coat of flat black. The idea is to add some shadows and depth. (I guess, I am just copying somebody's idea.)

Then I painted the cargo area a light gray while the rest got aircraft gray. I know the colors aren't exactly 100% but I'm okay with that, I really wanted to show some contrast between the cloth type material and the metal cargo area.

Here are some pics. I hope you like, and that my lack of accuracy doesn't bug you too much.

Oh yeah, the last two pics just show the other areas dry fit.

 

[adampolo13]

For those of you who were read my last post and shook their heads in disgust thinking to yourselves "Adam, what the hell are you doing, Aircraft Gray isn't just not accurate it is not even close to being anywhere in the same universe as the real thing! "

I give you my apologies. While extremely intense, my insanity was temporary and very short lived. I have since seen the errors in my ways and have gone back and corrected my mistake. I have painted the interior a dark gray which, while still contrasting the fabric nicely, gives a much more realistic feel to the aircraft.

Again, I apologize for my insanity.

Thanks for following!

 

[adampolo13]

Alrighty folks, I got a little more done to the interior tonight. PE added.

next on the agenda are the cargo seats, floor etc...

thanks for following!

 

[Fork Virus]

Awesome! Can't wait to see how the Super Stallion looks at the end and looks like a fun build.

 

[adampolo13]

Thanks Fork! It has been a very fun build so far. I'm really taking my time and enjoying it. I may be away from it for a little while though. I cracked open my Gustav Ma.K last night and am doing some work on that for a bit. ;D

 

[JMac]

Nice work all the way along adampolo13.

 

[adampolo13]

Thanks JMac. No progress tonight as I started working on my Gustav after work and then my wife hit her boiling point with the dishwasher. Needless to say I spent most of my evening taking the dishwasher out of the cabinets in an effort to fix it. Then I spent even more time at Home Cheapo and Sears. Good news is she is done complaining. New one comes in Friday.

Anyways,

Have a good night all!