Airfix HC3 Merlin - FINISHED!

[CTspeedshop]

Re: Airfix HC3 Merlin

Looking really good Cave Dweller.

 

[Cave_Dweller]

Re: Airfix HC3 Merlin

Thanks CT, in the final phase now!

So, quite a bit of work has been accomplished since my last update. The copter has been fully decaled, and I must say these are fine decals. On par with Ma.K quality, very fine printing. Some of the decals, especially the red markings around the air intakes and tail rotor were crap, and almost impossible to apply, so I simply painted those parts.

Here's some close ups of the decals, I really like them.





Decal sheet and placement diagram. Lots of leftover decals for later use...



This top decal was a MO.FO! One big U-shaped piece, quite a large transfer, easily the biggest I've ever seen, almost to the point where masking and paint would be a better option. Took lots of solvaset and puncturing of blisters to get this bad boy to conform!



More large decals all over the topside of the model.



Now onto the fun part: weathering! I really like these Citadel washes, they're easy to use and give great results. I washed the white parts of the model with this liberally.



Applying the Citadel wash to the decals produced some unexpected, but nice results. Kind of looks dusted and bleached. I'll take it!



More bleaching and discoloration from the Citadel washes, I quite like the effect.



Here's some metallic paint from Badger, my first use of this, and I must say this metallic paint is excellent. All of the Badger paints I've used on this have really been nice. Great paint, easily on par with Vallejo. This metallic paint is quite shiny, almost...almost as good as Alclad. I brushed it onto the exhaust manifolds and I think applying it with an airbrush would have produced better results, but I'm still pleased with how metallic it looks.



Finished up the main rotor assembly last weekend! It's looking like a helicopter now, finally after all these months of hard work! ;D



Next step is to apply some subtle washes and filters with Windsor and Newton oils. I've looked at many reference pics of this aircraft on teh interwebs, and I've noticed its a VERY well maintained bird. Not dirty, not filthy. The people who work with this maintain it religiously, and I think I've got to do a very light amount of washing on the panel lines to make them pop, but this isn't a WW2 tank caked with mud and grime.

 

[Quaralane]

Re: Airfix HC3 Merlin

Looking really good here

 

[Grendels]

Re: Airfix HC3 Merlin

Agreed!

 

[JohnSimmons]

Re: Airfix HC3 Merlin

Very nice

 

[Cave_Dweller]

Re: Airfix HC3 Merlin

I'm calling this one donezo! Took lots of pics today, I'm really happy with how this turned out, without a doubt the hardest model I've ever built! Gonna have to get a new display case for all the models that have been piling up this year. This build was challenging in every way, and I feel like I leveled up in skill. I would highly recommend this kit for anyone into helicopters, its a great kit, but quite challenging. The end result though...wow...I want to fly one of these IRL!!! A truly amazing aircraft. I think I've got to do a Russian Hind next.

Pics! ;D ;D ;D

 

[JohnSimmons]

Re: Airfix HC3 Merlin

What a beauty!

 

[Quaralane]

Re: Airfix HC3 Merlin

Nicely done here.
Excellent build

 

[zombiekiller1]

Re: Airfix HC3 Merlin

now that's a nice build, good job. How long did it take you to get all them seats done and what was the most challenging thing about this kit?

 

[Grendels]

Re: Airfix HC3 Merlin

Very well done!

 

[Cave_Dweller]

Re: Airfix HC3 Merlin

now that's a nice build, good job. How long did it take you to get all them seats done and what was the most challenging thing about this kit?

Thanks guys! The seats took a while, a couple 4-5 hr sessions. The most challenging thing about this kit was probably getting the airframe together. Took lots of rubber bands, clamps, even some manual hand pressure. Also this kit is plagued by extremely tiny, fragile parts that are almost impossible to remove from the sprue without breaking them.

 

[CTspeedshop]

Looks incredible Cave Dweller!!!