Whilst in the loft, found my 'Puma' that I started a few years ago. Seeing as I'm on with a Sea King at the moment thought I could follow it on with this.
I have already done some work on the fuselage and the cockpit bulkheads, rotor blades, engines, etc.
A typical 1970's offering, lots of rivets, flash, but a reasonable shape nonetheless.
More to follow in between the sea King build.
You'll do it justice Kevin.
Excellent! I'm now the proud owner of an Airfix Puma too. My intention is to build it as a South African Air Force machine for which I've purchased an Air Graphics bucket intake filter set.
Jon
Well, I've got to try and make a decent job of mine now.
Are the 'Bucket intakes' the same as the dust filters fitted to a HC.2 Puma?
Kevin
Quote from: Bigkev on August 03, 2025, 07:44:23 PMWell, I've got to try and make a decent job of mine now.
Are the 'Bucket intakes' the same as the dust filters fitted to a HC.2 Puma?
Kevin
Similar, but not identical. The RAF filters had a ring intake at the front around a central circular solid 'dish', whereas the front of the SAAF intakes were solid 'bullets'.
Thanks Jon,
I'll see if I can locate an accessory set for these, otherwise it will be a HC.1 as kitted.
Well I have found an update set for the Puma, which should arrive this week so hopefully I'll be getting on with this one.
Well the aircraft Models (Formerly Whirlybirds) update set has arrived and I think will help in this project, especially the intakes.
As I want to pose the side doors open, I thought of creating some sort of replication of the quilted insulation in the rear cabin. To do this I have used some 5 thou plasticard and scored it at 45 degrees to create a sort of cross hatch. This was then glued to the cabin insides. I had already attached the clear windows which have a thick surround, so I roughly cut some holes for each of these. As can be seen the windows joins need some tidying which I will do with Milliput once dry as I can smooth it out with water to blend in.
Some pictures to show what I've done. Thanks for looking.
Nice padding/quilting.
Looking good how long before you have as many helos as Chris ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)
Quote from: MSea on September 03, 2025, 10:03:40 PMLooking good how long before you have as many helos as Chris ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)
Kevin's got some way to go yet!
Hi All,
A little more progress on the Puma. I've now filled around the windows and padding with Milliput which should help disguise the gaps. Also the cockpit has had a little work, the controls have been fitted together with the seat framing. The Pilots seat have a represent of framing to the back for the seat harness attachment a bit later. The instrument panel/mount has had holes drilled in the mount sides and some small scraps of plastic rod to simulate the instrument casings at the back of the panel. Wires will be added to these to final installation. The seat frames, and seats for the cabin are ready to paint. The undercarriage sponsons assembled and filled ready to attach to the fuselage sides. I also added some lead sheet to the cockpit floor undersides to give a bit of 'umpfh' to the fuselage.
I drilled out the two vents at the front of the rotor housing and whilst shaping into rectangular ham fisted me broke both. Both repaired, using superglue on the port side I have used Black CA as it sets slowly for correct alignment, and also you can see it!
Some pictures, thanks for looking.
Great detailed work Kevin.
Quote from: chriswil42 on September 13, 2025, 02:07:24 PMGreat detailed work Kevin.
I fully agree!!!!
Impressive work.
Thanks for your comments chaps, appreciated.
This morning I looked at the cockpit again and decided before doing any painting, I would embellish the instrument panel a bit more and also add some further bits and bobs around the cockpit walls and 'tunnel' between the cockpit and main cabin. Used some of the etch brass from the update set for the instrument panels on console, cockpit roof panel, and rudder pedals.
Looks a bit busier now, still to add the wiring/plumbing but I'll probably add that near to closing the cockpit up.
Some pictures, thanks for looking
Looking good. I see there's connectors on the back of the panel so fitting cables should be relatively easy?
I am hoping so. Basically they are just small sections of plastic rod and plastic card. Then sanded back to make them more uniform. Drilled with a 0.3mm drill.
I'll use some lead wire to make the cables.
Looking very nice Kevin. Great detail.
Thanks Chris,
Today I've focused on the engines. They are not detailed at all, so I thought I would add some sprue detail to make them look at bit better. Most of this won't be seen but 'I know its there' syndrome. Also added a firewall between each engine. The exhausts are resin replacements. On the APU unit there is a replacement resin exhaust section with an etched brass grill. Unfortunately the section is poorly cast being rather 'wonky', so I've added a section of plastic tube (actually a cut down SNEB rocket body) and I will then glue the etch to the inner section, and then trim the excess outside the airframe to shape once fuselage assembled.
Some pictures, thanks for looking:-
A blast from the past, it's looking very good, another masterpiece.
Bob c
Great work, as always.
Hi all,
Engines almost finished, I have used AK metals and Alclad II on them.
Just a few pipes to pick out and some panels to highlight
Thanks for looking,
Very nice Kevin.
Nice Kevin.
Bob c
Hi All,
A little bit more on the Puma. The cabin seat frames are now in situ and I have begun to paint and add some seatbelts/harnesses to them. Not sure if this is totally accurate but it busy ups the interior. Some detail painting and shading to do before attaching them to the frames. In the cockpit the seats have had harnesses added, again detail painting and shading needed before installing.
A few pictures, thanks for looking.
Nice detail again.
Great detail.
Sorry not posted for a while, in between Man-Flu and family commitments modelling has taken a bit of a back seat.
Anyway, I have returned to the Puma and have started to add the wiring/plumbing to the cockpit console.
Hope you have got all those wires colour coded, for future reference.
That'll keep you busy.
Quote from: zak on October 28, 2025, 01:42:25 PMHope you have got all those wires colour coded, for future reference.
I still have some colour code tabs if you need them but as they are 1:1 scale think they might be a tad tooooooo large
Coming along nicely.