Airfix Westland/Sud Aerospatiale S.A. 330 Puma HC.1 1/72

[zak]

Speechless!!!

[Bigkev]

Hi All,
Todays update. Airframe painted Dark Grey, as are the doors, stabilizer, engine intakes. Wheels have been painted pale grey, then when dry, masked off the centres using small discs of masking tape both sides, a then given a coat of Tamiya Rubber Black.
Tail Rotor and main rotor tips painted first in white, then pink ready for the red on the tail rotor and yellow on the main tips.
Whilst airbrush out the hubs have had a coat of Gun metal to start with.
Some pictures of the above, thanks for looking:-

[chriswil42]

Lots of detail airbrushing there.

[cph64]

Looking good. Your pink is more colourful than the one I made up before painting yellow. Any tips on a good undercoat for red? I'm erring along the lines of a brown/tan.

[Bigkev]

Looking good. Your pink is more colourful than the one I made up before painting yellow. Any tips on a good undercoat for red? I'm erring along the lines of a brown/tan.

I've used the Pink mix as a base for the red tips on the tail rotor today and it looks pretty vibrant.
Problem with Red is it requires multiple coats to get an even finish. The Brown/Tan mix might be the answer.

[cph64]

Thanks Kev, I went with Tan but think it will need 'glossing'.

[Bigkev]

Hi All,
Returned to the Puma after the festivities. Have now painted the main and tail rotors. These now just need some detail painting and some decals to mark slinging points for the blades, and marking bands for each blade. Each blade had a coloured band to match its attachment point. I will make these from thin decal strips of appropriate colours.
Also had a chance to mask out and spray the disruptive green pattern on the fuselage using a masking putty by Ammo and then infilled with Tamiya tape strips.
Now ready for the Black undersides which I hope to do tomorrow.
Some pictures of the above, thanks for looking.

[Wizzel]

Is this the one I saw you masking the glazing for at the last play day?
It's looking spectacular - I wish I had your patience.

[Bigkev]

Is this the one I saw you masking the glazing for at the last play day?
It's looking spectacular - I wish I had your patience.

Hi Wizz, yep the same one. I hope to be able to unmask the glazing soon.

[Bigkev]

progress update.
Have now masked off the upper surfaces ready for the black undersides, using masking putty, paper and Tamiya tape. After three thin coats a nice solid black was achieved with a slightly soft and wavy demarcation line. A couple of areas where the spray had got through were tackled by over spraying with the grey/green.
Tissue masking removed, ready for a couple of coats of Kleer, to protect the paintwork prior to adding final details and decals.

Just noticed that on the undersides photo a thin sliver of masking putty appears, this has been rubbed away now. Its like Blu-tack, rub over the sliver and it gets picked up.

[chriswil42]

Looking great Kevin. The camouflage looks good.

[Bigkev]

Thanks Chris,
The whole airframe has now been given two coats of Kleer. I noticed a couple of spots where some filler had come adrift on top of the rotor housing. This has been given some small amounts of Vallejo water based putty and allowed to dry. Once happy I very gently sanded it back to smooth. This area is now ready for re-spraying green again to match the existing paintwork. Then it will be 'Kleered' to give a uniform surface. 

[MSea]

Attention to detail is excellent - well done

[Wizzel]

Fantastic attention to detail and extreme patience.

[Bigkev]

Hi All,
A little update on the Puma. I have now resprayed the upper section of the rotor housing to match the other areas. I have given the airframe a further coat of Kleer. Once hardened, I masked off the black engine exhaust area either side of the fuselage. The decals have been applied using a mix of kit and spare decals, the gloss surface helping to bed the decals down nicely. The main rotor head has been assembled and a brass rod inserted to enable it to be removed for transporting.
Next up will be attaching the undercarriage, and aerials, cabin doors, etc. before a final coat of satin varnish to seal everything.
some pictures so far, thanks for looking.