UH-1H Huey Medevac Diorama Build

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 6:35 pm

This is my first GB and I am very new here but love the site. All my stuff is en route from E bay
The kit is a Hasegawa 1/72 Iroquois, better know as the iconic Huey in Vietnam's "Police Action"
Along with it I have a Pegasus kit of Marines and another coming for the pilots. There will be lots of scratch build and modification
The overall inspiration is from this painting as well as some rescue dioramas I have seen
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The first to arrive from E bay on Friday was the Pegasus Marines
[URL=http://s92.photobucket.com/user/tw ... .jpg[/img]/url]
[URL=http://s92.photobucket.com/user/tw ... .jpg[/img]/url]
Been doing some conversion to make a radio operator with a flare
[URL=http://s92.photobucket.com/user/tw ... .jpg[/img]/url]
The Hasegawa 1/72 Iroquois is coming from e bay
[URL=http://s92.photobucket.com/user/tw ... .jpg[/img]/url]
I am waffling between the camo above and a "White Elephant" paint scheme like this
[URL=http://s92.photobucket.com/user/tw ... jpeg[/img]/url]
Will probably stick to the Medevac idea, but the combat choppers are super cool too.
Have some history and info but post when not at work
Cheers, Scott

Post by **LudvigN** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 6:42 pm

Cool idea! Welcome to the forum and I look forward to see this diorama come to life!

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 8:23 pm

Thanks Man

Post by **martin57** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 9:06 pm

good luck with the build, looks very interesting .

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 10:26 pm

martin57 wrote:good luck with the build, looks very interesting .

Thank you Martin
Doing stretched sprue arms and torch is interesting in 1/72 scale for sure

**Felis Barcinonensis YouTube Channel** · Post by **felisbarcinonensis** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 10:32 pm

Looks cool! Enjoy your first GB at ISM

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 1:34 am

felisbarcinonensis wrote:Looks cool! Enjoy your first GB at ISM

Thanks for looking
I really like your Submarine tank and Marines in 1/35 scale from hobby Fan
If I were smarter, and had more room, I would build in that scale too
Cheers, Scott

Post by **Willem** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 11:45 am

Great idea. Good luck with your first GB.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 4:54 pm

Willem wrote:Great idea. Good luck with your first GB.

Thank you sir

I hope to come close to some of the great work I see from you guys

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 5:14 pm

The chopper arrives, sorry about the lighting

There is more flash than at a strip bar! I shouldn't expect much from a $10 kit. It is gonna take a lot of work!

Post by **martin57** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 8:47 pm

wow thats a lot of flash.hope it goes ok .

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 10:57 pm

Thanks Martin
It is actually an $8.50 kit, but I will make something out of her....or else crash it in the diorama and get another of better quality coming to its rescue. Hmmm

Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 1:48 pm

Cool idea TwoKids....will watch this one closely to see how she turns out

Good luck with the build

Cheers

Martin

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 6:09 pm

Spent some time working on the Marines. This is kinda fun, haven't played with toy soldiers since I was a kid

Loosely basing this on The Battle of Ia Drang Valley, South Vietnam November 1965. Horrible battle.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ia_Drang
The radio operator is going to throw a red flare over the battle line to aid air support

Post by **schweinhund227** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 6:15 pm

looks like you are having fun !

Keep sharing your updates on this project....

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 6:19 pm

schweinhund227 wrote: looks like you are having fun !

Keep sharing your updates on this project....

Another Canuck, welcome!
Thanks for the comment, it is fun.....and very frightening when you start researching what went on there.
Some very weird decision making that cost a lot of lives.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 6:25 pm

As I research more, getting away from the original 'White Elephant' idea and more into the choppers of the brave guys flying unarmed rescue and supplies into those LZ's
Like this dude flying his Huey
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_P._Crandall

Post by **martin57** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 7:41 pm

some of the best chopper pilots in the world at that time .
good book to read its called chickinhawk ,about nam chopper pilots . .
like the way you done the flare looks cool,

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 9:25 pm

Thanks Martin
White glue, cotton and acrylic paint works wonders

Post by **MarkVerploeg** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 10:18 pm

That is an awesome idea for a build
And nice work on the figures

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 10:45 pm

Thanks Mark, appreciate it

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Oct 06, 2014 4:10 am

Had some model time Saturday, working on the cockpit. Modified the seats with a sprue framework and springs
Seats done, copilot mostly finished and pilot started. I cut heads and arms off the pathetic pilots from the kit and modified two Marine figure's head and arms as well did some sprue stretching. I used the extra flash from the kit and made the helmet visors.

The Huey is going to be Major Bruce Crandall's
I need to work on my lighting...moving indoors soon from the garage so hopefully can get a little photo booth up

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 6:03 am

Got a bit farther on the cockpit and interior, but slow progress.
Had a little rant on another thread and thought I should bring it to my own instead; sorry if it seems political, not the intent..I hate all incompetent governments equally.
The more I read about this "police action" the more the decision makers in Washington appear ridiculous and I have much more sympathy and respect for the soldiers sent to fight a disorganized, misdirected war. By the end they mistrusted their own leaders and were just serving time, trying to get home alive. Hamburger hill is a good example of this incompetence by leaders
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Hamburger_Hill
Not funny that the soldiers took the blame and shame for The Vietnam War when they came home, the US government should have been roasted for the calamity and political gamesmanship.

Post by **bobbewieter** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 11:47 am

I'm here stealing some ideas for my build

No just kidding, it's looking great dude

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 5:11 pm

Hey Bob, steal away that is what a group build is for

Post by **eightfooticeman** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 5:35 pm

Coming along nicely. the build looks lovely and I'm very interested to see this come to completion.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 10:52 pm

Thanks Jermaine

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Tue Oct 14, 2014 6:29 am

Huey build picture update #3
I took some artistic license with reality and did best I could.
Some reference interior pics; note the mid-line overhead panels and the side radio or siren or something???

Pilot and co pilot are glued in and done. They are a mix of figures hacked together and have helmet headsets, modified arms, lead foil seatbelts, seats with modified sides and framework with springs. Also made hand controls for both. You can see some stretched styrene side benches with ammo boxes underneath and a couple of barrels.

I would like to do the textured ceiling, but decided not. So instead just made an over head panel and a radio/siren??

This is a dry fit check to make sure all that junk fits without impeding.
Still have windshield wipers, more medical supply boxes and a stretcher to make before I seal up the fuselage
I am just kind of winging this stuff, making it out of whatever I can find and not spending more $. You are welcome to tell me it looks ridiculous and give me some suggestions.
I also broke my no more kit rule and have another Huey gunship en-route to add into the diorama... got a 1/72 Tamiya this time
Scott

Post by **bobbewieter** » Tue Oct 14, 2014 11:02 am

Haha I wanted to do the same thing and post some interior pics of a huey on my thread :p pff I need to start working more often on my model, you are creating a big gap :p good progress

Post by **Deacon** » Tue Oct 14, 2014 12:57 pm

Some great ideas and work so far mate.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Tue Oct 14, 2014 3:25 pm

Thanks to both you gents
Work week and dad duties will limit progress during the week

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Tue Oct 14, 2014 5:27 pm

Arrrrg, I need to rip off the pilot's helmet and smooth the LHS the paint is all wrinkly. Photos don't lie

Post by **johnpaulwinn** » Tue Oct 14, 2014 6:07 pm

[quote="Twokidsnosleep"]Huey build picture update #3
I took some artistic license with reality and did best I could.
Some reference interior pics; note the mid-line overhead panels and the side radio or siren or something???

It may be a light, similar to the reading light in your car, on a flexible mounting.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Tue Oct 14, 2014 6:41 pm

Thanks John, definitely a possibility
The back of it reminds me of a cop's blow horn/ loudspeaker as well
Need someone helicopter military to shed light on it....so to speak
The first version I made from a cylinder of styrene off a parts tree...it looked like an oil barrel as the scale was way out. So I made barrels for the cargo area instead

Post by **martin57** » Tue Oct 14, 2014 7:07 pm

hi twokids doing a great job , like it a lot, some fidley work you got going on .
working at that scale i find hard these days.
hats of to you man

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Tue Oct 14, 2014 7:20 pm

martin57 wrote:hi twokids doing a great job , like it a lot, some fidley work you got going on .
working at that scale i find hard these days.
hats of to you man

Martin,
You are too kind and thank you for the comments
At this scale a little smudge of paint and some painted wire makes the viewer's eye complete the picture, so I just have to get things kind of right and our brain makes it work
I loved the dry brush technique Paul showed in one of his videos and have been using that a ton here
Maybe Dentistry background makes me punish my eyes further,that and I have no space to get into bigger scales.
Scott

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed Oct 15, 2014 8:28 pm

More research last night and I read a few items about Hanoi Jane.......Jane Fonda's treasonous visit to North Vietnam.
Disgusting person of privilege used as a mindless pawn by American enemy. She should have been arrested and tried with treason IMHO
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/h/ ... D7JCUvoZz8
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Fonda
Soldiers in Vietnam really got shafted/blamed and shamed for the war and POW's suffered more for her actions

Post by **SyntaxModels** » Thu Oct 16, 2014 11:38 am

Awesome Idea for a build mate, thanks for some interesting reading material although, I don't think I should read to much of it now, I need to get to sleep!

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Thu Oct 16, 2014 3:57 pm

SyntaxModels wrote:Awesome Idea for a build mate, thanks for some interesting reading material although, I don't think I should read to much of it now, I need to get to sleep!

Thanks for looking in Leo

Me too, I have been staying up too late reading lots of Vietnam stuff, watching videos and learning..all from building a model
I had no idea of Australia's involvement and Canada's complete lack of involvement
This has been a great GB so far
Scott

Post by **Yevgeny** » Thu Oct 16, 2014 6:11 pm

You doing a great job. Looking forward to see diorama

I like the history part of modelling too. You cant help but learn something related to subjects.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Thu Oct 16, 2014 8:16 pm

Yevgeny wrote:You doing a great job. Looking forward to see diorama
I like the history part of modelling too. You cant help but learn something related to subjects.

Absolutely Yevgeny
We are so lucky to have the internet and info at our finger tips and to research and communicate.
I guess as I get older, history gets more interesting

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 4:36 pm

I axe murdered the pilots last night
Helmet off on pilot, L arm on co pilot. I am going to re-work the smoothness and repaint
Good thing we have until New Year's eve

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 1:16 am

Update #4

I had ripped apart both pilots and redone some helmet painting. Not fully happy as can't get perfectly smooth helmets, but I am calling them and the interior done.
Made a little wood box out of coffee stir stick, a stretcher out of sprue and tissue paper and some medical supplies out of styrene bits. Everything inside weathered with a flat black wash.

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Those bumpy helmets drive me nuts, but have to calm the OCD a bit as not visible assembled.
I like this front view with the dangling light/radio whatever cords...I wrapped household wire around a small drill bit in a chuck. Took a couple tries to get the right diameter for scale, but works well for coiled cords

Fooling around a bit with diorama ideas and stole the kids clay to make some plant fronds. They look a little phoney and I like the other darker one that I made from real ferns from the garden

I had some moral support from Coco my Bernese pup. Her sleepy spot is under what will be my winter modelling desk

Fall is well under way and I will have to get my paints, glues and such out of the unheated garage and in to the basement area soon. Those are the North Shore Mountains of Vancouver

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Thu Oct 23, 2014 7:29 pm

I opened up the engine's vents on each side with a knife, looking for a mesh to replace the moulded filters at 1/72 scale
Any ideas?? everything household seems too big for this scaleThis impression tray mesh doubled over is the best I can find at work...looking for some small filters, but I must have chucked them
I had a metal mesh, but is lost in all the junk of life at the moment

Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Thu Oct 23, 2014 8:32 pm

Ohhh nooo.....all attention to your modeling skills were discarded when I saw Coco....she's adorable!

<3

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Thu Oct 23, 2014 9:16 pm

UKguyInUSA wrote:Ohhh nooo.....all attention to your modeling skills were discarded when I saw Coco....she's adorable! <3

She is my distraction picture so you don't look too much at my modelling "skills"

and yes, she is a lovely dog in both looks and temperament; just a big sweetie

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Fri Oct 24, 2014 5:46 am

A little mid week work I snuck in
Worked on opening up the vents and filters from this photo reference.
I am digging that little red light on top as well, will search for something suitable to duplicate it, a little diode light maybe.

I think the mesh will be ok after I make it stiffer with white glue and paint it flat black
Hope to get some more done on the weekend

Post by **SyntaxModels** » Fri Oct 24, 2014 6:14 am

Twokidsnosleep wrote:A little mid week work I snuck in
Worked on opening up the vents and filters from this photo reference.
I am digging that little red light on top as well, will search for something suitable to duplicate it, a little diode light maybe.

I think the mesh will be ok after I make it stiffer with white glue and paint it flat black
Hope to get some more done on the weekend

Amazing again twokids! I love following this build!

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Fri Oct 24, 2014 6:28 am

Hey thanks for commenting Leo

I am just muddling along.
I am sure panic will set in mid December when I am not much farther along
Scott

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 6:16 am

Weekend Update #5

Some progress this Saturday afternoon:
Cockpit installed and fuselage halves glued together
Lower sections of main rotor installed and weathered, but I think is too bright so will repaint a bit darker. Not happy here yet, will work away more from some reference pics and improve the look
I added some copper wire to the rotor assembly itself to give it a little dress up, still a little lacking of true realistic detail
Fuselage's rotor area rough painted....more to be done after I fill the body seams up

I have installed metal mesh for the intakes. They are cut from the screen of a sink aerator

I messed around with finding a red light for behind the main rotor. It took three tries to clip the tip of a Christmas bulb, sand it down and not drop it ; I lost two of them, dropped and found the last one numerous times
Bulb like this....I am after just the fat little tip part and a bit to let it seat in the hole I created

Dry fitted

Hopefully get at it again on Sunday
:heli: