Kamov Ka-58 "Black Ghost"

[RangerNeil]

This is the Zvezda re-issue of the old Revell kit. The aircraft is actually a theoretical design, it never - as far as anyone knows, existed in real life. But the concept form is not so outlandish that it won't sit in with a line up of modern attack helicopters like the Apache Longbow etc.
On first look it seems to be a tidy set of mouldings with minimal flash (photos to follow) although in comparison to the Revell instruction sheet the Zvezda one is a bit lacking in places Careful study is required before even thinking of starting assembly to make sure everything goes where it should. As with all Kamov designs the rotor head looks like it will test the patient of a saint but hopefully it will be easier than the AModel equivalent! The sequence of build step is far fromlofical and - it typical Russian fashion they have the step illustrations out of sequence too!
Another difference between the Revell and Zvezda offerings is the decal sheet. The Zvezsa one is nimimalist with two red stars for the rear fins, Rus-Fed insignia either side of the cockpit and a single set of numbers for the rotor tower. No decals are supplied for the cockpit or alternative markings to yellow "06"
Confusingly the instruction sheet refers to two variants - 1 and 2. They are NOT the same depending on what part of the model you are looking at. The sheet uses either Variant 1 or Variant two to refer to whether the canopy doors are open or not, the undercarriage is up or down as well. the missile launcher in the fueselage are raised or lowered as well as whether making the Attack or Scout versions. Hence why it needs carefull reading.
Overall it looks like it will be an interesting build.

[RangerNeil]

And - the geat unboxing!! All the sprues have been washed in warm soapy water and then rised in fresh and dried off on paper towels:

The instruction sheet - literally




Glazing Sprue


Parts Sprues
Fuselage and rotor hubs


Weapons


Landing gear, cockpit sections and rotor blades/head components


Rocket pods and obligatory Zvezda loose part

[RangerNeil]

All the sprues were given a coat of Tamiya grey primer today. Next step is to paint the cockpit interior once the primer has had 24 hours to dry.

Lessons learnt from this exercise today is: Using an aerosol to paint indoors in winter when SWBO has decreed no windows shall be opened is, at the very least, unwise!! I now have the mother of all headaches!!

[RangerNeil]

A bit more tonight - really needed a break from the two I used for the Hovering build to recharge the batteries as I was getting stressed out - Wish I'd used a Zvezda kit for that now. Its amazing how much better it is when you aren't fighting a ton of flash & warping and the parts actually fit the way they are meant to because they have locating pins/holes!!
Anyways.. The cockpit section and nose turret got fitted to the upper and lower fuselage halves respectively tonight. There are a lot of voids in the assembled cockpit that let you see through into the fuselage so I did a dry run, noted where I could see through and then gave it a coat of the Soviet Cockpit Turqoise Blue Now it looks good when you look into the cockpit. The turret and twin cannon were given a goat of Gun Metal metallic and the fuselage inside the confines of the turret shroud were coated with Soviet Blue-Grey. Then the fuselage halves were joined together.
I also made a start on the Rotor head. Seems to be a thing with Kamovs's dual rotor system in kits that the instructions just give you an exploded view and nothing else! At least THIS time I get a numbered sprue to work with so I know which parts I need.

[KalebB]

Well on the plus side you're not losing your mind with this build

Looking good so far Neil

[RangerNeil]

Well on the plus side you're not losing your mind with this build

Looking good so far Neil

This is true!!

I admit I approached this one with trepidation as Zvezda is another Russian manufacturer - needlessly as it turned out. If Tamiya are the gold standard for kits Zvezda are not far behind as regards mould quality and parts fit.. Only issue with this one is that, because its a theoretical design, never actually built the final paint scheme is an issue. Instructions show Humbrol #79 - Blue Grey, which looks more of an RAF blue grey, for the whole fuselage whilst the box art shows a silk black....

Oddly enough I enjoyed the Mi-1 and Ka-18 builds - its just that they've both taken SO much additional work to get looking right that its mentally drained me. Only a couple of little jobs to finish both but I need to recharge the enthusiasm batteries again.

[RangerNeil]

Bit more progress tonight. Firstly the lower rotor head was completed and set aside to dry:







If you haven't got a vice a toolmakers clamp can work just as well
Whilst the lower head was drying the shroud over the nose turret was fitted, a minimal acount of clean up done on the join lines of the fuselage halves and the wheel wells and internal weapons bays were painted.
Note that the same toolmakers clamp also makes a handy base to rest a wheel-less fuselage on





The upper rotor head was then partially completed, as can be seen, still needs a little work but had to be set aside for what was done to dry again.

[KalebB]

Looks like you’re chugging along diligently on this one bud. Rotor assembly on this one looks awesome visually

[RangerNeil]

Fuselage is now more or less complete - just the bay doors to add for the landing gear and the internal weapons bays I am not fitting the glazing yet as I have asked Revell who originally made this kit if they have any replacement decal sheets I can buy. Zvezda just give you a hull number and the national insignia. The Revell sheet includes decals for the cockpit as well as some option for unit markings.
Rotor head is complete - just needs the blades fitting and then the head being permanently attached to the fuselage. So the next step is the weapons load outs - and then working out how to paint it. Instructions say use Humbrol #79 - satin Blue-Grey. - which doesn't fit with the description or box art of "Black Ghost". Still this is an "imaginary" machine - it never really existed - so there is a degree of license in the finish. I may yet use a modern splinter cammo pattern.
What I am struck by thus far is the fit of the parts - the only filler required was where the cockpit instrument panel butted up against the fuselage and the three aspects of the radome on the upper rotor head. Compared to the Ka-18 and the Mi-1 its a wonder....

[KalebB]

The black ghost is starting to look like copter now.

Are these still in service? My range of flying vehicle knowledge is pretty barren.

[digger303]

Fuselage is now more or less complete - just the bay doors to add for the landing gear and the internal weapons bays I am not fitting the glazing yet as I have asked Revell who originally made this kit if they have any replacement decal sheets I can buy. Zvezda just give you a hull number and the national insignia. The Revell sheet includes decals for the cockpit as well as some option for unit markings.
Rotor head is complete - just needs the blades fitting and then the head being permanently attached to the fuselage. So the next step is the weapons load outs - and then working out how to paint it. Instructions say use Humbrol #79 - satin Blue-Grey. - which doesn't fit with the description or box art of "Black Ghost". Still this is an "imaginary" machine - it never really existed - so there is a degree of license in the finish. I may yet use a modern splinter cammo pattern.
What I am struck by thus far is the fit of the parts - the only filler required was where the cockpit instrument panel butted up against the fuselage and the three aspects of the radome on the upper rotor head. Compared to the Ka-18 and the Mi-1 its a wonder....

You can often trace the origins of a kit in the scalemates web site and after market goodies are often listed as well

[RangerNeil]

The black ghost is starting to look like copter now.

Are these still in service? My range of flying vehicle knowledge is pretty barren.

Its not a real machine!! This only ever existed in a kit designers imagination - its a "what would a Kamov stealth 'copter look like" kind of exercise. All things considered they captured nearly all the Kamov design elements.

You can often trace the origins of a kit in the scalemates web site and after market goodies are often listed as well

Yep - that's where I got the idea to contact Reveĺl from!! I learn... Slowly its true - but I learn...
There was a review of the Revell version with unboxing photos which is where I saw the decal sheet with the cockpit ones.

[RangerNeil]

The designated Humbrol paint - #79 matt enamel - was delivered today so tonight was a "put the paint on" night. Fuselage has its first coat of the #79 Blue-Grey as has the rotor head whilst the rotor stubs have the black silk. As the paint started to dry I noticed a slight gap between the fuselage halves just under the tail planes so before the second coat is applied I need to deal with that:





Main rotors also have the black silk on and the bay doors and weapons pylons are painted:



Lastly the weapons themselves have a coat of paint. Colours match photos of similar arrays on a Ka-52 "Hokum":





There should be 16 of the Brown ones - I thought one was loose in the box/packaging leaving 15 on the sprue as seen. However when I checked the piece I thought was a loose missile was actually a piece of broken sprue. So I need to carve a piece of sprue down to the shape and length of one of these. Luckily they are just straight lengths, no fins etc. I can tuck the replacement in the middle of an array and it should not notice. Its going to be cheaper and a LOT quicker than contacting Zvezda in Russia for a replacement

[RangerNeil]

Work continues - albeit slowly now - as the wife got diagnosed with bowel cancer and is undergoing radio-and chemo-therapy so that's taking most of my time now.
Still - managing to some done on the "Black Ghost" - most of the weaponry is now painted and ready to go on, the hard points are on, the canopy has had its first coat of paint (may need a second) and will be ready to fit once I hear from Revell.de

[Quax]

Mate my thoughts are with you both, I think I speak for everyone here, if theres anything we can do please say.

Paul

[digger303]

Sorry to hear your wife is experiencing those health problems.

Ian

[RangerNeil]

Thanks folks. We are hoping its been caught early enough to be zapped by the radio- and chemo-therapies. Big problem right now is the chemo stuff totally wipes her immune system so we are working overtime to try to ensure as sterile an environment as possible for her. Not sure the dog has completely grasped the idea of this though. Typical wifely timing - starts Chemo just as COVID-19 starts exploding!!
Shes a few days into a 5.5 week course and then they reassess to see if the tumour (currently the size of a small lemon) has either gone completely or has shrunk enough for surgery. So fingers crossed its the first option

[digger303]

Thanks folks. We are hoping its been caught early enough to be zapped by the radio- and chemo-therapies. Big problem right now is the chemo stuff totally wipes her immune system so we are working overtime to try to ensure as sterile an environment as possible for her. Not sure the dog has completely grasped the idea of this though. Typical wifely timing - starts Chemo just as COVID-19 starts exploding!!
Shes a few days into a 5.5 week course and then they reassess to see if the tumour (currently the size of a small lemon) has either gone completely or has shrunk enough for surgery. So fingers crossed its the first option

Where is the tumor located ?

[KalebB]

I'm sorry to hear you and your wife are having to go through this, I know how hard it can be, most of my family has had cancer in one form or another. My Thoughts go out to you and her as well.

Also enjoying your build bud, a sharp looking copter that is for sure.

[Hawkmoon]

Builds looking good and best of luck to your wife and wishing a full recovery.

[RangerNeil]

<snipped>

Where is the tumor located ?

Lower bowel/rectal passage. Could have been a lot worse!!!

I'm sorry to hear you and your wife are having to go through this, I know how hard it can be, most of my family has had cancer in one form or another. My Thoughts go out to you and her as well.

Also enjoying your build bud, a sharp looking copter that is for sure.

Many thanks on both counts. Thus far no ill effects from either of her treatments - fingers crossed it stays that way!!
The Kamov has been interesting - the under-wing armaments are a nightmare though! Russians do not seem to think substantial location guides are a good thing - sometimes it seems they think any location guides are a bad idea .. So the armament is going veryyyy slowly as its a case of adding the parts one at a time and then sit holding them in place until the adhesive has set enough to hold on its own. Strangely therapeutic though all things considered! Not heard from Revell, Germany, yet as to the availability of a spare decal sheet

Builds looking good and best of luck to your wife and wishing a full recovery.

Many thanks kind sir

[RangerNeil]

Moved forwards a step further tonight - all the under wing munitions are in place so the end of the build is now in sight:)
Important lesson learnt for the future: It is better to fit the hard-points to the munitions and then the hard-point + munition to the wing. I, on the other hand, dropped a clanger, and fitted the hard-points first then tried fitting the munitions later. Maybe on a larger scale model that would work better - for 1/72 it was definitely a wrong move!!





The rotor head is just placed in the second photo and needs to be affixed to the fuselage.
Final jobs waiting to be done are:
* Fitting the bay doors for the internal missile storage
* fitting the canopy
* Applying the decals
* Fitting the rotor head

Still waiting to hear from Revell.de as to whether they have a spare of the Revell release of this kit as that had some nice cockpit decals as well as alternate markings. If I haven't heard from them by the end of next week I will leave the cockpit as-is and fit the canopy to close this build of and let me get on with the next group build (don't have room to do both....)

[KalebB]

She's looking like a dangerous flying thingy now! All armed up, very cool build bud

[Twokidsnosleep]

Sending good wishes from Canada to your wife and yourself in though times.
Keep her safe and well
All the best and keep modelling to calm your nerves too

[RangerNeil]

Well - the Kamov is nearly finished. All the underwing components are in place - just got to fit the canopies and apply the decals. No word yet from Revell.de on a replacement decal sheet so I'll give it a couple of days more then go with what I've got.

Underwing components completed


Almost complete model - rotor head just placed in position at the moment till decals are done.

[RangerNeil]

OK - this one is finished. Might need to touch up the overall grey around the canopy once its set in place over night but that's all. I have to say it was lovely to build a kit where everything actually fitted, locating pegs were where they needed to be, no flash and any ejector marks were in hidden locations that could not be seen after assembly. It was rather relaxing not having to get stressed over why part A didn't fit part B like it was meant to.
Anyways - here are the finished photo's inc. one with the Ka-18 to give an idea just how big this one actually is:

[Kevthemodeller]

Another lovely build Neil

Very best wishes to the wife mate, I do hope all's going well