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Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 8:05 pm
by Nige201980
Right just a few photos and some info on the helicopter im build for this SIG

The Photos
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The info

A Cobra strengthens the Flying Bulls
Reg. N11FX


Latest member of the Flying Bulls: the Bell AH-1 Cobra is America’s legendary
combat helicopter. It will mainly be used by the Flying Bulls in airshows.

For years it was the US Army’s classical combat helicopter. Produced in several
versions since 1966, the Bell AH-1 Cobra earned itself a legendary reputation in the
Vietnam war. With the delivery of the first Apaches the Army gradually began to
part company with the Cobra, only the Marines still use this model. The Flying Bulls’
new acquirement is an TAH-1F, which was built in the eighties and was completely
wrecked and demilitarised at the end of its service. This relic, which had even been
cut in half, was later discovered by the wellknown American helicopter pilot and
collector Chuck Aaron, and completely reassembled by 2002.

Thereafter it not only made an impression at many airshows, but was also used in
TV serials such as “JAG” and “Walker, Texas Ranger”. Naturally, Chuck Aaron was
always in command. In 2004, the Flying Bulls discovered this gem and after
protracted export formalities – the Pentagon keeps a watchful eye on former
military equipment – they were finally able to bring it to Salzburg, where it was
received with all honours in December 2005.
The Flying Bulls’ Bell TAH-1F is made up mainly of original parts straight from the
factory. The F version was the last Cobra to be built with just one engine – and the
Bulls’ specimen is the last one capable of flying, and is also the only one in Europe.
Pilot Siegfried “Blacky” Schwarz, who had to go through special training in the USA
for this helicopter, will be exhibiting it mainly at airshows. When the Bell is not
flying, it can of course be seen at any time in Hangar-7 at Salzburg Airport. Technical Specifications:

Bell Cobra TAH-1F Reg.: N11FX Year of construction: 2002 S/N: 003
Length: 13.9 m
Height: 4.24 m
MTOW: 4,536 kg
Fuel consumption: 400 liter/h
Power: 1,800 HP
Max. speed: 190 kts
Cruising speed: 160 kts
Max operational time: 2 h 15 min
Power plant: Lycoming T53-L-703
Pilot:

Siegfried Schwarz, born 1957, Chief Pilot Helicopter of The Flying Bulls
The Cobra is flown by the Austrian Siegfried Schwarz, well known as “Blacky”, who
is without doubts a helicopter legend in Austria and all over Europe.

Blacky gained in the last 30 years more than 9.000 hours flying in a helicopter as a
professional and airshow pilot. Most of his flying hours where done as a rescue pilot
in Austria, saving the life of thousands of people under most extreme weather
situations. Just normal, that Blacky’s other passion is far away of flying only normal
helicopters; as the helicopter chiefpilot of The Flying Bulls in Salzburg/Austria he is
checked out in the legendary US attack helicopter “Bell COBRA TAH-1F”, the only
civil exemplar within Europe.

Blacky is the founder of the Red Bull Helicopter Aerobatic Team and 1 of only 3 (!)
civil pilots worldwide, who is able to fly a helicopter “upside down” with the BO-105
helicopter of The Flying Bulls. Hundred of hours at training with his teammate and
instructor Rainer Wilke where necessary to perform aerobatic displays with a
helicopter on a level like that only a couple of hundred feeds above the ground.
Blacky’s future plans involve beside another couple of thousands of helicopter hours
to explore further possibilities of helicopter aerobatics to make a unique airshow
routine performed by a professional team all over the world.

And now for a quick video
[youtube]u2TCnws7lnI[/youtube]

I will upload the sprune shots tomorrow when ive got better light. Will be starting this when ive finished one of my builds.

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 8:16 pm
by Paul
Looking forward to this nige :th:

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2013 2:51 am
by ManCupboardModels
Niiiiiice!! :th:

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2013 3:02 pm
by Nige201980
As promised the box and sprue shots

the box
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sprue 1
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here you can see the makers copyright mark which will need sanding
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sprue 2
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and sprue 3 with some really good detail but all raised to it will be out with the p-cutter and dynmo again because after watching red dragon build his there its a few gaps that will need filling.
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the clear parts
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the instructions only 30 steps but very basic.
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the colour call outs all black so that will be easy.
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And the decals these will be fun lol.
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hopefully i will start this in a week or 2 there is also a in box review in the review section.
thanks for looking.

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2013 4:11 pm
by Lysion
Love the big decals! Can not wait until you're slapping them on :P setting solutions might be a good tip!!

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2013 2:20 am
by gosselin2112
Nice history, Nigel. Nice subject, too. I was thinking of entering one myself, but the Mi-28 just caught my interest. Looking forward to seeing that big red bull go on your model.

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2013 2:18 pm
by fly1ngdutchm4n
nice kit, great history :th:
liking forward to see this build :pop:

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2013 10:33 pm
by spruecutter
Nice choice, those decals look like they might be a challenge. Good luck with the build :thumb2:

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 5:44 pm
by Nige201980
Right after the mess with my mossie i thought id best start this so on with the photos

So to start with i thought i would get the sub assemblies build 1st then i could paint them all in one go.

The cockpit first some nice raised detail but quite a bit of flash but builds up really quickly
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The engine just two parts so slapped them together will remove all visible seam lines before i paint it.

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The main rotor next this is a one piece affair so just got rid of some pin marks and as i want this parked on the ground i put the part in some hot water and gave them a twist down at the trailing edge and a slight droop thing it needs more but will look at it again later
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The seats ready for some paint
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The "wings" dont know there real name on a helicopter all together.
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they need some filling at the tips why these are not moulded whole i don't know and filler needed for where the stores normally go as it a display aircraft.
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The gun built up
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So far this has gone together quite well but the big test will be the fuselage half's and the skids will need to add a bit of weight under the cockpit otherwise it will be a tail sitter.

Well that's it for now see you in the next update.

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2013 10:12 pm
by Rammit
The helicopter 'wings' are usually known as winglets, and I'm looking forward to seeing this come together!

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2013 10:14 pm
by DC87
Good looking internals Nigel, awaiting more excellent work.

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2013 10:22 pm
by Paul
Nice progress nige :th:

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 1:12 am
by wappynutter
:th: :th: :th: :th: :th: :th: :th: :th: :th: :th:
Many thumbs Nige...... Just be careful if using Superglue to stick weight under the cockpit..
# See Mrs Modellers build with Nick's Help?? #
Keep up the good work matey, cant wait for the decal time. :thumb1:
Good luck.. keep at it...
:cheers2:

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 6:05 am
by Coen
That's some fast work Nigel. Looks good too. I wonder if good ol blue thunder was modelled on this bird? She looks familiar

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 9:33 am
by 5Craven
Coen wrote:That's some fast work Nigel. Looks good too. I wonder if good ol blue thunder was modelled on this bird? She looks familiar
Hi Coen I believe the Blue Thunder helicopter was a modified Aérospatiale/Westland Gazelle. The real give away is the boom and tail rotor which was not really altered at all. A link to a nice side shot is here: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... SA342M.jpg

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 10:02 am
by alextheblue
Some great progress there Nige - it's coming along at quite a pace! :th:

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 11:22 am
by Coen
5Craven wrote:
Coen wrote:That's some fast work Nigel. Looks good too. I wonder if good ol blue thunder was modelled on this bird? She looks familiar
Hi Coen I believe the Blue Thunder helicopter was a modified Aérospatiale/Westland Gazelle. The real give away is the boom and tail rotor which was not really altered at all. A link to a nice side shot is here: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... SA342M.jpg

Yup... No doubt about it David, that's blue thunder in her undies. I was more referring to the concept than the actual bird though.
Wow.. They just hacked off the nose and gave her a face lift.

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 2:45 pm
by EpoxySniffer
Glad to see you got your modelling mojo back after the mosquito problems ....

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 10:08 pm
by Rob
Good progress Nige

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2013 1:14 am
by JDMMODELS
Great work so far!! All those parts look very familiar, Lol. I gotta pull my finger out and get cracking on my build! :doh:

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2013 8:33 am
by Nige201980
Cheers guys hoping to do some work on her today.

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2013 8:15 pm
by Nige201980
As promised another update.

After a coat of humbrol 33 i did a quick drybrush with humbrol 53 gunmetal
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i dry brushed th cockpit and engine but forgot to get photos of that DOH :wall:

Any way whats next oh yeah the copyright mark needs removing
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that's better all gone now :banana:
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the cockpit drying in one side of the fuselage with the engine already in sorry for the poor light but its the best i can do lol
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the main airframe together with a bit of weight under the cockpit to stop it being a tail sitter.
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hopefully tomorrow will be sanding and filling if it needs it.

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2013 11:13 pm
by spruecutter
Looking good mate, it already looks quite mean with the all black look.

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2013 8:25 am
by Nige201980
So its been filled and sand so on with the re-scribing

[youtube]jMTML_E6Br0[/youtube]

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2013 5:50 pm
by gosselin2112
Nice update, Nigel.

I'm sure I posted it before, but I want to continually thank you for the scribing lesson. The masking tape really gives the dymo some extra miles.

Russ

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2013 6:02 pm
by Nige201980
Not a problem Russ glad you found it usefully mate.

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 2:28 pm
by Nige201980
Hi all update time.

So once it was sanded and filled and sanded again (which i forgot to take photos of) its was on with the primer and then sorting any of the problems out which there wasn't that many so out with the airbrush (1st time used) and shot it with some thinned vallejo black and it went on lovely was really happy with it for a 1st try.

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i then shot it with some clear and left it to dry for a good 24 hours before i applied the decals. I must say i was not looking forward to this lol but apart from some not being labelled up right i had no problems with them at all.

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so i will leave these for a day or two then it will be more Klear and a wash and she will be done.

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 3:40 pm
by fly1ngdutchm4n
Wow!
Awesome work with those decals mate!

:clap:

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 3:52 pm
by alextheblue
Looking real nice and top job with the decals - they would of had me hiding behind the sofa!! :eeek: :clap: :th:

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 4:01 pm
by MikeyKb
I'm going to sound like a broken record, but great work with those decals, I too would be hiding behind the couch :P Was it one really big one, or lots of annoyingly little ones?

:thumb2:

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 4:14 pm
by Nige201980
Cheers guys.

Too be honest i've been putting them of for a couple of days lol but they were easier than they looked

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 5:30 pm
by Coen
Holy Cod and Seal Fat Batman!!!!
That's a hell of a job Nigel!
When I got your skype message saying that you'd started I expected the next one to be all Frak, Crap, Pee, Walk the plank, RAAGGGHH!!!!!!
you get the idea (swear filter would have made what I wanted to say look completely ridiculous.
Fins job buddy. !!!
I would rather mow the lawn or watch Big Brother than put those decals on. (That was sarcasm :))

:clap: :clap: :clap:

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 5:35 pm
by Nige201980
Coen wrote:Holy Cod and Seal Fat Batman!!!!
That's a hell of a job Nigel!
When I got your skype message saying that you'd started I expected the next one to be all Frak, Crap, Pee, Walk the plank, RAAGGGHH!!!!!!
you get the idea (swear filter would have made what I wanted to say look completely ridiculous.
Fins job buddy. !!!
I would rather mow the lawn or watch Big Brother than put those decals on. (That was sarcasm :))

:clap: :clap: :clap:
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
Thanks Mike i thought i was going to be swearing left right and centre and throwing my teddy in the corner but they went really well a few placement issues but other than that they went on ok and seam to have settled down really well with the aid of some Revell decal soft that is.

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 7:07 pm
by Paul
Great job Nige, the decals look great, look forward to your next update :th:

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 8:06 pm
by Nige201980
MikeyKb wrote:I'm going to sound like a broken record, but great work with those decals, I too would be hiding behind the couch :P Was it one really big one, or lots of annoyingly little ones?

:thumb2:
The main body of the bull on both sides was one big one from the head rear legs and tail over the top if the winglets with the front legs under the winglets were sperate the rest apart from the main tail one "red bull" was one either side then loads of little ones that over lapped so had to line them up.

Cheers Paul

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 1:47 pm
by Jamesday1998
Jesus you've done amazing with them decals!!!
The build is going awesome nige! :th: :banana: :bow::

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 5:08 pm
by Nige201980
Cheers James

well after the decals all that was left was to give it a wash in the panels lines so here is the finished article.

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The rest of the photos will be in the revel section.

Re: Revell Bell cobra the flying bulls

Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 7:35 pm
by fly1ngdutchm4n
Very nice job!
:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: