Jeff's never made a Ka25 before. ***Finished***

[jssel]

OK. Home now so will get this set up in the morning.

[Sissel]

I had to google Ka25 as it's not known to me.

It's got a zit.

[splash]

Cool what kit is it?

[jssel]

MPC repop of the Airfix.

[jssel]

So here is the box art:



The innards in which the MPC kit offers all options that were separate in the Airfix boxings:



Classic Airfix instruction sheets:



Now, what can I do with this? That is quite a double chin on that face.

[Sissel]

Is there another decal sheet for the stencils?
Will you be building the box-art version?

[jssel]

Nope. Four decals is it. Very thick and glossy. Not worried.

[jssel]

So in the usual fashion the cockpit starts going together first. The stamp on the bottom of the cockpit floor says 1983 for it has been around for a while. The moldings and detail should warrant a re-pop, IMHO.



Three seats, controls and an attempt at a control panel, we are good to go.

[Old_Tonto]

Looks like a nice simple cockpit Jeff.

I always liked the Kamov choppers, good choice. What is the fit like?

[jssel]

The dry run shows no real issues fit wise. Lots of work ahead on the rotors however. I was reading up on the Ka25 and there was some criticism about the really long "push-pull" rods to control the blades. Lots of stress there. But the blade folding from inside the cockpit really peaked my interest. There are some videos on youtube on the Ka-25.

I am doing the A version by the way.

[splash]

[jssel]

Thanks for that video Alan. There are great references in there.

So this morning I test fit (yet again) the cockpit and floor board to check fit.



The clear windows that go in of course have the dimples molded in and I am wondering about using Kristal Klear for the small windows.

The "A" version requires a little body work.



So far so good. I am liking this kit a lot.

[jssel]

More fiddly bits.

I made up a contraption to put a "natural" bend to rotor blades. A block of wood and a spacer which can be added to or removed as needed. Secure the blades and add hot water. Cool and they should retain the shape.



The trick of course is making sure which side is up.

Next came the mast head. I dreaded this but all went pretty well. It looks so asymmetrical but I think it is an "obstacle illusion". But a lot of parts in a small area.

[Sissel]

This is coming along really well.
Nice trick on the rotor blades, I wouldn't have thought of that.

[splash]

Great idea for the blade bender. Don't forget on a co-axel helicopters the upper and lower sets of blades turn in the opposite directions, I would hate to see you bend one set the wrong way

The complex pitch change links are looking good, keep up the great work.

Regards Splash