Chip's Augusta Bell 205 in Israeli Air Force colours.**DNF**

[Molly-new]

As usual a bit late to cross the start line, but I will be joining in with this Humbrol/ESCI Augusta Bell 205 in the Israeli Air Force scheme.

[Sissel]

Glad you're doing this in Israeli markings.
You're not late at all. I probably wont start mine till next week.

[Molly-new]

Committed to too many GB's me thinks.

Having perused the contents of the box I am really looking forward to getting started on this one, the detailing is excellent.

The parts are on two sprues molded in green plastic;





and one clear for the glazing:



Instructions are neatly laid out;





Decals are supplied for three schemes, 2 x Bell UH 1H in US Army and RAAF schemes, and the Augusta Bell AB 205 one in the Israeli Air Force scheme that I am doing.

[Molly-new]

I have made a start by constructing the cockpit , but want to spray all the interior light grey and my airbrush is playing up. I think it neds a good cleaning so that is todays task, I hope to get some colour done tomorrow.

[Molly-new]

As mentioned previously, the cockpit was put together prior to painting grey:



The seats will be painted green and added later. I have also found a couple of ejector pin marks that need dealing with:



Once these are filled I can get painting.

[Sissel]

Have you done something to the floor and walls, or did it come like that?
Looks very nice.

[Molly-new]

That is how they come, the detailing for a 1/72 scale is excellent:



The cockpit has now had a coat of paint:



It now needs a wash and decals fitting before I fit all the seats to it.

[Molly-new]

More progress on the cockpit area:





The instructions indicate that a box gets fitted behind the pilots seat, but there are a set of seats which are not used but could also fit in this space. Research on the net is a bit misleading, I take it that the stowage/seating arrangements on a huey was down to crew/mission preference? Would I be wrong in adding the seats?

[splash]

Nice work on the cockpit the detail really stands out.

Sorry I cant help you with the rear cabin layout, I only flew in one a couple of times and that was way back in the early 70's.

Regards Splash

[jssel]

Hey, Chip. The rear cockpit is configured in the normal troop transport (Air Assault) mission as you have it. Back in the day, I sat on the rear port side. Jump seats (facing rearward) ahead of the back bench seat would resemble Command and Control operations. If you desire you could put lapbelts on the bench and rear side seats. The rear section could be changed from mission to mission as required with little fanfare. Rigging for Med-a-vac was a little tougher to do. I would have to check my instruction sheet as to the "box" behind the pilots seat. Do not recall that feature but then again, it's been 40 years now.

Your cockpit looks very nice

[Molly-new]

Thanks for the insight Jeff, I have done a mock up of the two options open to me;

Box

Seats


I am leaning towards the seat option at the moment.

Does anyone know what these are for?



Are they on all Huey's or just the Israeli ones? Also, on the rotor head there is a block on one side:



The plans are a little vague as to the positioning of this, is there a particular way in which it fits?

[jssel]

OK. The box is an ammo container for a gunship. You won't need that for the slick version.

[jssel]

The tubes must be only on IAF Hueys. Not sure what the bump is but I have a flight manual and will look it up.

[splash]

I'm only guessing but could the lump be the scissor link that stops the lower part of the swash plate from rotating?

This link explainers what the swash plate does

[Sissel]

I'm really loving that interior, wish I had the patience to do something like that.