Merlin 1/48 Helicopter : Afganistan Mode

[flyjoe180]

Beautifully done Laurie. A marathon build which has resulted in a top model. Very nicely presented and photographed also. The lighting turned out nicely, gives a nice effect in the low light. Great build.

[Guest]

Wow excellent, definitely a model on my wishlist . More so after seeing yours. Think I'll give it a while until my experience level builds up to do it that kind of justice.

So what's next ? Lol I'm looking at the sh-60 seahawk . Not to sure yet some reviews say the canopy is a pain seem to be a theme for helicopters.

I would be non the wiser you had issues if you hadn't mentioned it .

Daz

[colin m]

Great one Laurie. Brilliant 'dusty' weathering and the paint is particularly top notch.

Colin M............

[Peej]

Great build Laurie. Love it all!

[Guest]

Nice one , Laurie!

[Guest]

Laurie, so good to see this at last, and well worth it, fantastic, well done.

[Guest]

It took a while to reach the finishing line Laurie, but it was worth the wait! A fine example of a Merlin & although I've never built a Helix, this has got me wanting to!

[Guest]

Thanks for your suggestions along the way Patrick. Regret(or not) avoided (seriously thought though) oil paint but used some oil technics but with acrylics and learnt a lot.

Forgot to mention if any one is interested that I did a go as you build thing http://www.scale-models.co.uk/community/threads/merlin-hc3-airfix-1-48-afganistan.19993/. Not very good but shows the complexity of this craft.

Does not show on the finished model but the fuselage is actually an inner shell and an outer shell.

Laurie

[Guest]

Laurie there is nothing I can add to what has already been said this build is worth every gong you will get for it.

[Guest]

Very good Laurie with an excellent finishing!

Atmosphere created by the lights is very good.

Francesco

[Guest]

Thanks again to all the replies. They are all very nice.

Forgot to add some pictures. They show the state of the Merlin in Afghanistan (spelling right this time) and the reason they get into this mess.

Tribute to the designers and the field engineers and maintenance.

Laurie

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[colin m]

That bottom left picture. If that was a model, some (not me) would say the panel lines were over emphasised !!

[Guest]

That bottom left picture. If that was a model, some (not me) would say the panel lines were over emphasised !!

That was a problem I had Colin. How far do you go ? If I had completed the model without the benefit of the above pictures for reference I would have said I had gone over the top with my finished Merlin. So I toned it down although it is fair to say I think I would have struggled to get that effect in the above photos.

Interesting as I had to do a lot of digging to find these photos of distressed Merlins. All the RAF Merlins of pictures in Afghanistan look pristine. I suppose it is keeping up appearances. Also add that I did find some worse than this but did not bother to keep a file of them.

Laurie

[colin m]

That was a problem I had Colin. How far do you go ? If I had completed the model without the benefit of the above pictures for reference I would have said I had gone over the top with my finished Merlin. So I toned it down although it is fair to say I think I would have struggled to get that effect in the above photos.Interesting as I had to do a lot of digging to find these photos of distressed Merlins. All the RAF Merlins of pictures in Afghanistan look pristine. I suppose it is keeping up appearances. Also add that I did find some worse than this but did not bother to keep a file of them.

Laurie

Well I think you know me Laurie, I go for the dirt and grime look (nearly) every time. But I do understand about keeping up appearances.

[Guest]

Great work there Laurie loving the lighting too