This is my first
submission to ARC although I have posted in the forum pages for a little while
now. I'd like to share with you my 1/48 conversion of Heller's 1/48 Ecureuil
'Fire Bomber' converted to RAAF AS350B specs that flew with number 5 Squadron at
Fairbairn, ACT in 1986-7 before being transferred to the Army. The AS350B
helicopter was used for the conversion training of pilots and crew for the ADF's
Hueys, Blackhawks and Chinooks.
The kit was
converted with some internal and external scratch building such as cabling,
aerials, windscreen wipers, spotlights and rear bulkhead. I also used a
locally made resin conversion kit that contained the underside light box,
aerial, instrument panel, winch control box, fire extinguisher and crew helmets
to complete the build. To improve the detail on the kit I also decided to
open the port side doors by splitting them along the panel line. The
paints I used were Humbrol flat white and French blue with a coat of clear
gloss. Decals are from Hawkeye and Aussie Decals.
Click on
images below to see larger images
Overall the kit was a joy
to build and highly recommend it.
Andrew
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