1/48 Hasegawa
Hughes 500 MD Defender |
Gallery Article by Robert "Glidingbob" Verhegghen
on
Dec 19 2003
|
|
|
|
Kenyan Army
Hughes 500 MD Defender
Kenyan ArmyFor a change, I once
decided to model something simple, OOB and in "exotic" colors. My
choice fell on the Hughes 500 MD Defender by Hasegawa in 1/48 scale which was
waiting for my attention since years in my closet. The 500D is a version of the
popular Model 500 incorporating a five-blades main rotor and an all new
drive train with a larger tail rotor and a distinctive "T" tail. It
was certificated by the FAA in December 1976, replacing the 500C on
the production lines. The 500MD is the military version introduced in
1977.
Click on
images below to see larger images
|
|
Kenya bought 32
500MD in two versions: 500MD/TOW and 500MD Scouts equipped with Hughes
manufactured 7.62mm CHAIN GUN© machine guns
and 2.75-inch folding-fin air-to-ground rockets. The helicopters have equipped
the 50th Air Cavalry Battalion since 1979 ( pic 02.jpg ).
Markings of a Kenyan machine was provided in kit decals.
The Hasegawa
model is a very fine one which builds very easily. I build it almost straight
from the box except for some more detailing in the cockpit area. As it is an
attack helicopter, and using some references courtesy provided by the Public
affairs office of Hughes Helicopters Inc. , I added some armor to pilots
seats (pic 06. jpg and 07.jpg ),a red extinguisher, and
green tinted roof windows. The various antennas were made out of stretched sprue.
I did not detail
the rotor head as I wanted to because of lack of info or clear picture of that
area. It still can be done later anyway.
Painting was made according to
actual picture of the aircraft and model building instructions with Humbrol
colors. Some weathering with diluted oil brown added the final touch before an
overall coat of satin varnish.
Thanks goes to Hal Klopper of
Hughes Helicopters Inc. Public Affairs.
-
Actual Kenyan helicopter picture, armor
picture and drawing are copyrighted with Hughes Helicopters Inc. Used
with permission.
-
"Chain gun" is a registered
trade mark of Hughes Helicopters Inc.
Robert "Glidingbob" Verhegghen
Click on
images below to see larger images
|
|
|