This is Revell Of
Germany's Bell 412 Griffin, built in DHFS (Defence Helicopter Flying School)
colors and markings. The DHFS is responsible for training helicopter crews for
the RAF, RN, and Army Air Corps. In addition to the Griffin HT1, the DHFS also operates
the Eurocopter Squirrel HT1 .
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This kit started
life as the KLu version (kit number 04461) of the 412. The DHFS decals come in
the box. The kit is molded in bright yellow plastic and contains 60
parts. Everything was well molded, so clean-up was minimal. My model
is built to represent a SARTU (Search And Rescue Training Unit) Griffin. These
Griffins are fitted with floatation devices and a hoist for over water
operations. The hoist and mount are modified kit items, while the fuselage
floats came from a Revell Bell 212 (The BGS boxing). Other mods include adding
rotor blade push/pull tubes (floral wire), pitot tubes (made from styrene rod
and wire), wire-strike kit, and various antennas. The cockpit and cabin was
built OOB with no mods.
The main reason for building this
particular version was the paint scheme. While the KLu colors look sharp, I
really like the black and yellow colors on DHFS machines. I used Model Master
Acryl Flat Black and Insignia Yellow, to which Future was mixed in to give
the model a semi-glossy appearance (the yellow on the real Griffin is probably
darker, but the MM yellow matched the chevrons on the decal sheet). A thin coat
of Future was a applied for decals and final gloss coat. A note on the decals.
The markings are for a non SARTU Griffin, but I really wanted the floats and
hoist, so this model isn't 100% on the mark. After applying the decals, the
paint was polished and all window masks removed (they too were buffed out
and the edges cleaned up). The vents were accentuated, and a bit of a wash was
added to the rotor head to bring detail out but that was it for weathering
(these machines are kept in immaculate condition).
Albert
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