Nils's 1/144 aircraft build series

[ChernayaAkula]

Inspiring stuff, Nils! Have a look at THIS THREAD on ARC, where someone is converting a 1/144 Puma to a Caracal. The included profiles might be helpful to you as well.

[Spey_Phantom]

interesting concept, it does seem feasable, and it is  

i have made a lot of progress since last night, its almost completed, just needs a bit more PSR and paint  
i was looking at a super puma, but it turned out to be more of a AS532 Cougar by accident 

[chrisonord]

Your builds totally amaze me Nils
I wish I had the patience to build such tiny models, as I struggle with a lot of my 1/72nd scale stuff. Plus I could have more of these to display too 
Cheers,
Chris.

[Spey_Phantom]

ok, its finished, although the nose didnt turn out as good as i anticipated 

AS532UL Cougar, RNVL aviation, 15th batalion, Cliffbergen AB, december 2011.

in april 2011, the RNV/DD (Republic New Flanders / Defence Department) evaluated that due to operation abroad, there is a shortfall in helicopter airlift capability, the RNVAF operates 14 NH90 MTTH helicopters, but the aircraft cannot lift the heavy loads the army (RNVL) requires, and so the RNVL Luchtvaart Afdeling (Army Aviation Devision) decided to place an emrgency requirement to forsee its own airlift/troop transport capability.
at the moment, for Joint operations in Malaysia, the army can relly on 1 NH90 deployed by the RNVAF, but the 4 ton payload capability is barely enough to support operations, witch often required airlift of small vehicles and boats.

after a quick search, 3 helicopters were evaluated and concidered, the S-70i Blackhawk, the NH90 TTH and the AS532 Cougar. the Blackhawk was rejected asit could not meet the payload requirement, the NH90 was rejected because of the quick delivery date requirements. Eurocopter has been awarded a $200 million contract to supply 8 AS532UL helicopters, these will be flown by the 15th Batalion, replacing the units UH-135A's (who will be transfered to other units).
delivery is expected to commence somewhere in November 2011, 7 months after the contract signing.

Model: Revell SA330 Puma, modified with scrachbuild extension.
Decals: Custom

[RPadavan2]

After seeing the work you have done with 1/144th scale models, I just had to comment.  Excellent work!  I am getting inspired to tackle the stacks of 1/144th scale models I have and get to work on some of the "what ifs" I have been planning, and to get to work tackling the diorama I want to do!  It is nice to see I am not the only one who works in the small scale.  I do have a couple questions for you.  Do you do your own decals?  Or do you get them from someplace?  I am always looking for after-market decals for 1/144th scale.  The ones I have done on my own I cannot quite get them small enough to look perfect.

[Spey_Phantom]

thank you,
i make the decals myself, i order special inkjet decalpaper from an online modelshop from the Netherlands.
all i need to get here is a spraycan of clear paint (Tamiya TS13) to seal it off and im all set, it looks hard but its quite easy to make them yourself 

[NARSES2]

Another nice addition to the collection Nils

[RPadavan2]

Nils, I also make some of my own decals.  My problem is the graphics program.  It was not allowing me to reduce the size of the graphics to the correct size.  I have since gotten a new system with a better graphics program and a laser printer.  But I have not yet tried to make aircraft decals.  Lately my decal making has been limited to sci-fi decals.  Thanks for the information, and keep up the excellent work!  I look forward to seeing what you make next.

[Spey_Phantom]

update:

a number of new projects have been added to the list:

-F-14A Tomcat (Area88, Mickey Simon)
-Tornado F-3 (operator not known yet, possibly luftwaffe)
-Raptor F.1 (RAF, 56 (R) Squadron "Firebirds")
-JA-37 Viggen (JASDF, in grey/white phantom scheme)
-KA-6E Intruder tanker (Royal Navy?)
-Rafale-C (Wallonian Air Force)
-F/A-18D Hornet (Norwegian Air Force)
-Kfir C-2 (Area88, Aslan AF)
-Chengdu F-7 (RAF, XI squadron, representing a EE Lightning for a Chinese 1970's propaganda movie)

[ChernayaAkula]

<...>
-Tornado F-3 (operator not known yet, possibly luftwaffe)
<...>

I know it would be a royal pain to replicate, but how about the overall black with red tulips F-4F scheme?




Ze idea haz been planted and vill flourish. Ze deed iz done!
*evil-laughter*

[Brian da Basher]

I've always enjoyed your work, Nils. Especially those super cool Flemish markings!

But this thread is a real treat! It's great to watch your skill in such a small scale become even more envious with each project! The paintwork on the French Hornet is an absolute marvel!

Most impressive and I hope to see more!

Brian da Basher

[Pablo1965]

In 1/144! Simply great. 

[Draken35]

Curious to see your Wallo Rafale... It's also one of my projects...

[McColm]

I have problems with small parts on 1/72 models, they seem to love carpets or hide in dark corners.

[Spey_Phantom]

just so people know, i havent given up on this build collection, its just that the bench is kinda full right now and i want to finish some current builds before starting any new ones  
next on the list is a Morrocan Jaguar, it was intended for the Africa GB, but im affraid i wont make the deadline by the time i finished it.

I have problems with small parts on 1/72 models, they seem to love carpets or hide in dark corners.

i got the exsact same problem, and the biggest problem is that the floor under my workbench isnt the cleanest