AH-37 Lightweight Attack Helicopter

[Thiel]

I got the idea for this build from something Weaver suggested in his Patchworld thread.
I'll butcher no less than three different kits to make it work.

The ancient Hasegawa A-37 will form the main body and wings.
The Italieri OH-6A Cayuse will supply the gun and assorted FFAR pods and some other bits.
The Italieri OH-58D Kiowa will supply its rotor and maybe some weaponry.
I have a US ATG weapons set on order, so it might end up supplying some kind of ATGM as well.


Lots and lots of sprue.

[ysi_maniac]

Will you cook your model? 

[Weaver]

Something I said? Does that mean it's my fault? 

[Thiel]

Will you cook your model? 

My apartment isn't exactly a study in spaciousness, so it was that or the floor.

Something I said? Does that mean it's my fault? 

Entirely

[Army of One]

I will be watching this as it sounds very interesting.......

[Thiel]

I will be watching this as it sounds very interesting.......

Glad you like it.

Only one day to go before construction begins. I think I'll have to get some milliput, since the Revel putty I use now isn't all that great at plugging large gaps.

[Thiel]

Due to a tight schedule the build is progressing at a glacial pace.
I've done a little clean up and that's about it.

[Supertom]

Due to a tight schedule the build is progressing at a glacial pace.
I've done a little clean up and that's about it.

Pictures or the box is still in the shrinkwrap!!!   

[Thiel]

Due to a tight schedule the build is progressing at a glacial pace.
I've done a little clean up and that's about it.

Pictures or the box is still in the shrinkwrap!!!   

Italieri kits doesn't come in shrinkwrap...
Anyway, I'll see about getting some pictures up tomorrow. I've glued some FFAR pods and mounted the bang seats.
This has got to be the most basic cockpit I've ever seen.

[Thiel]

And we have progress


Rotor assembly coming together. Note the use of high-tech fasteners to keep annoying parts in place


The Hazegawa kit isn't noted for its high level of details. Note the lack of actual seats.


FFAR goodness


Cockpit wall being installed.


Since the rotor will be placed right aft of the cockpit I thought I'd a few greebles to show it.
The Fuselage gaped a bit in the front, though that's partly my own fault. Got a little overeager with the sanding.
Nothing a little putty won't solve.


The wings are coming on. The fit is less than perfect and will require quite a bit of PSR.


PSR!

Next job will be to fill in the landing gear bays and shortening the wings. I have yet to decided just how much I should shorten them though.

[Stargazer]

The kind of project I love. Can't wait to see this taking shape!

[Thiel]

The kind of project I love. Can't wait to see this taking shape!

Glad you like it.
I'm having a little trouble with the rotor though. I have to raise it a bit and so far none of my plastic card foldings have been successful.
I'd like to use the hump as a starting point and continue it forward to the canopy, I'm just not certain how I'm going to do it.
Any ideas? I'm eyeing the milliput, but I have little to no experience using it, and the Revell putty I'm using is totally unsuited for the purpose.

[Army of One]

How about some surgery on the top part of the OH-58......the engine housing above the cabin.....can that be grafted onto the A-37 fuselage...? Or the same part from the OH-6.......? The join could be smoothed with the putty......I think the contours of the OH-58 would suit the A-37 fuselage.......just my thoughts......keep at it..... ....I think the wings should be at least halved.........

[Thiel]

My camera is on the fritz right now so I can't post any pictures, but I decided to sue milliput and ad a hump on the back to carry the rotor. I've also shortened the wings and the tail.

[Thiel]

I got my camera working again.


Milliput and revell putt galore. The tube is one of thos plastic tubes that comes with a paint brush


Stub wings and rotor


Somehow, the hump just looks right.
I'll definitely use that when I do the tilt rotor version.