Zenrat's Flying Circus

[PR19_Kit]

A zillion years ago, about the time that Airfix first produced the 'Good 'Ole 66' kit, RayHex made that radome as an add-on, moulded in clear plastic for some reason. They go for pence on eBay these days as RW Sea King kits already come with them now.

I think I've got three of them!

[NARSES2]

I do like that Aussie Navy scheme 

[Rick Lowe]

RayHex made that radome as an add-on, moulded in clear plastic for some reason.

IIRC, it was because it was on a clear sprue with some bulged windows.

[zenrat]

Some pics.

NMF variations on the Analogue - work to date.
MiG 21 Analogue WIP 07-12-2019 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

And the Mitch.  I can't decide whether to use the smooth cowlings or the lumpy ones.  I'm currently favouring the smooth ones purely for aesthetic reasons - the rest of the airframe is sanded smooth and devoid of lumps.  However, any other views?   Any good reason to fit the lumpy ones?
C-25G Marion WIP 07-12-2019 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

[NARSES2]

Analogue's looking good.

As for the Mitchell ? Personally I think the smooth ones suit the scheme better.

[TheChronicOne]

Smooth! Looks better for sure.

[jcf]

I recently obtained the transfers to build this...

...and thought that as it's a single colour paint job it could be a nice quick and easy RW build.
The only obvious difference appears to be that the RAN chopper has a dorsal radome whereas the kit does not (although I am sure there are many less obvious ones).  I could find something to scratch one up or just not bother and thus make it a whiff.
The bags out on the bench.  However, I may change my mind again tomorrow...

The RAN bird is a Westland WS-61 with the 6-bladed tail rotor, rather than the 5-bladed version on the SH-3D.

[PR19_Kit]

The later Airfix/Heller S-61 kits handily come with both 5 and 6 bladed tail rotors.

[zenrat]

Thanks Jon.  No one will ever notice that little detail...


The kit in the bag is the early early Airfix release before they added the transfers for "66" and the astronaut basket.

[Old Wombat]

The lumpy bits on the B-25 cowl are for improved airflow over/around the cylinders for cooling.

Aesthetically, the smooth cowls look better for your build & are quite suitable for an engine not being forced to operate at max. power for extended periods., as most military versions were.

[jcf]

The lumpy bits on the B-25 cowl are for improved airflow over/around the cylinders for cooling.

Aesthetically, the smooth cowls look better for your build & are quite suitable for an engine not being forced to operate at max. power for extended periods., as most military versions were.

Lumpy = Separate exhaust ejector stacks (later cowling).
Smooth = Exhaust-collector and single-outlet on outboard side of nacelle (early cowling).

[zenrat]

Yes, because zenrat industries would never operate on full combat power at zero feet for prolonged periods...

[zenrat]

Hmmm, I swear those pics were not there when I replied before.
So, if I use the smooth cowlings (which I am) then I will need an additional exhaust outlet somewhere.
I can also claim that there is a turbocharger somewhere inside the nacelle.  I will have to amend my back story to reflect this.

Today I didn't get much time in the shed (forced to go to the pub for xmas drinks - its a hard life) but I did do some work on the undercarriage.
C-25G Marion WIP 13-12-2019 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

[ericr]

the combination of high gull wing and short/low undercarriage gives it a funny look

[NARSES2]

the combination of high gull wing and short/low undercarriage gives it a funny look

Yup and with that colour scheme you could see it having a starring role in a Disney cartoon