Blackhawk Lite

Mossie · April 03, 2015, 02:51:58 PM

I've always liked the Sikorsky S-67 Blackhawk. The only model I know of is the Angirand resin kit, which I don't have so I'm going to make my own version.

The Blackhawk was a big helicopter as it was planned to have a small transport cabin, Hind style. I've read that this was one of the reasons that the US Army were lukewarm to it. So my idea is that Sikorsky redesigned it after the crash and offered a smaller version for the Advanced Attack Helicopter competition instead of the S-71 that was based on the S-70 Black Hawk.

Simon

Mossie · April 04, 2015, 08:15:10 AM

The Pucara will provide the base, with helicopter bits coming from various kits. I'm working this out on the fly, I'm not entirely sure quite how this is going to go together yet!

This is where I am so far. It'll loose it's tail soon and I may try and create wheel wells in the sponsons if I have time, otherwise she'll be in flight. The Airfix/Special Hobby kit isn't bad, but fairly typical for short run and needs a bit of persuasion for everything to fit together hunky-dory.

ChernayaAkula · April 04, 2015, 08:15:31 PM

Fascinating project!

Can't wait to see where you're taking this!

Is it going to be a tail-dragger like the actual S-67? In that case, I'd go with the Cougar bits. That big fin might lend itself to containing the tail wheel Rooivalk-style.

Weaver · April 04, 2015, 08:42:10 PM

Now that's original! Be interesting to see how this one turns out!

Mossie · April 05, 2015, 12:22:29 AM

Quote from: ChernayaAkula on April 04, 2015, 08:15:31 PM
Fascinating project! Can't wait to see where you're taking this!

Is it going to be a tail-dragger like the actual S-67? In that case, I'd go with the Cougar bits. That big fin might lend itself to containing the tail wheel Rooivalk-style.

Cheers Moritz! Yes, it'll be a tail dragger, the Cougar fin might be a little small, I might have to improvise.

Quote from: Weaver on April 04, 2015, 08:42:10 PM
Now that's original! Be interesting to see how this one turns out!

Thanks Harold! I'm trying to follow the S-67 look as much possible, but there might be differences, such as the engine layout. I confess I'm not a natural kitbasher and parts I've selected often don't seem to work out. I had a 'crisis' with the tail last night, I was going to us the Cougar's, but it was too short as I cut it, any shorter and I'd have had to fill a substantial section. I'm trying to for 'plug and play' parts so I can save as much time as possible but it's not working out quite as I hoped!

Mossie · April 05, 2015, 12:45:22 AM

Lat nights progress, main parts together, the tail removed with the hole filled with Milliput.

Captain Canada · April 06, 2015, 04:05:45 AM

That's a lot of kits for a 1WGB ! Great stuff !

Mossie · April 06, 2015, 07:49:40 AM

I might not use them all, saying that I might use others too!

KiwiZac · April 06, 2015, 04:27:13 PM

I'm shaking with anticipation - I LOVE the S-67 and anyone building it gets a thumbs-up in my book. I like the way this is shaping up, I'm very excited to see more!

Mossie · April 06, 2015, 05:05:44 PM

Cheers Zac! I'd like to think someone will do a shortrun kit someday, fingers crossed.

Quite a lot done but nothing much to show for it. Wheel wells are cut out, stuff like the gun fairings filled and I've got the engine pods together. I'll post pics soon when it looks less like the above pic. I've got a lot still to do and the deadline isn't as far off as I'd like!

sandiego89 · April 06, 2015, 06:00:37 PM

Wow, great idea- and a way to clear out the stash!

Great bash!

Mossie · April 07, 2015, 02:49:01 AM

Cheers! It's mostly detail bits I'm using so they'll end up in the spares box. But I'm actually considering making an emergency purchase of it's namesake, the Black Hawk! I was going to use the rotor from the Puma, but I'm missing a blade.

I had it not long ago, but I can't find it anywhere. The tail is also proving problematic and the right Black Hawk kit should provide these as well as stores, which I was going to use from the Cobra but Hellfires would be useful.

Just in case any one is wondering, this is the bird I'm trying to emulate, sorta:

kerick · April 07, 2015, 10:41:10 AM

Good call on the Pucara fuselage. I would not have thought of that one!

kitnut617 · April 07, 2015, 03:39:29 PM

Quote from: Flyer on April 07, 2015, 04:17:40 AM
I would have thought the 5 blade Sea King rotor would suit it, probably too big though.

It's what the real thing did use Flyer, at least the SH-3 system. Probably Simon has found the Pucara fuselage is on the small size, the S-67 was a very big helicopter

Mossie · April 07, 2015, 04:15:18 PM

Quote from: kerick on April 07, 2015, 10:41:10 AM
Good call on the Pucara fuselage. I would not have thought of that one!

Cheers! It came to me a little while ago and I did wonder if I could get it to work. The fuselages are similar shapes, and the break down of the Pucara kit even lends itself to the undercarriage pods.

Quote from: kitnut617 on April 07, 2015, 03:39:29 PM
Quote from: Flyer on April 07, 2015, 04:17:40 AM
I would have thought the 5 blade Sea King rotor would suit it, probably too big though.

It's what the real thing did use Flyer, at least the SH-3 system. Probably Simon has found the Pucara fuselage is on the small size, the S-67 was a very big helicopter

Yes that's right, the S-67's fuselage was about 30% longer than the Pucara's. A five blade might work, but as it's similar in size to the S-70 I thought that would work.

Less work done than I hoped tonight, got the engine pods on top of the fuselage but it took a lot more chopping than I thought it would. I'm already wondering if I've bitten off more than I can chew.....