Bell HTL-4

[Garion77]

Hello my friend !
Well I had a lot of catching up to read on this build with all I have at hand at the moment. Seems you're getting lots of curve balls on this project like me on my Pfalz. But in my eyes, you all manage to avoid them. It's looks nice.

As for the clear parts, I know never cut them from the sprue but instead I saw them with a small PE saw close to the attachment point and I sand down the remains. And I too don't use the gauzy Agent anymore. It almost always failed me. I'm back to using Future for canopies but use it only if I have to.

As for the big decals, well I always have trouble with decals even if it's a part I love doing. I think the key is lots of water to put it in place, lots of rubbing it out and lots of drying time between coats of whatever agent you're going to use.

Take care ! it's beautiful work !

[digger303]

Nice cockpit and good recovery on the glass. It fought you some, but I think you tamed it. Looks like your turning the final corner on this build.

Ben

Not quite and I'm learning to live with some of the not so nice bits, but thank you.

a whirlybird sent to test you!

Decals are fragile, will come off the sheet OK, but as soon as you try to manipulate them they crack.
At least 50% self inflicted, but yeah testing. One day I'll learn ....or maybe not....

All part of the fun Digger, all part of the fun....

I guess so, I hope one day all these not so nice days will turn me into a better modeller. Hasn't happened yet, but I live in hope.

What a build on this early model of helicopter, even if there is some problems you seems to have pleasure with this kit!

I can't wait to see the next steps and the solution of your problems.

OH shucks your making me all self conscious...

Hello my friend !
Well I had a lot of catching up to read on this build with all I have at hand at the moment. Seems you're getting lots of curve balls on this project like me on my Pfalz. But in my eyes, you all manage to avoid them. It's looks nice.

As for the clear parts, I know never cut them from the sprue but instead I saw them with a small PE saw close to the attachment point and I sand down the remains. And I too don't use the gauzy Agent anymore. It almost always failed me. I'm back to using Future for canopies but use it only if I have to.

As for the big decals, well I always have trouble with decals even if it's a part I love doing. I think the key is lots of water to put it in place, lots of rubbing it out and lots of drying time between coats of whatever agent you're going to use.

Take care ! it's beautiful work !

Too kind my friend, but thanks

Gauzy worked well for me when it was fresh. I can't get future here and in fact I don't think they manufacture it anywhere now. I did see 4 bottles come up for sale last weekend, but the guy wouldn't post anything....pick up only.
Your comments about using a razor saw are right on the button.
The decals were utter crap. Maybe age played a part in how they behaved, but they were all most impervious to micro sol and set.
Good to see you back posting despite the cramped conditions your enduring.

Thanks everyone

[digger303]

I added the canopy and surprise the fit isn't good. It has a gap in the top edge in the middle which I'm attempting to fill with CA glue and smooth it out as there is a step there as well.

[Twokidsnosleep]

It is looking great!
Minor imperfections will be lost in the overall excellent appearance
We are our own worst critics

[smokeriderdon]

Doing great with all its giving you.

I had issues with canopy fit with the one I did as well. Was the biggest issue I had with it I think.

[digger303]

Doing great with all its giving you.

I had issues with canopy fit with the one I did as well. Was the biggest issue I had with it I think.

Thanks
Yes that's it's main construction issue.

It is looking great!
Minor imperfections will be lost in the overall excellent appearance
We are our own worst critics

Thanks
Won't be show quality and as long as you don't get too close.

[Parker]

weathering on the black floaty bits looks good!

[Tomcat64]

The cockpit interior and aluminium strip around the goldfish bowl both look great - nice work sorting those out

Are you not getting any fogging from using the CA near the clear parts? I've always been a bit wary of it since I had a canopy fog up just by being in the same room as CA! Or is that what the dipping prevents?

[digger303]

weathering on the black floaty bits looks good!

Thank you Mr Parker...

The cockpit interior and aluminium strip around the goldfish bowl both look great - nice work sorting those out

Are you not getting any fogging from using the CA near the clear parts? I've always been a bit wary of it since I had a canopy fog up just by being in the same room as CA! Or is that what the dipping prevents?

Thanks
Yes the dipping provides a barrier.

[Tomcat64]

The cockpit interior and aluminium strip around the goldfish bowl both look great - nice work sorting those out

Are you not getting any fogging from using the CA near the clear parts? I've always been a bit wary of it since I had a canopy fog up just by being in the same room as CA! Or is that what the dipping prevents?

Thanks
Yes the dipping provides a barrier.

Oh cool - every day's a school day

[digger303]

The cockpit interior and aluminium strip around the goldfish bowl both look great - nice work sorting those out

Are you not getting any fogging from using the CA near the clear parts? I've always been a bit wary of it since I had a canopy fog up just by being in the same room as CA! Or is that what the dipping prevents?

Thanks
Yes the dipping provides a barrier.

Oh cool - every day's a school day

And makes the plastic gleam like glass....win win except if it contains suspended particles.
I'm going to try the Deluxe Materials looks like glass next time.

[digger303]

It's all folks, another in a long line of kits with defects I've introduced.






Thanks for all your support and input it helped a lot.

[Twokidsnosleep]

It is fantastic

[Parker]

Love it. Well done Digger.

[Stokesy44]

Dee doody doody, doo dee dooo....

That's a cracking looking chopper you got there

[Stokesy44]

Also, apologies for not following more diligently. Great thread and build.

[BigWall]

Great looking chopper Digger.

[RangerNeil]

It's turned out excellently Digger. One to be more than proud of despite the niggles.

[smokeriderdon]

Turned out great man!!! Awesome job.

[Tomcat64]

Great work mate - that's a cracking result

[digger303]

It is fantastic

Great work mate - that's a cracking result

Turned out great man!!! Awesome job.

It's turned out excellently Digger. One to be more than proud of despite the niggles.

Great looking chopper Digger.

Also, apologies for not following more diligently. Great thread and build.

Love it. Well done Digger.

Thanks guys ( partners in mirth ) It was a lot of fun having you all looking over my shoulder so to speak.

[DRUMS01]

Sorry for the late response, but I do not see why your so critical of the build as it looks great to me. Nice work, as they say...

"Sometimes you slay the dragon and sometimes the dragon wins".

You fought a good fight and came out on top on this one, great modeling!

Ben

[digger303]

Sorry for the late response, but I do not see why your so critical of the build as it looks great to me. Nice work, as they say...

"Sometimes you slay the dragon and sometimes the dragon wins".

You fought a good fight and came out on top on this one, great modeling!

Ben

It's the fuselage /canopy fit that's the main fit issue. The pic doesn't show it well, but I didn't hid it well and the top view really shows it and continually reminds me.

Thanks guys for your kind words.

[WordenB]

Sorry for the late response, but I do not see why your so critical of the build as it looks great to me. Nice work, as they say...

"Sometimes you slay the dragon and sometimes the dragon wins".

You fought a good fight and came out on top on this one, great modeling!

Ben

It's the fuselage /canopy fit that's the main fit issue. The pic doesn't show it well, but I didn't hid it well and the top view really shows it and continually reminds me.

Thanks guys for your kind words.

Just put it on your highest display shelf, problem solved. Looks flippin' excellent to me.

[digger303]

Sorry for the late response, but I do not see why your so critical of the build as it looks great to me. Nice work, as they say...

"Sometimes you slay the dragon and sometimes the dragon wins".

You fought a good fight and came out on top on this one, great modeling!

Ben

It's the fuselage /canopy fit that's the main fit issue. The pic doesn't show it well, but I didn't hid it well and the top view really shows it and continually reminds me.

Thanks guys for your kind words.

Just put it on your highest display shelf, problem solved. Looks flippin' excellent to me.

I maybe too critical of myself, but aren't we all a bit like that ?
Thanks for the kindness it's appreciated.