Hawkeye’s Squawkbox

One of the challenges of this build is some of the modifications needed to convert the CH-46 into a plausible fire fighter. Of these challenges one is the observers blisters in the aft cabin. As well as the bug eyed windows for the flight crew so they all can have greater downward visibility.

First the aft observers station blisters. I started with a piece of balsa wood from the stash and cut it into a rough shape slightly larger than the opening it will fit. Then I shaped it to fit inside…loose is okay it doesn’t have to be snug. The vacformed canopy will take up some of the space.

After I have the balsa plug fitted, I traced it on yet another piece of wood. I sand this piece down to a similar size and shape

and glue the two piece togetherto double up the thickness.

Once that has dried solid I added a third piece of wood to the stack.

After is had dried I started shaping it with my course sanding stick and my Dremel with a rotary drum sander attachment. I roughed out the shape for the blister window with a flat botton which would give the observer a clear undistorted downward view.

The next step will be to vacform the blisters. Then it will be onto making the flight crew doors/blisters. I may try two different approaches with this. One being using the door frame and blister out just the window sections to make one big blister window within the door’s frame. The second I will make a composite one piece blister/door that has some metal re-enforcements where needed.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Modelers are a creative lot. We try to find things to make our life easier and our models turn out better. Well I have one tip that will help you.

We are always on the look out to find ways to protect our models and assemblies from dust while they dry after painting or applying a clear sealer. I have just the ticket, its cheap and easy too. We have a collection of kitchen gadgets, some we purchased other were gifts. One such item is a Tortilla storage container. It is large enough for small aircraft or components of larger ones. I can fit a 1:72 fighter inside or what I use it most for is a drying/curing storage for Future dipped canopies.

They also make good containers to transport and store your models.

So the next time you’re out shopping, look for one of these, I picked mine up on sale for about a dollar,

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Touch N Flow by Al Jones IPMS-RI Bong, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The seal for the needle in the Touch-N-Flow is some kind of soft material like silicon. If you leave Weld-On #3 in the tool over night as a matter of practice, the seal will eventually deteriorate and the tool will need to be replaced. Also, in using the Touch-N-Flow, try always to not drag the tip of the needle on the plastic. Weld-On #3 softens plastic very quickly and the tip of the Touch-N-Flow can suck up some of that plastic and become clogged. So, what I do is before touching the tip to the plastic, I form a small drop of solvent on the tip of the needle. Then I place that small drop on the plastic instead of the tip. It’s a delicate maneuver, but it helps keep the tip of the Touch-N-Flow clean. aj

Be sure to read Al’s column about Painting Parts on the Tree.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!