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Post by mrmike on Dec 21, 2019 15:22:18 GMT -7
From File #A56-7W, code-name Airwolf. A Mach 1+ attack helicopter developed by Dr. Charles Henry Moffitt and stolen by him after attacking and killing many people testing the helicopter and then flying it to Libya. The helicopter was retrieved by former Army pilot, Stringfellow Hawke and hidden somewhere in southern California to be returned to The F.I.R.M. upon the recovery of his brother, Saint John a POW in Vietnam. Okay. That is a bit much and wholly dramatic. This is another refugee from my open model shelves desperately in need of a bath and reassembly. So, what do I need to do here? Having built this model back in the mid '80s and languishing on the open model shelves for the last ten years, I have brought it out to be cleaned and rebuilt. I suspect that once I start cleaning this model (I/E a bath), that many parts may fall off which is a good thing. I can then clean up and repaint the parts as needed. Let's see just what I have here...    This will be heading off to the kitchen sink for a bath with warm water and Dawn Dish Detergent. There are plenty of pictures and websites devoted to Airwolf including a couple of tribute helicopters. Let's see what I can do with this... More Airwolf to come... |
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Post by mrmike on Dec 21, 2019 20:24:51 GMT -7
The teardown continues. This has been mostly probing and pulling at parts and sub-assemblies. I don't think I'll go any further than this.    More Airwolf to come... |
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Post by leon on Dec 22, 2019 7:43:31 GMT -7
Looks like a cool project Mike! I remember watching the TV show.
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Post by mrmike on Dec 22, 2019 11:43:44 GMT -7
Thanks leon! Yeah, some episodes were not that good and some got downright bad especially with Jan Michael Vincent's alcoholism. You can actually see it in his eyes in some scenes. The are rather bloodshot red!
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Post by Deano on Dec 23, 2019 0:10:32 GMT -7
Keen to see what happens to this with, dare I say it, 30 or so years of experience this time round!
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Post by mrmike on Dec 23, 2019 6:52:23 GMT -7
Thanks Deano! Yeah, I do have a couple of years of experience under my belt!  I'm considering my options as I move forward with this build. Straight rebuild or repaint and rebuild? Add additional details? Several things to think about... Airwolf is taking a bath in hot soapy water. A good soaking will help! These will get a good scrubbing and rinse later.    More Airwolf to come... |
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Post by mustang1989 on Dec 23, 2019 22:33:40 GMT -7
Oh HELL yeah!! An aircraft build!!! Tuned in and will be watching for more on this one Mike!!!
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Post by mrmike on Dec 24, 2019 6:35:48 GMT -7
Thanks Joe! Yes, I do build aircraft and starships and submarines and I once built a figure of Odo from Star Trek Deep Space Nine. I build mainly cars and trucks, but every once in a while I like to build something different...
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Post by mrmike on Dec 30, 2019 10:50:30 GMT -7
I got Airwolf out of its one week bath and I have noticed that some of the enamel paint has come off. Interesting! This was only a bath in water and Dawn Dish Detergent. I'll let this dry and then give it a good soaking with Easy Off.    More Airwolf to come... |
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Post by mmthrax on Dec 31, 2019 7:45:44 GMT -7
Cool. Keen to see this one go back together.
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Post by mrmike on Dec 31, 2019 20:35:15 GMT -7
Thanks Mark! Airwolf is in a bath of Easy Off right now stripping off that awful '80s paint job. I think I have come a long way painting since then.
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Post by stitchdup on Jan 1, 2020 0:12:21 GMT -7
Cool, I remember watching this sometimes, it was on before the dukes or a team on saturday nights on this side of the pond
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Post by DeeCee on Jan 1, 2020 2:41:40 GMT -7
Was a cool show too when i was a lad. Popcorn%20and%20drink%20emoticon_zpsnbkzs8ys
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Post by mrmike on Jan 1, 2020 7:50:53 GMT -7
This was a cool show back in the mid '80s! It was on at 8:00 or 9:00 on Saturday nights here in the States. It is unfortunate that it went downhill due to Jan Michael Vincent's alcoholism, Donald P. Bellisario's micro-managing and the studio's desire to make the show less of a espionage series.
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Post by mrmike on Jan 14, 2020 8:52:47 GMT -7
The disassembly continues...  I broke the cyclic handle on the right last night and I glued the two pieces back together be fore I turned in for the night.  As I was preparing the flight deck for paint, I removed the piece from the center console and it disappeared on me. Not sure what that part was for, but I'll either fill the hole or scratch build a component to replace it with.  More Airwolf to come... |
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Post by mrmike on Jan 14, 2020 14:41:39 GMT -7
The flight deck of Airwolf has been painted and reassmbled. Have a look...    More Airwolf to come... |
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Post by stitchdup on Jan 14, 2020 15:32:35 GMT -7
Cool
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Post by mmthrax on Jan 14, 2020 22:24:57 GMT -7
Cool stuff Mike.
I am always amazed that you can get these things apart without totally destroying them.
Carry on sir....
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Post by mrmike on Jan 16, 2020 8:03:54 GMT -7
Thanks Les and Mark! You think you are amazed, so am I! Some models may be glue bombs, but somehow they do come apart. Some have to be cut unless I don't really need to take that item apart.
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Post by mrmike on Jan 17, 2020 14:19:06 GMT -7
I started playing some Airwolf music on Youtube and went to work on the ADF Pod. I drilled holes in the Pod front and rear for more realism and detail painted the Pod.    More Airwolf to come... |
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Post by leon on Jan 17, 2020 17:20:05 GMT -7
Coming along nicely Mike!
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Post by mrmike on Jan 18, 2020 8:22:17 GMT -7
Thanks leon!
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Post by Deano on Jan 18, 2020 16:07:38 GMT -7
Looking good Mike. Any idea why they have the big curve in the control stick? Would seem to throw weight forward on the stick but maybe that is to overcome come the 'pull' of linkages? Unless it's servo controls so the weight wouldn't be needed. What if I back out of the rabbit hole now?
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Post by mrmike on Jan 18, 2020 19:45:01 GMT -7
Thanks Deano! The big curve on the control stick is for...I don't know! I'm a model builder, not an airplane mechanic! Okay, seriously, I don't know the reason for the big curve, but it must serve some sort of purpose on a 1:1 helicopter. For all I know, it's for letting your feet through easier...
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Post by mrmike on Jan 25, 2020 12:57:56 GMT -7
I finally got Airwolf out of the Easy-Off bath and gave her a good scrubbing with an old toothbrush and Dawn Dish Detergent. Ready for primer and paint!    More Airwolf to come... |
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Post by Deano on Jan 25, 2020 13:10:01 GMT -7
Those parts have come up well, should paint up nicely.
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Post by mrmike on Jan 25, 2020 13:30:05 GMT -7
I am hoping for good paint coverage. I got the majority of the original paint off and now to repaint and reassemble The Lady.
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Post by mrmike on Jan 28, 2020 9:50:34 GMT -7
I fired up the paint booth this morning and painted "The Lady" with Tamiya TS-94 Metallic Grey. Came out a touch lighter than I thought, but this looks like the perfect color. I like it!    More Airwolf to come... |
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Post by stitchdup on Jan 28, 2020 10:13:47 GMT -7
Thats a cool colour, the sheen it has shows of the body detail really well
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Post by mrmike on Jan 29, 2020 8:00:38 GMT -7
Thanks Les! This color is a bit too metallic, but the shade of color is perfect. I can live with it!
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I'm considering my options as I move forward with this build. Straight rebuild or repaint and rebuild? Add additional details? Several things to think about...
