Italeri UH-1B "Huey" Vietnam War - build progress
![Album image #1 Album image #1](/albums/img/5/7/1/1773571-139378-58-720.jpg)
I have seen the Vietnam Huey in real life last year 2023 in December visiting Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) at the War Remnants Museum there and thought about building it since.
![Album image #2 Album image #2](/albums/img/9/0/7/1759907-139378-13-720.jpg)
Building this basic Italeri kit takes me back to my childhood in Bucharest, where I built it before in my family's old apartment. It brings back some beautiful memories.
![Album image #3 Album image #3](/albums/img/4/8/2/1761482-139378-91-720.jpg)
Interior is coming together beautifully with colors closely matching recommendations. US Gull Grey for the interior is spot on—I'm really pleased with how it's turning out. Planning to use Yellow Olive/Gelb Olive for the exterior, inspired by a helicopter I saw at the War Remnants Museum in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)—it feels like the perfect choice. Painting with enamels is a breeze since no primer is necessary, making the process much smoother.
![Album image #4 Album image #4](/albums/img/4/8/1/1761481-139378-50-720.jpg)
Before applying US Gull Grey for the interior, I used Mr. Finishing Surfacer 1500 Black. Unlike enamels, acrylics require a primer, but Mr. Finishing Surfacer 1500 Black can be tricky to apply with an airbrush as it tends to clog the Airbrush easily.
![Album image #5 Album image #5](/albums/img/0/3/4/1762034-139378-24-720.jpg)
Work result of the second day, interior of the Huey almost done. I painted the instruments panel and the buttons/switches with a needle. I think 40% of the work for this kit is the interior.
![Album image #6 Album image #6](/albums/img/8/8/5/1764885-139378-33-720.jpg)
Cockpit fitted into place, many details painted which I hope will be still visible at the end.
![Album image #7 Album image #7](/albums/img/8/8/6/1764886-139378-33-720.jpg)
Seating: Painted the pilot chairs and passenger seats in olive drab to match military specifications.
Seatbelts: Painted the seatbelts pale green for added realism.
Displays: Used green and blue for the displays to replicate an authentic cockpit look.
Buttons and controls: Painted the buttons white with a needle.
Windows: Masked the windows to prepare them for painting later.
Seatbelts: Painted the seatbelts pale green for added realism.
Displays: Used green and blue for the displays to replicate an authentic cockpit look.
Buttons and controls: Painted the buttons white with a needle.
Windows: Masked the windows to prepare them for painting later.
![Album image #8 Album image #8](/albums/img/4/6/7/1766467-139378-48-720.jpg)
First painted the top windows with Tamiya clear green. After they dried up I masked them and the front windshield and then positioned and glued them to the model.
Did some filling and sanding on the gaps afterwards.
Did some filling and sanding on the gaps afterwards.
![Album image #9 Album image #9](/albums/img/4/6/8/1766468-139378-72-720.jpg)
Masked most of the windows. The ones bellow and on the side sliding doors are next.
![Album image #10 Album image #10](/albums/img/4/6/9/1766469-139378-26-720.jpg)
As you can see near the engine, the Italeri kit doesn't fit so well. I have applied Humbrol Model Filler for the gaps.
![Album image #11 Album image #11](/albums/img/4/7/0/1766470-139378-48-720.jpg)
![Album image #12 Album image #12](/albums/img/3/9/8/1773398-139378-57-720.jpg)
Painted top windows with Tamiya Clear Green.
Masked all windows and engine in order to prepare the model for primer.
Masked all windows and engine in order to prepare the model for primer.
![Album image #13 Album image #13](/albums/img/3/9/7/1773397-139378-22-720.jpg)
Mr. Surfacer 1500 black applied along with Mr. Color Leveling Thinner 40% + 60%
![Album image #14 Album image #14](/albums/img/3/9/9/1773399-139378-64-720.jpg)
A couple of hours work well spent, including airbrush cleaning which is very important after using this primer.
![Album image #15 Album image #15](/albums/img/3/5/0/1774350-139378-84-720.jpg)
I have painted the model with my airbrush (Harder Steenbeck Ultra Solo Airbrushpistole 125503 - Double-Action Düsen-Ø 0,2 mm), using Revell Enamel Paint colour Yellow Olive/Gelb Olive, code 42 (32142). The paint is still curing, but looking at my reference pictures from Vietnam, I like the match.
![Album image #16 Album image #16](/albums/img/3/5/1/1774351-139378-33-720.jpg)
I have painted the model with my airbrush, using Revell Enamel Paint colour Yellow Olive/Gelb Olive, code 42 (32142). The paint is still curing, but looking at my reference pictures from Vietnam, I like the match.
![Album image #17 Album image #17](/albums/img/3/5/2/1774352-139378-43-720.jpg)
I placed a small sponge on the right door entry to keep paint out as I'm planning to build the model with one door open so that the interior can be seen.
![Album image #18 Album image #18](/albums/img/3/5/3/1774353-139378-59-720.jpg)
![Album image #19 Album image #19](/albums/img/4/4/2/1777442-139378-98-720.jpg)
Gloss varnish applied. Tail section painted yellow where the “Danger” decal pointing towards the tail rotor will be placed.
![Album image #20 Album image #20](/albums/img/4/4/3/1777443-139378-31-720.jpg)
Masked the Huey’s nose before applying MRP-005 black.
![Album image #21 Album image #21](/albums/img/5/4/6/1777546-139378-65-720.jpg)
Black nose result, the MRP paints are very forgiving and think when applying, only downside is the strong smell. Also the first decals have been applied.
![Album image #22 Album image #22](/albums/img/5/4/7/1777547-139378-89-720.jpg)
More US Army decals set. The small decal on the front is spelling “Big Train” 🙂
![Album image #23 Album image #23](/albums/img/5/4/8/1777548-139378-40-720.jpg)
Tamiya Mark Fit Strong is my go to product for working with decals.
![Album image #24 Album image #24](/albums/img/5/4/9/1777549-139378-92-720.jpg)
I find it appealing.
Kommentare
21 2 July, 21:48