Focke Achgelis FA-223, WIP
Komentáre
88 8 February 2023, 15:33
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That's ambitious! I will watch this talent show with pleasure, I am sure 🙂
8 February 2023, 16:12
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Welcome Robert, I hope you have fun with this build. Even though it's basically a box build. But there will be a few small modifications. 🙂
8 February 2023, 17:36
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Hello Ludvík, a nice kit and few problems with the parts, what is missing are details on the rotor head and space for the weight in the nose, because the heli has to have weight, otherwise it won't stand on its wheels
8 February 2023, 18:57
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Ludvik, you are planning a box build? I asure you, nobody believes this. 😉
8 February 2023, 20:08
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Hello, Mark. I hope the wait wasn't too long. I've just started building the model.
8 February 2023, 22:26
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Hello Jens. Thank you for the information. I will certainly add some details on the rotor heads. The weights will be worse. There's really no room for it in the fuselage. I'll have to work around that.
8 February 2023, 22:30
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Hey, Michael. I know this sounds unbelievable coming from me, but I really would like to make just a few necessary adjustments. At least that's my plan. But the question is what all will I have to include in the necessary modifications. 😄
8 February 2023, 22:37
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To the best of my knowledge that 'something' on the bulkhead is the fuel tank, Ludviku. I remember that there was a short review of this kit in the Czech "HPM" magazine. If you wish, I could find it for you in my library and send you a scan of it.
9 February 2023, 06:26
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Welcome, Villiers!
Robert, thank you for your kind offer. I sent you a PM.
9 February 2023, 11:23
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Welcome Melgg, I am flattered that you are interested in the progress of my model build.
Alec, I've liked this helicopter for a long time. Its unconventional design is very interesting. I've had the kit at home for a year. But I waited to build it until I had a new display case because the model I built is quite large and would not fit in my old display case. But now I have a new big display case, so nothing is stopping me from building the model.
9 February 2023, 21:59
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Yes, a fascinating design for sure. The rotor support framework will no doubt be a "fun" modeling experience 😉. On my list as well, in 1/72 scale.
Meant to ask: what kind of gel CA do you use, and how does it sand when dry?
10 February 2023, 13:44
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Alec, I use LOCTITE brand CA glue, the trade name is "Super Bond gel" or "Super Bond PowerFlex gel", to seal small joints and minor damage on the surface of the model. Unlike traditional liquid CA glue, you can use gel CA glue to create a thicker layer. This leaves plenty of material after the glue dries and does not create pits that need to be resealed.
In my experience, the dried glue is about as hard as the plastic parts and it sands well.
10 February 2023, 18:34
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Bughunter, thank you for your support ! You're right, building a model requires a bit more skill and patience, it's definitely not a kit for a beginner.
10 February 2023, 18:43
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The internal design of the cockpit and transport cabin is quite complex and although the manufacturer has done a good job, some small details are missing. The cockpit will be visible through the open door and therefore the missing equipment will need to be added.
15 February 2023, 23:41
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After a short break, I resume building the helicopter. And I also figured out how to solve the problem with the placement of the weights in the model.
23 February 2023, 20:44
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Interior looks great, Ludviku! And these "crates" hiding the ballast is such an that idea you should try to get a patent for it 😉 Brilliant!
23 February 2023, 20:47
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Robert, you gave me the idea. 😉 In the FA-223 article you sent me, there was also a color drawing of the helicopter's cargo bay. And in that drawing, there's a small wooden box painted on the floor of the cargo bay. When I saw the box, I got an idea. Instead of one small box, I used two large boxes and filled it with lead. 🙂
23 February 2023, 21:11
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Nice idea with the real heavy useful load boxes. Also the paint job on them!
If it is still not enough, you can replace the floor (pic 11) with lead foil 😉
23 February 2023, 21:13
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Frank, thanks for the support and advice on another option where to add ballast. 🙂 I was basically thinking the same thing. Except I don't have to make the cabin floor out of lead sheet. You can't see it in the photos I've posted so far, but there is about a 3mm gap between the cabin floor and the fuselage. And this gap can be used for additional ballast. I'd estimate that it would hold another 20-30 grams of lead. I'm keeping that space in reserve for now.
It's hard for me to estimate how much ballast will be needed, because with this helicopter you need to balance the rather long stern (about 2/3 of the length of the model).
23 February 2023, 21:56
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Yes, and the more load you put in, the more it can unnecessarily stress the undercarriage. So better as much as necessary, but as little as possible. But you just don't know that beforehand 🙁
23 February 2023, 22:46
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I had a similar dilemma few months ago, I.e. how much weight is just enough, but not more (to Frank's point). I pretty much dry-assembled the entire airframe and taped on as many loose items as possible to simulate the finished model. Fingers crossed…
24 February 2023, 20:54
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@ Alec K
I will be balancing this model in a similar way. However, I can afford to build a complete fuselage. Because the free space under the cabin floor (usable for additional ballast) is accessible from the front. The access to the ballast compartment will be closed by gluing the front transparent part.
I've finished working on the cockpit interior and am preparing the front fuselage for gluing the two halves together.
24 February 2023, 21:52
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I like the idea to use cargo for weight. Gotta keep that in mind. Very well executed by the way.
25 February 2023, 09:29
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@Villiers do Vos
Thank you for the kind words! As for the interior, I've replaced yesterday's photos (taken hastily in the evening under a lamp) with better ones taken today in daylight, and added a few more.
@Michael Kohl
I've been looking for a way to get ballast into the fuselage where there's no room for it. Using cargo as ballast was the easiest solution. It is visible, but if it looks like a crate being transported, it has a right to be on board. 😄
@AndreasK
Welcome Andreas, hope you have a good time.
25 February 2023, 15:12
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@Bruce Huxtable
Thank you for the words of praise, I appreciate it.
@Villiers de Vos
Thank you for the nice feedback, it's a pleasure to have my work liked.
27 February 2023, 18:08
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Welcome, Jan!
It's a very interesting machine from my point of view. The kit is really good, but I can't avoid a few modifications.
27 February 2023, 18:32
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Nice progress 👍
Is that a slot for the cooling air between both fuselage parts? But the kit do not provide an engine?
27 February 2023, 18:34
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Thank you, Frank!
Yes, the slot was used to move cooling air away from the engine. The cooling air intake is through a grille behind the last window on the fuselage. On the model, the grille is shown by two photo etchings. The parts with the grilles will later be glued into the fuselage recess (behind the last window).
The kit does not include the engine. It is quite logical, it would not be visible through the slot. The only way to make the engine visible would be to open the panels on the sides of the fuselage. Installing the engine in the fuselage and opening the panels would certainly bring the model to life, but on the other hand (since the engine is behind the main landing gear) the weight of the ballast in the nose would have to be increased to balance the weight of the engine.
27 February 2023, 21:03
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Since I already have the structure on which the rotors and landing gear legs are mounted, I could test how the model balances. I attached the assembled tubular structure with landing gear legs to the assembled fuselage without gluing and set the whole thing on the table. And the load balancing in the fuel tank and boxes proved to be optimal. But my joy didn't last long. I forgot to put the horizontal tailplane on the model. After putting it on the model, the existing load was no longer sufficient. Out of curiosity I weighed the assembled elevator - it has 4 grams. I had to use the space under the cabin floor to balance the rear fuselage with the horizontal tailplane. To balance the 4 grams of horizontal tailplane, I had to add 12 grams of ballast. For this ballast I used slices cut from lead sheet.
In the end, 60 grams of lead were needed to balance the model - 16 grams in the fuel tank on the bulkhead, 32 grams in the boxes in the cabin, and 12 grams under the cabin floor.
After checking the balance of the model, I continue working. I added more "tubes" and glued the transparent part of the cockpit to the fuselage.
1 March 2023, 22:22
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I think these struts have so far prevented anyone here from completing this kit. In any case, none of the three kit variants has an album of a finished model attached to it. It looks like it will be the first model thanks to your tenacity and some of the mates will sell their kits silently 😉 !
2 March 2023, 06:38
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Great work thus far, I'm very impressed with your modelling skills and patience. 👍
2 March 2023, 09:42
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Thank you for your posts, they are always a pleasure to read 🙂
Considering it is a short series, I would say this kit is one of the better ones in this category. And from my point of view the kit is very good. It contains all the important parts while leaving room for your own creativity and work.
Building the struts is not as difficult as it seems at first sight. Just study the instructions and the available photos of the real machine to get a better idea of their appearance. I agree with you, Frank, that these struts are the reason why modelers avoid building this model or don't finish it. The same reason why enough modelers don't build old monoplanes, biplanes or triplanes , with rigging, lots of different struts and other small details.
2 March 2023, 09:45
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I'm absolutely thrilled how you help the helicopter to its feet, 60 grams of lead is a lot, but the construction of the landing gear and the struts for the rotors is very stable, and as you say not particularly difficult, I give you the quality also right, good fit and sufficient details 👍, what could cause some concern is the connection of the front fuselage and tail boom (at least that's my experience during construction) I then stabilized it with a brass rod in the middle, the narrow gap doesn't bother it 🙂
However, mine tips over because I had no ideas for the lead, it will be next time, thanks for the ideas 🙂 👍
2 March 2023, 10:06
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Thank you Jens for your kind words. It's as you write, I had to figure out where to place a rather large load to balance a model whose interior offers very few options. Thanks to the box idea, I managed to make room for a considerable amount of ballast. And if that didn't work out, I had a ladder with a mechanic (who controls the rear of the fuselage) ready in reserve. The ladder would unobtrusively support the stern. 😉
2 March 2023, 15:27
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The joints on the helicopter fuselage I once again puttyed with fine putty and after it hardened I sanded the joints with fine sandpaper.
On the sanded fuselage I added the engine cooling air intake grille made from photo-etched parts included in the kit.
3 March 2023, 19:24
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My model is balanced, but it's on the edge. It's standing on its landing gear, but all it needs is a little jolt to tip over on its tail. I originally thought the ballast under the cabin ceiling wouldn't be needed, so I didn't put it there. And now I can't get it in, the front transparent part of the cab is already glued on and I don't want to take it off. Knowing me, I'm sure it would crack if I did. But how do I do that if I want the model to still be stable on all wheels? The solution pretty much presents itself. If you can't add more at the front, you have to take less at the back. Maybe make a new horizontal tailplane, much lighter than the one in the kit.
6 March 2023, 10:59
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For those interested in building this model, I have included a diagram with the load distribution needed to balance the model in the album with photos from the model building.
6 March 2023, 14:40
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This album is a wonderful reference for future builds! Thank you for this great effort into the documentation!
6 March 2023, 14:53
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Thank you Melgg for your kind words! It makes me happy when my model building experience can be of use to someone 🙂
6 March 2023, 15:31
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Mates, thank you all for your kind feedback.
If I still couldn't balance the model, I had a backup plan in reserve. I would make the entire rear fuselage the same as the horizontal tailplane.
The method of making paper parts by applying them one at a time and gluing them to the pattern piece is nothing new. We used to make carnival masks this way at school when I was a kid. 🙂
6 March 2023, 21:23
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I guess in this age of readymade off the shelf solutions making your own parts like this is a somewhat lost art.
7 March 2023, 05:19
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I agree with you, Jan. In these hectic times, various ready-made accessories save time and work.
I like handmade things and that's why I like to make various accessories. I really enjoy making different parts not only from plastic but also from paper, wood, metal and other materials. It's time consuming, but it makes me all the more happy with each finished model.
7 March 2023, 21:44
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Good thing you masked the air intake grille! I would have been afraid to cover the meshes with paint.
8 March 2023, 08:35
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@ Alec
It reminds me of something, too. And I've already figured out what it is.
Drachen's fuselage (without the vertical tailplane) is very similar to that of the Siebel Si 204. It even has very similar dimensions 🙂
@ Nathan
Thank you! Welcome aboard.
@bughunter
I didn't mask the air intake grille. But I was careful not to cover it with paint when spraying.
8 March 2023, 22:54
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The fuselage of the helicopter was sprayed with red and silver paint.
8 March 2023, 23:43
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I'm continuing the build by painting the cockpit overlay frames. I think those who have followed some of my builds will not be surprised that I used my own process. 😉
10 March 2023, 00:49
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The same color red was the main reason I preferred masks to making my own decals. 🙂
13 March 2023, 21:24
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The dragon has spread its wings 🙂
I glued the tubular structures to the fuselage and added the rigging.
15 March 2023, 22:10
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With double side tape 🙂 You really surprised me!
I thought the paint or something else destroyed the balance but now I'm feeling better.
15 March 2023, 22:49
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@bughunter
Yes, the span of the model is quite large. With rotors it's 0,5 meters. If by "tail seat" you mean balancing the model, that's fine. To make the model easier to photograph, I taped the aft fuselage to the base with double sided tape 😉.
@Robert, Erik
Thank you for your kind words, I appreciate it.
15 March 2023, 22:51
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@bughunter
Photos of the model with the rear fuselage raised high did not look good.
15 March 2023, 23:02
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joining in late, but it was a real pleasure to review the build - excellent clean work and the very scale-accurate details like the cables max it out - looking forward to follow the final phase! 👍🏻
16 March 2023, 23:22
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Welcome, Slava! Thank you for your kind post and I hope you enjoy the continuation of the Drachen build as well.
16 March 2023, 23:44
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The rotors drive rods are completed. Now they are waiting to be installed on the model.
19 March 2023, 18:44
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Have you seen the new decal sheet released by Special Hobby in March? I added the sheet to SM DB.
specialhobby.eu/vr-1-snb-marking-decal-1-48
May be it is helpful for the special shaped national marking.
22 March 2023, 19:35
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Frank, thanks for the heads-up. I know about the March decal update. As a registered customer, I get the news alerts in my email. Ironically, the new decals appeared the day after I applied the decals to the model with the national markings, which I modified to the correct form myself.
22 March 2023, 21:02
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Another small shift towards the target. Drachen is now standing on his own two feet. :-D
23 March 2023, 22:23
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@Michael
I've been looking forward to this moment. Finally I have the confidence that the work on balancing the model has paid off .
@Robert
The target is already in sight. But it's not won yet. I still have a few small parts to make and add, both rotors to install, and the finishing touches to the model (fuselage fouling from exhaust, minor wear, etc).
24 March 2023, 08:47
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And voila, it's balanced! Looks really good, your framework for the rotors is so well done 👍
24 March 2023, 10:37
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Mates, thank you so much for your kind comments. They are a great motivation for me as I continue to build the model. 😄
24 March 2023, 10:51
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Joining the party late, but what a pleasure to read through the complete build. Amazing job. Great idea to place the weight in those boxes. I may use your idea to do some cockpit frames, perfect color and no masking, I like it
24 March 2023, 16:36
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Welcome, Spanjaard, you've come just in time to see the end of my model's construction.
I use the method of painting the cabin frames with thin strips cut from decals of my own making, especially for cabins that have complex frames with many rungs (like Drachen).
If you try this method, you will quickly find that applying decals cut into thin strips is problematic in the normal way (by transferring them from the backing paper to the model). Therefore, when applying thin strips to the cab, I use a simple method that has worked very well for me:
- First I cut the strip to the correct length.
- I soak the strip in lukewarm water and immediately after soaking, I place it on my finger with the painted side down.
- When the decal is loose, I carefully remove the backing paper from the finger so that the decal stays on the finger.
- I lightly press the finger with the decal onto the wetted cab and check to see if the strip has transferred to the cab.
- I wet the transferred strip with a brush dipped in water and adjust its position.
- When the strip is in place, I gently press and smooth it with a cotton swab to push the water out from under the decal and make the decal adhere well to the cab surface.
In this way I apply the strips one at a time to all the cab frames. I also apply small decals, such as small symbols and operational stencils, to the models in the same way.
25 March 2023, 08:09
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Now it was the turn of the small parts. I added bearing retainers to the rotor drive shafts and added blue trim to the state emblems.
25 March 2023, 10:18
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When I try that the decals alway prefer sticking to my finger instead of the model!
25 March 2023, 12:33
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The decal must be turned with the coloured side facing the finger. The finger should be moist, as should the cabin to which you are applying the decal. With the finger with the decal, I first press the beginning of the strip and gradually bring the finger towards the cab to press the strip. I then gradually move my finger away from the cab and check that the decal has adhered. If not, I rewet the finger and repeat the process. It takes a little practice and figuring out how to do it. But once you figure it out, it's very easy.
25 March 2023, 19:29
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Nice progress! That will be a beast with added rotors.
I just noticed the strange angle of the fuselage on your project picture. It looks like it's putting its nose down to take a running start.
26 March 2023, 10:17
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Frank, you make a good point. The angle of the hull in the photo matches what you wrote. But if you look closely at the photo, you can see that the helicopter is not about to take off - there is no one in the cockpit, the rotors are not spinning, and the engine is probably off.
Judging by the different angles of the fuselage to the ground in the other photos, I'm guessing that the angle depended on the weight of the cargo in the transport cabin. More weight - more compressed main landing gear springs and tail surfaces closer to the ground. Given the location of the main gear well forward and the long fuselage (from the main gear wheels to the rudder), even a small change in load must have caused a visible change in fuselage pitch. I have added photos to the album showing different fuselage positions when standing on the ground.
26 March 2023, 14:32
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The lower left photo is a good excuse if one could not avoid a tail sitter 😉
26 March 2023, 14:53
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I had that picture saved for this 😄
I heard it wasn't that uncommon for Drachens to sit on their tails from time to time.
26 March 2023, 15:58
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It seems the wheel discs on this helicopter were not green but black - will be repaired.
26 March 2023, 18:31
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I am currently researching what controlling the rotors with steel cables looked like. Unfortunately the drawings I have don't show these cables. From period photographs it is possible to see how and where the control cables were routed (I have marked them with red arrows in the photograph - fig. 113). But for the part marked with a red oval in the picture, I have no photograph or drawing to give an idea of where the cables ran.
I would like to ask if anyone has information, photographs or drawings of what the rotor head looked like and would be willing to provide them.
In the event that I am unable to obtain the necessary information, I will improvise.
27 March 2023, 15:49
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Hello Ludvik
look in this page, something below gives "User Kannonenvogel"
good tips for control and wiring
modellboard.net/index.php?topic=64097.0
27 March 2023, 17:42
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Kannonenvogel has an Encyclopedia of original documents of german interwar and WW II-planes/helicopters. He is more than happy to share. The easiest way is to post a request on the german modelling site modellboard.net (mind the double-L) that Jens pointed out. If you like to have assistance just post me a pm.
27 March 2023, 20:10
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Michael, I appreciate your help. The pictures from the link Jens sent me show everything I needed to know.
Herzlichen Dank!
27 March 2023, 20:50
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Yes, it's a big model. The fuselage length is 28 cm and the span of the "wings" including the rotor blades is up to 53 cm (depending on the rotor rotation).
29 March 2023, 19:02
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Does it fit into your recently shown cabinet?
Very nice rotor control parts.
29 March 2023, 20:50
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One of the reasons I got the new display case was to have somewhere to put the big models. The display case is almost 190 cm wide and 40 cm deep. So Drachen can fit in it without any problem. 🙂
29 March 2023, 21:17
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Hello Ludvík, I'm glad I could help with little things and the model is really nice to look at, your ideas about the weight distribution are great, and I'll definitely copy it for my No. 2 👍
30 March 2023, 04:58
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Jens, I'm glad the weight distribution plan is useful and will help in building the model.
If I were to build this model again, I would make the entire rear section new and lighter. I would use the same method that you can use to make transparent cockpit overlays. I would just use a thin plastic plate instead of a thin acetate sheet.
31 March 2023, 17:11
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Another small procedure in the work on the model. I added the control cables and their pulleys.
31 March 2023, 17:58
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Thank you very much mates for the great feedback!
All that's left to do is add rotors and a few bits and pieces... and the model will be ready. 🙂
1 April 2023, 08:30
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Compared with modern helicopters that sounds a bit crazy to control the rotor with cables. But so it is nice to show that difference on your model 👍
1 April 2023, 12:08
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@bughunter
From today's perspective, controlling rotors with cables is ridiculous. But when we consider the era in which this helicopter was built and that it was one of the first machines of this type in practical use, I have to bow deeply to the ingenuity of the creators of this machine.
@Villiers
Thank you for the praise. I very much appreciate your support.
1 April 2023, 14:19
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I kind of felt bad that the model building was nearing completion. And in order to enjoy the build for a little while longer, I decided to tweak the rotor heads a bit. 😉
2 April 2023, 10:13
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I added more photos to the album - I'm gradually adding details to the rotor heads.
4 April 2023, 05:39
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Aha! The inevitable "this great show is ending and I'll have to decide what next" feeling. I completely relate Ludvíku. This one will for sure be one of a kind 👍
4 April 2023, 12:37
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Alec, you're absolutely right. It's exactly as you write. 😄
It always takes me a long time to decide what model I'm going to build next. Should I go for one of my scratch-build projects, or choose a challenging modification of an old kit, or just something relaxing? It's always a struggle. 🙂 In the end the mood and taste of the moment will decide.
4 April 2023, 17:15
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This thinking about new projects can lead to losing focus on the last metres of the current project. So please keep the focus and finish it in the great quality we have seen until now 👍
4 April 2023, 17:44
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Im just following in astonished silence where this build goes - almost finished - and then not 🙂 Fascinating amount of detail - this must look great in real life! The cables and heads - the entire rotor assembly - just look fantastic... Very much looking forward to the next steps and the finish line 👍
5 April 2023, 13:13
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@bughunter
Don't worry. I'm wondering what model I'm going to choose since I can't do any building 🙂.
@Slavo
Thank you so much for the kind words. 🙂
The truth is that the rotor heads in the kit are very simplistic and it would be a shame to leave them that way.
5 April 2023, 20:11
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I remain astonished by all the details that you are adding. Simply a masterpiece.
6 April 2023, 06:14
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Villiers, thank you.
The production of details is not really that complicated. It's fun... and it helps the model look better. 🙂
6 April 2023, 21:47
![](/profiles/img/69549-161-s.jpg)
The "show" is over. Drachen is finished.
For now at least two pictures of the finished model, I will take more pictures in a separate album in the near future.
7 April 2023, 17:00
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Congrats, Ludviku! It's a masterpiece! (And that's the advantage of having new, empty display cabinets 😉 )
7 April 2023, 20:14
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I guess there is no detail on the exterior left out... Came together perfectly and everything creates the right scale impression - congrats! Also the art of subtle realistic light weathering is something I admire (but do not practice myself 🙂 ) Top job all over with all the right decisions taken and well executed 👍🏻
Looking forward to the final album!
8 April 2023, 06:28
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Awesome build. I reckon it required all your skills and above all patient! Impressive work all around
8 April 2023, 08:26
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@Robert
The large display case has proven itself, Drachen fits in it without any problems 🙂.
@Slavo
You're too lenient, I know there are minor errors on the model. Still room for improvement 🙂
@Erik
I try to use my skills to the best of my ability in every build, but that's what every modeler does 🙂
Mates, thank you all for your follow and comments. And I look forward to seeing you on one of my next projects.
8 April 2023, 17:34
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You can see the finished model in this album: Focke Achgelis FA-223, Czechoslovak Police Air Force - finished model | Album by KLuK (1:48)
8 April 2023, 17:36
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I missed the end due to holiday but here nothing gets lost 😉 Nice to see a finished early helicopter!
14 April 2023, 19:45
Album info
I decided to expand my collection of Czechoslovak Air Force aircraft. This interesting helicopter of German design flew briefly in 2 pieces (some sources say 3 pieces) in post-war Czechoslovakia.
The helicopter served in the Police Air Force and there is one interesting fact connected with this activity. It was the first helicopter in the world that was used for traffic control.