Merlin Hma.1

**GEEDUBBYA** · 02-03-2008

Howdy guys and gals,

Ok, I just finished my latest endeavor, Italeri's 1:72nd scale Merlin HMA.1 helicopter. This was a really nice kit to build although the decals supplied with the kit were somewhat "sparse".
So, I decided to make my own. Being inspired by RJ Woods forum "signature" I decided on "Tiger stripes". The assembly of the model couldnt have been easier and the finished product turns out great in my opinion.
Anyway, here she sits on my driveway:

I did go ahead and use the Royal Navy Markings and numbers which came with the kit and although i think black lettering and numbers would have been better, I decided against making them when i made the tigerstripes.
Thanks for looking and have a good day,

Greg aka GEEDUBBYA (GW)

PS: now that I have a set of "tiger stripes" under my belt so to speak, I might attempt that "Tigermeet" C-130 model I mentioned about 2 years ago in this thread:
http://www.scale-models.co.uk/chit-c...r-stripes.html .

.

tigertc · 02-03-2008

For a second there i thought you had posted a picture of a real helicopter!!
Nice job Greg.

**GEEDUBBYA** · 03-03-2008

Howdy Tiger,

Thanks, theres no better compliment than having it mistaken, even if only for a second, as being the real thing lol.
The first two photos have Verlindens 1:72 scale cardboard "tarmac" under the model. The later photos just had my driveway.
I only made two shots with the cardboard because i wasnt sure how it would turn out in a photo, now I know it looks fairly realistic except for the bomb craters that are printed on all four sheets that I have.
I wish they made just a regular "tarmac" minus the craters.
Oh well, was pleased with the way it turned out. The more i look at the tiger stripes, the more i wanna do the C-130, but the stripes took awhile to apply and I can only imagine how long it will take to stripe a Hercules.
Anyway, Thanks again, have a good day,

Greg

**Bluewavestudios** · 03-03-2008

Nice work there Greg,

I will certainly agree with Tiger TC'S comment above, it certainly does look like the real thing in your photo's, very convincing and very nicely done !!

Regards.......Mark.

jankers · 03-03-2008

It looks huge Greg, what size is it, i always assumed 1/72 scale produced small models, but then again, it's umpteen years since i last did any plastic stuff.

J.

**GEEDUBBYA** · 03-03-2008

Howdy Mark, John,

First let me thank both of ya for your comments, its much appreciated.
Mark, I dont guess I will quit heralding the benifits of outdoor, groundlevel photography for model kits. I have said before that photographing them in this fashion is a strange angle that the eye is not used to. But, the more I think about it, being photographed at eye level isnt an "odd angle", when looking at a real aircraft, this is pretty close to the angle you will see so its more of a "natural angle". The surrounding trees and bushes along with the concrete just add more realism to the "effect" of the angle of the 'shoot".

As for this thing looking bigger than it is, again, thats part of the illusion, the model is only 10 inches long, maybe 14 inches if you include the area of the main rotor extending past the front of the model.
The Verlinden "tarmac" also gives the helicopter an impression of it being larger than it is because the individual concrete sqaures are in scale in relation to the scale of the model. Of course using my driveway with no visible lines in the concrete also creates this effect, especially with the grass, trees and shrubbery in the background.
I have also stated before that everyone should atleast try photographing one of their models in this fashion, I believe that once you do it, it will be the only way you photograph them again.
And I dont see why you couldnt do boats and ships in the same manner......well except you might get wet lol, but armour looks just as good photographed in this manner.
Anyway, I have gone on enough, thanks again for the comments.

Have a good day,

Greg

**Bunkerbarge** · 04-03-2008

Superb again Greg. That cardboard surface looks brilliant and in combination with your background looks very realistic. Definately a good setting for future model pictures.

**GEEDUBBYA** · 04-03-2008

Howdy bunker,

Thanks for the comments, I like the cardboard "tarmac" too with the exceptions i noted about the bomb craters printed on them. However, I have been "surfing' the internet all day and found this helicopter pad also made by verlinden:

Its is in 1:72 scale, I thought the one i have (shown below) was 1:72, but apparently its 1:48th scale and you can see the "bomb craters" which are on all 4 pages in the set.

I also found the 1:72nd scale version of the set i have, but it too has bomb craters:

But, I plan on looking in the hobby shops tomorrow after my dr's appoinment for more tarmac material.

thanks again and have a good day,

Greg

Lips McGee · 04-03-2008

Could you print a profile image on very fine sandpaper? That is to say, could you use sandpaper, then add lines and markings as you'd like using a commercial photo/imagine program? Then you'd have texture and markings, and could even add a bit of weathering with a little effort. Not sure how this would work out - it's a theory.

**Bunkerbarge** · 04-03-2008

Lips if you have a look at my model motorcycles in the gallery the ones on roads are actually on sheets of wet and dry abrasive paper to represent the tarmac, painted with white lines and tyre scuffs added. It was a long time ago so looks a bit crude now but the idea would still work well today.