Scatchbuilt Sikorsky HH-52A
01-02-2008, 06:39 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: DarwinNorthern Territory, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Scatchbuilt Sikorsky HH-52A
Here is my latest scale fuselage.It is a 1/8 scale Sikorsky HH-52A as used by the US Coast Guard. I would like to thank everyone who supplied information and drawings. I couldn't have done it without your help. I am using modified Raptor 90se mechanics with Vario 45 deg and tail rotor gearboxes. I have designed a new drive to lower the tail rotor drive shaft to the bottom of the mechanics.
The fuselage is constructed from ply frames and balsa stringers and longerons with balsa sheeting. I will post further photos as construction proceeds.
John
The fuselage is constructed from ply frames and balsa stringers and longerons with balsa sheeting. I will post further photos as construction proceeds.
John
01-19-2008, 08:31 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Pottstown,
PA
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Scatchbuilt Sikorsky HH-52A
You're nuts. That looks complicated. LOL...helluva job, dude. It's gonna look badass. Let me know if you're gonna need decals for it. They may be too small for my machines, but feel free to run anything by me.
quattro
www.tritonsigns.com
quattro
www.tritonsigns.com
01-20-2008, 03:28 AM
#5
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: DarwinNorthern Territory, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Scatchbuilt Sikorsky HH-52A
Hey Quattro
The hardest part is getting the shape of the various frames right. Construction is easy if a bit time consuming. At the moment I am working on the hull sections under the cockpit. I am using photos to get the frame shapes. Will post more photos soon. Thanks for the offer of decals.I will see what I need and let you know.
John
The hardest part is getting the shape of the various frames right. Construction is easy if a bit time consuming. At the moment I am working on the hull sections under the cockpit. I am using photos to get the frame shapes. Will post more photos soon. Thanks for the offer of decals.I will see what I need and let you know.
John
11-09-2008, 10:51 PM
#9
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Dayton,
OH
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Scatchbuilt Sikorsky HH-52A
This is so sharp. I know planes are made this way but heli's are subject to a lot more and stronger vibrations, are you going to have to glass this to keep it from shaking apart? I have always wanted to build the Mi-35 HIND E but wasn't sure how to go about it. Thought of carving out of wax then fiber glass it, but building a balsa model seems like a more reasonable way to go, if it can stand the vibration. Can't wait to see how this turns out. Good luck.
11-17-2008, 06:27 PM
#10
RE: Scatchbuilt Sikorsky HH-52A
John,
I really admire your work. I would love to get into building some large scale helicopters like yours. I just can't find anyone close enough around here that knows enough about them to lead me through it. All we seem to have around here is those little high performance helicopters that hover upside down and do lots of stupid tricks. All that stuff is store bought. That's not where I want to go.
Best of luck with your build and please don't leave any important details our.
Paul
I really admire your work. I would love to get into building some large scale helicopters like yours. I just can't find anyone close enough around here that knows enough about them to lead me through it. All we seem to have around here is those little high performance helicopters that hover upside down and do lots of stupid tricks. All that stuff is store bought. That's not where I want to go.
Best of luck with your build and please don't leave any important details our.
Paul
11-24-2008, 07:28 PM
#11
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: palestine, TX
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Scatchbuilt Sikorsky HH-52A
Used to mechanic on an H-53....it had two engines (nacelles) instead of one that the 52 has. Your bringin' back my NAVY days watching you do this build. Are you planning a 5 bladed rotor/tail system? Your doing a FINE job!!! KEEP THE PHOTO's coming....you're getting a fan base out here.
11-30-2008, 01:50 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: ERIE ,
PA
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Scatchbuilt Sikorsky HH-52A
hi all this is a slick idea to make a heli start with a hard foam like EPP shape it to your needs then cover with ALUMINUM FOIL then fiberglass hows that sounds
01-04-2009, 03:49 AM
#13
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: DarwinNorthern Territory, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Scatchbuilt Sikorsky HH-52A
When I can afford a 3 blade main rotor I will go that way but first up I want to see how it flys. The reason I build with wood is that I prefer it for one off models. It allows you to design it as you go. If this is successful I might use it as a plug and take a mould of it. At the moment the plan is to finish the drawing for those who are interested.
I have a request for anyone who has access to a fullsize HH-52A. I need hi-res photos of the sponson. They have to be shot from about 20 metres/yards away and from a position in line with the main wheel at a height level with the cabin floor. This will allow me to get the correct profile shape of the sponson. They have to be a high enough resolution to be enlarged to a size to allow me to trace them. Alternatively, does anyone have access to an airframe repair manual which has drawings showing the shape of the sponson.
Thanks
John
I have a request for anyone who has access to a fullsize HH-52A. I need hi-res photos of the sponson. They have to be shot from about 20 metres/yards away and from a position in line with the main wheel at a height level with the cabin floor. This will allow me to get the correct profile shape of the sponson. They have to be a high enough resolution to be enlarged to a size to allow me to trace them. Alternatively, does anyone have access to an airframe repair manual which has drawings showing the shape of the sponson.
Thanks
John
01-04-2009, 04:57 AM
#14
RE: Scatchbuilt Sikorsky HH-52A
John,
There is an HH-52A Photo essay on e-bay right now. http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trk...All-Categories
Also this link may be of some value, lots of photos here. http://www.photovault.com/Link/Milit...aft/HH-52.html
I would write Sikorsky and ask for a set of waterline drawings. When I worked for Bell we sent those out to modelers all the time.
Paul
There is an HH-52A Photo essay on e-bay right now. http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trk...All-Categories
Also this link may be of some value, lots of photos here. http://www.photovault.com/Link/Milit...aft/HH-52.html
I would write Sikorsky and ask for a set of waterline drawings. When I worked for Bell we sent those out to modelers all the time.
Paul
01-04-2009, 07:44 AM
#15
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: DarwinNorthern Territory, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Scatchbuilt Sikorsky HH-52A
Thanks Paul
I have that book and is very helpful. I have also collected quite a few photos off the web and have used these to correct the drawings that I was given. However none show the sponson profile clearly. Most of the waterline drawings I have come across for various aircraft have not been very accurate in outline. This why I am using photos.
John
I have that book and is very helpful. I have also collected quite a few photos off the web and have used these to correct the drawings that I was given. However none show the sponson profile clearly. Most of the waterline drawings I have come across for various aircraft have not been very accurate in outline. This why I am using photos.
John
03-12-2009, 12:59 PM
#17
Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Saint Paul ,
MN
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Scatchbuilt Sikorsky HH-52A
Daaaaang, dude you said that was easy, I sweat when i take the top off my Century 109 lol sweet work, too bad there's no one doing these in real alloy metal!
03-12-2009, 01:06 PM
#19
Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Saint Paul ,
MN
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Scatchbuilt Sikorsky HH-52A
Same here in Cold Butt Saint Paul MN, you should do like online Vid's there seems to be a few great's in this hobby, some have pic's some have a few dozen Vid's but none really stay on course with one type aircraft at a time so us newbees can learn, yes I know it cost mulla, but think of the lil one's....lol 
04-18-2009, 02:15 AM
#20
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: DarwinNorthern Territory, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Scatchbuilt Sikorsky HH-52A
A quick update on progress. I am currently fibreglassing the fuselage and cowlings. I havent built the sponsons but the drawings are finished for them.
John
John
06-13-2009, 05:42 PM
#21
Senior Member
RE: Scatchbuilt Sikorsky HH-52A
Do you need rails for your sliding doors? I've had several scale Heli builders order my rails for the slides on the top and bottom of the doors. They all loved the ease of using them.
Barry
www.canopyrailsforwarbirds.com
Barry
www.canopyrailsforwarbirds.com
07-25-2009, 11:30 PM
#25
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: DarwinNorthern Territory, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Scatchbuilt Sikorsky HH-52A
Thanks for all the good words. Here is the latest update. I have given it a coat of spray putty to find all the blemishes. When I have cleaned them up, I will prime it and start to work on all the small details such as panel lines, rivets and vents etc. In the photos you can see the mold for vacforming the overhead windows and the plugs to create molds for the sponsons and fin trailing edge cover. The escape hatch on the left hand side has been fitted with the recessed panel for the window. The other windows have yet to be done.
John
John