You are so right Greg,
I dry fitted the other side and the roof and I'll be lucky to see the decals I have done.
Instead of making seat belts I decided just to paint them in.Again,in this scale,making them would really just be a waste of time.Have to go back and thin them out with the seat colour.Added the seats to the other side,a 50/50 of folded and full.I suggest to putting them in place before adding the hull side.When I dry fitted the side I could see that it would be a nightmare trying to add them after.The instructions call for the side first,but with the floor being black and the little space you have to get your fingers in there it's not a good idea.I think I'm going to add the window machine gun and maybe a figure before permantly attaching the side.

Tom

Another update,
Not sure about some of these instructions.This for example.There's a question to adding a plate to the rear roof.It says to refer to step 117,but 117 has absolutely nothing to do with the roof,but the option of adding a machine gun to the loading ramp.

Glued the other side in place with the ramp attached.The ramp is hinged for either an open or closed option.A little trimming is needed to attach correctly.Also the outer side needs trimming on 2 openings that fit into the rear wheel fittings.This and the roof are just dry fitted here.

Tom

That last pic of the rear interior looks real..

The step 117 bit refers to a decal, so maybe it is asking you to ensure the decal leaves something uncovered or whatever? Looking excellent so far mate!

I don't mean to bore everyone ,but if your going build this kit ,I think having a step by step log will be helpful.
A major point with this is to dry fit almost every part.Instructions can be confusing at times.First example is the nose cover here.The outer sides were already glued in place and when I added the cover there were small gaps on either side.The hull sides took a lot of patience and clamping to get them to sit correctly.The small windows closest to the nose simply don't fit correctly.One of my pilots sits a little high for some reason and I think it may be too late correct.

Tom

Moving along,on vacation and 45 degrees C.outside,so time everyday for this build.
Getting near the end,passed the 100th step.Added all the tiny parts to the hull.The nose has been a big problem.Tried filler and sanding,but can't seem to get it too look really good.There are 5 versions of this kit to choose from.I chooose the latest of it in Afganistan 2010.This version has the 2 added machine guns at the side door and the rear loading ramp.

Tom .

Chris,were have you been??You started this post.Anyway,there doesn't seem to be much interest in this build,so I'll leave it with a few pics of the almost completed kit.

Tom

Hey man, yeah I am sorry I have been awful with things recently. I have been up to my neck in essay resits, job hunting and house hunting so I have had lttle or no time for building and as a result my presence here has diminished and I apologise to you all. Normal service will be resumed...at some point. I have been looking through your pics of this, and I have been getting rather jealous! This helicopter looks awesome mate, great work! Can't wait to see it finished!
Also a heads up, spotted a cheap OP Herrick job lot on Ebay earlier, so might be worth checking it out you guys who are interested in starting this very good line of models.
Cheers for you patience guys
C

Hey, there's some of us quietly watching. That large flying beast is coming along nicely. I think with these long threads they get passed on sometimes though. Let us see the finished bird ok

Hi Tom, I've been watching, but more from a phone which makes it difficult to reply. Looks great and please share the finished build here also!

That helicopter looks absolutely awesome!! This is tempting me to get one.. but I must resist the temptation.. for now

I hope you post more pics showing more development!

By the way, can you post a pic with maybe your hand next to it.. or anything that would give us an idea of the size?

Hisham

Looking good Chris, you need to keep posting them pics buddy. The squaddy in the doorway looks the part, and yeah get some pics on with a reference for size.

Cheers Pete

Hey guys,
Very glad to know your still out there. .
To expand on the last photos,The top of the hull calls for all the black areas using decals.I had a feeling from the start that they would be a problem and Airfix didn't let me down.Tried a couple and they were hell to apply.Opted just to paint it in.Some other decals just didn't seem to take right,even with setter , softner and coat of Dulcote,they still have a shine.The windshield still needs to be glued in placed and the wipers added.Working on slightly modifiying another figure for the the ramp gun.Still painting the rotors.One very nice thing about this kit is that the tires are already moulded flattend for the weight.I also have to acknowledge Airfix for their customer support.I have one very tiny part for the side of the hull that was half broken and half missing.They have very kindly sent a replacement.1/35 figures for comparison.

Tom

Its all looking nice. Airfix really hit it out of the ballpark with those figures.


Hope their foray into 1/48 pays off, and that they give us more modern brit armor

04090
Hi Tom
That is a job well done and agood build,

Wow mate, they are looking great. Good job!
Yeah I know what you mean Ralph, I do plan to invest in the Warrior when it gets released!

Thanks for the comments.
Chris,how did the cew figures work out?And what is this about a Warrior realease?

Tom

I am sorry to say that the crew figures are not all I hoped, as you can see from my pictures of them earlier they only look comfortable in the Jackal and Coyote (they are also slightly larger than the other figures available, but it is only noticeable under close scrutiny)But when they work they look smashing. I would give them a 75% personally. I will make some more at some point soon and get some more pics up. As for the Warrior: http://www.airfix.com/shop/new-for-2013/military-vehicles/a07300-bae-warrior-148/ it is scheduled for release this year, probably for the Nationals, and looks dead awesome, don'cha think?

Well guys,I believe I'm at the end.Afew touch ups,a little weathering and add the part I needed from Airfix,Which I really have to commend them on.Sent airmail,took less than a week and extremely well packed,which I was worried about,being a very delicate part.The part is in the first photo.It's been a long and sometimes frustrating build,didn't help that near the end I dropped it on the floor and my bench is waist high.My main advice to anyone starting this is to have a lot of patience and dry fit as many parts as you can before gluing.I've got it on the base I plan to use and work on a dio.Dio's in 1/48 are completely new to me.

Tom

Fantastic! Great job on the helicopter: it looks outstanding. But you need a bigger base to include the Jackal * WMIK LR

That helicopter is definitely a great center piece! I can't believe you dropped it on the floor - the worst feeling any model builder has lol. Congrats and well done

Thanks guys,
Ya Greg,my heart sunk,luckily there wasn't major damage.
Sean,I'm courius why you think I need a bigger base?In the end I want to have the snatch as if it were being reloaded with supplies.Chris,if your out there,If you would like to unload one of your crew sets I could help you out.My usual sites still aren't carrying it,maybe the bad press on it.

Tom

Hi guys,
You've been with me through this build,so I thought it only fair to show you the end before I put it over on the dio posts.To totally finish it I need a couple of the Airfix crew figures.

Tom .

Sorry Tom, it was a bit tongue-in-cheek but what I meant was so you'd have room to include a LR WMIK and a Coyote.
The whole think looks great just as it is! The vehicles, figures and base all came out exceedingly well.