discussion Westland Lynx - Matchbox - 1:72 scale

[pjgtech]

Started this one up, nice little heli....
Don't think I've ever made one before, even as a kid?

This is an older kit, Scalemates seems to indicate its from 1983.
I think I got it as part of an auction lot win, where there were several models in the lot, can't remember TBH!

The box has two versions, (Army and Royal Navy) and I think I like the Blue RN version, so am going for that one.

Box and sprues....

 

[pjgtech]

I usually build stuff up then prime the various main and sub assemblies, but decided to paint the parts on the sprue for this one, not sure why really, but hey why not?
There's not a lot of flash etc on the parts, so clean up should be minimal, and as I paint by brush, I tend to have to do various thin coats anyway. So if there's a few seams to paint over and bits to touch up, then so be it, hey ho.

I am also trying out a liquid mask, [Gulp!] the Vallejo one. Never used these before and not sure if they are only meant for airbrush painting, but hell, lets give it a try..... So the canopy was first coated with the mask, obviously trying to avoid the canopy frames.




Apparently you're supposed to leave it for a few hours to set, so I did. Then a coat of the sea blue was applied and that is now drying also.
Then we will see if the mask comes off ok and if we have any sort of decent frame painted around the canopy, [Fingers crossed!]
Here is the canopy now drying, looks messy, but obviously (and hopefully) once the mask peels off it should look better.....

 

[pjgtech]

As I said above, I'm painting parts on the sprue....
I have run out of black primer, so am using a green one (Ammo/Mig one shot)....
Here are the sprues primed up, first coat...


And then after a few hours we started the main top coat, in several thin coats, this is only the first coat so far.
The box asks for a particular naval blue, which I didn't have an exact match for, so I'm using an Ammo Marine Blue, which seems to be a close match (well close enough for me anyway, I tend not to worry too much about being exact, Lol!)

NB: for some reason it comes with two nose cones, not sure why, they appear to be exactly the same, and no mention of two in the instructions?

 

[PaulTRose]

One of my fave helos

Dont i ever did this one either as as a sprogglet

 

[minitnkr]

One on left is Army. The blunter one w/door is Navy. See paint drawings.

 

[pjgtech]

Ah yes, you are correct, very subtle difference, there's also alternative landing gear, eg: skids for Army or wheels for Navy and the corresponding bottom section that holds the gear is also different, so have to select the correct one.
Typically I had just assumed the noses were the same and I had painted the wrong one, Bah! and I would almost certainly have fitted the wrong bottom section, cos I do tend to just steam ahead like a Bull in a you know what!

 

[pjgtech]

Bit of progress, the whole lot has a second top coat and the paints looking quite nice.

Bit the bullet and slowly and carefully took the masking liquid off the canopy, looks ok, not perfect by any means, but not bad for a first attempt!


So I'm now ready to start assembling, first order of business is the cockpit interior, not much to it TBH, just two seats, two pilots and an inner bulkhead.
Needed to finish painting the little pilots, so made some progress with that, uniforms done, helmets done, breathing gear done,


Then needed to do the hands and face (flesh) and decided on a chrome visor on the helmets....


Then added the first side glazing panels, they were actually too small, so kept slipping through, so added a bit of tape on the inside to hold them, then a dab of TET and looks like they have stuck ok...