1/35 Dragon MD500E

Gallery Article by Rodrigo AD (salvador001) on Mar 20 2014

 

 

This is the 1/35th Dragon MD530G MMS kit n.3526 converted into an MD 500E of El Salvador Air Force, model represents FAS-45 of the Escuadron de Helicopteros bases at Ilopango Airbase in San Salvador.  The model was built using Eduard PE for the OH-6A and UH-1C, and some scratchbuilt using Evergreen Plastic, stretched sprue and PE fret. Some major improvements include scratchbuilt tall skids, all new tail rotor assembly, detailed main rotor head, and interior seats.

 

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Construction was not so complicated, but filling and sanding was needed for some parts, but not much, I think the most difficult part was installing the windshield into the fuselage, this part doesn't fit well and needs to be glued with super glue and apply pressure on both sides to stay in place, you need to fill with putty the edges in order to fill the gaps. 

The bird was painted using Testors Model Master Acryl paints, and the exterior color is U.S. Army Helo Drab FS34031 slightly weathered. 

Its a really nice kit and with some PE and scratchbuilt it can turn out into a really nice detailed replica of the real deal.

Rodrigo AD

      

Photos and text © by Rodrigo AD