Starfighter Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 (edited) Cheers everybody, it looks like I have found my next big project after finishing the big Viking - something pretty much out of my comfort zone. The CH-53E / MH-53E is a more than fascinating aircraft and among my all-time favourite helicopters. Based on a free nicely proportioned and correctly dimensioned Sketchup model I have found a few years ago, I have spent hours making the file printable on my newly acquired Creality CR-10S FDM printer. Over 100 hours of printing later, I have an almost complete CH-53E fuselage in 1/32nd scale: The fuselage was printed using PETG; my first trials with HIPS were not very successful as I've experienced enormous warping and bad layer adhesion, despite rather high temperature settings and the enclosure I've built for my printer. PETG does not sand as nicely as ABS or HIPS but is very easy to print and much easier to sand than PLA. The rotor will be more difficult as the CAD data is not complete - most of it will have to be scratchbuilt. There is no interior either, so all of this will have to be made from scratch as well. I have to admit I am not yet 100% sure if I will build a CH-53E or a MH-53E as both of them are impressive and important aircraft. The CH-53E will be easier to build as I have the sponsons and external fuel tanks; the MH-53E is a bit more tempting as it is even more special than the CH. Time will tell. In the meantime, if anyone has the 1/48th scale Academy MH-53E in his stash, I would be very interested in getting high-res scans of the instructions and the decal sheet. Would be great if someone could help me with that. What do you think - CH or MH? And no, Airforce versions are not an option and building both of them is not really an option either... Edited April 4, 2019 by Starfighter EricF, Out2gtcha, Fanes and 34 others 34 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbetty Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 wow!! this will be very inetersting! Starfighter 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thierry laurent Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 Hi Ben, So, you put the P-3 aside to start another "small" project...? Have you the French "Landing zone" monography? Thierry Starfighter 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fvdm Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 This gonna be a real big lady. I would say, go for the MH. Starfighter and A-10LOADER 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starfighter Posted January 23, 2019 Author Share Posted January 23, 2019 25 minutes ago, thierry laurent said: Hi Ben, So, you put the P-3 aside to start another "small" project...? Have you the French "Landing zone" monography? Thierry The P-3 is not forgotten, but I want something a bit less complex and smaller for now. Well, a large scale helicopter is not exactly less complex than a P-3, but it is smaller and easier to handle. I have all the Landing Zone books indeed, but the photos are extremely small, perspectives are not ideal and printing quality is very bad. It's nice to have them, but they are not as good as they should be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony in NZ Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 Ben....you are nuts mate! But I love and admire what you do! My vote is for the CH, but I am happy to watch you work your magic on either. Awesome project. Here was me thinking my HpH C-47 & Catalina were silly..... Cheers Anthony KiwiZac and Starfighter 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShelbyGT500 Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 Giiishhhh, that will be AWESOOOME project - my favorite choppa Starfighter 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheetah11 Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 Awesome project Ben, I will be watching with great interest. Personally I would have rather seen a HH-53C in Vietnam colors but I know you prefer Navy subjects. Nick Starfighter 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timmy! Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 Well it better be a CH-53E! HMH-461 to be specific! IRONHORSE!! .....sorry for yelling, I got excited. It’s been 2003 since I last flew one but I remember The Hog well. Happy to be a resource! Definitely excited for this build, I expect great things ahead! Timmy! A-10LOADER, Durangokid, Starfighter and 4 others 4 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rigor Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 Wow that looks massive. We're do you guys put these things Starfighter and Out2gtcha 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCRATCH BUILDER Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 Ben is my 3D God! Starfighter and Out2gtcha 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out2gtcha Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 Super nice! I have always wanted to do a 1/32nd SH3 or even an S64 this way since the notion of 3D printing came along. Looking forward to progress! Starfighter 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Paul Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 Go Ben Go! Man you never cease to amaze and inspire with your subject choices and execution.. Good luck on the new Big 'un , I'll definitely be watching. I second Timmy's sentiments, Ironhorse would be cool =-) Pic included for motivational and educational purposes only =-) Paul Durangokid, sandokan, Starfighter and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durangokid Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 CH-53 IRONHORSE!! Man I would give my left ... to have that in a real 32nd scale kit. I can't wait to see this one either way you go... Bryan Starfighter 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamfists nz Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 Scuse my ignorance but what’s the difference? Aside from the color, fuel tanks and refueling probe is there much else? Starfighter 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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