AREA 88: "The Olive Grove" (CH-54 Tarhe)

Nice small, compact box. 

Ok... I think all the parts are there... of course there’s no instructions... so who knows. 

Step by step. I think it was safe to glue on the legs and the tail... now what? 

I’m not sure why the size difference in the cabin pieces... 

Slot drilled out for the motor. 

Fits... like a glove! 

CAREFULLY cut out the windows... VERY carefully. 

Dry fit... for safety purposes. 

Ok... so... where do the rest of the pieces go? 

A bit more drilling/cutting out the windows... and I think I’ve figured out where all the parts go now. 

Cutting the vacuu-formed clear parts and glueing them in place takes some patience... 

Adding some interior details to the cabin. 

SLOWLY cutting out all the tiny clear windows and fitting them in place. 

Need some pilots to take their places in the cabin. 

The front end is finally glued together. Now we're starting to look like a helicopter! 

Main cockpit windows masked and windows on the container cut out. 

Some putty and sanding were needed to get a smooth fit. 

First coat of paint. What else do you paint a 'chopper in a project called "The Olive Grove"? Olive drab of course! 

Front of the pod glued on, and a few spots needed sanding. All set for more paint. 

Now to get fiddly with the motor. It's a tight squeeze, but I think I can do it. 

Good to go on the paint. Yah! 

Yep. No propeller blades yet... but it spins. 

All assembled and painted. Now just a coat of Future and a bit of a panel wash.