TinPaper Moon Tank Model

Vought-Sikorsky VS-300 Early Helicopter

MODEL PHOTO REVIEW

Publisher: Fiddler's Green (http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/)
Model Designer: Aaron Murphy
Model URL: http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/AC/aircraft/Sikorsky-VS300/VS-300.php
Additional Information URL: http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/AC/aircraft/Sikorsky-VS300/info/info.php
Cost: $3.95 (US) for 2 sizes

In mid July 2006, Fiddlers Green released another new aircraft model, the Vought-Sikorsky VS300 helicopter. Unfortunately the photograph of the built-up model shown on their site does not do the model any justice and could deter people from purchasing and building it - appears it could be a beta build. The aircraft is an important point on the development of the helicopter and the Sikorsky legacy. As with almost all FG models, it comes in two sizes (regular and large) that are full color. There is no black and white version provided for those wishing to create a custom color scheme. The model also has build options. The first option lets you choose whether to build a detailed engine, gearbox, pulley compartment, or to simply use the parts that are printed in place on the model fuselage. The second option is if you want to build the model with landing wheels or on pontoon floats.

The drawing of parts is crisp with the exception of the engine. This engine piece is optional and is pretty much completely enclosed by the fuselage so it's a small point.

The coloring on the parts is very nice-again typical of most current FG releases. The airframe is a buff/yellow with subtle shading with the other metal or wood parts colored appropriately. One of the great things about paper models are they can look as good BEFORE they are built as they do after.

The instructions sheet is filled with information on the helicopter and Sikorsky. The actual construction drawing is very clean but a little skimpy on some important details. Construction questions that will arise can be at least partially answered on the additional information pages that FG provides for all its models (http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/AC/aircraft/Sikorsky-VS300/info/info.php). However, since I didn't find these pages until after an important step, I have a fairly glaring error in the model. Two additional detail drawing would provide the needed instruction. Note though that this is a rather easy and fun build. These instruction shortfalls should not deter from building, displaying and enjoying the finished model.

Also included are three cartoon/caricature like illustrations of Igor Sikorsky. Two are standing; one is seated-an option for the cockpit.

BUILDING

I built the LARGE version of the VS-300 including the engine details, on pontoons. Since I do not adhere to the WSAM school, I simply printed the 4 sheets at 100% size on Hammermill CopyPlus Card, 8.5" x 11", 110 Lb. Index (199 g/m2) using an Epson Stylus C88 inkjet printer.

FUSILLAGE

The airframe is made up 3 pieces - the nose, main body, and tail section. These pieces built and went together easily.

I started at the easiest point, the tail section.

Next was the main body in the sequence shown in the photo above. Since I built the engine detail option, I cut out the areas indicated. I also reinforced under the cross bar where the gearbox attaches for strength. Two more things I did was 1) added internal glue lap joints for those places where the drawn tab didn’t suffice, and 2) reinforced the floor from the cockpit to the back of the engine compartment with a piece of illustration board glued inside.

For the nose, this model uses the "feather" method of forming this odd shaped cone. I worked the piece around my dowel to give it some curve then glued the tab. I gently worked the "feathers" to shape them. When I was happy with how they looked, I applied a little glue to the inside of the "feathers" then backed them up with a small piece of paper towel to hold them in position. Generally I do not do well with these types of pieces but on this piece I was very pleased with the result. After the glue set, I attached it to the front of the main body after test fitting several times and forming it a little more with my fingers.

After the nose was securely in place, the tail section was attached. Again a good, easy fit.

ENGINE DETAILS

The 4 major pieces to the engine detail - engine, gearbox, pulley and gas tank all went together easily. On the cylindrical pieces, I cut the ends away from the walls and attached them separately. This eliminates flat spots on the cylindrical ends. After constructing, I cut the holes for the rotor shaft in the engine, gearbox and pulley. It also looks like the pulley should attach to the gearbox by a shaft but none was supplied or indicated in the directions. I cut one from a short length of skewer and glued it through the pulley.

I cut the rotor shaft a little bit longer than indicated, as I wanted to add some small details at the top as seen in the pictures on the FG site for this model. I then glued the engine in place on the shaft using a guesstimate approach based on the instructions. I then glued the gearbox in place on the rotor shaft at a height that would place it flush with the top of the cross spar of fuselage section -5-. This is not correct. It should have been attached above the cross spar.

Next I glued the pulley into the gearbox. After the glue had set. I installed the Rotor shaft (with the engine, gearbox and pulley pieces) into the fuselage, gluing the shaft at the bottom, and the rear of the gearbox to the cross spar support. When this glue had set securely, the gas tank was glued in position.

Next I formed and installed the upper and lower control linkages onto the main rotor shaft. The instruction drawings give little indication as to where the narrow ends of the arms should be attached. By studying the colored illustration on sheet 3 and the additional photos on the FG info page (http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/AC/aircraft/Sikorsky-VS300/info/info.php) you can decide where/how they attach them. Some photos show them attached to the outside linkage point, others show them on the inside. I attached them inside figuring it made more sense (on the prototype helicopter), as this would protect them from any flying debris.

TAIL ROTOR

The tail rotor assembly calls for two small shafts. I used lollipop sticks in place of the pieces supplied on the sheets. For the part labeled "90 Degree Gearbox", I cut the lollipop handle piece long enough to pass through the small hole I made for it and reach the opposite inside of the tail section. This made for a stronger connection.

I formed and trimmed out the tail rotor supports and glued only the sidepieces to the tail section. Next the tail rotor shaft was glued in place and finally the angled support was attached. I did not attach the tail rotor blade at this time.

COCKPIT

At this point I cut open the cockpit using a fresh blade. I printed out a second copy of the cockpit area, trimmed out just the brown colored rim area, and layered this on top of the one printed on the fuselage. This gave strength and depth to the edge. The only cockpit detail supplied is a seat. The seat was formed and glued, the pilot figure was colored black so it was just a silhouette and glued to the seat. I glued control sticks made from toothpicks in each hand. I also added a support under the seat to facilitate standing it up as the tab on the supplied piece made little sense. The entire assembly was then glued into the fuselage. Then the windscreen was added just at the front of the cockpit.

PONTOONS and LANDING STRUTS

Each pontoon is printed as a single piece. I cut each pontoon into three parts - two ends and middle. This made forming the ends and the tubes easier. I do not like these types of "feathered" ends. As a casual paper modeler my skills and patience are not advanced enough to achieve consistent results. I did the best I could. Filled any spaces with more white glue (my favorite filler on paper models). Next I added a small paper-punched flat “cap” to cover the spot where the “feather” ends meet to neaten it up a little. The pieces of each pontoon were glued together using internal lap joints, and then craft paints were used to color the obvious white that showed. They'll pass with a good shove.

After finding the additional pictures on the FG site (http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/AC/aircraft/Sikorsky-VS300/info/info.php) I noticed the pontoons attached differently from the supplied supports. In the photos, round shafts instead of the flat supports supplied on the model pages attach the pontoons. This actually would have made them easier to attach by substituting skewers. However, I wanted to build this model using as many of the supplied parts as I could so I used the landing struts on the sheets. I cut them apart where the fold is indicated and laminated them back-to-back onto poster board. When completed, this gave good support.

MAIN ROTOR BLADES

I cut out each of the three main rotor blades leaving them attached down the middle. I then scored them down the middle fold and pre-folded to form a gully. Before gluing the blades together I put a piece of fine, lightweight steel "rod" in the crease of the fold for strength. This is available at a hobby store. It is very strong but very thin.

Next I cut out the rotor head (2 pieces, top and bottom), and attached the rotor blades to the bottom piece, making sure the blades went in the correct spin direction. After glue set, the top piece was attached.

I wanted the rotor blades to be removable, and to rotate. The rotating wa s not for effect, but so the blades could be turned depending on where the model is displayed AND to allow for some give if the blades are bumped or worse yet, someone picks it up and says “Hey, do these turn! SCRUNCH!” This also allows for removingthem for storage or transport. At a guesstimated height, I glued a support disk to the rotor shaft to support the head/blade assembly. I wanted to simulate some of the additional detail at the rotor top as seen in some of the drawings and photos so I duped the rotor head, cut down and installed with wire to the blades. It’s a guess but looks good.

FINAL BITS

Next the tail rotor drive belt and the small tail rotor blade were trimmed out and attached.

I cut a round toothpick to size and colored it. I drilled a small hole in the point of the nose and glued the toothpick in position. Next the basket was formed and glued to the top of the toothpick as shown in the directions. Lastly the red flag was attached to the tip.

CONCLUSIONS

Fiddlers Green models are always a great buy and I think this one is too. The art, construction and detail on their models have steadily improved and they offer many models not found elsewhere. Also a big point for them is the value-added resource of the additional information pages they provide. They make for great background and frequently offer pictures and/or drawings of the model that help in the construction (NOTE TO SELF: if you remember to look).

I enjoyed building this model. It was a nice change from the military/sci-fi that has been my primary interest and provide hours of fun and relaxation. Also I had not built any models in quite some time. Its design is unusual but beautifully retro - I can't help but see a Flash Gordon/Buck Rogers shape.

As I said at the beginning this aircraft was an important step in the development of the modern helicopter. I really enjoy the early and odd flight models FG offers on their site that let us hold in our hands successful and no so successful steps in mans quest for flight.

If my skills were greater it had many possibilities for advanced detailing. Who will be the modeler to open up the tail framework as on the prototype? Or detail the rotors and cockpit?

This is a relatively easy build offering the simple or more advanced engine option. The sheets provide a good amount of background information. My only wish would be a little more detail in the instructions provided.

I recommend this one.

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