EC-225LP "Special Transport Helicopter Unit"

1
August 5, 2021
Only two AS332 kits were available, so a hard-line approach was taken to disconnect and extend the fuselage.
2
August 5, 2021
I like the monocoque construction look of these Italeri helicopter kits.
3
April 8, 2023
The installation was a hassle and the project had been neglected for two years, but on a recent trip away, I was fortunate enough to find an AS532 kit!
Work resumed!
4
April 8, 2023
The EC-225 has an extended aft fuselage compared to the AS332.
Therefore, the tail boom is extended and epoxy putty is applied to recreate the extended section.
5
April 8, 2023
Rough shape.
From here it's a long struggle.
6
April 8, 2023
Filled window frames and other required areas with polyester putty.
Unlike the assault type, the door cum boarding step is smaller in the VIP type.
7
April 8, 2023
Photographs of the inside of a JGSDF EC-225 aircraft are classified and therefore not available to the public.
Therefore, the backrests, which can be seen in the exterior photos, and photos of other VIP EC-225s produced outside of Japan were used as reference to imagine the interior.
8
April 19, 2023
(Probably) a comfortable chair
9
April 22, 2023
Seating installed at the rear of the VIP salon.
10
April 22, 2023
Glued fuselage!
11
April 22, 2023
Reproduced with epoxy putty on the fuselage extension.
And what a surprise, the cabin of the EC-225LP was unveiled at the Spring Festival at Atsugi Air Base today! The fuselage is already closed!
12
May 1, 2023
The heaped epoxy putty is scraped down to the desired shape.
My hands are sore!
13
May 1, 2023
Moderately close to the EC-225LP shape.
14
May 1, 2023
The HF antenna at the rear is processed using muscle power.
15
May 8, 2023
Paint and reveal... inadequate filing points!
16
May 8, 2023
I have no choice but to heap on the polyester putty and re-scrape it again.
17
May 8, 2023
Paint and scrape with Tamiya surfacer, checking the surface condition.
18
May 8, 2023
As there are many modification parts in this work, the surface texture is different in each part. Therefore, the surfacer is painted over the entire surface to unify the texture!
It also makes it easier to apply white paint, which can be a bit tricky to apply.
19
May 8, 2023
Emergency exit areas are painted over.
20
May 8, 2023
Parts that fly somewhere when cut from the sprue, paint that spills over when it should have been masked well...
Someone's curse?
21
May 9, 2023
Mission complete!
22
May 9, 2023
23
May 9, 2023
24
May 9, 2023

Comments

54 5 August 2021, 15:30

Cuajete
Following.

5 August 2021, 18:18

Cuajete
👍

8 April 2023, 19:51

Finn
Will follow

9 April 2023, 18:39

Живко Джаков
I follow too!

10 April 2023, 05:02

Michael Kohl
Me too

10 April 2023, 05:05

Ekki
And me.

10 April 2023, 19:04

Cuajete
Looking good so far 👍

22 April 2023, 18:29

Simon Nagorsnik
👍👍

1 May 2023, 16:04

Tyson Tu
Nice job shaping and detailing! Any pics of the planned exterior paint scheme?

1 May 2023, 17:22

yamawasabi
>>Tyson Tu
I've never taken any photos of the actual EC-225LP, so I'll leave the Wikipedia link here.
[img1]#mw-jump-to-license

2 May 2023, 02:23

Cuajete
Good (hard) job 👍

2 May 2023, 18:00

Freak
What a beautiful build! No effort spared and it shows. I am sure the end result will be amazing, despite the JGSDF's terrible timing of the interior unveil.

3 May 2023, 21:01

Ekki
Well done! Good result!

9 May 2023, 18:06

Simon Nagorsnik
Oh yes, that´s great!
For sure, a well done job👌

9 May 2023, 18:12

Michael Kohl
This is a special model of an unusual subject. You went the extra mile to perfect the exterior and it shows. Well done.
The paint job looks very clean and uniform, giving the model a slightly toy-like appearance. Maybe a slight weathering or toning down of some panels will ameliorate that.

9 May 2023, 19:47

Cuajete
Good job. Congrats!

9 May 2023, 20:11

Cortex
How was the 'Eurocopter AS.332 Super Puma' kit?
I have the exact same kit that I was thinking of selling, but I'm kinda changing my mind seeing your build : )
Did canopy fit fuselage well?

9 May 2023, 22:20

Project info

EC-225LP "Special Transport Helicopter Unit"

24 images

1:72

Completed

1:72 AS-532 Cougar / Super Puma (Italeri 096)

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