MCH-101 "JMSDF"

The AW-101 currently used by the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force is designated the Mk.518 subtype, which unfortunately cannot be built immediately by buying any Italeri kit, but requires a combination of several versions of the kit. 

First, enlarge the window in the starboard door. 

Adjust the details by comparing them with photographs of the actual aircraft. 

The floor was flimsy and had to be reinforced.
Now heavy cargo can be loaded. 

The shaft of the main rotor has a strange structure where the fuselage end floats in the air if the kit is left as is, so it's hard to paint and I'm worried about its strength, so I extended the shaft and made a bearing.
It's a bit random, but it turns and it's fine.  

In production at the factory... 

Reinforcement of various parts of the ceiling and floor to ensure that they are level.
Italeri helicopter kits are thinly moulded, which sometimes contributes to the realism, but also makes them less strong, so reinforcement work is important. 

FLIR installed.
The TTI kit also contains FLIR parts, but the shape is different, so I modified a Hasegawa AN/AAQ-28 to reproduce it.
As a side effect, the gimbal can be moved. 

Drilling holes to install windows ... 

Additional windows were added to fill the gaps. 

The MCH sponsons have a cut-out for attaching a chaff/flare dispenser.
Revell's HC.3 kit also contains parts with notches, but the shape is different from the MCH's, so it is more accurate to make your own. 

Some windows are fitted as bubble windows and are slightly modified accordingly.
To be precise, the windows are oval rather than circular, but only geeks who think about (or fall in love with) the MCH-101 all day care about such things, so let's pretend I didn't see it. 

The two 'whiskers' on the nose are mirrors for checking the minesweepers suspended from the rear of the aircraft.
This equipment was very popular on the earlier MH-53E, and is also fitted on the MCH-101, its successor. 

Masking of windows. 

The MCH-101 is equipped with a longer HF antenna than the one supplied with the kit.
Therefore, by crushing the brass wire and drilling holes, I made an antenna prop that is strong enough to prevent accidental damage during production. 

JMSDF low-vis camouflage painted with white FS17875 on the underside.
This is a good accent for a paint job that tends to be monotonous with just grey. 

As of 14-15 May, the Hobby Show is being held in Shizuoka.
Modelers from all over Japan gather at this event to show their works to each other, excited by new product announcements, but unfortunately I'm too busy to attend... (And the venue is 800km away!). 

Low-visibility painted aircraft have the rising-sun flag as a nationality indicator, but its size is modest.
Therefore, the 1/144 decals fit just right. 

Mission Complete!