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1/48 Hughes 500 MD Defender |
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Kenyan Army |
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For a change, I once decided to model something simple, OOB and in "exotic" colors. My choice fell on the Hughes 500 MD Defender by Hasegawa in 1/48 scale which was waiting for my attention since years in my closet. The 500D is a version of the popular Model 500 incorporating a five-blades main rotor and an all new drive train with a larger tail rotor and a distinctive "T" tail. It was certificated by the FAA in December 1976, replacing the 500C on the production lines. The 500MD is the military version introduced in 1977.
Kenya bought 32 500MD in two versions: 500MD/TOW and 500MD Scouts equipped with Hughes manufactured 7.62mm CHAIN GUN© machine guns and 2.75-inch folding-fin air-to-ground rockets. The helicopters have equipped the 50th Air Cavalry Battalion since 1979 ( pic 02.jpg ). Markings of a Kenyan machine was provided in kit decals.
The Hasegawa model is a very fine one which builds very easily. I build it almost straight from the box except for some more detailing in the cockpit area. As it is an attack helicopter, and using some references courtesy provided by the Public affairs office of Hughes Helicopters Inc. , I added some armor to pilots seats (pic 06. jpg and 07.jpg ),a red extinguisher, and green tinted roof windows. The various antennas were made out of stretched sprue. I did not detail the rotor head as I wanted to because of lack of info or clear picture of that area. It still can be done later anyway.
Painting was made according to actual picture of the aircraft and model building instructions with Humbrol colors. Some weathering with diluted oil brown added the final touch before an overall coat of satin varnish. Thanks goes to Hal Klopper of Hughes Helicopters Inc. Public Affairs . Glidingbob
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Photos and text © by Robert "Glidingbob" Verhegghen
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