Adrian is 38 married with two children and flying helicopters for 13 years (with some long gaps in between) He decided on the Lynx because it is his favourite full size (and not the Navy version shown above but the army air corps version) although he did build a navy version 4 years ago powered by a webra 60. It was sold to buy the cobra shown in the picture left.
The Lynx "kit" literally comprises of fuselage, glazing and skids
all other parts have to be scratch built. It is intended to be powered by
zenoah petrol engine sometime in 2008.
'Ade' is currently working on the interior using a little known substance
called 'balsa wood' together with various plastic extrusions and time. He aims for the Lynx to have working doors, panels, hatches and accessories
Westland Lynx 1:6th Scale. Basic fuselage is a Len Mount creation. These are commission pieces and made only to order. Carbon has been built into the tail section for strength
One of the first things he modeller has to achieve is making of formers and chassis components from Ply. A basic paper template is provided with dimensions, the rest is up to the modeller. Note the panels made from aluminium tape.
After cutting out the various intakes, doors, windows etc (which took several weeks), I decided to reinforce the front cockpit windows with carbon ribbon and epoxy resin, This has the effect of adding strength without weight. (this is later cut and sanded to fit the frame. As I am having opening doors, it also helped to make a stronger door frame to take the weight.
One of the things I wanted to achieve on this model is the perception of panels. There are plans to also make some other panels/doors operative. This was achieved with adhesive aluminium tape, (from an electrical parts supplier). Each one is measured, cut and stuck down, then flattened out with the back of a tea spoon, this not only smoothes the whole tape out, but flattens the finish ready to receive paint later.
This picture shows a couple of things. The “Action Man” is 12” tall, (1:6th scale), he will be the pilot of the Lynx. It also shows the very basic fuselage in its raw state made as a mock up. But shows the scale more than anything! This chopper is 7 foot long.
Work is now progressing, the formers and “guts” of the project are now in place, The whole thing has since been sprayed its primer, and detailing has now started.
