AS 532 U2 Cougar
[Page 4]
Cougar model in 1/32 scale
Matchbox / Revell Puma Helicopter Conversion
Cockpit area
The Cougar cockpit windows are similar in shape as those of the Puma. However, larger lower windows should be integrated in the longer (radar) nose. Also, do not forget to remove the moulded raised frame in the middle of the center windscreen. It is simply not there. Sand off and re-polish using finer grades and sandpaper and Tamiya polishing compound. It is noted here that the cockpit glazing will be installed as late as possible to prevent damage to the clear parts.
The cockpit
itself has two pilot positions and jump seat between the two bulkheads.
Some details were added here such as a floor at the front and a new instrument
hood was made from card as well as the EFIS instrument panel.
The small instruments were made from
decal sheet and details added from wire and sprue.
The later issued Revell Puma kits had improved seats. These were given
an additional armour side plate. The cushions are dark blue, seat belt
were made from tape and metal details added from scratch.
Lower fuselage
The lower fuselage has some external cable ducting. This was made from plastic strips and faired in. Also note the various added fairings. The central doors were closed.
Engine Exhausts
The engine exhausts can be of different type on a Cougar and are also inter- changeable. Normally, as with a Puma, a protruding exhaust pipe can be seen as provided in the kit.
Sometimes, the pipe is not fitted and an exhaust JDD (infra red suppression fairing) is fitted.
Dutch Cougars often fly with these pods and they give a nice touch to he model. So it was decided to scratch build 2 JDD fairings and to make them also inter- changeable on the scale model. The pipe was thus cut off the engine part.
The JDD fairings are seen here. Made
from scratch card.
From plastic card the pods were made,
being quite complex in shape. Inner and outher intake ducting is needed,
made from spare tanks and parts from the spares box.
At the rear inner side, there is
an opening with exhaust flow guiding vanes that were added from strip.
The flow goes out on the upper JDD
pod area, making the Cougar difficult to detect with Infrared and less
venerable from lower ground fired enemy infra red missiles.
The JDD pods have some rods and rotating
points, made from plastic.
Main Rotor
The Cougar main rotor has four blades with a larger length and curved tip.
The model rotor blades will be set
in a folded ship deck hangar position. The Dutch Cougars can be operated
from naval cargo ships and have foldable rotor blades.
The rotor blades
need also some other modifications. First, the innner parts of the rotor
blades need to be changed for the AS 532; there should be a fillet in the
inboard curved section and this was made from card.
As two Puma kits were used for the
conversion with 8 blades available, the extra blades were be used to make
the longer blades including the round tips. The blade arms inboard were
shortened at the inboard section.
To strengthen the blade attachment
points, with a small drill holes were drilled in the blade root areas ready
to insert a piece of metal rod (use a paperclip!).
This is a very precise job. The rod
is bended for each blade according the required folding angle. Each blade
was clearly marked to its position.
Also a completely new hub was needed,
made from various parts. NH90 experience has been used by EuroCopter to
get an advanced rotor head.
The upper rotor drag reducing head
fairing was made by layering pieces of round plastic disks and sanded in
shape.
This work takes quite some effort
and time to get right.
The rotor head, painted in its grey/blue
base coat
Back to 1/32 models....
(c) Copyright "designer"/ All rights reserved/ Amsterdam The Netherlands.