Just about finished the preparation, and almost ready to commence some construction, starting with the basic cockpit layout and main cabin, both of which will entail a lot of scratch-building.
PIC 1. Shows the tail rotor pylon, with the cooling intake and exhaust vents, and the two slots (hand holds I think) cut out. The vents will eventually have fine gauze fitted, to represent the metal mesh grilles. The access panels have been sanded down, as have nearly all the rivets on the entire airframe, leaving just a hint, which should look acceptable under paint ( after polishing the parts first).
PICS 2 and 3. All unwanted holes and depressions have been filled, and a number of new holes and slots cut for various antenna mounts, plugs and brake line attachments. The upper steps on each side have also been enlarged, and the actual steps will be made and fitted later. The large holes at the bottom of the fuselage are for the scratch-built landing gear legs, which will replace the 'V' shaped kit parts, a left-over from the original S-58 'Choctaw' kit, the mounting points for which are the slots in the rectangular moulding on the under side.
PIC 4. The tail boom access hatch in the cabin rear bulkhead has had the quilted, padded, sound-deadening 'curtain' added, made from lead foil from a scalpel blade packet, rubbed over the grain of my power tool case. The suspension straps for when the curtain is rolled up are from the same source. Holes have been made for the upper 'tubular' mounts for the seats, and for the electrical wiring which runs the length of the cabin, from the cockpit, on the port side.
That's it for now, but I hope to get some more done tonight, so maybe some pics tomorrow.