N scale Helicopter?

When I was n Thailand I saw a BUNCH of 1:144 scale civilian helecopters. All were printed in Japanese, so I know that they are available out there currently. The only trick is finding them I guess. They were all plastic models of a quality comparable to Hasagawa kits. The price point was about $3 in Thailand. That would make them aoubt $10 here in the States.

 

Here's the kit that I picked up online a few years ago: It's pretty nice (I haven't built it yet).

 

I just spoke with the owner of Tiger Scale Models. He has his shop about 2 miles down the road from me. He had problems with his website and had to take it down. I have purchased several helicopters from him. They are etched brass and superb detail and are ulike anything on the market.
Robert

 

Loved the Tiger Scale stuff. Here is a MASH unit as a load. If the website was up, I would order more.

 

A little background on my need for a helicopter:

A few years ago:

As some of you know I have little need/want/respect/or care for the NMRA (long story...different post). Wellllll...some of the guys here and I have been 'bantering' back and forth for over a year about it. Some even say the are "Going to send in the NMRA silent running black helicopters with 'NMRA Ninjas' to take my trains and even my layout! LOL.:tb-tongue:

Fast forward to today:

I have a switch panel with 30 mini switches on it...and a pot. The switch plate is 12"x4". I have an area right where I sit (You can see it in the attached pics) it is the catch all area for my coffee cup...cigarettes...lighter...ashtray...and a place to rest my elbow while running trains ! I didnt want to cut a B I G 12x4 hole in my HCD layout to mount the panel. So I thought a nice wodden type box will do just fine...just have to drill about a 1" hole to drop the wires down thru. The more I looked at the box...the more it looked like a building. Remembering the "Ninja" running joke...I thought..."Why not !!!"

I 'decorated' the switch 'buildiing' in Ninja black...some junk windows and doors...with a few sarcastic signs to boot !! I am making some 12 foot chainlink fence ...which will also have razor wire attached up top, to surround the 'building' ;-) The fence will be clearly marked as being "Electrified". I will also have a nice sandy area 12 scale feet in front of the fence which will be clearly marked as being...a "Mine Field"...LMAO.

So yes...I NEED a 'Ninja' helicopter !! I have a cheapy stand in one T.H.E Wife found in the toy dept at KMart....until I get a really nice one.

I am having so much fun with all this...it should be illegal.

W A I T...is that a heicopter I hear ouside? :tb-wacky:

ROFLMAO:tb-biggrin:

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I think I saw this one on it's way to the shop to be outfitted with spy gear and painted... They're after you!!!


(Is this more of what you were looking for?)

 

Brian...thats exactly what I am looking for ! Finding them here in the states and actually getting one is another story. I will not be deterred...there is one out there somewhere with my name on it...LOL

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Here's a few helicopters with planes from my Vietnam era models. They're all 1/144, Mini-figs helicopters.

 

"NMRA Ninja Helicopter"

Thnxs to the generosity of Sierra117 (Brian)...

I now have a very suitable...silent running..."NMRA Ninja Helicopter" !! Its currently being outfitted for "Compliance and Surveillance" and has even been seen recently flying around the "NMRA Compliance Headquarters".

:thumbs_up::tb-cool::tb-biggrin:

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Looks good George!! Now them pesky ninjas will have even more energy since they don't have to walk! :tb-biggrin:

 

You are gonna like the final results. :tb-wink::tb-biggrin:

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Every 'NMRA Compliance Helicopter' has to have at least ONE 'Ninja on a rope':tb-wink:

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That's completely awesome!! Now you just need to get a tiny little piece of a paperclip or something and glue it to him for his ninja sword! :tb-biggrin:

 

With his left hand on the rope...and his right hand in the position it is...I decided anything in his right hand was really gonna look Obscene !!:tb-embarrassed: LOL !!!!

So I opted for 2 swords strapped to his back :tb-wink: :tb-cool:

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I have never been able to find an N scale helo, so I finally just set out and built one from scratch. Once I found the dimensions on the web, I just scaled everything down. The fuselage is carved from bass wood. The rotors are made from brass sheet and rod. What is nice is that, even though not superdetailed, it looks "right" because it is exact size. For now, looks like scratchbuilding a chopper may be the only avenue for N scale.

 

I still have mine in a box somewhere...from when I dismantled the old T.H.E.R.R..

Should be doing some housekeeping soon to sort all those boxes of 'stuff'.

I have a perfect place for a

'NMRA Compliance Helicopter'

 

Thanks!

 

TOMIX list a few 1/144 scale aircraft of which one is a Helo

 

A company called Pendraken Miniatures makes 10mm miniatures for wargaming, including an OH-6 and a UH-1. 10mm miniatures are nominally 10mm=6ft, so actually about 1:180 although there tends to be a lot of leeway in scale for wargaming miniatures.

Adrian