FS2004 Bell 407 V2.0

[antaris]

Good afternoon

Now I have an interesting puzzle: the pilot's cyclic. Altough I have several pictures, the more clear so far is this:

I've spent the whole weekend trying to figure out how to model this part... I found this and it gave me some ideas:

After a lot of failed attempts, I decided to begin with the upper part. It seems to be based on two cylinders...

I will try to get as closer as I am able to match the top part, then create a hole at the bottom, extrude edges and use "my best" shoots for the handle as reference to get the whole cyclic grip...

It'll be a real challenge
Sergio.

 

[antaris]

Getting close...

 

[lionheart]

Amazing work.

Since finding out about working in NURMs mode, using Smoothing to round off things, it has really made life easier in making smooth parts from basic foundation parts. Speeds up the process.

 

[antaris]

Hi Bill

Since finding out about working in NURMs mode, using Smoothing to round off things, it has really made life easier in making smooth parts from basic foundation parts. Speeds up the process.

Sure, it makes all easier. However, I need to refine the use of this tool. In my end, I have the tendency to go beyond practical purposes. As you can see in the images above, "my low poly" version is really heavy and I need to enhance the overall shape even more. This evening, I was experimenting with polygonal modeling in order to minimize the polygon count in the cyclic. I still don't like the way it looks.

Cheers,
Sergio.

 

[Ronald]

As always, thanks for sharing those 3D mesh pictures Sergio. They are real source of inspiration for my own YF16 VC model!

 

[antaris]

Hi Ronald

No problem! I will try to keep them comming. Feel free to ask for any part you like and I'll find a way to deliver it to you. Albeit we design with different software, perhaps if I export the parts as an *.obj file will do the trick. On the other hand -if I can recall-, there is a way to export scenes from 3ds max to Blender; however, I'm not sure if it is a native 3ds max feature or a plug in.

Sergio.

 

[antaris]

Good evening folks

After pulling my hair several hours during last five days, I think I got the cyclic:

Also, I refined the collective as well

I was considering to do some boolean operations; but I think I can live with this...

Cheers,
Sergio.

 

[Ronald]

Nice....!

 

[SixGhost]

I was considering to do some boolean operations; but I think I can live with this...

But where's the fun? I feel your pain, I hated every moment while modelling my stick and throttle.

 

[ozzman1997]

Sergio, the way your mesh is put together looks strikingly similar to how I would build each part. Do you think that maybe we're long-lost brothers?

 

[antaris]

But where's the fun? I feel your pain, I hated every moment while modelling my stick and throttle.

LOL, same here. Whenever is an organic or ergonomic shape, I always sweat...

Sergio, the way your mesh is put together looks strikingly similar to how I would build each part. Do you think that maybe we're long-lost brothers?

I always thought that I could have some brothers elsewhere, my dad used to make jokes about it.
When I was a kid, he and my mom messed with me and my brothers by saying precisely that! To spice things up, frequently "they were from" Czechoslovakia, Uganda or wherever the humor told them... Damn! how I miss the old man and his humor.

More seriously and to be fare and very greatful, by watching many meshes I learned a lot. Particularly, I remember your Bombardier Challenger and the meshes you shared with us. Those are simply amazing and I am not even close to you regarding modeling skills! That means a lot, thank you.

When a part is causing me troubles (that means, every and each bit in my models), I learned to make clones and prograsively see the changes. Of course, I have deleted those I don't like or doesn't have the potential to be enhanced. This was the last set of basic shapes and their clones to get my take on this cyclic:

However, I still feel something is missing there and I can't figure out what it is. Mainly because I don't have clear snapshots of the backside and I did my best to get a result by carefully watching different angles.

Very often, this is the main angle which photographers captures:

Cheers,
Sergio.

 

[Heretic]

After pulling my hair several hours during last five days, I think I got the cyclic:

Beware, the hair loss is just a short step away from "Lionheart Syndrome" (grey eyebrows)!


(Fortunately, I don't have to worry about hair loss anymore.)

 

[antaris]

Beware, the hair loss is just a short step away from "Lionheart Syndrome" (grey eyebrows)!


(Fortunately, I don't have to worry about hair loss anymore.)

In the military jargon they call it "Danger Close", I think...

The last time I let my beard grow, it was almost completely white. My wife began to call me Pepe Le Pew; I am not sure if it was for the gray hair...

Sergio.

 

[Ronald]

Are photos from these angles helpfull Sergio?

Frasco Bell 407 simulator images (with photos from various sides):
- http://www.frasca.com/products/bell-407-simulator/

BELL 407 Autopilot system:

- https://www.aero-access.com/products/bell-407-helisas-autopilot-kit.html

BELL 407 Interior (replacement) part supplier:
- https://www.aero-access.com/catalog/Bell-407-Interior-Trim.html

Vertical Magazine - Article on a Bell 407:

- https://www.verticalmag.com/features/clearedfortakeoff/

Pilot Magazine - Flightesting the Bell 407GXP

- http://www.pilotweb.aero/features/flight-tests/flight-test-bell-407gxp-1-4837949


Image search tip(1): If you can find out who makes these cyclic control handles, perhaps you can find more info on their website and/or look for a three way view online
For example: Mason Controls makes various items that are using in Bell helicopters
- http://www.esterline.com/controlandcommunication/Mason/MasonHome.aspx (homepage)
- http://www.esterline.com/controlandcommunication/Mason/FlightControls/CyclicsCollectives.aspx (cyclic controllers)

Image search tip(2): Look for "(Textron or)Bell 407 AIR-WORTHYNESS DIRECTIVES FLIGHT, OWNERS, OPERATIONS MAINTENANCE and/or TECHNICAL BULLETIN manuals images:

- http://fliphtml5.com/lnka/vfvp/basic
- https://aero-stuff.com/bell-407-rotorcraft-flight-manual-1996---2000-995-p-5541.html
- https://www.westpointheli.com/bell-b407-maintenance-training/
- https://www.bellcustomer.com/files/Storage/TB 407-02-39.pdf
- https://www.faa.gov/regulations_pol...&sort=effectiveDate&direction=desc&startRow=1

Image search tip(3): Look for "(Textron or)Bell 407 (SPARE) PARTS images:

Image search tip(4):
If you can not find what you are looking for DIRECTLY, try using an INDIRECT / RELATED (keyword) search via an internet search engine.
That's the trick how I found this material online (too)

I'm sure that is where you will find all the detailed photos you need for completing the Bell 407 (Cyclic stick and her other parts).

 

[antaris]

Hi Ronald!!!
Indeed they are my friend; all this visual information will help me a lot.

Thanks a lot!
Sergio.

 

[Heretic]

The last time I let my beard grow, it was almost completely white. My wife began to call me Pepe Le Pew; I am not sure if it was for the gray hair...

Out of curiosity, I shaved off my beard a few months ago. I looked like a bald twelve year old afterward. Yikes!

 

[Ronald]

Your welcome Sergio, looking forward to your next screenshots

 

[hairyspin]

Bjoern, you have still to reach the stage many of us have already:-

The hair that once grew from your head,
Now sprouts from ears and nose instead.


You'll get there.

 

[Heretic]

Bjoern, you have still to reach the stage many of us have already:-

The hair that once grew from your head,
Now sprouts from ears and nose instead.


You'll get there.

My nose hair trimmer is powered by a V8 engine and turbocharged. And has been for a few years. Probably because I've got a big nose (do the math, ladies!).


Worse, though, is hair on the back, fingers and toes. Might need to go brazilian one of these days.

 

[antaris]

The hair that once grew from your head,
Now sprouts from ears and nose instead.

My nose hair trimmer is powered by a V8 engine and turbocharged.

ROFL!!! Those were some of the best I've heard lately; you made my day; just love when you spice things up.