1/72 Zvezda Kamov Ka-27PL “Helix” 

ASW Helicopter

by Michael Johnson

--------------------

 

The Aircraft 

The Kamov Ka-27 was developed to replace the Ka-25 in Soviet naval service, and is now the Russian navy's standard ship based ASW helicopter.

The Kamov design bureau began work on a successor for its Ka-25 in 1967, when Sergei Mikheyev became chief designer following Nikolai Kamov's death. The Soviet navy required a replacement for its Ka-25s which could not operate dunking sonar at night or in poor weather. The result was the Ka-27 (NATO name 'Helix'), an all new helicopter of similar overall dimensions to the Ka-25 and featuring Kamov's signature counter rotating coaxial main rotors. The Ka-27 flew for the first time in 1973.

The Ka-27's similar overall size to the Ka-25 means it requires only the same amount of deck space to operate from as the older helicopter. However the Ka-27’s more powerful Isotov turboshafts, give greater performance and allow increased weights utilizing similar diameter rotors to the Ka-25.

The basic Ka-27PL anti submarine warfare helicopter features an under nose mounted search radar, dipping sonar and disposable sonobuoys. The Ka-27PL usually operates in 'hunter killer' teams, with one aircraft tracking the target sub, the other dropping depth charges.  

The Ka-28 is a downgraded export version of the Ka-27PL, while the Ka27PS is a naval SAR helicopter with some ASW equipment deleted, an external winch and fuselage side mounted fuel tanks and the Ka-29 assault transport is another derivative.

The Ka-32 is the civil version of the Ka-27, and while none have been sold to military operators, some Ka-32’s in Aeroflot markings have been observed operating off Russian naval vessels. 

Kamov Ka-27PL “Helix” ASW Helicopter 

Powerplant

  • Two 1645kW (2205shp) Klimov (Isotov) TV3-117V turboshafts driving two three-blade counter rotating coaxial main rotors.

 

Performance

  • Max speed 250km/h (135kt)

  • Max cruising speed 230km/h (124kt)

  • Max initial rate of climb 2460ft/min

  • Service ceiling 16,405ft

  • Hovering ceiling out of ground effect 11,485ft

  • Ferry range with auxiliary fuel 800km (432nm)

  • Radius of operations tracking a submarine moving at up to 75km/h (40kt) at a depth of 500m

  • (1640ft) 200km (108nm)

  • Endurance 4hr 30min.

Weight

  • Basic empty 6100kg (13,338lb)

  • Operating empty 6500kg (14,330lb)

  • Max takeoff 12,600kg (27,778lb).

Dimensions

  • Rotor diameter (each) 15.90m (52ft 2in)

  • Length rotors folded 12.25m (40ft 2in)

  • Fuselage length 11.30m (37ft 1 in)

  • Height to top of rotor head 5.40m (11 7ft 9in)

  • Rotor disc area each 198.5 sq m (2138sq ft).

Accommodation

  • Normal crew complement of three, comprising pilot, tactical coordinator and ASW systems operator. Ka-32 - Main cabin can accommodate up to 16 passengers or freight.

Armament

  • Torpedoes or depth charges carried in a ventral weapons bay.

 

Preamble 

My daughter Sarah was helping me catalogue my SAMI magazine collection and she found a review of the Amodel Ka-25 “Hormone” helicopter. Well that was it; I had to have one of these funky looking helicopters in my stash. A quick visit to my local hobby shop uncovered the Zvezda Ka-27. I finally got the old Airfix Ka-25 a little later down the road.

Click on images below to see larger images

The Kit 

The kit comes in a bigger than A4 size top opening box with a colourful painting of a Ka-27 banking over a Russian Navy aircraft carrier. 

So what is in the box? There are three sprues within the box, all moulded in light grey and a clear sprue for the canopy and windows. The canopy is rather thickly moulded but has nicely defined framing. 

Only one decal option (in fact, there are only 8 decals on the sheet) is included along with an instruction sheet with painting instructions. The instructions are printed in both Russian and English, with easy to understand assembly illustrations keyed out with basic colour instructions, which reference to Modelmaster colours. 

The kit is a mix of lightly raised rivets and recessed panel lines. Dry fitting indicated that the kit went together very well, with the most glaring inaccuracies centred on the cockpit and minor shape issues.  Well I was not after a contest winner here at all and my knowledge of Russian Naval aviation was basic to say the least, so I could safely ignore all the shortcomings built into the kit.  

The alternative was to get the expensive KA-29 resin cockpit offering from Neomega, but at twice cost of the kit, I felt a little scratch built detailing would suffice and would be somewhat cheaper! 

Construction 

Assembly started with the cockpit. Zvezda supply two seats, a bland centre console, collective lever, joystick and an instrument panel. The seats just needed to have some lead foil harnesses added. While the seats were drying I scratch built throttle controls for the centre console and cemented that in the correct position. The instrument panel was particularly simplistic with no dial or display details. I used various shades of Vallejo acrylics to paint all the cockpit components. 

The main cabin was devoid of any sort of detail whatsoever, which was fine as the cabin door was moulded shut and nothing could be seen through the small cabin windows. This issue sorted out, I added the rear firewall and cockpit tub to one fuselage half and then used masking tape to hold both fuselage halves together, thus ensuring each assembly was square and true while the cement cured. At this time I also added a little nose weight to ensure the Helix sat on its front legs. 

The remainder of assembly proceeded smoothly and rather quickly, with only small amounts of filler in most areas required to smooth out ill fitting joints. Some areas needed careful cleanup due to the need to protect raised surface detail.  

All parts needed cleanup with a sharp scalpel blade to remove mould parting lines and the odd injector pin mark, nothing difficult and certainly something I am used to, as I build a lot of older kits. 

Once this was done I cleaned up, polished and masked the canopy. The masked canopy was offered up to the fuselage and cemented into place with clear parts cement, reinforced with a careful application of liquid cement; this filled any gaps between the fuselage and the canopy. A quick application of white glue, with excess wiped away with a wet mk1 finger, smoothed out any remaining gaps. The cockpit side windows were added at this stage as well and did not fit very well at all, requiring some work to get a somewhat decent fit. 

Once masking was completed, I attached the main gear legs to the fuselage. Zvezda supplies each assembly in three parts. Installation of each gear assembly was quite easy and with a little manipulation, correct sit and checks to ensure the assemblies were symmetrical was quickly achieved. I left off the smaller twin nose gears to last so to prevent damage as they are quite delicate. The ease of assembly of the outrigger type undercarriage of the Ka-27 was in stark contrast to my earlier Matchbox Wessex build which caused a great deal of trouble. 

The addition of the landing lights and anti-collision beacons caused some issues due to bad fit, but all was soon ready for painting. 

Painting and Decaling 

Now that construction was finished I could settle down to painting. I primed the assembled fuselage with Tamiya primer. This did two things, providing a rock solid base for subsequent acrylic paintwork and to reveal any hidden construction flaws. There were several and I dealt with these quickly. 

I then used Aeromaster Dark Ghost Grey as per the instructions. I then added a drop of white and faded out centres of selected panels. Mind you, when I had completed the procedure, I could not see any difference in the paintwork. Oh well, perhaps I was over cautious with lightening the paint! 

The completed airframe was put aside to cure prior to application of Johnsons “Super Stride” with a wide flat brush kept especially for this purpose. Now the KA-27 was ready for decaling. 

I had read several reviews of Zvezda kits stating that the decals were a hit and miss affair, with shattering being the main culprit. Armed with this knowledge I used Microscale decal film to overcoat the decals and carefully applied the Russian star to one of the twin tails. The nice and thin decal performed like a champion, allowing placement movement and reacting very well to Aeromaster Sol. With a sigh of relief, I applied the last of the decals, left them to dry and applied another couple of coats of future to seal them in. 

I would rate them an 8/10, only because of the slight registration issue of the large yellow black outlined numbers and the concern over shattering or not. 

I then used a sludge wash mixed from Aeromaster UK Ocean Grey with a little Aeromaster Tyre Black to darken the mix. This is an incredibly easy method of imparting a wash to a model, with excess wash coming off easily using a damp lint free cloth or cotton but. Hard to get at areas can be cleaned up using a microbrush.

One thing I do not like is too dark a panel wash as it makes a patchwork quilt out of a model. An appropriately chosen and well applied wash draws the eyes to the panel lines without overwhelming the "look" of the model.

I am a great believer in scale effect. 

The wash really changed the look of the overall finish of the model; breaking down the monotone grey and giving that “in-service” look so common on Russian equipment. 

A few days of drying time later, I airbrushed a coat of Pollyscale Flat Clear to impart an even flat finish, so apparent on the reference pictures I have of the Ka-27. The clear coat toned down and even removed a little of the wash here and there, but nothing major and certainly nothing I was overly worried about.  

Next stage was some subtle dirtying and streaking with some grey chalk pastels. These were applied sparingly and carefully around exhaust vents and areas that would accrue more dirt, grease and grime 

Finishing Touches 

Initial dry fitting of the rotor assembly to the fuselage indicated a “sit” issue of the rotor head in relation to the fuselage. Side views and pictures of the Ka-27 indicated the big contra rotating rotor head angled forward and did not thus sit vertically. As built per the instructions, the rotor head sat more vertically than it should. 

The solution was an addition of an internally installed angled brass tube acting as a sleeve for the assembly. Once this was done, the rotor head sat square from the front and had the correct forward angle from the side. 

Overall 

Zvezda have provided the modeller with an interesting range of Soviet and eastern block helicopters at a very affordable price (sub AU$20) and I will certainly be looking at the Ka-52 sometime soon.  

This little Ka-27 Helix builds up very well indeed with some care and makes a great addition to the display cabinet.  

Good fun and it looks great! 

References 

  • The Internet
  • World Aircraft Files 

Michael 

Photos and text © by  Michael Johnson