Any good Cobras and hueys out there?

I'll be talking 1/35 only since I don't know about 1/48 scale.

For Hueys the only is the Dragon/Panda UH-1N that you already have. To improve this model you'll need Cobra Company's UH-1N Fleet Upgrade Set. If you're up for a gunship you'll also consider Cobra Co.'s UH-1N Weapon Set. There's no specific PE for this model, but you could use parts of Eduard's UH-1C interior and exterior set. The only aftermarket available decal sheet is MAW's "November Hueys".

Now to the Cobra (BTW I'm currently building two of these). The only models out there are MRC's AH-1W (it's been reboxed by Academy and Italeri) and Academy's AH1-W NTS; even though latter appears to be a rebox of the first with only a new decal sheet and no NTS. For this you'll have to get Cobra Company's NTS Upgrade set. Eduard has three PE sets: interior, exterior and armament. Two Bobs has two decal sheets for the Super Cobra: "Whiskeys in the Mix" and "Sharkmouth Vipers".

Currently the Marines are starting to use the UH-1Y and the AH-1Z, but there are neither kits, not upgrade sets available for these two aircraft.

HTH

Avus wrote:

I'll be talking 1/35 only since I don't know about 1/48 scale. For Hueys the only is the Dragon/Panda UH-1N that you already have. To improve this model you'll need Cobra Company's UH-1N Fleet Upgrade Set. If you're up for a gunship you'll also consider Cobra Co.'s UH-1N Weapon Set. There's no specific PE for this model, but you could use parts of Eduard's UH-1C interior and exterior set. The only aftermarket available decal sheet is MAW's "November Hueys". Now to the Cobra (BTW I'm currently building two of these). The only models out there are MRC's AH-1W (it's been reboxed by Academy and Italeri) and Academy's AH1-W NTS; even though latter appears to be a rebox of the first with only a new decal sheet and no NTS. For this you'll have to get Cobra Company's NTS Upgrade set. Eduard has three PE sets: interior, exterior and armament. Two Bobs has two decal sheets for the Super Cobra: "Whiskeys in the Mix" and "Sharkmouth Vipers". Currently the Marines are starting to use the UH-1Y and the AH-1Z, but there are neither kits, not upgrade sets available for these two aircraft. HTH

A correction to the above:  MRC tried to make the AH-1W NTS by modifying the molds to raise the nose and the shape of the canopy but that is about it.  They got lazty and didn't change the sight itself or the front cockpit.  Same with the "new" decals - took the lazy approach and  copied the artwork from the TwoBob's Whiskeys in the Mix sheet - no new schemes.  Which is too bad because there are some good schemes out there thaqt haven't been done yet.

 In 1/48 you have the Italeri UH-1N and AH-1W with Cobra Company upgrades. 

http://www.cobracompany.com/indexfeb.htm

MAW decals makes some for both.  They have a manufacturers forum here: http://www.zone-five.net/

Italeri makes a 1/48 AH-1Z but it really looks nothing like a production one.

 Thanks for the help guys. As for the AM stuff I'll probablly only get the cobra companys stuff.

Avus wrote:

Currently the Marines are starting to use the UH-1Y and the AH-1Z, but there are neither kits, not upgrade sets available for these two aircraft. HTH

Thats why i need them. I'll be making a conversion kit in resin and vac-u-form parts to upgrade the two helos. I'm hoping to shoot for a Christmas Release. Look around for the Review sometime in early Dec. late Nov. Prices are not yet set for the kit but it might be around $40 with bells and whistels woowoo

Bret

How up to speed are you on the differences between the UH-1N/UH-1Y and the AH-1W/AH-1W NTS/AH-1W NTS w/turned exhaust/AH-1Z etc? 

Reason I asked is it pained me when MRC/Academy updated their molds and didn't fix any of the things that were lacking on the original kit.  For 1/35, I would also get the Eduard exterior set.  Their photoetch corrects most of the detail that Acadmey missed (both times).  Pretty much inexcuseable considering the original kit's shortcomings were highlighted by three different aftermarket companies - Cobra Company, Eduard, and Verlinden.  Was the Verlinden update set mentioned above?  Given a choice between the CC and Verlinden I would go with the CC.  However, the Verlinden set has a nice detailed turret - something none of the others have.

Anyway, if you want my humble opinion of what the shortcomings of the various kits are and what upgrades are missing, I'd be happy to help out.  I've already got the turned exhaust done in 1/35 - that would give you a pretty good headstart on Z and Y.

Semper Fi,

Randy

Bret,

  While I'd love nothing better than to see a accurate UH-1Y, be advised the Yankee has a 21 inch longer cabin than the November.  Maybe you already knew that, but I figure it increases the work needed to create a conversion set.  In any event, good luck!

     Ray

supercobra wrote:

How up to speed are you on the differences between the UH-1N/UH-1Y and the AH-1W/AH-1W NTS/AH-1W NTS w/turned exhaust/AH-1Z etc?  Reason I asked is it pained me when MRC/Academy updated their molds and didn't fix any of the things that were lacking on the original kit.  For 1/35, I would also get the Eduard exterior set.  Their photoetch corrects most of the detail that Acadmey missed (both times).  Pretty much inexcuseable considering the original kit's shortcomings were highlighted by three different aftermarket companies - Cobra Company, Eduard, and Verlinden.  Was the Verlinden update set mentioned above?  Given a choice between the CC and Verlinden I would go with the CC.  However, the Verlinden set has a nice detailed turret - something none of the others have. Anyway, if you want my humble opinion of what the shortcomings of the various kits are and what upgrades are missing, I'd be happy to help out.  I've already got the turned exhaust done in 1/35 - that would give you a pretty good headstart on Z and Y. Semper Fi, Randy

Hey Randy,

       Anything will help. I think Im just going to get the CC and work from there. The CP is going to be a complete scratchbuild because of the glass cockpit and the many diff systems involved with both A/C. I have not stated on the conversion yet because Im still working on Strega and Spirit of Texas. I just traded a few things and one of the A/C I got was the Panda UH-1N. And soon as I get that I will get started on the conversion kit which will be in the next 1-2 weeks. Both helo's are about the same, Bell says that 78% of the parts from ither A/C are interchangable to one another. I'm going to work as fast and as accurate as possible as I can. I have the pocket guide from Bell/Textron that is very detailed down to the very last bolt, and some extra photos of both helos. 

Ray,

      I am aware of the extra 21 inches, I already know what Im going to do about that. To my knowledge that area is where the avionics and radios are kept at least thats what the Bell/Textron Pocket Guide says.

      If anyone has photos that they would like to donate to the project I would greatly appreiciate it as I want to get these two kits as accurate as possible.

Semper Fi,

Bret