Quality of the Fujimi AH-1S step III Cobra?

It is a decent kit. The cockpit needs some work. Overall the detail on the Monogram Cobra is better both inside and out. I built one a couple years ago and enjoyed it, but I did the Step II.

Rob I actually have the same kit reboxed by Testors. I think the 20mm cannons on the Step III Cobra could be replaced with Master Models 1/48 20mm gatlings. And you could use colored film for the FLIR turret.

Though for some reason I thought the upgraded Cobra Step III's had wing mounted flare launchers but I'm not sure.

Rob Gronovius

Digging through my umpteen boxes of model kits, I ran across this helicopter kit. It is a 1/48 scale Fujimi kit that builds into a Japanese helicopter. Is this a decent kit and can it be built into a US version?

I was surprised to find it; I didn't think I had any Cobras beyond an MRC Gold Cobra and a pair of Matchbox 'Nam era kits (wanted to build one in Army and USMC markings).

Any way, this is the kit I have: http://www.hlj.com/product/fuj31105 

Here is a link to the thread that I made for this kit that  I built a few years back. The kit I had came with the parts to make a Step II or Step III Snake. I chose the II

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/16/t/114438.aspx

stik according to the instructions for my kit the turret you used for your AH-1E was the one used for the AH-1F but otherwise you did pretty good. I'll definitely hollow out the exhaust tubes on my TOW racks as that makes a whole lot of sense.

But wouldn't the rocket pods have the rocket nose cones either olive drab or gray?

BTW what was the difference between the AH-1F and the AH-1J I would have thought they were identical externally?

stikpusher

Here is a link to the thread that I made for this kit that  I built a few years back. The kit I had came with the parts to make a Step II or Step III Snake. I chose the II

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/16/t/114438.aspx

I have a Cobra Company resin cockpit inside the kit box. It was probably there when the kit was sold or traded to me. The cockpit is for a J though.

In the photos I could find of the IDF Cobra's the turret covers were removed, IIRC. I used OD for the rocket warheads, and aluminum for the fuses on the tips. The AH-1J has a twin engine "doghouse", no nose mounted TOW site, and the original bubble canopy compred to the AH-1E/F/S flat plate canopy. Also the J would keep the turret cover installed as a corrosion control measure (salt air environment). The J would be upgraded to TOW capabilty into the AH-1T.

Rob,

That kit is a decent kit and yes it can be built into (the same as) the comparable era US Cobra.  It is not as good as the fairly inexpensive Monogram AH-1S kit.  However, the Monogram kit is a later variant.  What is good about the Fujimi kit is that it has the earlier (AH-1G style) exhaust and rotor blades.  People complain about there not being a good AH-1G kit in 1/48.  While that is true, with this kit and the Fujimi AH-1J (for the nose and round canopy) you can bash a decent AH-1G.

Good information, be nice to bash it into a Nam era Cobra.

Ran across a Fujimi AH-1G stuck inside an old Lindberg Cobra box along with a Cobra Company AH-1T cockpit for the Italeri kit.

Looks like I can probably get to a good AH-1G with what I dug up.

I've got a couple of Fujimi  "S" and "J" Cobras that I hope to make into a decent "G" one day!  Retirement in the near future, maybe that will happen!