OH-58 A/C Models

There is an old ('70s) version originally by ICM (reboxed by Revell and Testors over the years) in 1/32 scale.  It is pretty well detailed.  Not up to the par of Academy's excellent D model, but it can be made into a great model with some TLC.  It comes up often on Ebay, there are two of them there now.

ICM kit

Testors boxing

Italeri does one in 1/48 as well, also reboxed by Heller.

Russ,

The Italeri 1/48th kit is probably the best one out there.  Nice engraved panel lines, decent interior (although it has decal instrument panels) and really good fit.  We've got a few Charlie models in my company still kicking around our scout platoon, although we've got all of our Apaches now, so they should be leaving soon. 

There is also the 1/35th OH-58D put out by MRC.  Great kit and definitely has possibilities for backdating.  I may get around to that someday....

 

 

HeavyArty wrote:

Italeri does one in 1/48 as well, also reboxed by Heller.

Just some rivet counting here (sorry 'bout that, Gino) but it might save you from an unpleasant surprise: the Heller-kit is not an Italeri/ Esci-rebox. It is actually smaller than the Italeri (Heller estimates it as an 1:50 kit) and looks more based on the civil JetRanger: bigger windows and different landing gear.

 

Good luck!

Gertjan

GeejeeZ wrote:

HeavyArty wrote: Italeri does one in 1/48 as well, also reboxed by Heller. Just some rivet counting here (sorry 'bout that, Gino) but it might save you from an unpleasant surprise: the Heller-kit is not an Italeri/ Esci-rebox. It is actually smaller than the Italeri (Heller estimates it as an 1:50 kit) and looks more based on the civil JetRanger: bigger windows and different landing gear.   Good luck! Gertjan

 

Oh well.  Guess I had some bad info.  I know Heller reboxes a lot of Italeri items.  Assumed this was one of them.  Guess not, so is life.

Everyone in my AH64 AHB (5/6 Cav, 12th AVN BDE - deactivated in June 1992) thought our Charlies were on the way out too, but the Army, in its infinate wisdom, just mounted Stingers on our already underpowered aircraft and said we were good for another decade!  Of course, that was the late 80's/early 90's, so things may be different now.  Anyhow, thanks all for the feedback!  I am looking forward to picking up one of these kits and getting to work!