1/32 AH-1G Decals, Conversions, etc

Hi Jon,
Super Scale did a sheet of 1/32 scale decals about ten years ago for G Model Cobras. It also had Hugh Mill's Miss Clawd OH-6A decals on the same sheet. I used the sheet for my Vietnam Cobra 'Timujin Ship', which was with Co. D of the 227th AHC in 1968. Great quality. If I recall, there's enough decals for about three Cobras on this sheet. I'll be looking for it in my decal storage box when I start work on my next Cobra ... using the cockpit set from the Cobra Company.
Good luck,
Paul

Jon,
Depending on which scale you're working in a conversion to AH-1J seems to be a fairly straightforward job. I was a 68M20 from '80 to '87, and worked on the AH-1S Prod, Mod, ECAS, and MZ (F) model Cobras. I also got to do so work on the AH-64A, but would've had to gone back to school to get qualified on them.
Anyways, the AH-1J was basically the AH-1S ECAS version built for Japan. The main differences between the J and S MZ (F) were the exhaust suppresion system with the disco light (IR jammer), the ADS (the boom and probe coming off the right canopy), the LASER tracking, and some mainly internal systems
Using the Revell 1/32 kit as a starting point, you will basically have to scratchbuild the flat panel canopy, cockpit, the IMRB/K-747 rotor blades, various antenna (transmitter/receiver), as well as the XM-197E1 UTS with the M-197 20mm cannon.
You would also have to correct the angle of the wings, as the AH-1G Revell kit's is much to steep. Scratchbuilding of the M-65 launchers (TOW) is another step.
I believe these are MOST of the changes between the G to J, but I'm sure there are some others I've forgotten.
HTH<
Jeff
HTH,
Jeff

Jeff, Paul,

Thanks very much. I'm gonna have to look for those decals. Jeff, I'm doing a conversion to the Marine J model, twin engined, late Vietnam era. The fuselage and tailboom are identical to the G model, but its got a twin-pack T400 engine system and a 20mm M197 cannon under the nose. They were particularly active in Operation MARHUK (Marine Hunter-Killer) in Vietnam in 1972.

As for my four current Cobras, they are "Hulk" 66-15262 from D/227, "Heather Dawn" 69-16437 from C/1/9 Cav, "R1" 68-15049 from C/2/20 ARA, and a D/229th bird which has yet to be decided on. I'm doing a "1st Cav Cobras of the Cambodian Invasion" theme.

After these five are done, I'm gonna take a break... then on to a nice AH-1F conversion. Woo hoo!


Jon

Paul,

Would you happen to have the number for that sheet? I've looked all over the net for it. Can't find it anywhere.

Jon

Jon,
Let me go thru the decal box tonight and see if there is an item number on what's left. If there is anything to go by, I'll send you another note by tomorrow.
Paul

Jon,
I'm back from the 'model storage closet' and I've got the remnants of that sheet in front of me now. In the upper left hand corner, it says 32 - 29, which I believe is going to be the Super Scale item number. It has decals for 'The Gremlin', 'Hulk', 'Timujin Ship' and the OH-6 decal I mentioned. It includes various stencils, 'United States Army' as well as tail numbers and Cav emblems for the a/c that were Air Cav. Hope that helps. I know it's an old sheet but they are great quality. The 'Timujin Ship' decals when down as well as any decals I've ever used.
Paul