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First helicopter kit--- recommendations?

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  • Member since
    September 2005
First helicopter kit--- recommendations?
Posted by TB6088 on Wednesday, December 6, 2006 12:34 AM

Something I haven't built yet is a helicopter, and I was wondering if I could get some recommendations for a good first kit.  I like aircraft in 1/48 and 1/32 scale, and my preference is for a high quality kit (great fit, good detail, and clear instructions), even if it is more expensive.  Suggestions?

TomB

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Oklahoma
Posted by chopperfan on Wednesday, December 6, 2006 8:03 AM

Personally, I would go with just about any of the Academy/MRC offerings.

Good detail and not that bad pricewise.  They offer kits in 1/48 and 1/35. 

Randie [C):-)]Agape Models Without them? The men on the ground would have to work a lot harder. You can help. Please keep 'em flying! http://www.airtanker.com/
  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: Baton Rouge, Snake Central
Posted by PatlaborUnit1 on Wednesday, December 6, 2006 12:11 PM

I have always, and will continue to, recommend the AH1S from Monogram from the late 80s.  REally good fit, just sand off the locating pins, and you will only need to apply a touch of filler at the top of the nose, and just behind the aft skid tube. I have built a LOT of these kits, so using liquid glue and letting it ooze out during assembly will fill up almost all seams.

 

dont forget noseweight under the cockpit tub, its a tailsitter!

check mine out at http://www.angelfire.com/ca4/hlmp/home.html  and look in the Snakepit as well as the buildup pages, where I go step by step on building a pair of Cobras.

 

HTH

David

 

Build to please yourself, and don't worry about what others think! TI 4019 Jolly Roger Squadron, 501st Legion
  • Member since
    September 2015
  • From: The Redwood Empire
Posted by Aaronw on Wednesday, December 6, 2006 1:42 PM

HH43 

Its a so so kit fit wise, not real bad but takes a little work, not a ton of detail but there is a resin detail set for it from Cobra Company if you want more. 

However its unusual (intermeshed counter rotating blades), its big (1/32 scale), and its cheap ($10-15).

Anyway I had fun building Testor's HH-43 Husky kit.

 

Wish someone would do an updated version of this kit in 1/48, maybe as a Pedro with the "sputnik" firefighting unit. Its a neat helicopter with an interesting history.

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan
Posted by bilbirk on Wednesday, December 6, 2006 1:51 PM
 chopperfan wrote:

Personally, I would go with just about any of the Academy/MRC offerings.

Good detail and not that bad pricewise.  They offer kits in 1/48 and 1/35. 

What he said. I have both the CH46 and CH53 and they are gonna be nice once I get to them
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Modeling anything with "MARINES" on the side.
Posted by AH1Wsnake on Wednesday, December 6, 2006 7:45 PM

The 1/35 AH-1W by MRC/Academy is also a very decent build. Highly recommended.

 

 

"There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and those who have met them in battle. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion."
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Aaaaah.... Alpha Apaches... A beautiful thing!
Posted by Cobrahistorian on Thursday, December 7, 2006 4:20 AM

If cost is no object and you're looking for really good detail OOB, you can't go wrong with a Hasegawa 1:48th AH-64.  The Alpha and Longbow kits are absolutely beautiful, fit great and the detail is extremely good.  Can they be improved on?  Sure.  The AIRES cockpit really dresses it up even more.  I've got six of em (one Alpha and five Longbows) and I've got several more planned!

Jon 

"1-6 is in hot"
  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: MCAS Miramar
Posted by SSgtD6152 on Thursday, December 7, 2006 11:21 AM
 Cobrahistorian wrote:

If cost is no object and you're looking for really good detail OOB, you can't go wrong with a Hasegawa 1:48th AH-64.  The Alpha and Longbow kits are absolutely beautiful, fit great and the detail is extremely good.  Can they be improved on?  Sure.  The AIRES cockpit really dresses it up even more.  I've got six of em (one Alpha and five Longbows) and I've got several more planned!

Jon 

 

How did I know that you would recommend a 64Whistling [:-^]

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan
Posted by bilbirk on Thursday, December 7, 2006 2:14 PM
If you have a Hobby Lobby nearby you should find a couple of Academy helicopters there plus they have a 40% off coupon going on this week.
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Aaaaah.... Alpha Apaches... A beautiful thing!
Posted by Cobrahistorian on Thursday, December 7, 2006 2:29 PM

How did I know that you would recommend a 64Whistling [:-^]

 

ME??? Neeeeever.  I don't know what you're talkin about....

I'll tell ya, now that I'm flying the thing on the night vision system, I firmly believe the -64 is the most challenging helicopter to fly.  By the end of an hour in that thing, my brain's about oozing out my ear...

Jon

"1-6 is in hot"
  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: DSM, Iowa
Posted by viper_mp on Friday, December 8, 2006 11:45 PM

Its a bit on the pricey side, but I REALLY like the MRC/Academy Blackhawks.  And with some PE sets, they are really nice kits. 

 I'd also recommend the Trumpeter CH-47A.  It was one of the nicest kits I have built in a while.

Rob Folden

Secretary / Webmaster- IPMS Plastic Surgeons Member at Large-IPMS Hawkeye Modelers

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Denver CO
Posted by fraighttrain30 on Thursday, December 14, 2006 12:51 PM
You can’t go wrong with the Monogram/Revell AH-1S good kit nice detail. I built one in three weeks and it took a first at the DC IPMS Nats for 1/48 Helos. It was also the first Helo kit I’d ever built. Lots of “other countries” to finish it for. One of my favorites is Jordanian. Bryan denver
  • Member since
    September 2005
Posted by TB6088 on Thursday, December 14, 2006 6:08 PM

Bryan,

I understand that the kit you and others have mentioned is an '80's kit.  Does that mean I have to find it on E-bay or something, or is it still being produced?  My LHS didn't have one and they didn't seem to be able to locate one through their major distributors.  Like to find one, though; it sounds like a good first helicopter kit for me.  Thanks,

TomB

  • Member since
    January 2006
Posted by whiskey on Friday, December 15, 2006 12:01 AM
Yes,  ebay is the best place to find monograms ah-1s. anything less than $6 for it is pretty much the best deal. alot of people try to sell them for $10.
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Modeling anything with "MARINES" on the side.
Posted by AH1Wsnake on Friday, December 15, 2006 12:14 AM

You may also want to try swap meets and model contests with vendors. I picked one up at a contest for five bucks....sweetest little purchase i ever made.

 

 

"There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and those who have met them in battle. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion."
  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Greencastle, IN
Posted by eizzle on Saturday, December 16, 2006 9:29 AM
Seems we are in about the same situation. I just started my first helo kit, an Academy BlackHawk. I have 3 versions, because I knew I would want them sooner or later, but I am just starting it, and it seems to be a real good kit. I would recommend it for a first!

Colin

 Homer Simpson for president!!!

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