Cobra Company & Fireball Modelworks in the Helitanker business!

I was thinking the same thing. But, I am happy that there is a 1/48!!

Just when I was making a dent in my kit stash, this comes along!!!  

Guess I better start looking for a decent 1/72 Huey kit, as fire bombers are one of my interests. 

Any recommendations out there from the board for the Huey in 1/72?

The only good Huey's in 1/72 are the Italeri/Esci kits. Stay well clear of the revell offerings, they're chunky and seem undersized for the scale. I've never encountered the hasegawa kit so can't comment on that one.

Rich

rockythegoat wrote:

Just when I was making a dent in my kit stash, this comes along!!!   Guess I better start looking for a decent 1/72 Huey kit, as fire bombers are one of my interests.  Any recommendations out there from the board for the Huey in 1/72?

Italeri has a nice selection of 1/72 helos including the various huey models Bell 204, 205, 212 and I think even a Bell 412. The 205 and 212 are the most popular for firefighting use but you still run across the 204 on occasion and a few places (LACO, LA City) are flying 412's.

richgb wrote:

The only good Huey's in 1/72 are the Italeri/Esci kits. Stay well clear of the revell offerings, they're chunky and seem undersized for the scale. I've never encountered the hasegawa kit so can't comment on that one. Rich

The Hasagawa UH-1D/H is the exact same molds as the Revell.  I agree that they are not very good.  My main gripe is that the rotorhead and stabalizer bar are molded together.  This makes the whole rotor assembly look like a toy.  Beware the undersized rotors on the Italeri Uh-1B/C/F models.  The current Italeri UH-1D/H "Slick" is a remolding of the original Esci/ERTL kit and thus does not suffer from "small rotor syndrome".  I have almost every 204 or 205 Huey model available with the exception of the 1/24 Monogram bird (trying to find one that won't cost too much).  Let me know if you need specifics on a particular kit.

   Ray
 

rotorwash wrote:

richgb wrote: The only good Huey's in 1/72 are the Italeri/Esci kits. Stay well clear of the revell offerings, they're chunky and seem undersized for the scale. I've never encountered the hasegawa kit so can't comment on that one. Rich The Hasagawa UH-1D/H is the exact same molds as the Revell.  I agree that they are not very good.  My main gripe is that the rotorhead and stabalizer bar are molded together.  This makes the whole rotor assembly look like a toy.  Beware the undersized rotors on the Italeri Uh-1B/C/F models.  The current Italeri UH-1D/H "Slick" is a remolding of the original Esci/ERTL kit and thus does not suffer from "small rotor syndrome".  I have almost every 204 or 205 Huey model available with the exception of the 1/24 Monogram bird (trying to find one that won't cost too much).  Let me know if you need specifics on a particular kit.  Ray

What's everyones opinion on the Italeri 1/72 UH-1N kit? 

And, is this a suitable model for a fire tanker version?

rockythegoat wrote:

rotorwash wrote:  richgb wrote: The only good Huey's in 1/72 are the Italeri/Esci kits. Stay well clear of the revell offerings, they're chunky and seem undersized for the scale. I've never encountered the hasegawa kit so can't comment on that one. Rich The Hasagawa UH-1D/H is the exact same molds as the Revell.  I agree that they are not very good.  My main gripe is that the rotorhead and stabalizer bar are molded together.  This makes the whole rotor assembly look like a toy.  Beware the undersized rotors on the Italeri Uh-1B/C/F models.  The current Italeri UH-1D/H "Slick" is a remolding of the original Esci/ERTL kit and thus does not suffer from "small rotor syndrome".  I have almost every 204 or 205 Huey model available with the exception of the 1/24 Monogram bird (trying to find one that won't cost too much).  Let me know if you need specifics on a particular kit.  Ray  What's everyones opinion on the Italeri 1/72 UH-1N kit?  And, is this a suitable model for a fire tanker version?

I have one I've been working on, I can't speak for its accuracy but it seems to be going together ok and it looks like a 212 to me. I have 3 or 4 of them so I hope its a good kit.

The 212 is a very popular helicopter particularly for lower elevation areas. The Super 205 is more popular for high elevation use. Either can be used with a tank.

If you need some ideas here is a good source for photos

http://www.wildlandfire.com/pics/heli/heli.htm