Rotorheads...this is YOUR fault!!

Glad we swayed you to the dark side.

If you are looking to just build a helicopter model, it will do.  If you are interested in accuracy, check out the helo threads sticky with topics about this kit.  It isn't accurate at all and has quite a few issues.  Most notably is that it is a mix of B and C model features and is not correct for either version, the USMC never used either version as well, and the wepons load it is carrying was not possible with any short-bodied Huey version (its just too heavy). 

As just a basic helo kit it will come out looking pretty good if you look past the accuracy issues.  Good luck on it either way.

Yep, like Gino said, the kit "as-packaged" is based on some fictional premises. Super-detailers will want to modify it, and fix the gray areas between its UH-1B and UH-1C characteristics. But if you're looking for a fun build, just go for it -- it will be a good introduction to the helo world of modeling, which you have now succumbed to .

As I see it, there are two ways for the average modeler to "accurize" the kit with a bare minimum of fuss:

1. Build the kit as-is, and secure some US Army decals for it. The average person cannot decipher the kit's B/C ambiguities, and it depicts a fairly decent Army gunship in that way.

2. If you want to use the Marine decals packaged with the kit, you might build it as a weaponless "slick." The pylon-mounted weapons and grenade launcher included are totally wrong for the Marines, and the Corps had completely different configurations in their mounts. That said, leaving all the weapons off is a viable option, as the Marines flew UH-1E's, which was basically a Army UH-1C with some naval-specific modifications. Marine observation squadrons (VMO's) frequently flew the UH-1E both armed and unarmed, so a slick model would be appropriate for the kit decals included.

Andy

A USMC UH-1E "slick" that is similar to the markings provided in the kit:

Note the raised housing on the forward part of the roof. That is the rescue winch assembly that was mounted to most USMC UH-1E's. That part is not provided in the Revell kit. You could scratchbuild it, or leave it off, as there are similar photos of Marine Hueys without the winch:

no winch

David

JUST BUILD IT! Dont worry about anything else, because with this kit it will be enough justto finish the kit. Then, on the next one, correct it and you will be able to see how far you came from the current "boxstock" kit to the corrected one.  Sometimes, its just better to knock em out ;-)

David  

David,

I've got two building right now.  One is being converted to NUH-1B standard, but the other is being built as a C model.  Either way, there's a lot that needs to be done to accurize it.  If you're just looking to build it for fun, watch the lower seam and HAVE AT IT!

If you're looking for accuracy, the easiest route is the Cobra Company C model conversion for it.  That'll correct the major issues and give you a nice helicopter.  

Jon
 

It seems to me most folks want to build the Revell Hog as a Charlie, when the easiest thing to do is replace the rotor with one from a UH-1D/H and make a B model out of her.  Of course you do have to remove 4 scale feet of rotor from the D/H rotor and add counterweights if your being picky, but that would pretty much fix her I think. Then you could use the rockets and chuncker and make a Frog or the rockes and quad 60s and make a M16 gunship.  I know there are other minor details (leave off the roof pitot, add a nose pitot, yadda yadda), but that would get the major issue taken care of, I think.  Just have fun!

      Ray

Thanks for that, Snake.

I think best of all would be a MARINES UH-1E. I gotta admit I like the grenade launcher - I mean how cool is that? But a Marine "E" would make things simpler, without needing a wide chord tail correction. Plus I could use the kit decals, for the most part.

Don't anybody say anything at this next bit, but here's what I got on wikipedia:

"UH-1E: UH-1B/C for USMC with different avionics and equipment. Initial models were also fitted with a retractable rescue hoist."

The red tailed trainers look good and I was wondering, did the Corps do MEDEVAC "E's" with a red cross on the fuse? That would be good. Still keeping my eyes peeled for pics of the winch and I ordered the Osprey book, "Huey Slicks."

MARINE CORP UH-1E, huh? Fantastic!

David,

The E does have the wide chord tail and enlarged synch elevators.

Jon 

I found this snippet:

"The first 34 built were essentially UH-1B airframes with the Lycoming T53-L-11 of 1,100 shp. Because Bell was switching Army production to the UH-1C the UH-1E production line was converted to commonality with the "C". This meant the later "Echo" Hueys were completed with the "Charlie" style tailboom including the larger fin, the 540 rotor system and a gross weight of 8,500 lbs.^[2]"

^{Is this wrong? If not, this then means I can do either an Army Bravo or Marines Echo.}

Thats cool! Google for "1/48 Monogram Huey" and youll find several build reviews that will alert you to the kits pitfalls.

And the guys are right, it is neither this nor that. The weapons will do for an Army B gunship, even though the ammo belts are wrong - they should be chutes, NOT belts. The grenade launcher is VERY cool but is an Army thing, too. Ray summed it up when he said just do it as a "B", and I'd add leave off the mg's - use the rockets and grenade launcher. But, you'll need Army decals.

Snake is right, I think it's best as an early Marine Corps UH-1E, before the switch to "C" configuration. Make it a UH-1E 'slick', like the one he showed in the top pic. Here's another view of that:

I'll need to get a look at the rescue winch on the forward roof, though. Maybe it'll be in the Osprey book...

Another option I'd like is an Army "B" model air evac or, "Dust Off." They'd look like this:

The problem with that is the big engine intake grill. The Army's was more subdued. These evac birds saved many a man and need to be modeled more, though, so it's a good option. 

There are a lot of Bravo scheme options, too. Norway, Spain, RAAN, they all have used them... even the Ventura County, CA Sheriffs Dept.! I found a USAF "Gate Guard" Bravo that would make a kick-a** display. Here's another I like, being an ex-NAV man:

For OOB accuracy, do what Snake says with the kit decals... make it a USMC "slick." If you can find some Army decals, do the Frog rocket/grenade gunship.

For fun, do whatever you want - it still looks awesome with all that ordnance hanging on it. I mean c'mon, a 40 mm auto feed grenade launcher? That is wicked!

Ok, here's the problem:  you have a 540 rotor head with wide chord blades and a narrow chord tailfin.  Aerodynamically it DOESN'T WORK.  Yes, the first E's were just Army B's with some mods.  They also had B rotor heads.  There were upgraded B's that got 540 rotor heads.  They also got C tailbooms for the increased stress on the airframe.  The -11 engine couldn't handle the 540 rotor and so they went to the -13. 

If you're going to make an accurate bird, you either need a new rotor or a new tailfin and synch elevators.

Jon
 

Speaking only for myself, now, I can deal with the kit inaccuracies on this first one. I was really looking at it like Snake suggested, ie, what can be done with what is there? Can I strike a balance, so to speak? In a word, yes.

As usual, there is more to it. Let me make sure I get this: We have an enlarged, upgraded rotor/head (540) but an an early model tail. Well, I took someone's advice and have ended up with another Monogram Huey. For that one I will have to get the Cobra Company resin kit and do a "C". Has the guy there (Chris?) gotten through his family troubles and back in business?

So from here, where should I go? I would really like to do a DUST OFF, so what would that take, a D or H or...? 

David,

  I feel your pain, man.  If you want to make a dustoff in 1/48, I would recommend the Italeri UH-1D/H kit. It's the kit the Panda/Dragon 1/35 UH-1D/H was molded after.  You could also use the ESCI 1/48 UH-1D, but it seems more like a source for a replacement rotor for the Huey Hog given the shape innaccuracies in the kit (Cobrahistorian just built one so he's more qualified to comment on exactly which one would be best).  Your right that the particle separator on the doghouse would not be approprate for a UH-1B dustoff since the B was replaced by the D/H model for the medivac role before the bell mouth intake was replaced with the particle separator.  Just so you know how different the 204 and 540 rotor systems really were, here is the figure from the dash 10 for each:

540 rotorhead:

204 rotorhead:UH-1B" border="0" />

 205 rotorhead: UH-1D/, same as 204 minus blade counterweights

[img]http://

Good luck!

     Ray
 

Italeri UH-1D for a Dust Off? Cool.

Excellent pics, man, of the rotor. Where DO you guys get these cool things?

David,

  The figures are from the Dash 10 manual or Operators Manual for the various models.  Some of the pics are available online, or you can purchase CD's with the various manuals on them.  Here is another site you need to spend some time on. It's the TACOM (U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command - Rock Island, Il) website and the is a wealth of info on Helos and helo armament:

http://tri.army.mil/LC/CS/csa/aawpns.htm

  Ray
 

UH-1E hoist...

http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=128208&hl=uh-1e+hoist

Ive toodled around the Army site, Ray, and have found many useful things there. Thanks for that tip.

And thanks MUCHO for the winch link, Supercobra.