Question about Italeri's 1/48 UH-1D[H]

You basically have it right.  The 1/48th Italeri kit is the same as the 1/35 Panda come Dragon kit.  It is the kit that was up-sized to 1/35, so the errors are the same.  It is an H model, not a D on the box top.  Either version can be made from the kit though, using the right pieces.  I don't know how accurate the markings are for the type of helo depicted though. 

For a Vietnam H model, the long antenna on the roof is a post-Vietnam FM antenna, so leave it off.  The wire antenna down the tail boom was an earlier model and was used in Vietnam.  It was mainly seen on command birds with extra radios inside. 

The rotor blade in the kit is incorrect for either the D or H model, Bell-205, Huey.  It is a Bell-212 (UH-1N) rotor blade.   Here is how to fix it:

   

The middle blade is the straight 212 blade from the 1/35 kit.  On the bottom blade, the red areas are the areas on the 212 blades that need to be removed to make them into 205 blades.  The top blade has been reshaped into a 205 blade. 

 

Hope that helps.

 

Thank's for the reply Gino , I should of said that the instructions say the Huey is from the 7/1st Cavalry Vietnam 1970 . Also the painting guide suggest the rotor blades are black and white , would this be right for vietnam Huey's ??  Kind regards John

John,

  I'm not sure about the Cav's configurations in 1970, but I couldn't find the tail number from the decal sheet in the Army Gold Book data I have.  Also, you might consider the awesome 1/48th Slicks in Vietnam decals produced by Joseph Osborne of Fireball Modelworks:

http://webpages.charter.net/osborn82/fm_D04.htm

There are three D models and three H models on the sheet. Not bad for $12.

as for rotor blade colors it depends on the unit's SOP.  My father's unit had olive drab rotors with yellow tips in 1969 and a magazine I have shows a 1/7 cav bird with the same configuration from 1972.  My experience has been that the large white bands on the rotors were more common in the early part of the war. However, i'm sure there were some still painted that way later on.  Good luck with your build and keep us posted.  by the way, there really should be two m23 mounts ith M60D's in the doors, but i'm not sure where you can get them.

    Ray

I agree with Ray on the rotors and I second the recommendation of teh Fireball decals.  I have them in 1/35 and they are excellent.  Cobra Company makes a set of the M23 gunmounts in 1/48 scale as well.

Gino,

  I went to CC's website thinking I saw the M-23 in 1/48, but missed it somehow. thanks for posting the link!

     Ray

Thank's again Gino and Ray , I checked out the two links you guy's suggested and I printed out an order form for Cobra Company 1/48 XM-23 Weapons [M60 Guns] , I was going to order two sets as I will need some guns for the Heller UH-1N twin Huey as I borrowed the XM-93 miniguns to use on my UH-1P Huey [which is nearly finished] . I was also thinking of getting the UH-1N Marine Huey update set , would the M60 guns suit this update set ?? . I also sent an email to Joseph Osborn to inquire about the postage charges to Australia for the Huey Slicks Decals , they look really "COOL" . The Cobra Company UH-1C conversion set and the AH-1G Cobra cockpit set arrived today as did the Green Hornets book from amazon.com . I'll be having a good look through everything tonight Kind regards John

John,

  You are having quite a week my ftiend!  Unfortunately, the M-23 system is strictly an Army weapon system and wsas never used on the N to my knowledge.  By the way, just a note on the XM vs M designations.  Weapon systems bear the XM designation to distinguish experimental status. Once they are type classified the "X" is dropped and they are referred to by their M designation.  I know I'm being picky and it really doesn't matter in  the long run, but I though you might like to know. For example, the XM-157 rocket pod was used a lot in Vietnam, but never type classified.  the later M-158 pod however was and became the standard 7 shot pod later in the war.  You can go to this site to see which systems were type classified:

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

This is the Army's TACOM (Tank-automotive Armament Command) Rock Island site and is the closest thing you can find to a complete list of weapon systems used by Army helos in Vietnam.  I have found a couple of errors, but it's a great place to start. Anyway, I thought you might be interested.

   Ray
 

I was also thinking of getting the UH-1N Marine Huey update set , would the M60 guns suit this update set ??

Unfortunately, no.  The USMC uses a different mount set-up and different weapons.  The most common weapons seen on modern USMC UH-1N gunships is a M134 minigun on the left side, and an M2 aircraft (jacketed barrel) .50 cal on the right side.  CC sells these weapons and mounts in 1/35, not sure why he doesn't have them in 1/48.

I've decided to still get the UH-1N update set , I can always add weapons later on . I was also looking at some of those other decal sheets at Fireball and I like that 1/48 Navy Seawolves sheet . I was thinking of buying another Monogram Huey along with another Cobra UH-1C conversion set as I was looking through Squadrons Huey Gunship book at some of the photo's of the Navy UH-1B/C which have a mix of M60's and .50 cal , folding fin rockets and M134 miniguns on 156 mounts . I have what looks to be a .50 cal gun that's not used in a Minicraft MH-60K Blackhawk kit , the miniguns and M60 would come from Cobra Company ; However I've never seen any kits or sets of the folding fin rockets only the standard Monogram 7 tube rocket launcher and the 19 tube rocket launcher out of Cobra's UH-1C set . Did the Navy Seawolves only use the folding fin type ???  Kind regards John .

John,

  I think you are referring to the M-158 7 shot rocket pods used a lot by HA(L)-3.  The M-158 (7 shot), XM-157 (7 shot), XM-159 (19 shot) and M200 (19 shot) rocket pods all fire 2.75 in. FFAR (Folding Fin Aerial Rocket).   The only difference between the XM-157 and M-158 is that the tubes are replaceable in the 158 and non-replaceable in the 157.  Check this thread for lots of HA(L)-3 pics:

/forums/11/767176/ShowPost.aspx#767176

Go about halfway down the page.  There are also lots of info on rocket pods in the Vietnam Hueys forum.  The TACOM site I posted above has pictures of most of them as well.  Joseph's seawolves decals are great and I can't wait to build a few of em.

Finally, go here for LOTS of info on HA(L)-3:

 http://www.seawolf.us/index.asp

good luck!

Ray 

All the rockets for helos in a tube are the folding fin type.  I think you are talking about the individual tubes bundled together, as opposed to one large tube with the individual tubes enclosed inside.  If so, it is the XM158 rocket pod and was used by Army and Navy helos in Vietnam.  There is no version of it in 1/48th though.  Some people scratch-build them out of plastic discs and hypodermic needles though. 

Edit  Looks like we were posting at the same time again Ray.  Great minds do think alike!!   Edit

Sorry About not getting the terminology correct guy's . I posted the link ray suggested on the different Weapons System Types into 'my favourites' on the computer , so hopfully I'll start to get the names of thing's right . You guy's were spot-on in translating what I was trying to say about the individual tubes bundled together as to the one large tube . I really just wanted to use the large tube on a Navy Seawolve's Huey , although the individual tubes look really good as well , I didn't want to get bogged down into to much scratch-building . I'm happy to do the correct tail fin and elevators on the monogram Huey's , I'm just getting a little frustrated at my slow progress these last three months with my helicopter builds . Anyway I'll check out the links you guy's posted for me for more pic of the Seawolves Huey and I'll let you know how it's going . Kind regards John .

John,

  if you don't want to scratchbuild, try something like this with the Huey Hog kit:

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This is a stright up B model from early in Detachment 2 days, though with the old style bell mouth intake. Otherwise the only major change to the HOG kit would be a 204 rotor instead of the 540 rotor that's in the kit. as you can see she sports the M16 weapon system (Quad M60C's and XM-157 pod).  that is the same configuration as the HOG.  Plus the Fireball Seawolves sheet includes all the different types of Navy markings including this subdued black version.  It is very comprehensive and will allow you to build almost any ship you want.  In fact here's you one from Det-6 armed with an M134 in the door and the XM-157 pods as well:

[img]http://as you will see there are lots of options.  Just have fun with the build!

    Ray
 

Thank's for the pic's ray , I've copied them into the computer . Thank's to you and other FSM members I have a nice collection of Huey pic's I've been downloading and transfering onto CD Disk's . As you can see I have already started some preliminary work on my next Huey build . I've cut the Bell-Mouth intake from the Hobby World UH-1B and fitted it to the Monogram kit . It was a easy conversion to do and I was going to use the narrow rotor blades as well , they need a little sanding down along the trailing edge and I'll have to check their length ?? . I was going to make this one as an early Army version , I aslo tried to copy what was in CC UH-1C conversion set as to the seat armour , I cut a piece of plastic the same shape as cobra's and added it to one side of each seat and I lightly scored with a hobby knife the other small flange and pulled it out to about 45 degree's . It looks okay , I was saving the resin seats for the UH-1E next build . Thank's again Ray . Kind regards John

John,

Lookin good there!  I just started grafting the bellmouth intake onto my UH-1A build.  It needed a little trimming, but fit ok and should fair in nicely with some putty.  Let me know how your adoption of the Hobbyworld/Fujimi/early Monogram UH-1B rotor goes.  I've already put the teardrop balance bar weights on my UH-1C bar, but the main rotor head is giving me fits.  I may just go ahead and scratchbuild the rest of the head (already have one pitch horn done) and cut down the UH-1C blades.

Jon

John,

    Looking great, man!  exactly which bird is this one gonna be?  I can't keep up with you and all your builds!  Keep the progress pics coming, they are very inspirational.

      Ray
 

I'm not sure about the unit markings for the Bravo , all I have are the decals from the hobby world kit . I dont know if their accurate or of the quality [they look a little thick] . I may have to search for some aftermarket decals ?? . I also have done some preliminary airbrushing on the internal pieces of the Italeri UH-1D/H and the UH-1N Huey's . However I may have goofed with the interior color on the underside of the roof and rear wall parts . Italeri's instructions say to paint these interior green , however every pic I've seen so far seem to show the entire inside of the Huey the one color [gray] ? Should I repaint those parts gray Kind regards John.

I may have goofed with the interior color on the underside of the roof and rear wall parts . Italeri's instructions say to paint these interior green , however every pic I've seen so far seem to show the entire inside of the Huey the one color [gray] ? Should I repaint those parts gray " border="0" width="19" height="15" />

 

Yup, the interior soundproofing is a medium gray color, a little darker than the floor and other metal parts.  I would repaint them.

I resprayed the underside of the roof and rear wall parts medium gray of the UH-1D and 1N . I also made some little tabs for the rotor blades of the UH-1B , I measured what was on monograms UH-1C rotor blade and came in the same distance from the end of each blade , I also checked the length as to what was in Squadron's Huey Gunship , the book say's the rotor span was 13.4 meters . I'm not very good at mathamatic's but if divide 13.4 by .048 [48 being the scale I'm working with] the measurement is 279mm , my rotors measure 272mm . there's not much point trying to extend them as when I dry fitted the fuselage together with the rotor housing and rotor's , there's about a 3mm gap between the end of the main rotor blade and the tail rotor blade . Also joseph at fireball emailed me back about Huey slicks decals and said that he accepts payment for international orders with a credit card by paypal . That suit's me okay but I'm having trouble navigating his site as to where to access the online secure page for credit card orders , I have never used paypal before , I can't work out what I'm supposed to do . John

Well I finally figured out how to use paypal and decided to indulge a little and ordered from Fireball Model works some decals for a 1/48 UH-1 Huey Slicks in Vietnam , 1/48 AH-1G in Vietnam , 1/48 HA[L]-3 Seawolves , and 1/48 OV-10A Black Ponies VAL-4 . There's lot's of different versions on each sheet and Joseph at Fireball was kind enough to give me a great deal on the postage costs . So they should arrive in a couple of weeks , hopfully I can get two Huey's close to being finished and ready for decalling , {hopfully] .

Kind regards John .

John,

  Found this thread again by accident. I was wondering if you ever finished these builds and if the Fireball decals were used on any of them?  Maybe you posted them somewhere else.  it's hard to keep up with your myriad Huey builds!

     Ray

Hi Ray , Here is the link to the three 1/48 Huey's ...

/forums/964110/ShowPost.aspx .

So far Ive only used the 1/48 Fireball decals on the U.S.Army UH-1D and U.S.Navy Seawolves UH-1C Huey's ; As you may remember I also used the 1/72 Fireball Navy Seawolves decals on four 1/72 Hueys . I haven't built the 1/48 Cobras or the OV-10 Bronco's as yet .

Soooo many kits , not enough hours in the day

                                        Kind regards John

BTW , If the link doesn't work , let me know and I'll happily post the pic's again .

john,

  How could I forget those!  They say the mind is the first thing to go.  Anyway, you might want to post a couple in this build thread just so folks who find it can see th end result.  Of course now you have the link so maybe that's not necessary.  It's good to see someone (unlike myself) who actually finishes builds relatively quickly!  Thanks for jogging my memory.

    Ray
 

 Good Idea Ray ,

Here's the Bravo , I used the Revell/Monogram UH-1C kit with the Hobbyworld UH-1B bell mouth engine intake and main rotors . Decals were a mix from the Monogram and Hobbyworld kits .

Next is the Revell/Monogram UH-1C , with Cobre Company Huey update and conversion set . Decals were from Fireball Model Works

Thirdly is the Italeri UH-1D , built out of the box with Cobra Company M-23 weapons set and Fireball Decals

I'll try and remember to post finished Helicopter pic's with the original post , I have no trouble keeping my work and model display area nice and neat , I should keep my post and pic's together as well .

Hopfully soon some more finished Helo Pic's .

                                         Kind regards John

 

You did a great job on them.  The Fireball decals look great.  Only suggestion I have is to dull coat them again.  They look way too glossy.

Thank's for the kind comments Gino , As you can tell by the date on one of the pic's , I had finished those Huey's back in June 2008 and like my later four 1/72 Seawolves Huey's and a couple of Israeli Blackhawks the finish is way to glossy . I've been thinking of remasking all of them and airbrushing a dull coat but with so many new builds on my bench at the moment , I guess it will be a while before I get around to it . I've finished three 1/72 Apache's and two OH-58D Kiowa's and they all have a nice dull coat as the final finish and I'm very happy with the results . I've got some Aussie Huey's and Blackhawks coming along nicely as well , so far this year everything's going along really well , if I can maintain this type of pace , I'll be one happy modeller by the end of 2009 .

                                              Kind regards John

Helo 53 wrote:

 

This finish should be glossy, all are great builds

rotorwash wrote:

John,   Found this thread again by accident. I was wondering if you ever finished these builds and if the Fireball decals were used on any of them?  Maybe you posted them somewhere else.  it's hard to keep up with your myriad Huey builds!      Ray

Ray , It looks like my memory is starting to fail me a little as well . I just remembered that I also purchsed these great HH-1N SAR Huey decals from joseph at Fireball Modelworks .

 

I had planned on starting those to Helo's last year but I've struggled with acrylic gloss white . My USCG HH-3F Pelican is still sitting under the bench after two failed attempts to mask over the white finish to airbrush the red/orange , without getting masking tape marks and residue .

The pelican is sitting beside a Vacuform C-2 Greyhound , C-1A Trader and Noratlas Nord 2501 , all require a gloss white paint finish , so I'm thinking of just trying a flat white finish instead and rely on a few coats of Future [pledge-one-go] for a glossy finish .

As you and other's have said the Fireball decals are really great , I'm just a little frustrated with my airbrushing that these builds have stalled somewhat .

Anyway I'll continue with my current builds , there all coming along nicely , It appears that I finally got a handle on using flat base for my final dull coat on some of my Helicopter builds

                              Kind regards John

 

grandadjohn wrote:

Helo 53 wrote:   This finish should be glossy, all are great builds

 

 I think more of a semi-gloss is appropriate in this scale.  High-gloss like it is smoothes out all the details and makes it look toy-like to me.  Also, some parts like the rotor blades and mast, and the anti-glare panel on the nose should still be flat.