Dragon 1:35 UH-1H Huey WIP

Guys, here's the WIP I promised to post.  Instead of starting a new thread I didn't want to loose all of the valuable information you have provided me earlier so I just changed the thread subject. 

I have to say I agree with you guys. I am so glad I got this kit instead because it comes with great PE sets... ready to use.  I just sanded down the molded details on the dashboard as they were not that great.  Keep in mind they are not glued... dry fitting only. 

Three PE sheets come with the kit.  Some of them are so tiny like this...

Taking advantage of PE, I sanded down the molded metal guard/stands whatever you call those?

I like the improved look now...

I have a question... the instrucions want me to use those foot pedals.  I am not sure if they are correct.  They have 'BELL' marked on those.  Check this out...

I wish Dragon did better job to include seats without molded seatbelts.  Good thing I had Dremel so they were sanded off.  But I had difficult time making holes on the sides for the PE seatbelts.  I have applied Zap CA glue to make them smoother.

More to come... spent few more hours at the workbench today but I haven't taken pictures.  Thanks for looking!

GeneK

I think it was used on the model shown at this web page location:

http://238awc.org/joe2/joe2.html
 That model belongs to my brother, but was built by Joe Kline, an aviation artist (one of the best). The only thing I see that you might have to leave out is the seats. If he flew in the US, they normally did NOT use the armored seats there, since they were easy to add or remove but add extra weight. I don't know if you could ask him about the seats. It builds into a very nice model, but I was told there are some fit problems. Let me know if I can be of any help!

Gene Kennedy
Gunrunner 31  70.71

Gene, thanks for the link!  I overlooked last time I was here.  I loved the displayment case.  This is something I can look into and get a copy of his unit insignia too.  What a great idea!  Thanks again!

Gene- Yes you got that correct.  He flew many helicopters and believe it or not he doesn't have pictures.  How typical!  Only picture his wife has found... Bob in his flight information.  She tried to get pictures from his old crew but no available.

However her wife was able to get the information... maybe you can help me. 

He served in the Army from 1979 to 1994.  He was with 193rd company under 56th Field Artillery brigade.  I hope I wrote down all information correctly.  He was based all over... Alaska, West German and he was part of first Gulf War.  He told his wife his favorite part was doing time for Pershing Missiles unit in West German.  His helicopter was all black with black markings.  He also told his wife his black helicopter had minimal or no markings.  Is it because they were operating under cover of secrecy while dealing with missiles?  He flew between missile sites... this was his unit insignia.

During his time in Alaska, he served with the 1st Cavalry 'E" troop.  According to his wife, a black Huey would be great.  So I googled and I couldn't find good pictures of black Hueys.  Maybe you have good pictures... it would be very helpful!

Finally, I have started working on the Huey few nights ago.  I am going to post a WIP here right after this. 

Thanks again!

Andy;

I don't doubt that the interiors often looked different since just about everything from the instrument panel back, including the items in the center console, could be changed out fairly easily. I don't suppose you have any pictures of his aircraft (he probably flew more than one) or even a tail number to go by. If you have questions, let us know.

Gene

Guys, you have been so helpful!  I look forward to do my WIP here... I will just change the subject and start WIP here so that way I will not loose the information you have posted earlier.  

Gino, those pictures of your built UH-1H was very helpful especially the interior.  

I found plenty of walk around pics of UH-1H on the internet but nothing looked alike inside the helicopter.  So I have to dig further into this.  I got more information from the wife over the weekend and I will fill you in with the details that may help me build one that Bob flew.  

I will go ahead and order the M-60 set from Cobra Company... thanks again!

Andy, the CC Interior set is a nice addition and replaces most of the out of scale Panda/Dragon interior parts.  The dual M23 M60 doorguns are correct for most Hueys up through present day.  The mounts haven't really changed over the years.

Here is a late model (2008) UH-1H White Sands Missile Range SAR bird I built using the CC and Fireball Modelworks sets.

The build is here.

Your '70s build should be basically the same as my WSMR SAR above. 

Hope that helps.

  Yeah Mel, Steve is my brother and that's the model I had Joe make for him. Joe used a lot of Cris' Cobra Company add ons and did some himself. He also did the art work on the back of Steve's helmet in the model, Snoopy riding a Dolphin, free hand! You may remember that Joe was a door gunner with the one oh worst It is sad that they can't seem to get models that are correct. The Cobra is another one that has nothing even close to the original AH-1G. they were all done from the first prototype and have major flaws. I often wonder just how far off many of the other models are.

Gene

PS I'm sure Steve will be at the reunion again this year.

Gene,

Is your brother Steve?   If so I know him from attending the 174th AHC Reunions.  I had Joe customize the print in the background to Witch Doctor "650" the bird I crewed the last 3 months before the 174th AHC stood down in Oct of 1971.  The challenge coin visible in the case was designed by me and given to the members of the 174th AHC Assn. in 2005.  Looking forward to the 2012 Reunion in May!    

The 1/32 Revell Kit has some good detail but the nose profile is wrong, too rounded.  The Panda kit needs a lot of Cobra Co. update kits.  It's a shame such an icon of the Vietnam war still doesn't have a good 1/48 or 1/35 kit of the UH-1D or H!   Are you listening MRC!

Andy;

 I think your right about it being a version of the Panda kit. I would suggest that if you have questions on the Cobra kits, email Chris, the owner. He has been very helpful in the past, and will respond to questions.

 The door gun kit is the standard Viet Nam style mount, and I don't know of any changes later,but then I left the Army in the mid 70s. The second kit adds nice detail to the cockpit area. I think it was used on the model shown at this web page location:
http://238awc.org/joe2/joe2.html
 That model belongs to my brother, but was built by Joe Kline, an aviation artist (one of the best). The only thing I see that you might have to leave out is the seats. If he flew in the US, they normally did NOT use the armored seats there, since they were easy to add or remove but add extra weight. I don't know if you could ask him about the seats. It builds into a very nice model, but I was told there are some fit problems. Let me know if I can be of any help!

Gene Kennedy
Gunrunner 31  70.71

Gene- I really appreciate any help I can get!   I have been looking at Cobra Company website where I plan to order couple of upgrade sets to make this work. 

First, I need to get side guns.  Bob (my friend) said it had M-60s on each side.  So I will get this set...

http://www.cobracompany.com/35017.htm

I am not sure if it is necessary to get this upgrade set... I read somewhere Dragon kits are actually re-boxed Panda kits.  If so, should I get this set too?

http://www.cobracompany.com/35011.htm

The second set costs $26.00.  The wife has given me $60 so far to cover for the kit, diomara base and an gun upgrade set.  I'd hate to ask her for more $$$.  Bob has been disabled since the motorcycle accident two years ago.  Some jerk hit him in the rear yapping on a cell phone...

I am looking forward to build this real soon!

  Since your friend flew a later model UH-1H, you need to note that Viet Nam era pictures may not be correct for what he flew.The one most noticeable change was the addition of the "wire cutters" on the top and bottom for the cabin well forward. They show up nicely in this photo:

As promised, I am going to start a WIP in a new thread... I was not able to get that Dragon UH-1D kit but I got this kit UH-1D Heer for only $28.  Thanks to eBay!  I hope I will be OK with this to build a UH-1H out of it as I read somewhere that this kit comes with better PE sets. 

Had to get nice looking diomara base from Hobby Town USA for the Huey to sit on.  Gonna look around for a nice wood base next...

I have to admit I don't know alot about Hueys and I look forward to learn while I work on it.  Again, it is a 50th birthday present for a good friend who flew in those when he served in the Army for 14 years. 

WOW!  Gino, you have been so helpful!  That drawing of all models was great.  I will go ahead and order this Dragon set suggested by Jumbo.  I can handle minor modifications.  And I found your earlier post about aftermarket decals from Fireball.  I am going to order one of those because it has 1st Cavalry decals.

My friend is going to bring pictures of his helicopter when she finds them.  I will definitely post the pictures here and do a WIP when timing is right. 

Thanks again!

The differences between a D and an H model are very little.  The Dragon D model can be built either way.  This thread lays out the differences pretty well.  This one will give you more info on the model. 

The kit is not too bad, but you will have to get another door gun to be accurate, it only comes with one for some reason.

If you do a serch here for either "Panda UH-1D" or "Dragon UH-1D", you will find lots of threads on them.  (BTW, It used to be boxed as a Panda kit before Dragon picked it up and updated it with PE and the crew set.)

Good luck on it.  I'm sure he will love it.  Let me know if you need any help while building it. 

Thanks Jumbo!  I was thinking about this set too...

I wonder what kind of conversions do I need to turn it into UH-1H.  I read some info... not much mostly interior such as frames but it said something about wider canopy. 

Revell had a 1:32 Bell UH-1H Huey Gunship  #04421, but it's the old model from the 80's or even older I'm not sure about that .

As far as I know it had bad detailing .

What about the Dragon 1:35 UH-1D Huey Helicopter #3538 for a little conversion ?

At least it would be a US version , although I don't know how this kit is ?

I forgot to bring this up... will this work?  It says UH-1D but on the website it is saying UH-1H Heer.  Huh?

Thanks again!