1/32 Revell UH-1D Huey Gunship

Nice job, I got one of these at a second hand shop for $10. I like what you've done with this old kit.

It came out looking pretty nice. 

Of note though, the US Army never used the UH-1D/H long-body Hueys in the gunship configuration.  Revell got that part wrong.  UH-1D/H versions were mainly used as troop transports with M23 doorguns, if armed.  UH-1B and C model short-bodied Hueys were the gunship versions with the armaments from the kit mounted.

UH-1D/H w/M23 door gun standard configuration.

M23 Doorgun closeup.

UH-1B gunship with basically the same (different rocket pods) M6 armament system as in the kit.

Additionally, the markings are for MAJ Bruce Crandall's UH-1D "Ancient Serpent 6" from LZ X-Ray, Battle of the Ia Drang Valley (We Were Soldiers) that he was awarded the Medal of Honor in.  Being early in the war in '65, it had no mounted weapons since it was shortly before the M23 doorguns were introduced.  The doorgunners simply held "free" M60A MGs. 

Rob Gronovius

Nice job, I got one of these at a second hand shop for $10. I like what you've done with this old kit.

 

Thanks Rob! 

HeavyArty, Thank you.  I know the kit is inaccurate, but for the price of it I figured why not.  I needed to add a Huey to the collection.  It still makes for a pretty cool looking display piece. 

Very nice work young lady!

Nicely done Keyda.

Have 2 of that kit, one for me as Ancient Serpent 6, and going to have to do some mods for it.  The other is for best friend who was a crew chief on one in '69.

Nice work on the classic Revell Huey! Crandall‘s bird is a great one to add to any collection. 

And yes, you would like the 1/32 Revell Apache.... And a Cobra... and a Loach... 

I think it's a very nice piece of work; and I'm currently doing an Osprey, wish I did a Huey instead.

midnightprowler, goldhammer, Thanks!

stikpusher, Thank you, I have the 1/48 Super Cobra, lol.  Wasn't even thinking about the scale when being different from the Huey when I bought it. 

templar1099, Thanks!  I have Italeri's Osprey kit in the stash.  I was going to do that, but I've had the Huey sitting around for a while, so I figured that should come first. 

If you wanted to make it more accurate, it would be easy to do.  All you would have to do is remove the weapons mounts and ammo box inside.  Then it would be much closer to Crandall's UH-1D.  As built, it is a totally fictional UH-1H with a really poor representation of an M6 weapons system on it.

[quote user="HeavyArty"]

If you wanted to make it more accurate, it would be easy to do.  All you would have to do is remove the weapons mounts and ammo box inside.  Then it would be much closer to Crandall's UH-1D.  As built, it is a totally fictional UH-1H with a really poor representation of an M6 weapons system on it.

I think you need to buy the kit and build as you see fit. Keyda81 version looks great to me.

armor 2.0

I think you need to buy the kit and build as you see fit. Keyda81 version looks great to me.

I think you need to lighten up.  I was just providing information, not forcing anyone to do anything.  This website is for discussing models, not just to give lots of "Atta boy!" (or girl) comments.  That helps noone to improve.  Discussion, advice and tips are how we all get better.

By the way, I have built the kit, multiple times over the years.

Keyda81

 

 

Rob Gronovius

Nice job, I got one of these at a second hand shop for $10. I like what you've done with this old kit.

 

 

 

 

Thanks Rob! 

 

HeavyArty, Thank you.  I know the kit is inaccurate, but for the price of it I figured why not.  I needed to add a Huey to the collection.  It still makes for a pretty cool looking display piece. 

 

This is one of the kits in my collection that I will build someday, but really isn't worth trying to make it truly accurate. It's old and not what it tries to be, but gives a good looking Nam era Huey when done.

Rob Gronovius

 ... really isn't worth trying to make it truly accurate. It's old and not what it tries to be...

Actually, it is still one of the best large scale (1/32, 1/35) UH-1D/H on the market.  The only other option is the 1/35 Panda/Dragon UH-1D/H, which has plenty of its own issues.  In some areas (rivet/panel line size, overall shape, and interior details) it is better than the Dragon kit.  The only real issues with it are a bolbous nose and the oversized working front door hinges.  With a little TLC, it can be made into a great-looking and pretty accurate model.  It still has lots of potential for a kit that is 50+ years old (originally released in 1967). 

Built this from it a few years ago. The bird Robert Mason, author of "Chickenhawk" flew in Vietnam.

Nice job.  Another example of how you can make a really nice model out of this kit.

midnightprowler

Built this from it a few years ago. The bird Robert Mason, author of "Chickenhawk" flew in Vietnam.

Nice build!
I just grabbed one of these from Hobby Lobby today for 14 bucks. About how much weight was needed to keep the tail off the ground?

another thought...considering Crandall won his medal carrying out wounded, would he have had the troop seats or just the seats on the rear sides for gunners? Shouldn't be too hard to fab up some seats since this kit doesn't have any. 

kg4kpg

another thought...considering Crandall won his medal carrying out wounded, would he have had the troop seats or just the seats on the rear sides for gunners? Shouldn't be too hard to fab up some seats since this kit doesn't have any. 

Thanks HeavyArty, those pics are awesome. On the HF antenna on the nose, it looks like there is only one on the left side. It should be on both sides correct? I'll have to look for some good clear pics...unless, of course, you have those too. lol

The top photo of Ancient Serpant Six looks to have the M23 door guns. The feed chutes are more visible in this version of that photo

Thanks HeavyArty, those pics are awesome. On the HF antenna on the nose, it looks like there is only one on the left side. It should be on both sides correct? I'll have to look for some good clear pics...unless, of course, you have those too. lol

Yes, the FM antenna is on both sides of the nose.  Sorry, I don't have any other pics of "Ancient Serpent Six".

The top photo of Ancient Serpant Six looks to have the M23 door guns. The feed chutes are more visible in this version of that photo

If it does have them, then the photo is mislabeled as the M23 mount system was not available at the time of LZ X-ray in Nov '65.

kg4kpg

 

 

midnightprowler

Built this from it a few years ago. The bird Robert Mason, author of "Chickenhawk" flew in Vietnam.

 

 

 

 

Nice build!
I just grabbed one of these from Hobby Lobby today for 14 bucks. About how much weight was needed to keep the tail off the ground?

another thought...considering Crandall won his medal carrying out wounded, would he have had the troop seats or just the seats on the rear sides for gunners? Shouldn't be too hard to fab up some seats since this kit doesn't have any. 

 

Thanks. I don't recall adding any weight.