1/35 scale helos

Reluc,

Thanks for the tip on the Verlinden crew. I'll have to look into it. I converted a Tamiya 1/32 Phantom driver to a Cobra pilot, so I've got one guy seated. Looks pretty good. I just drilled out the helmet, cut a head to fit inside and removed some detail on the survival vest.

I've got a few of the MRC 1/35 UH-1C's, but I stole all of the miniguns from them for my Cobras (one has to have priorities! LOL)

The 1:18 UH-1C is pretty cool. Its got a LOT of room for improvement, but 21st Century Toys did a good job capturing the essence of the beast. I've filled, sanded and removed all of the seams, repainted it the proper shade OD and now I'm trying to decide whether I want to remove the "chunker" on the nose or not. Its got 19 shot rocket pods, so miniguns are pretty much out of the question. I've also incorporated M-60s on bungee cords for the door gunners and corrected the antennas (they had a cable cutter on it instead of the blade antenna). I'm gonna end up painting it as one of the birds from the 1/9 Cav, 1st Cav Division. That is, when I get a spare second to work on it!

"Rolling in Hot!"

Jon

Hey CobraHistorian,
Verlinden used to make a 1/32 scale Cobra Crew from the Vietnam Era. I remember seeing one in a hobby shop ten years ago. Trouble was that the pilots weren't siting. It really was made for a diorama. As to the UH-1C in 1:18, I am working on an 1:35 MRC kit. Nice thing about that kit is that it includes all the armements, miniguns, different rocket launchers, the grenade launcher. All kinds of Goodies! and for that one, I am using the DML Vietnam helicopet pilot crew as well. just got hung up on getting the fuselage together, and the engine got lost. Oh well!

Panzer,

It's not a Sea knight but......Panda Models of china have released a NEW 2003 Catalogue that says they will have a 1/35 CH47-C Chinook this year and other chinook models later on......sounds like that MRC thing all over again....same kit different declas and parts.

The Panda 1/35 Hueys are very soft on detail and have over sized rivits.....stick with the MRC kits ten times better!

If you want a GOOD UH1-D Revells 1/32 scale is more accurate ...even for a 1968 kit! after building that kit at least 3 times since 1977 I can tell you alot of research went into those kits! even the dash/instruments are right on the money!

DANG! what a year for BIG kits! a 1/24 P51-D Mustang from Trump, 1/35 scale Chinook, 1/32 scale B-17 by Panda and a 1/72 scale U-boat from Revell of germany!!....I can die now.

Shawn,
I'm not aware of any Sea Knight kits available in anything larger than 1/72 scale, at least, not injected molded. The 1/48th kit you refer to of the '53 was a Revell kit. It includes decals for both a US C model and the German model (was that a 'G'?). I have not see one for sale in a long time and don't believe that the kit is going to be easy to find. I've got one with the conversion kit to make it a MH-53J but it's still waiting for me to start. So many kits .... so little time!
Good luck,
Paul

Hey Guys. I'm one of the 'Newbies' to this forum, but not to the magazine. I'm also a BIG fan of 1/35 helos. My father was a crew chief on a CH-46 in 'Nam, and I was with the Cobras in the Gulf. My father retired from the Marines a while back, I still have 5 years to go.

I am building a Whisky model Cobra for my MSgt with the same camo scheme like his sqdn had in the Gulf. I'll build mine later.

I built a CH-53 (D/E?) WAY back before I joined and I was looking for the model again. Any ideas? Might have been a Revell (probably 1/48).

Does any company make a CH-46 (preferably the Echo model) in any scale larger than 1/72? I woul like to build it for my Dad's 65th b'day this year.

Thank you.
r/s,
Shawn Straka
SSgt / USMC

To Werewolf,
I'm just getting started on the Black Hawk. I'll be happy to post some pics when I am finished. I'm still struggling with which final version I'm going for ... either the C&C L model or 'Double Vision', an A model. Both are pictured in my book. If you have any questions on details, don't hesitate to drop me an email. Good luck and I'll keep you posted. Even without the photo etched, you can be assured of a terrific looking kit!
To Hueymedic423,
Have you ever served with the Flat Irons? Their V Models were sharp looking Hueys with the gloss white finish. I plan on building either a 32nd scale Revell kit or one of the new Panda kits as a Flat Iron a/c after finishing my current project. From a former H Model medevac crew chief, safe flying and good modeling!
Paul

Hey everyone,

Here's something different. What does everyone think about "accurizing" the 1:18th scale "toys" put out by 21st Century toys? I just picked up their UH-1C and its a GREAT basis for a Huey gunship, but needs major work with seams and accurizing. Does this count as modeling? The toy itself is beautifully done and is over 2 feet long. It only comes with one crewman, but I'm working on getting gunners and a copilot for it.

It's outfitted as a "Frog", with the grenade launcher in the nose and 2 XM-200 19-shot pods on the pylons. I'm thinking of removing the pods and scratchbuilding 7-shot pods an miniguns. Should be an adventure! The interior is sparse, but workable. It doesn't have the pantographic sight for the co-pilot, gotta scratchbuild that too. Its got a few other inaccuracies that need to be corrected, but other than that, it nicely captures the UH-1C in a MONSTROUS scale!

Love to hear what everyone else thinks!

Jon

I'm new to the site but not new to Fine scale. I'm glad to be able to communicate with all you other "rotor heads" like myself. I too have just purchased Panda's UH1-D. I'm looking forward to converting it to a victor model. Keep up the good work and I look forward to communicating and sharing infor/photos with you all! My current project is an CH-54 complete with detail surgical pod.

For Ppickett. hey man im working on the pave hawk, i dnt have the resources(money) to buy the photo etched detail set and they dnt sell those sets here. im having problems on were can i find then crew for the pave hawk. the DML helo crew doesnt look good to the pave hawk coz of the vietnam crew outfit. id love to some pics of your black hawk.

Two comments.
First Jon,
Just a note I remembered yesterday. Be sure and look for copies of the Revell Germany Cobra. They issued it with 2.75 FFAR pods and the engine inlet screens that were common to post '69 Snakes. That's about the only difference as I recall to the original Revell edition. I'm not aware of anyone offering a conversion for the J model. The Cobra Company or Meteor Productions would be the most likely candidates but if they have them they are probably 48th scale.
Werewolf,
I'm working on a 1/35 Black Hawk from MRC and I have a Pave Hawk in waiting. I've rec'd the Eduard photo etched detail sets (interior and exterior) for Christmas (what a wife!) and I'm just getting started. I'm planning on documenting the build and sending the results to FSM. They may be interested in printing it. As for the detail sets, they are expensive but when you're working on such a large model .... that already costs about fifty bucks, what the heck! They appear to be worth the cost for the most part. Be sure and check out the Workbench review in FSM for tips on getting the ?!X!!!! seats in place. Great review. I'm also the author of the Squadron Publications book 'H-60 Black Hawk in Action' so I'm quite familiar with all the S-70 series. Don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions. Good luck and enjoy.
Paul

Hey guys, me again.

Just had a quick question. Is anyone aware of a conversion kit to convert the Revell Cobra kit to a J model? If not, I'm gonna have one hell of a scratchbuild next spring!

Happy New Year!

Jon

Paul,

Thanks very much! I haven't been doing much work on my Cobras in the past week or so. They're in TX and I'm in NY right now. I'm hoping to get to Sentinel Miniatures next week to see if he's got any Vietnam chopper crew figures. He's usually got some interesting stuff.
My first book is coming along well. I've got about half of it done. The profiles section is going to be great! I'm highlighting 40 aircraft from 37 different units. Some have been seen before, but most have never been published.
If all goes well, it should be out in September.

Jon

kinda new at this. anyone working on a MRC pave hawk or black hawk? need your help! its too bad that MRC didnt include figures on the pave hawk and the black hawk like they did in the other 1/35 helops they've made. Dragon made helo pilots and crews, i saw it a few years. too bad i couldnt find it anymore here in the Philippines.

Jon,
Sorry to be redundant on the T53 reply. I didn't think my note had posted 'cause I didn't notice the second page. Anyway, I just rec'd my Panda kit and it's the 48th scale kit from Italeri, only enlarged to 35th scale, just as IMEX did with the Revell Apache. Only in that case they took the 32nd scale Apache down to 35th and added a few extra details. The Panda kit's exterior is not as accurate as the Revell Huey (that's one thing about the Revell Cobras and Hueys, you can't beat the accuracy of the exterior. Every panel is exactly where it should be!) They've also placed holes in the windshield where a pin from the windshield wipers go! Overall, it's a good kit but it's like the Revell kit ... it needs details. As for the crew figures, I have not measured the Dragon figures but they do seem a little large, but the details are excellent. Verlinden has released Vietnam era helicopter figures in the past ... I remember one standing but I don't know if they are still available. I have a couple of Marine Cobra pilots (standing) that's from Kirin (made in resin and purchased from Squadron). They are in modern flight suits, with survival vests and have the NVG mounts on the visor shields. They would work in any modern helicopter but V'nam. Keep us posted on your books, I'ld like to get a copy when they are out.
Paul

Jon,
The Revell 1/32 scale Huey has a T53 Lycoming in it but it's not of great quality as far as detail. It may be the same as the one that comes with the Cobra. All the 1/35 scale MRC Hueys (UH-1Cs) have T53s with much better detail. I'm not aware of any resin kits of the T53. Maybe the Cobra Company will come out with one now that the the Panda kits are out ... since they have no engine, just the exhaust nozzle.
Good luck
Paul

Paul,

Yup, I've got a few extra Revell T-53 engines. I was being lazy and hoping not to have to superdetail anymore. After scratchbuilding the entire engine bay, ammo bay, turret interior and 20mm cannon for 16437 I was hoping to get away without much effort for my next one. Guess not.

As far as the DML figures, are they overscale like the rest of the DML series? I've already converted a Tamiya F-4 Pilot, and he didn't come out half bad. I'd like to get one or two standing near the aircraft, not sitting in them. Since I've got four Cobras in this display, I'd like to have somewhat of a diorama feel to it. I was hoping someone had done an Air Cav or other Vietnam helicopter pilot in resin that I could put to good use. I need eight altogether. I've got two so far, the second being the other F-4 pilot. He's getting different arms, a raised visor and a bunch of other details to make him look different from the other one I converted. After painting, an oil wash and a good dry brushing, the first pilot looks GREAT!

Anyhow, when all four are done, I'll try and post the pics to the web. Its coming along pretty well so far!

Jon

Jon,
I agree with the other remarks. The DML helicopter crew figures are perfect for Vietnam era figures. The are wearing the late war flight helments and 'chicken plate' armor. It containes two pilot figures and two gunners. One is using a 'free sixty' such as you would see in a Loach or a B or C Model gunship and the other is using the M-60 on the pintle mount. As for the T53 Lycoming, the only one I've seen is the engine included in the 1/32 scale Huey from Revell. This kit is still available and the engine is good enough to form a good foundation for extra detailing. The overall shape is there if you remove some of the molded in detail and add your own. Good luck!
Paul

Has anyone seen the Panda UH-1D/H? I've been workin on both a real UH-1H and kitbashing two of the MRC C models and a Revell H Model to get a somewhat accurate representation of the long-cabin Huey. The H-model I've been working on is at the Texas Air Museum in Slaton, TX and it flew with both HHC 3rd Airmobile Brigade (1st Cav Div) and A Troop, 2/17 Cav, 101st Airborne in Vietnam. I've been able to do quite a bit of detailing on the model since being given control of 957! Anyhow, glad to know someone's doing an (hopefully) accurate kit of it. Can't wait to see it!

Jon

I think Revell-Monogram already has a Marine Huey out, i have the kit and it is a UH-1 Huey, it might be a C though, but its still a great kit and you can buy conversion kits if you look hard enough

Yes, the set has been re-issud by Dragon. By the way, they are also included in some of the new Panda 1/35 scale UH-1D (really and H model) kit. They have a red sticker on the box for those with crew.

Jon,
DML made 4 1/35thscale U.S.helicopter Crew figures, 2 of which are pilots. The serial number on the box is 3311. I do not know if these are still available.

Steve Darrah

Hi guys,

I was wondering if anyone knew if there was a decent resin T53 engine out there in resin in either 32 or 35 scale. Also, I'm looking for decent 32 scale pilot figures for my Cobras. Any out there? I haven't seen much online, but then again I haven't really been looking. Cobra #3 just had its fuselage halves mated and the seams have been sanded smooth. I'm waiting to order the cockpit set from Cobra Models for #3 & 4 until after the new year. #1&2 have had their main rotors mounted and are looking pretty cool! If I could figure out how to post pictures to this site, I'd include some! In the meantime I'm headed back to NY this weekend to work on the real AH-1G 69-16437 "Heather Dawn"!

Later!

Jon

Paul,

Thanks! Actually, I've gotten three of the four Cobras I'm working on from Ebay. I usually deal in WWII and Vietnam Militaria, but I recently found the hobby section!
I will definitely check out Revell Germany!

Thanks!

Jon

I am kind of new to modeling. At least getting models to come out looking have way decent. Look and the new company PANDA, they are making some 1/35 scale heli's and i think they are resonably price. I do not know about quality. I would not be surprised if they bought MRC molds or something along that line. I am still trying to finish a UH-1 Iraqoui (sorry for misspelled) from MRC that was released a couple of years ago. I do not want to screw it up so slowly it goes.

Scott

Jon,
I believe the Cobra is still available from Revell AG (German Division of Revell). If some of the on line hobby shops such as Squadron.com does not have it ... try searching EBAY. You'll be surprised how many models you can find there.
Good luck!
Paul

quote:

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Originally posted by Cobrahistorian

Hey Guys!
Wow, glad I found this! I'm a new member too.
I was wondering if anyone's got a spare Revell 1/32 AH-1G they're willing to part with. I've got four building right now for a project I'm working on, but need a fifth to build one for a friend of mine who is a former Cobra jock who flew in Vietnam.

The project I'm currently doing is "1st Cav Cobras in Cambodia, May/June, 1970". I've got 2 of the 4 nearly complete at this point, they are:

68-15049 "R1" C/2/20 Aerial Rocket Artillery
69-16437 "Heather Dawn" C/1/9 Cavalry

The other two are from D/227 and D/229 Assault Helicopter Battalions respectively. I'm fairly certain of the paint schemes, but I'm waiting for the final word from the aircrews on nose art, etc.

All four will be profiled in my new book from Osprey, "US Army AH-1 Cobra Units in Vietnam". It'll be out in September, followed the next september by one on Marine Cobras. Any ideas if Revell is planning on updating or re-releasing this kit??

Thanks!

Jon Bernstein
Cobrahistorian@aol.com

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