1/35 scale helos

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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,
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

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

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.

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

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

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