Italeri 1/48 OH-58A Kiowa

[stikpusher]

I believe that this kit started out as an ESCI mold that was later reboxed by Italeri. My kit had been damaged in the box in the tail area and I had to scratch build a replacement for the tail rotor shaft housing. I scratch built up the seat side armor panel carried in Kiowa in Vietnam, and left off the kit armament, as well as the side doors. Decals are from an aftermarket set of US Army Helicopters in Vietnam, these being for 17th Cav in 1970. Oh yeah, for some now unknown reason I decided to hand brush this one… 🤨

[keavdog]

I did the ESCI kit ages ago and have been looking for it lately. They are very hard to find. Great looking bird - and hand painted??? Whoa

[406 Silverado]

Jun 8, 2023 20:47:45 GMT -5 keavdog said:

I did the ESCI kit ages ago and have been looking for it lately. They are very hard to find. Great looking bird - and hand painted??? Whoa

I know right??!! Fantastic work with a brush on this one Carlos. I spent quite a bit of time around these things at Ft Hood as there were TONS of these things around back then. Beautiful work my friend. Just beautiful.

[keavdog]

Ha - found an old pic of the Kiowa. I added a white metal mini gun for effect lol. If any one sees one of these kits for under $40 let me know!

[stikpusher]

John and Joe, thank you. I’m pretty sure that I found this one at one of the local shops years ago. I know Italeri re issues it every now and then.

[Joe Rix]

Good looking Kiowa stik. And a right nice job on the hand painting and scratchbuilding. I like it.

[deafpanzer]

Now you are going to be a good friend cause I build rotory kits too so I am thrilled to see one here! Well done on that old kit... I had one by Dragon but sold it back then.

[stikpusher]

Thanks Andy! I remember you and your work quite well from FSM, so I truly appreciate your kind words. Yeah I like choppers too, and don't build enough of them... 

[TJ]

Stik I missed this one. Good looking build and finished with a hairy stick.

[adt70hk]

Jun 8, 2023 15:26:47 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

I believe that this kit started out as an ESCI mold that was later reboxed by Italeri. My kit had been damaged in the box in the tail area and I had to scratch build a replacement for the tail rotor shaft housing. I scratch built up the seat side armor panel carried in Kiowa in Vietnam, and left off the kit armament, as well as the side doors. Decals are from an aftermarket set of US Army Helicopters in Vietnam, these being for 17th Cav in 1970. Oh yeah, for some now unknown reason I decided to hand brush this one… 🤨

Carlos

That's turned out nicely and leaving the doors off give you a good look inside.

I built my first chopper last year, 1/100 Revell UH-1 Gunship.  Enjoyed the process and would like to do another one.

ATB

Andrew

[stikpusher]

TJ & Andrew, thank you.

Andrew, I like the doors off look on choppers. It shows off the interior better. I have a few more 1/48 choppers to do in the future…

[Medicman71]

Very cool Stik!

[stikpusher]

Thanks Mike. 😉

[moparmadness]

Looks airbrushed! I remember those ESCI kits were quite popular in the early/mid 80’s. I enjoyed the ones I made as a kid. Their old 1/72 diorama sets are going for ridiculous money on the secondary market.

[stikpusher]

Jul 7, 2023 21:29:02 GMT -5 moparmadness said:

Looks airbrushed! I remember those ESCI kits were quite popular in the early/mid 80’s. I enjoyed the ones I made as a kid. Their old 1/72 diorama sets are going for ridiculous money on the secondary market.

Thanks Chad. I’ve built a few ESCI kits and have several more in my stash. They aren’t bad kits, they just need a little extra effort here and there. And really, that’s some of the best fun in modeling, creating your own improvements. Yeah I can imagine how much their old diorama kits go for now on eBay and such places…. 🤨

[moparmadness]

Jul 7, 2023 22:02:04 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Jul 7, 2023 21:29:02 GMT -5 moparmadness said:

Looks airbrushed! I remember those ESCI kits were quite popular in the early/mid 80’s. I enjoyed the ones I made as a kid. Their old 1/72 diorama sets are going for ridiculous money on the secondary market.

Thanks Chad. I’ve built a few ESCI kits and have several more in my stash. They aren’t bad kits, they just need a little extra effort here and there. And really, that’s some of the best fun in modeling, creating your own improvements. Yeah I can imagine how much their old diorama kits go for now on eBay and such places…. 🤨

I completely agree!

[jeaton01]

Well done, Carlos. Doesn't look brush painted, and that must have saved a lot of masking with the open doors.

[stikpusher]

Jul 7, 2023 22:11:54 GMT -5 jeaton01 said:

Well done, Carlos. Doesn't look brush painted, and that must have saved a lot of masking with the open doors.

I'm pretty sure that it did just that. It's just been so long since I built this that I don't recall that part of the build. Must have gone smoothly...

[Tojo72]

Very nice build,I just met a neighbor who flew them in Panama maybe,but definitely Desert Storm.He was impressed thst I knew OH-58 was a Kiowa.
Might have to look at this kit

[bradley25mm]

Very impressive build Carlos. Amazing job hand painting it. The colors look spot on, and I have to agree with the earlier comment about leaving the doors off. Great idea.

[stikpusher]

Tony, the kit is definitely worth a look. I wouldn’t mind building another one of these one day. Perhaps modify it to encase the tail rotor shaft.
Bradley, thanks for looking in and your kind words.

[midnightprowler]

Well done.