Suggestions Needed

[WigWag Workshop]

Good Day Folks!

I am looking for some recommendations, for larger scale whirlybird. I been looking at some of the Hueys, but not sure of the quality.
Any era is fine with me, looking for something in 1/35 or 1/48 scale (or larger).
I had fun building the M*A*S*H helicopter, so I think it's time to build another helicopter of some sort
U.S. Navy suggestions are a plus

As Always, I appreciate any advice,

-Steven

[dupes]

The Academy Ch-53 in 1/48 is pretty awesome...but the 1/35 Trumpeter Mi-24 is probably the "king" as far as large-scale helos go.

Mmmmmmmm Hiiiiind!

[venom1]

Hey Steven, glad to hear you are doing a helo!

I guess it depends on what your budget and detail level requirement is.

As far as 1/48 goes, there is a pretty good range of choice out there. As Dupes said, the Academy CH-53 is pretty awesome, and can look pretty sweet straight out of the box. It can be built as a USMC bird, which is navy-ish!

Probably top of the wazza would be the Hasegawa AH-64D, which has some great detail and is (from what I understand) pretty accurate. Revell also do a nice Ka-50. I would generally steer away from anything Italeri, as the fit is pretty rubbish, especially around the glasswork, which makes it hard to fix without damaging it. Steer away from the Skunkmodels kits as they have lots of nice cool AM stuff, but the also have the Italeri plastic in the box.

As far as 1/35 and 1/32 is concerned, you have a pretty good selection out there. If you want something pretty cheap, it's hard to sneeze at the old Revell 1/32 Apache. For a kit that was done in the 80's, its got some pretty good detail. I have heard there are a few fit issues here and there, but nothing a man of your modelling skills can't handle!

The only downside is that you can only do an Alpha model, so if you want a Delta you will be in for a bucket load of scratch building! Having said that, there are a few detail sets out there to add a bit of flair, so with a bit of an investment you can make a great looking bird. I will actually be starting this kit in late September as my first major project, and I have all three update sets (Flightpath, Verlinden and Cobra Company) and will be doing much scratch building as well.

Another kit which is a little old but builds up well is the MRC 1/35 AH-1W. Just bought one the other day so I can pilfer the engine for my Apache build. There are a few update sets for this one as well if you wanted to go that route. This kit can be found for a pretty good price if you have a look on ebay. This one can be built as a USMC bird too, for more navy-ish action.

I have also heard that the Revell 1/32 Sea Lynx is lovely so that might be worth a look.

Trumpy also do a series of 1/35 helo's, all of which are very nice. If you wanted to do a purely OOB build, maybe this might be the route for you. As Dupes said, their Mi-24 is lovely, and I purchased one simply off the back of the build that Rick Lawler did of an abandoned one. Stunning! There is still room for improvement in these kits though, so if you want to go down that route, you have that option. As with the previous kits, plenty of AM stuff available for these too.

As I said earlier, it all comes down to what your budget is and how far you want to go. I would suggest doing a Google search for kit reviews/builds and see what you come up with, that should help you make a decision.

To help, maybe pay Scale Rotors a visit. They have a pretty good list of all the large scale helo's out there along with reviews. You can see what is out there and then go hunting to see if you can find one: www.scale-rotors.com/kit/

Hope this helped!

Cheers,

Sam

[wbill76]

If you're looking for Navy birds, you might check out the Kitty Hawk Sea Sprite in 1/48 as one possibility.

[WigWag Workshop]

Thank You Everyone,

I have added all the recommendations to the list, and will be looking to see what deals I can find.
Not sure exactly which one I am going after yet, it's going to be a tough choice, but I am looking forward to another whirlybird build.

-Steven

[WigWag Workshop]

Aug 11, 2014 20:31:30 GMT -5 dupes said:

The Academy Ch-53 in 1/48 is pretty awesome...but the 1/35 Trumpeter Mi-24 is probably the "king" as far as large-scale helos go.

Mmmmmmmm Hiiiiind!

Good Day Folks!

Well, after much looking around, I think I am going to go with a "Mi-24"" has I dedicated 2014 to Soviet/Russian builds. so this fits the bill.

Now for the bad news, the Trumpy kit, is a little out of my budget (at this moment).

I have notice there is a Zvezda, Revell, and Hasegawa version in 1/72, does anyone have any experience or knowledge of these kits? or should I just save up my money for the Trumpeter kit (in your opinion)?

Thank You in Advance, for you opinions,

-Steven

[dupes]

The Zvezda and Revell kits are the same kit Both those and the Hasegawa get favorable reviews.

There's also the Monogram in 1/48 which is solid and can be had verrrrry inexpensively.

[doogsatx]

Buy the Zvezda (or Revell reboxing). It's absolutely stunning! The ferkin' rotors are even pre-drooped

[WigWag Workshop]

Aug 21, 2014 20:55:37 GMT -5 doogsatx said:

Buy the Zvezda (or Revell reboxing). It's absolutely stunning! The ferkin' rotors are even pre-drooped

Would you know if there is a difference between the A and E version of the kit? There appears to be a price difference for the same 1/72nd scale

[doogsatx]

Well, the Hind-A had that weird flat greenhouse...maybe that's the difference?

[doogsatx]

Yeah just looked and the -A is the fugly early version.



If you want the iconic bumpy HIND, get the E.

[WigWag Workshop]

AH, yes, now I see the difference. Since the Revell is a rebox of the Zvezda kit, I am guessing the Eduard PE set, that's for the Zvezda HIND E, would also work on the HIND E Revell kit.
That PE set actually looks nice, I think I also seen both an Interior and Exterior sets.
I am looking forward to building another Whirly-Bird (my 2nd actually).

Thank You Again All for all the advice and help, this is why MSC is the BEST!

-Steven

[doogsatx]

The PE set IS really nice. I actually had the Zvezda at one point and sold it...but can attest that it and the Eduard sets for it are top notch.

They could scale it up to 1/48 and it would automatically be the best, most detailed HIND available. Maybe even to 1/35...

[venom1]

I agree with Doogs, mate.

I have the Zvezda Hind A and it is absolutely stunning! Went with the A model as it was something different to most of the Hind's out there. It is a great kit, with full detailed cockpit and troop compartment, and a full engine deck above with two complete engines, gearbox and other bits and bobs. You can also display the engine compartment fully opened up as all the doors for the engine deck are positionable. Sweeeeeet!

As an aside, (for the rivet counters among us), the Zvezda Hinds (all of them, not just the A) are the only ones with the correct twist in the tail. The Mi-24's have a subtle twist in the vertical section of the tail. It is quite subtle, but at the same time very obvious once you know what you are looking at. Zvezda's kits are the only Braille scale Hinds to be correct in this respect. As far as I know, they are the only kit in ANY scale to get it right, I don't think even Trumpy's 1/35 kit gets that right.

I also have the Trumpy 1/35 kit which I picked up for the princely sum of $50. It is a very sizable kit and will look seriously impressive once completed. While detailed and accurate (except for the tail twist.... I think), it does not have the same level of detail as the 1/72 Zvezda kit.

My suggestion is, for price, detail and accuracy, you definitely can't pass up the Zvezda kit.

For sheer size (and it is big!) and awesomeness you can't pass up the Trumpy 1/35 offering. This kit can be made into a real headturner. Rick Lawler did an absolutely stunning rendition of an abandoned Hind which inspired me to buy the kit in the first place.

dqscaleworks.blogspot.com.es/2013/10/rust-bones-135-by-rick-lawler.html

Hope that helps with the decision bud!

Cheers,

Sam