It’s been quite some time since I did a helicopter, and I’ve had this one in the stash for a long time. So instead of doing the Osprey I just picked up I decided I should do the Huey first.
This kit has A LOT of flash. Almost every part needs to be cleaned off. For the most part things fit. Obviously not a bad kit if you put some work into it. I decided I would use it to try some new weathering techniques. I usually turn out clean “museum” looking models. I feel the need to now get rid of my 1/48 Apache, and build a 1/32, lol. The Apache was one of my first builds anyway, so it’s been needing to be replaced.
I probably could have gone a bit dirtier with it, but I’m always afraid of going overboard, so I kept it on the lighter side.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Crandall’s helo was a UH-1D “Slick” or troop carrier. As such, it could have the full complements of rear seats, which would include the forward-facing seat at the front wall of the transmission housing and the rear-facing seat behind the pilots’ seats. His primary mission was inserting troops and supplying ammo. The medevac was secondary as the helos were going back empty, so they were filled with wounded for the return trip rearward.
This drawing shows it well, minus the rear-facing seat. Of note, the aircraft was a D model with the early HF antennas on the nose and no towel bar antenna on the roof. It also has a long-line antenna running the length of the tailboom. Also, note there are no guns/weapons hung off it. There were none on it at LZ X-ray. The gunners had “free” M60As; hand-held. The M23 doorgun mount was not installed until after LZ X-ray.
These are actual pics of his aircraft at LZ X-ray. It is hard to tell if the rear-facing seat was installed or not.
Here is a later pic after M23 doorguns weer installed. It looks as if the rear-facing seat is not installed here.
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
