UM… One more thing if ya all dont mind??
Is there any kit reviews for this kit???
Any info would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Wooty,
I’m about 80% finished with mine, so I can give you a bit of a review.
OOB, the kit builds up into an accurate early OH-58D with the proper engine cowl and skid crosstubes for a Prime Chance / Desert Storm bird. Fit is excellent, although I did use super glue gel to fill some of the main fuselage seams. Particularly pesky was the seam in the exhaust area, but some super glue and lots of sanding eventually smoothed it out.
Since I added the Cutting Edge update set so I could build a current bird, some surgery was required. I removed the kit’s cowl on the panel lines above the cabin up to the first major vertical panel line. This allows the Cutting Edge resin cowl to almost drop right in. It did need some sanding and test fitting, but looks really good once installed.
Because of the new cowl, I needed to cut a 1/4" x 1/8" notch in the top of the windscreen in order to get it to fit, but other than that, it fits PERFECTLY! I was worried about the fit of the clear parts initially, but there really is no need. They practically fall into place!
The hardest part I’ve had with this kit has been modifying the skids to accurately represent the current upturned crosstubes and vertical skid braces. For this, I pretty much took the kit crosstubes, sanded off the mounts and glued them to the fuselage upside down. The ends of the crosstubes were sanded so they were vertical and then I stretched sprue to the proper thickness and made four vertical posts that would mate to the crosstubes and the skids themselves. I’m in the process of detailing them now.
The cockpit detail is really nice for this bird. My only comment is that the aircraft commander’s collective could definitely have more detail. The control panel is beautiful and very accurate from the photos I used for reference.
Weapons included are 1) Hellfire missiles, 2) rocket pods, and 3) .50 cal MG. I’m using the kit’s .50 cal and one of the Cobra Company resin 7-shot rocket pods. The pod is actually a 32nd scale Vietnam-era pod, but it looks good, and I was able to modify it to current M260 standard. I drilled out three of the tube openings to simulate full tubes with HE rockets in them, while leaving four rocket noses poking out of the remaining four tubes as M225 Flechette rockets.
Hope that’s helped a bit. It really is a great kit. I’m thinking about doing another one, just for fun!
Thanks Jon
I couldn’t find any reviews anywhere…
Thought one of you guys would be able to help out… i was right
Sound like a good kit and cant wait to get it.
I have to wait for it to come from Malyasia…
So thanks, to all, for all your help and i will post some pics when i get started!!!
thankls Agian
Robert
Jon wasn’t there some Stinger missiles included in the kits the photo’s on the side of the box showed there were.
Mike,
Nope, not in the version I have. In fact, I briefly thought about stealing the Stingers from my AH-64D kit but then decided against it. If I ever do an OH-58C conversion, I’m going to do that with the ATAS (Air to Air Stinger) system.
Concur with Jon,
Academy OH-58D does not come with Stinger AAMs. Weapons load includes optional layouts with 2 2-missile Hellfire racks, 2 7-shot 2.75 rockets, and 1 .50 cal gun mount.
Here is the weapons loading diagram
well this auction is over but it does show the stinger missile packs http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5965467292&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT
Interresting. I built the Black Death version, it didn’t have them. I was told only differance was the decals. Guess not.
I guess you’ve gotta be a “Thug” to get the stingers! [;)]
Anyway really i might not really need them cause i am thinking of making a Australian version of this helo ??? In two frames of minds
Anyway if i dont need the weapons i will put it on this post and if ya all ever can use them i might be able to help out???
Anyway Chat Later
Cya’s
Robert