Well, yes it IS big, I do remember looking at it in the box, FSM did a review some time ago when the kit first came out, Ill have to poke thru my back issues to find it. This is one that I dont have in my stash so I cant give you a first hand on it.
Let me get back to ya…builds into anice big helo, and you can do SO much with it other than just an Air Force D model!!!
It builds into a decent model. As you said, the rivets are a little oversized, but not too bad. It actually builds into an H model, not a D, which was still a Vietnam-era UH-1. The directions also have you putting on parts that are post-Vietnam; like the storage hatch on the tail boom, wire cutters, and a bunch of antennas. The rotor blades are those from a Bell 212 (twin engine) too. Cut the extra, thin strip off the trailing edge to get a D/H blade. The DML crew set comes with only one M-23 doorgun mount. You will need either another crew set or to get the Cobra Company M-23 doorgun set to have two. The cabin interior needs some attention. The troop seat support bar is too far inboard on both sides, which makes the rear troop seat sit funny. It builds up pretty well though. With some extra attention, it can be great.
Here is my build of it, UH-1H Vietnam Dustoff. I also used the Cobra Company UH-1D/H update set as well.
I’m pretty sure that it’s not “Wasp” but Hornets and Stingers for the Gunships. I’m not at home to double check one of my books. I may be wrong, getting a bit forgetful this days. It has been 35 years since I did my tour in Nam with the 174th AHC, Sharks, Dolphins and Witch Doctors.
Yup, same basic helo you got from me, with the above changes.
As I stated above, the DML crew set comes with only one M-23 doorgun mount (M60 on a pintle mount with ammo box etc.). You will need either another DML Crew set or to get the Cobra Company M-23 Doorgun set to have two, one for each side. The other gunner is seated and holds an M60 on his lap. Other than that, no other weapons are included.
DML set:
Decals are decent and look pretty accurate for a 116 AHC bird. For more options, Fireball Modelworks has a great set for UH-1D/Hs in Vietnam.