I am looking at buying the UH-1N kit from Panda. Does anyone out there have any experience with this kit? I’m looking to build it USMC style. How is the overall accuracy? Does it come with DAS mounts for guns and rocket pods, or does it have the guns mounted inside the cabin Vietnam-style? Also wondering if it comes with the nose-mounted FLIR assembly – I’m thinking I may have to figure out how to scratchbuild that, though, along with the AVR-2 “bat ears”. Any input from people who have ordered and built this kit is appreciated. Thanks.
Welcome aboard, AH1W.
I don’t personally have experience with this particular kit. But, here a couple of builds that might be of help.
The first one doesn’t go much into the kit but, it does show what can be done with it. The second deals more with the kit itself.
Hope these help.
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Gal2/1501-1600/Gal1563_UH-1N_Neuss/gal1563.htm
http://s96920072.onlinehome.us/Fea1/801-900/Fea898_Uh-1N_Phillips/fea898.htm
Randie [C):-)]
I recently bought the kit and it does not come with the DAS mounts or the FLIR assembly. The kit includes 2 M-60D machine guns in the typical Vietnam door mount and two 2.75inch 7-shot rocket pods. No crew is provided, unlike their UH-1D kits. The instrument panel is only a decal which wasn’t even included in my kit. This kit screams out for an aftermarket resin update set (anyone from Cobra Company listening?). Speaking of which, Cobra Company offers a detail set for Panda UH-1Ds, is there much of a difference in the instrument panels of the two Heuys cause anything is better than a flat, blank instrument panel.
Chopperfan, thanks for the links…the second one is great, and pretty much is what I am looking to do with the kit. Looks like I have some scratchbuilding skills to work on. I am usually an out-of-the-box type guy, but I’m ready to put the extra effort into this one, since I’ve worked on the real thing for 4 years.
adrake2, thanks for letting me know what is included. There should be no problems with the fit between the D and N model instrument panels, however accuracy is another thing. I’m almost certain that one or two pilot and copilot instruments were added over the years (radar altimeter for one), and if you’re modeling a UH November, make sure you leave the spot in the center of the instrument panel open for the flat-screen monitor that is used with the FLIR .
You’re quite welcome my friend.
Can’t wait to see how your’s comes along. I am contemplating purchasing one myself, AFTER the move.
Randie [C):-)]
AH1WSnake,
Can’t add much to the links you already have. Cobracompany.com and Two-Bobs are the really the best sources to rob parts and decals from. The Cobra Company AH-1W set has a good ALQ, AVR-2, all of the APR antennas.
Nice to see another skid kid building models. What HMLA are you with? I’m a Cobra pilot and former Scarface, Atlas, and Warrior.
Be careful trying to make it look like the real thing. I’ve been working on my Whiskey for months because I wanted more detail. Even added the utility hyd compartment (can’t see it unless you shine a flashlight through the grill but I know it’s there), tranny an-box. Every part on the kit has been modified in some way.
Just finished my hitch as a Gunrunner avionics tech. I’m sure my builds of the skid models will probably be long and tedious, since I’ll be prone to adding every component that I know exists on the airframe[%-)] At least I have a good collection of reference photos.
Semper Fi