Here’s the first of 3 USMC helo build projects I recently completed.
This is the Revell-Italeri kit mounted on a Verlinden assault ship flight deck printed card. The kit is OK, but I wanted to upgrade it and paint it in the current ghost gray scheme. I don’t what it is is, but currently finding any detail sets or decals appears to no longer be an option in 1/72nd scale. While I could use some of the kit’s markings, since they were only for the green and gray scheme, they weren’t correct for the present scheme. So the markings are a mis-match from my spares box. I know the MAG tail code, etc., aren’t correct.
I scratch built some hoses, cables and extra armor plate for the cockpit. The side instrument panels are stock strip with spare decal instruments. The hoses are pieces of used guitar strings.
I used MM Acryl paints throughout.
I added some coiled wire to represent comm cabels before closing up the canopy.
The extra bumps and lumps along the airframe are made from plastic stock. The various grills, etc., are spare pieces of 1/700 scale PE ship railings.
It was a fun project. I hope I’ve not offended any Marine aircrews with the scratch building attempts to upgrade the helo.
Thats one sweet Cobra Mike. I am no expert on the AH-1, but it look just fine to me, [Y]
Did a search on Hannants for AH-1 in that scale. You are right, not much there. Just a couple of resin bit for hobby Boss kits. And no decals. But from the looks of this kit, you don’t need it.
Very shark Cobra. I have run into the same problem with lack of decals too. I build in 72 entirely due to space. There seems to be a real lack of available resin for modern kits as well as newer decal sets. The ones that are out there are like going on a “Vision Quest” to find on the net.
I have several Cobras and Supers in the stash. This is good isnpiration.
Howdy Mike, I build in 1/72 scale so I’m guessing you have excellent eye sight because this scale is pretty unforgiving when scratch building and keeping the painted parts looking right. You could be a magician in that case I can’t wait to see you build a CH-54 Sky Crane. Your cobra is eye candy for sure. Magoo
WOW[:D] That is one sharp cobra! Cockpit looks outstanding. What/how did you get the exhaust weathering like that, to me, that really sets it off. Great build.[Y]
The exhaust stains are simple dry brushing using a mix of the base color and a little brown and gray, nothing fancy.
I don’t find 1/72nd scale to be too small. While I’m at the age where I need a second set of glasses for the work bench, I also do 1/700th scale ships. 1/72 is easy after a few of those.
Since I’ve begun mounting my models in individual display cases, I just don’t have room for lots of 1/32nd scale a/c. 1/48th is nice and I’ve built WWII carrier-based single engine birds in that scale. Modern jets, etc., just start getting very big.
