Hi all. I want to try my hand at som 1/32 Helos. I have the Academy 1/32 AH-1w super cobra and or the UH 1 c(?) heavy hog in mind.
Witch one is the most “acurate” interms of bells and whistles? Opening pannels detail ect?
Any major flaws or fit issues with any of these?
I would have liked to do a nice 1/32 UH-1 “slick” or a “DUst off” but can’t seem to find affordable kits of it here in South Africa.
Thanx
Theuns
Umm they are 1/35 not 1/32 scale and if you are looking for a Dust off Medivac Huey try the Dragon/Panda 1/35 UH-1D or UH-1H (HEER) As the D’s and H’s were mostly used in the Medivac version. Maybe the D’s but I’m not sure.
Thanx, Dragon very epensive hrer, so I might have to go for the AH1 then rather.
Theuns
The AH-1W kit has some serious shape issues and omissions. It was Academy’s first 1/35 helo. I think their Hueys are much better. Here is a review I started on the AH. The review doesn’t get into the shape issues. I’ve started building it again so maybe I’ll pick up over here where I left off. http://zone-five.net/showthread.php?t=14898
Dang, pitty about the shape, suche a nice looking helo. Might have to go for the Hog then instead. Thanx
Theuns
Th UH-1C kit is pretty good OOB but you will need to add pitch change links to the rotor. You’ll easily see what I mean if you compare the kit rotor to a real one, but it’s just a couple of pieces of round sprue so no biggie there. Plus the engine is decent as well and you can leave the cowling open.
Ray
Thanx for the tips and feedback on the Hog Ray. Pitty the Academy 1/35 AH-1w has a few more “issiues” 
Sorry for the hijack!
Theuns
The issues on the AH-1W are not that great. The fuselage is a little short behind the coockpit, that is all. It will not be noticable unless you pull out a caliper and measure it. It builds up into a really nice W. It is easily as nice a kit as the UH-1C. I say build both or build whichever one you want; don’t worry about minor issues.
Thanx mate, that now opens the race between the Hog and the Cobra againn LOL!
I Think your idea of getting both is a good one, here I can get each for around $30 , maybe one every two months hould keep me busy for a while. Atleast these 1/35 helos take up a littl less space than the 1/32 planes!
Theuns
At least until you get to the 1/35 scale UH-60 series those are seriously huge whirley birds.
I tend to stick with the two blader types due to strorage issues…says the guy who just got a 1/32 P-40,1/32 F6f, 1/32 F-4u and 1/32 P-51 LOL!
I am thinking of maybe the Hog in some “what if” sceemee of maybe the Nigerian or Congolese Air Force, all dirty and “old”
Theuns
Depending on how picky you are the issues with the AH-1W may not be “that great” but they are many and noticeable. Look at the thread in the link I posted above. Aside from that short fuselage, some of the most noticeable (IMHO) off the top of my head are the canopy sills are too low, canopy shape wrong, slope of forward doghouse, three missing firewalls/bulkheads, no panel or rivet detail on the belly, xmsn cowling, exhaust cowling, little/no detail on the inside engine doors, ammo bay doors, main rotor hub, tail rotor 90 degree gearbox, rocket pods, tow missiles, etc, etc.
As a comparison between the quality of MRC AH-1W and their later efforts, look at the ALQ-144 and Hellfire missiles on the AH-1W kit compared to those on their later OH-58. Same components real life but the W kit parts almost look cartoonish compared to the OH-58 kit’s.
Does it look like an AH-1W when built OOB? Yeah but the AH-1W is pretty distinctive. There are a lot of after-market correction/detail sets for the AH-1W. Why? Because a lot of people have noticed the problems.
Back to the UH-1 then LOL!!! (only have loot for one at a time anyway)
Thanx for the imput guys 
Theuns
Agreed, the Academy W is not perfect, I don’t think it is junk either. Yes, there is lots of room for improvement and there are some AM sets to correct the deficiencies if you choose to; as with any other model, none are perfect. It also will build into a nice model straight out of the box. How detailed or how much you fix is up to each modeler. Most of the “problems” you mention I don’t see as problems, but opportunities to do some old-fashioned modeling. Many of them would only be noticed by an AH-1W pilot or crew chief anyways. Weapons can be upgraded; inner surfaces of doors can be added with some sheet styrene, rivets added, etc., etc., etc…
In the end, does it look like a W when done, yes. Is it buildable without massive fit problems or issues with the kit itself, yes.
I still recommend it since it is the only large-scale AH-1W model available. I have built a couple, and with a little effort, they can look great.
Agreed, it is currently the best AH-1W in 1/35 scale. : )
To answer the original question:
“Witch one is the most “acurate” interms of bells and whistles? Opening pannels detail ect?”
I’d have to go with the UH-1C IMHO.
I have both, let me just say the huey will never be finished I’ve already scrapped it. Notup to snuff. The AH on the other hand is quite nice. The few fit “issues” and “seam problems” are easy to fix in a few minutes with the most rudimentary of model building skills, as they are quite small. I would suggest gluing the fuse halves in sections, but other then that, no real surprises and it looks good. The decals can be a PITA though, they don’t fit too well in my opinion.
Cut the dang fuel cell from the back cabin wall and the fit of the fuselage on the UH-1C is pretty dang good. If the MRC/Academy Huey isn’t up to snuff you probably ain’t never gonna have a Huey on the shelf! It’s by far the best large scale Huey on the market. I’m building one right now but backdating to a UH-1B. There is so much photoetch and resin for it that you can make a showstopper if you have some skills and take your time. Course I’m just hoping mine looks decent.
Ray
As mentioned the ‘W’ has some issue, but still turns out nice in the end.
Here is my build of it:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shawnmanny/sets/72157626246224729/
That is one decent Cobra you made there!
The one thing I was concerned about the Cobra kit was the large “cobra” decal on the side of the fuse, but I am sure the kit provides for more than one option in the box?
I have a mate who owns and flies UH-1’s for the fire service, so I have a “liking” in those aswell.
I think I will start off with the AH-1 and get the UH in a few months.
Theuns