I just won one of these on eBay and with the knowledge that this kit probably dates from the mid to late 60s, I am kind curious as to what to look forward to in regards to the quality of this kit.
I am not expecting much beyond a basic shape that will kind of look like an HH-3. So if any of you could share any information you may have concerning this kit, I’d be greatly appreciative.
TIA
Jonathan Primm
Yougnsville, LA
Sorry, I have never built the kit. But, being the smart-#*% I am, my question is: Have you really won it if you had to pay for it? [:-^]
Have fine Navy-Marine Corps day!
Good Point! When the kit arrives I will let you know if it was a “win” or if it was something I shouldn’t have spent $14.00 for. In any event I am only out a couple of six packs [%-)]
Jonathan Primm
Youngsville, LA
If it’s the kit I think, it was later re-issued by Revell and later as a snap-tite by Lindberg. Not a bad kit for it’s day. Basic cockpit but no other interior detail, exterior looks accurate to my eye-ball. could be built nice with scratch-building and parts-box raiding. Would be nice for a model copmany to issue a new kit though.
Are you reading this, MRC??? Huh??? [:-^]
Let’s hope so, if not, another company
Thanks for the info!..that is about what I was expecting. I’m thinking I could probably rob some stuff or maybe adapt the cockpit details from the eduard SH-3 set, the cabin interior would have to be scratch built
Amen, Grandad!!!
Should work, you may want to check out Squadron’s “SH-3 in Action” believe they covered the HH-3 in it, may help you out.
If it’s the same kit at the Revell, then you’ll need to scratchbuild a hoist (define irony - a rescue helicopter kit that doesn’t include a rescue hoist) and depending on which version/timeframe you want to build your H-3 as, you may have to scratchbuild a shield for the engine intakes.
Yes they did. If I had a scanner I’d send you what they have. But, alas, the scanner bit the dust!
Jonathan,
I have one tucked away somewhere! I could dig it out but seems to me it was basic, pretty much smooth not too many panel lines. Probably a good basic shape to start an a lot of work on! Good luck!
I just finished building one of these–it was the Lindberg Snap-tite re-issue; just waiting on paint now. To put it lightly, kit was VERY, VERY basic. There is no hoist, no rotor head details, you’ll have to add rotor droop if you want it, no FOD deflector for the turbine intakes, no pitot tubes, no cockpit detail except for a couple of plastic lumps in the seats that are called “pilots,” and two flimsy pieces of flash that might be taken for cyclics. The external fuel tank mounts are huge and very simple. The clear parts were thick and like looking through a kaleidescope.
So rather than trying to scratchbuild anything inside or make new clear parts, I painted the inside of all clear parts black. I ended up buying a resin conversion kit to make it a USCG HH-3F Pelican (from Hawkeye Models Australia, kit #CS-18).
Long story short, it was a rough kit, but I wanted a Pelican to add to my collection, so I didn’t mind the extra work. All the shortcomings aside, and the fact that I haven’t found a better kit out there, I’m pretty happy with the end result, and will be more so, once I get it painted and marked! Keep us posted on yours!
By the way, Squadron Signal’s H-3 in Action is a very good reference source!