15-01-04
Guys, I have what might be a Mission:Impossible.
I would like to model the AH-1S Cobra as a Japanese machine. I accqured the decal sheet from Twobobs and they’re for 1/48 Monogram kit.
However, I am told that Fujimi did a 1/48 Cobra AH-1S that was really superior to the Monogram kit. I am also told it is impossible to find.
I want to do this for my wife as a thank you for her patience and understanding with this obcession we call a hobby. She’s Japanese, I am Irish. Strange brew indeed. I am already searching up a Phantom and an Eagle for this project. The Cobra would cap it all very nicely.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.
Liam
No way!! The Monogram kit is just FINE unless you are totally A-R about recessed panel lines. Go with what you’ve got, and you will NOT be disappointed. I’ve been told by a former AH-1F pilot that the Monogram kit is just shy of 100% accuracy, so save yourself the hate & discontent, and get building!!
I think that is wonderful that you want to do that for her! It is cool to be able to build something for the wife like that! I just might have to do that for my wife someday…[:-^][swg]
Meanwhile, if Fujimi makes 1/48 scale helicopters who’s quality is anything like their 1/72 scale stuff, then you’ll be pleased. I have built two Fujimi1/72 scale Japanese Cobras, one is Step II, the other is Step III.
Here is what they look like:
1/72 scale Fujimi AH 1 Cobra Step II
1/72 scale Fujimi AH 1 Cobra Step III
I also finished building my little 1/72 scale Italeri Japanese OH 6 Cayuse today:
My 1/72 scale Japanese F 4 EJ Phantom just got decaled, tomorrow I dullcoat it and mount the weapons!
I hope you are successful in your search for these kits in 1/48 scale. Your wife will love them!
16-01-04
thanks for the replies guys.
DukeMaddog: Yeah, well Ijust got to thinking of the time she has spent waiting for me at model shops as I would be “just a minute” and then leaving an hour or so later. With little complaint.
Ammmmm, not really being a rotor-head, what is the difference between a step II and a stepIII and which would do the Twobobs sheet?
Well, just between the bunch of us.
I would opt for the Monogram kit. I have 2 of them and my experience with Fujimi is not good at all.
I bought their 1/48 AH-1G a few years back. It was pure junk IMHO.
I’ll just have to wait for someone to release either a decent 1/48 kit or wait on the 1/32 re-release from Revell AG.
I agree WRT the older Fujimi G-model, however the AH-1S and AH-1J are from a completely new set of molds, and are great kits (aside from the molded-as-one cockpit). The Monogram kit is, indeed, excellent, but if you need the earlier style without the IR suppressor, the Fujimi/Testors kit is the way to go.
I posted a comparison, with photos, WAAAY back before they had a dedicated rotary-wing a/c forum here… I tried to find it and my efforts were less than successful.
BTW, that toy-like AH-1G was repackaged by both Lindberg and MiniCraft, so don’t be fooled; it’s the same old Fujimi kit. Don’t underrate the later S and J models because of this unserviceable collection of vaguely familiar plastic shapes. It isn’t fair to categorize them both as being in the same league.
The Step Three had an upgraded Avionics package and a more powerful engine installed. They also legthened the tilpipe a bit to add a heat muffler to help reduce the threat from heat-seeking missiles.
I’m not sure wjhat the Twobobns sheet represents, so I couldn’t help on that. Most probably a Step II though, I would venture to guess.
18-01-04
Fitter and DukeMaddog: Thanks for the information. Where, by any chance, would I be able to locate details of what choppers the JSDF flew? Anyone know of a web-site I can go to?
Liam
18-01-04
Second plea for help: The Two-Bobs decal sheet says that a Eduard AH-1S Cobra detai lset is available but I cannot find it. Nor can I find the Fujimi/Testors Cobra AH-1S. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Liam
