I’ve been eye balling this project for about 2 years now but finally picked up another H43 kit and ordered the Cobra detail set for it. I’m going to build it as a Vietnam era “Pedro” SAR / Crash rescue & firefighting helo. I’ll be scratchbuilding the “sputnik” firefighting unit unless someone knows of an after market one.
I’m wondering if anyone has built this kit with the detail set before that might be able to give me some tips, things to avoid etc.
An aftermarket decal set might be handy too as the last time I built one of these I had some issues with the decals.
I built the kit a long time ago. It was pretty good. The major downfal was the interior. The CC set should take care of that. I have seen some nice build and the CC set makes it look great. Good luck.
I built the kit OOB a couple years ago, built up without a problem but the interior detail is sparse and those windows are so big so I really wanted to try one with the detail set. Guess I’ll be the guinea pig on this one [dinner]
I had heard that Cobra Company went out of business. Where did you pick up your detail set? I have one of the H-43’s and was going to purchase a detail set from Cobra, until I had heard they went out of business.
They are still in business, just got my last purchase from them on Sat, quality work and good service. Only problem I can think of is not them, but the time of year, mail may be a little slow until Christmas is over.
They are definately not out of buisness, I picked up my stuff yesterday which means my order arrived in less than 2 weeks even with the holidays.
In addition to the H43 kit I also picked up the 1/72 S58T conversion and the 1/72 F7F3N nightfighter conversion kits. Very good quality stuff and even includes decent instructions.
I will definately buy from them again. My only problem now is what to start?
You think you’ve bee putting off doing a Pedro for a while? I picked up a detail set at the nationals when they were here in Orlando, about 1999.
I have built several of these kits because I used to have to fly on them once in a while. The main problem that I had with each one was the fit of the canopy bottom, it was a real pain. The last one I built, the right boom was warped.
But, I’m going to do it again. I’d like to find a set of decals for the S.E.A. paint job as well as an after market for the fire suppression kit and the Forced Jungle Penetrator.
If you come across anything, let me know.
When I do mine, I’ll have an M-60 mounted on the side door as usual.
I’d like to know the details on that. I’ve been trying to find info on the fire suppression kits (apparently there were two fire suppression kits). I’ve got a photo or two of it if that will help. I was toying with using styrofoam craft balls from the floral section of the local artsy-crafty store and covering them with spackle (or something – maybe Mr Surfacer) to make the tanks. I was also looking at using a cloth shoe lace of the appropriate size for the hose. Let me know if you want what info I’ve got.
Good luck on the decals. I have never found any. The photos I have of the SEA camouflage have the letters on the rotor fairings two different colors (split in the middle of the letters) due to the change in camouflage colors at that location.
AFAIK, no aftermarket set on the fire suppression kit and none onthe jungle penetrator either. Dave Klaus @ Meteor Productions – HINT HINT HINT.
I’m planning on using a ping pong ball for the tank, the rest seems like a fairly easy scratch build, some framing, a ladder maybe a little plumbing. I was going to do the version with the hose reel since I don’t care for shoelace fire hose. I use wire on reel lines which I think looks fairly accurate.
I was originally thinking about doing the SEA camo but after some reading I found they used the silver markings in Viet Nam in '64-65. They finally went to camoflage in mid to late '65.
Regarding the Jungle Penetrator is there one in another kit? I’m wondering if there is a 1/35 kit of a CSAR Jolly Green Giant that might have one.
These are the websites I’ve found that could be helpful for building a Pedro, there are a few pics of the FSK buried here and there in a few of them.
If you’re doing a silver Pedro, check to see if they still had the clamshell doors attached. I’m not sure when they removed them, but I don’t think they kept them on too long. They replaced them with a cargo net assembly that stretched across the opening and attached to either side of the rear fuselage.
Wayne Mutza’s Kaman H-43:an Illustrated History has some good tech order drawings of both the early and late suppression kits and several good photos. Great book for any fan of the H-43!
I picked one up this year. It has a lot of good photos and information, I was surprised to see a photo of one of our from U-Tapao that was destroyed during an accident with a B-52.