Here is my latest build. It is a UH-1H MedEvac Huey form Vietnam. It started life as a 1/35 Panda UH-1D/H model. I corrected some of the deficiencies in the kit, namely a lot of holes for incorrect antennas for a Vietnam helo. I also used the excellent Cobra Company UH-1 Detail/ Correction Set, #3511 to replace much of the detailless and out of scale interior parts.
Most of the cabin interior detail is scratched built. The crew seats in the rear were modified from UH-60 troop seats, the door gunner seats were widened and new, in scale legs were added. The litters are scratched from sheet and rod styrene and lead foil. The hoist is a modified piece from the Academy MH-60G kit, as is the jungle penetrator. Pilots are from the DML Vietnam Helo Crew set. Seat belts are all made from lead foil. One crewman will be in the back and another in a surprise position when completed. More to come later.
Carefully. Sorry, couldn’t resist. Basically, you have to scrape and sand it off. Then wet sand and polish it with progressively finer sand papers till it is smooth again. Lastly, dip it in Future to restore the final smooth finish. Should work fine.
Looks like another outstanding build, HeavyArty. I like the little details you provide. The ration box, a water cooler, crew bags, etc…it always seems to bring the kit to life.
I’ve got the 1/35 Panda UH-1N that I want to make as a USMC bird. Are the Cobra Co sets the way to go to correct all the “issues” I keep hearing about the Panda offering?
Yup, the CC sets are the way to go. I have the N model and the 2 sets for it as well. They make the fixes much easier. You will still have to widen the gunner’s seats though. Panda has the trooop seat supports too far inboard, they also made the gunner’s seats too narrow (by about 1/8 inch) to match them. Good luck.
Looking real good! If you decided to put the Hoist in, you would need to remove the right jump seat. The base plate for the actuator to swing it in and out would be there and the hoist isn’t a correct “model” for Vietnam. Cable spool was at the front bottom and boom was retangular in shape with large turnbuckle providing support from mid top of boom to vertical support. You are turning a real “sow” into a “silk purse”! Amazing what a lot of time, hard work, and aftermarket kits can do!
Thanks. I already knew about the hoist model, but it is close enough. The right jump seat is over far enough to clear the hoist, almost to the middle. It all fits in and has plenty of room to swivel, etc. Thanks or the tips though. With some work, the Panda kit can come out looking pretty good. One of the biggest issues is all the extra antenni and other pieces that are not correct for a Vitenam-era UH-1D or UH-1H (all the parts are there for either version). The directions don’t tell which is right for which version either, or a later UH-1H (comes with wire strike kit too). Need to do your research on this one. Glad you like it.
Is there any particular Dust-Off you’re going to make it like? Worked next door to the 57th Med during my last tour at Bragg… it’s funny how I never really took the time to look hard at some of those aircraft, now before long the only place we’ll be able to see them is in a museum.
Thanks Frank. It is actually a customer’s build and he is modeling it after his dad’s helo in Vietnam. His dad was s flight medic. He is providing me with the specific markings, tail number, etc. Great pic there.
No Sweat! I didn’t crew Medevac’s in Nam but spent from “75” to “81” in the Reserves crewing a Medevac. We always left out the right jump seat because it got awfully crowded doing hoist work and getting the patient into the doorway. I have surpisingly few pictures because I left suddenly and always thought I would stay crewing.
Nice print, got to be one of those “outlaw” 101st Birds! My gunner from the 174th ended up in “Eagle Dustoff” after we stood down. He gave me one of their patches. In 2003 and 2004 he ended up at Ft. Campbell “covering” for that very same Unit that was then serving in Iraq. They couldn’t believe he was still on flight status. Mike was also down in N.O. the day after Katrina hoisting out survivors.
Yup, that is what I meant. You can build a later model UH-1H ('80’s) from the kit as well. They won’t be going on my Vietnam version, but are included in the kit and shown as optional parts for the Vietnam D/H model in the instructions.