I just got the Dragon MD-500 Defender that comes with the Israeli decals. I want to make it into a Tulsa Police helicopter for my brother, but they fly the -500E.
Is there an aftermarket conversion windshield/nose that would match the contour of the E model’s nose? So far I’ve had no luck searching, but I’m not really sure where to start since I never build helicopters.
Thanks for the help
Sorry, there is no AM canopy available. Dragon did make a couple MD530Es with pointy noses though. They did an LAPD MD530E and an MD530E Gunship. Not sure if they are currently in production, but they can be found from time to time on eBay.
I used one to do my Blackwater Securities MD530E.
Dragon made a 500E Model also in L.A. Copunty Sheriff Markings with the Law Enforcement Spot light on it. Look and see if you can find the kit from the usual OOP sources.
(I built one for a co -worker on the department when it first came out)
Are those in 35th scale or 48th?
Mine and the other Dragon ones I am talking about are 1/35. I don’t know about any in 1/48 or other scales. I only build in 1/35.
Good luck.
In 1/48 all the MD-500/ah-6 kits are of the D variant or earlier. Fujimi made one that has also been released by Testors and probably was the basis for the Academy kit. Hasegawa also has a 1/48 MD-500 in their line up.
Well, it’s a relief that they are out there in 1/35. 1/48 is just too small for this one, but if I can find one of those first, I guess I’ll have to go with it.
That’s the trouble now though, these things are hard to find! I’ve sent and email to Rare-plane Detective and am waiting on a response. Are there any other places (other than ebay) that might carry the MD-530 kits?
Thanks for you help, everyone!
I think that kit has been OOP for a good 10 years or so now, so you will probalby have to hunt hard. Their Law Enforcement line up did not last too long in the stores.
I have the Dragon kit in question in my stash, along with the entire Urban Elite (law enforcement) series of figures. All of them are still in their boxes unassembled.
acmodeler01, here’s the kit. Sorry for the slight glare. Except for the removal of the shrinkwrap, everything in the box is still wrapped inside the plastic envelopes.
Arc,
I built the LASO MD500 kit years ago. It didn’t survive one of my moves, but i kept the windscreen. Drop me a pm with your address and i’ll send it your way.
Jose
IYAOYAS