I’m not a regular here on the helicopter forum but a while back I asked you guys for some help with my 1/32 Revell Huey and you really came through for me. So here’s some pics of what I’ve done so far.
I still need to finish off the figures and add some details, as well as generally cleaning up the Huey. So don’t be too hard on me if you notice some things missing (i.e. tail rotors![:D])
The kit is not a great build to be honest and the decals were terrible, but I had fun doing a little scratch-building in the form of amour for the pilot seats and the troop seats. The starboard gun and platform is scratch-built using the port-side dragon parts as a guide. All the crew figures are the dragon 'Nam set. the troop figures are supposed to be a LRRP. these were made from a mix of Dragon and Ledgend figures. I was trying to make this look like an “in and out” team insertion.
Hope you like it so far,
Thanks Melgyver,
I’m going to have a static tail rotor so I can spin it like I’ve done for the main rotor photo. A friend of mine wanted to fit a motor in there, but I did’nt trust him with my Huey after seeing what he did with his!
Darren,
Looks great man! Is that the Panda kit? Great looking version of “The Good Widow Jones” of the 121st AHC of the Soc Trang Tigers (has there ever been a better looking nose on a Huey than this?). I’m not sure you know but that’s the cover ship of “Modern Military Aircraft - Huey” by Lou Drendel. Lou was my introduction to Squadron/Signal Publications and his book on the Huey is terrific. Again, it looks really good, not to mention the job on the base. Keep up the good work and keep those pics coming!
Paul
I asked about it because I successfully used some HO race car pinion gears to motorized the tail rotor on a 1/48 scale Apache that of course I haven’t finished. I had to make some adjustments because the first time it was turning too slow. I even made a “clutch” for the main rotor so it would keep spinning after the electric motor was shut off so their wouldn’t be a “sudden” stopage! A friend of mine up in New York state is making a diorama using helicopters depicting my Unit from Vietnam. I referred him to your pictures tonight. Thanks for sharing! Maybe I’ll finish something this year!
[:)]Thanks for kind words everyone! it’s really good to know you like my model.
Lee,
the decals came with the kit. it’s the 1/32 Revell version. But beware! While the widow jones is a great scheme, the decals are really awful to work with. If you end up using these, scan them and print them out on your own decal paper. I wish I did that first!
Avus,
sorry the pics are not great quality, the lighting in my workshop is not too good. When I’m finished I plan to take some outdoors shots. Hopefully they will be better.
Frank,
thank-you! It was done with your help, so I’m real glad you like it. [^]
Melgyver,
I’ve not played with motors in models yet, it looks like hard work to me! I’d love to see your apache when it’s finished-sounds great!
Paul,
as you’ve already worked out it’s not the panda kit, I chose the Revell kit because it was cheap at the time. It’s true what they say-you get what you pay for! I honestly would’nt recommend this kit. It’s a pain in the butt to make it look half decent! But It’s been fun adding various bits to it to see if it works!
The model looks great. The only thing I can think of is to add face paint to the LRRP figures. Usually, they applied camo to all exposed skin. Other than that, the diorama looks really good. Thanks for the recommendation about the Revell Huey, I was about to buy one, but I’ll save for another Panda kit if I get one.
I think you guys are selling the Revell kit short. I think it is better than the Panda Kit by a long shot. The Panda doesn’t even have fine details and almost all the parts are over-sized. I still think the old Revell, while a little long in the tooth, is still a better kit. With a little TLC, it can look great. I have made quite a few of the Revell, and prefer them over the Pandas.
I really agree with Gino … I’ll take the Revell kit over the Panda. With the Revell kit, you’ve at least got a fuselage that has every panel and line in the EXACT right place. I’m sure Mel will agree … the accuracy of the exterior is awesome (except maybe the nose is off some? I still can’t tell). With the Panda … there is very little correct about the panel lines and exterior detail for a UH-1D/H.
Paul
Guys, I know some of you think I’ve been a bit harsh about the Revell kit, but in fairness I called it as I saw it. This particular kit that I had was bad in terms of quality, fit and decals. Maybe I’m too fussy, I just expected more than what I got. Mind you, after what I’ve heard about those Panda kits…maybe I should take a big piece of humble pie[:o)][;)]
No Sweat Dude! It’s all perspective. We all see the same thing slightly different. Each of us has our particular preferences and “yardsticks” we measure other kits by. Some of us are just a “foot” short on our “yardsticks”! Heh, heh!
Mar956,Lizardqing2- many thanks for for your kind words.
Lee,
My kit was a 1993 issue. I suspect that it’s decal sheet is out of production now as my kit and others like it are being sold off quite cheaply at a lot of the model shows over here. Trouble is they seem to be few and far between now, and the sheet I had was really bad quality. Some friends of mine who have bought the same kit had the same problems.
Basically, after two coats of gloss on the model and muliple applications of micro-set/sol-the decals still sivered! The only thing I could do was to drench them solution until they were fully settled down and spray gradual coats of gloss, satin and matt to make the decals look “painted” I’m still not happy with them, but as we all know, no make decent decals for 1/35th scale hueys[:(!][V]. Therfore, we are forced to use the “in the box” sheets.
I’ve given thought to making my own sheets for hueys, however I still have’nt done enough research yet. If I ever produce one you fellas will be the first to know!
