Bell OH-58D "Kiowa" - Revell 1:72

[Julien]

Bell OH-58D "Kiowa"

Revell 1:72

The Bell OH-58 Kiowa is a military version of the successful Bell 206A Jet Ranger helicopter. Bell developed this back in 1960 in response to a US Navy requirement (On behalf of the Army) for a Light Observation Helicopter. The aircraft was originally rejected on favour of the Hughes OH-6. In 1967 the US Army reopened the helicopter competition as Hughes could not fulfil it's contractual obligations. Bell resubmitted their helicopter with some changes which included more cabin space. Bell underbid Hughes to win the contract. In following with US Army tradition of naming helicopters after native American tribes the new helicopter was given the name Kiowa.

The OH-58D brought the most distinctive feature of the Kiowa, it's mast mounted sight. This contains a gyro stabilised thermal imaging system, and a laser range finder. The OH-58Ds would work in conjunction with Apache helicopters finding targets with their sight.

In a move which has caused some controversy the US Army are to retire their entire fleet of Kiowas. These are to be replaced by Apaches and the new OH-72 Lakota. This restructuring by the Army is a move to divest itself completely of one aircraft type primarily it would seem to save money. The final flight of a Kiowa was the 8th June 2015. Foreign sales of these aircraft are already lined up Lebanon currently in the last stages of a deal to acquire the helicopter and upto 1000 Hellfire missiles.


The Kit
This is the old Matchbox kit PK-43 first released back in 1987. You can still see MATCHBOX on the sprues though the "Made In England" bit has had the "England" removed from the mould. The kit features raised detail and slightly heavy recessed detail, though I think the infamous Matchbox trencher had retired by this stage! The kit seems to be as good now as it was back then with no flash present.

Construction starts in the cockpit / cabin area. The instrument panel is constructed using decals to represent the instruments. Next the pilot seats are added to the bulkhead. Cyclic controls are supplied, but no collectives or rudder pedals. The forward and aft bulkheads are added into the fuselage halves, along with the main rotor shaft. Once these are in the fuselage halves can be closed up.

Once all is closed up the engine top decking can be added, along with front canopies. On the underside the landing skids are added along with a cable cutter. The tail rotor, tail fin, and tailboom wings are added at the next stage along with the side windows and doors.

The last construction phase is to complete the main rotor. This is then added along with the mast mounted sight. The last few bits added are another cable cutter and a couple of aerials.

Canopy
The clear parts are well moulded if a little thick for this scale. The are though clear and relatively distortion free.

Decals
Decals are provided for two US Army Machines based in Germany.

Conclusion
This looks like it will make up into a good representation of the Kiowa. Detail may be a bit sparse in places but the overall shape appears to be good. Recommended.

Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers.

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