Z10 Prototype HobbyBoss 1/72

[Ed Russell]

I modelled 原型示例-03 which is the one in this well-known picture

http://battlefield.wikia.com/wiki/WZ-10

I gather from my Chinese friend there were many changes to the turret and target acquisition systems during its life. I was not able to find better pictures of the PNVS. You will have seen this

http://defenceforumindia.com/forum/threads/wz-10-attack-helicopter-revealed.18508/page-2

[Stephan]

Thanks for your effort of looking that up.

That's what I found but it is not a prototype and the mounting looks a bit different.

 

https://www.sinodefenceforum.com/z-10-thread.t2879/page-201

 

[Ed Russell]

I think at the time of the picture they had recently added the turret. The surrounding panel is new (cream undercoat?) and the turret seems to be in green primer.

 

That's an interesting forum. There were quite a few tests on cannons of various calibres. I think the cannon on Z-10 -03 is actually Chinese version of 25mm M242 and on operational WZ-10 it is Chinese version of 30mm 27A2. It is less powerful than the M242 but easier to use and maintain.

 

I also got the information about the supposed radar-absorbing paint on WZ-10. it's very hard to pin down but I went for NATO Helo Drab darkened with a fair bit of black. Some of the net pictures (with the girl pilots) show it as quite a mid-green. Imagine the model forum discussions in 20 years' time!

[Stephan]

Hi Ed,

on all the pictures from the prototype I have seen so far, the turret was painted in that green color.

 

Mass production Thunderbolts seem to be painted in three different colors. The dark green you mentioned, black at least for the aerobatic team helicopters, and a 3 tone camo seen here:

https://www.sinodefenceforum.com/z-10-thread.t2879/page-212

 

Here is a picture of the ones being delivered to Pakistan, I'm unable to judge the color but the gun turret and the gun itself is another than the one on the prototypes and the ones being usually equipped on the thunderbolt. Is that the rebuild of the M242? I guess so because the main body of the cannon is much more massive than the rebuild of the 2A72.

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m288/umarasifiqbal/36bc67be62945567b8e64bdb3bd43fe9_zpsviefhwsw.jpg

 

Here are both turrets and cannons in one picture:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KwMzNl9cuic/VTBK38xK0kI/AAAAAAAAK0c/Rhr6p26VV7M/s1600/Z-10_guns.jpg

 

cheers

Stephan

[Ed Russell]

Oooh I like that camo one - it looks just like a Tiger ARH. I might have to buy another one! Looking at the aerobatic team ones, they do look like black.

[Stephan]

I would love to see your third Z10. I will go for the Tiger ARH instead. Two Z10 are enough for me, and I have a good looking Revell Tiger Kit in my stash, but only with German and French markings.

Are there any ARH decals on the market?

 

 

[Ed Russell]

Yes indeed - there have been two sets of Australian Tiger markings (both OOP) but Red Roo are working on a new set. PM me your email address and I'll organise something for you. The Revell Tiger is the best one to start with.

[Stephan]

Thanks for your kind offer. PM is on the way.