Chief Cohiba

But see, what's arrived today: I will post a few impressions of sprues and stuff later, but spoiler alert: from what I see this definitely qualifies for the here rather fluffily defined class of a "super kit".

Wow, that's hefty. 💸 I'm sure this would make an impressive model, but available room opions (or rather lack of it) supports me in fighting the temptation.

How could I miss this - I guess these are pretty good and an interesting topic. Would look good beneath a Tiger, though I don't know how good the offerings are here. Both Revell and HobbyBoss don't look that bad, though not superdetailed.

I don't know how much it was when available, but couldn't have been that cheap. It's quite a big model, I guess.

But are on my list for my next order, especially the OH1 is interesting. I can remember, I did build some of them with pleasure. Not really Superkits in the definition of this thread here, but can made into very nice models. And still for some helos are more or less are best and only choice, at least in 1/72. I'm wondering when some of those heros of modelling come up with a new and modern tooling of standards like a Huey - I'm talking to you, Special Hobby? Or a MD500/Cayuse? Jetranger, anyone? *sigh*

Thanks @Bjorn, @exdraken I'm a bit jealous as I see there's more going on, or at least in higher quality, in quarter scale than in 1/72 - but I try to stick to the major scale for helos. For reasons of my diminutive space (ok, rather for peace with my wife). Think of a Jetranger, where Italeris 1/48 is great, but in 1/72 there are only toys. Same with the venerable wessex - in 1/72 you're kneedeep in heavy scratchbuilding when you plan to do a nice one. Btw; there's some older Swedish metal flying around in those profiles here, I've noticed. 😉

Well thank you, it seems we have grown quite a list here already! 🙂 Indeed they are, but there are some, and it seems they're getting more. Thanks for the hint, I didn't have them on my list, but I have the idea that these will wander in my stash much too soon.

Dammit - I totally missed (and already binned) it. That could have made the least squeeze of sense out of this. Aaaargh...

Guys, many thanks for the support on this, sometimes it's just like that and I think I've learned something on this (maybe even to ask before, not not after). 😉 I'm off for a week of holiday, and then I guess it's time for something new! Yoohoooh!!

Only the wee and faint of heart, so not me, of course! 😄

Well, not this time, and not with this, I'm afraid. I wanted to get rid of it and on to something new. Also, the stash got reduced a bit, so that helps as well. 🙂 But thanks for the encouragment!

Many thanks, that is such a simple yet wonderful tip, I'm wondering why I didn't come to that idea myself. If all of this mess did result in that tip, it definitely was worth it. Many thanks, again - will definitely try the next time.

Yes, a bit, but as this was considered a test piece, I was more careless than usual, so the chance to wreck this was higher. But it wasn't planned by no means, of course. Thanks, it's just like that. My budget of time so to say is not that high, so I was quite fast in binning it. Yes, the masking fluid went that way as well... 😉 I briefly thought about that, but then decided not to go that way, as simply I don't want to spend more time on that. There's so much more I'd love to spent my time on...

Here's the remainder of the maskings, looking rather like some yard of toxic waste than our usual leftovers of Kabuki tape: And, on the canopy, the mess shows in all of it's cruel beauty (sort of): I don't know if simply the masking fluid was too old, or it reacted with the acrylic paint, or the (also rather old) blue tac, or all of it together, or I made another big mistake here - I don't know yet. But that's what testmules like these are for, aren't they? Anyway, what a But anyway, few proofs are there; the Vallejo colours do look great, I'm looking for another model to proof that (most likely Zvezdas Hind with some aftermarket masks) the old Zvezday Hip is a fun model, and I think I'll give it another try once, when my masking skills are a ta more developed. At this place; any hints are more than welcome. And if you'd call me a total noob or incompetent rookie - please do so. Throw your rotten tomatoes, I've earned it. But for the build - I all this over and failed!

Aaaand - it's time when we come to the very nature of this build as a testmule, which means, it can fail. And it did. You might have heard my swearing of the last days even over at the isles, that is home of this wonderful forum. Or, to stick with the language of this; the shot from the hip has failed, the Hip is dead. 😉 So, what happened; I sprayed the lighter areas, and after that I masked the darker spots with some rolls of Blue Tac to create the camouflage pattern. The areas in the blue-tacked "islands" I filled with masking fluid: And this - to cut it into a simple sentence - went wrong. after removal of the blu tack worms the masking fluid didn't peel or rub of as it should and id in the past, but turned into a blueish mess, that smeared and has turned into a bluish oil slick. Not only is it almost impossible to completely remove it, it also took some considerable force to rub it so far, causing the rotor shaft and the canopy to snap off.

That's what I found out myself, and hence starting that llist. 1/48 is an even wide field than my (for spatial matters) preferred 1/72. Here the Lynx, especially the battlefield version, which is totally tempting, is totally missing. But the Sea King is wonderful, some If you're into quarter sales, I only can recommend the Hasegawa Ah 64, that was the kit which started my affection for helo building. It's a classic. In the smaller scale I found another, which I will put on the list; Aoshimas OH-1 Ninja, a rather unusual topic (I wasn't aware that this Japanese homebrewn helo even existed), but the level of detail is looking promising.

Thanks for confirming, it really does look as if. I can't wait to clean my bench and finish some, to start this. I even started to listen to the Doors' "Crystal Ship"...

Well, I'm afraid I was channeling my inner Don Draper here, saying, "yeah, it means nothing, but then like something everyone want's to have"! 😎 But - sorry! With open eyes my everyday self has to admit, that's more on a buzzword than something like an exact term. So I thought I post some images of the sprues of SH's AH-1G. Though be it in Revell's guise, means that the PE parts weren't included, as would be with the original manufacturers. Parts count. This is definitely no measure for a kit's quality, but it may be a hint for available options (which might turn into precise renditions of the real thing) and level of detail. So, that's included here: The Parts count says some 150 parts, which isn't too less for a 19cm long model. This is without the PE, which wasn't included. Then; parts quality and details - look at some of these details; Then; options - two different tails, so other versions could be build accurately as well: Canopy can be build open, which would make sense to show all the details in the cockpit. (I haven't opened it yet, but it can be seen) The PE-parts: So, a lot in here for a 20ish € kit. As you can see, I'm looking forward to build this kit. But then it will reveal, if it's not only a bunch of pretty parts, but is a fun experience to build as well. But that's what I consider as "super kits", a high standard in detail and parts quality, but still affordable.

Will post the sprues once mine arrived, then those in the know could do a comparison. From what I've seen this definitely builds into a nice model I think SH went a step further with their early model, will post the sprues later. A bit way lower on my list, as it's quite a big model. Shelf issues... 😉 This took me quite some time googling now, as a result it went straight to my list. Only shame is, that it doesn't include the choice of an open cockpit, which would show the wonderful interior. But this turns into really beautiful model, I've seen some masterpieces...

I agree, there are some very tempting 1/32 or 1/35 kits out there; ICMs Cobra kits in 1/32, 1/35 and 1/48, their new Sikorsky 54 Tarhe in 1/35, Trumpeters Mil 8 or Mil 1/24 in 1/35, as well as their Chinook, or even Revells Lynx in 1/32 - which I started once but stalled for space issues. Bigger scales have by nature a gigher grade of detail, which builds into beautiful models. But a detailled engine in an 1/72 kit, like on Zvezda's Hind, is rare. I also rule out exoticas like Amodels 1/72 Mil 6, 10 or 12, mainly for space reasons (not talking about their challenging nature as short run kits). For older kits: I remember building Italeri's Puma once, which I remember as a not so bad kit, but might be based on my then lesser standards as well. Their Merlin wasn't bad at all as well, but I wouldn't call it a "Superkit", given it's level of detail. I have an old Heller Alouette III, which I'll give a take as well, but though this could take into a nice model, it's more a base for scratchbuilding than something impressive ootb. I don't know about Hobby Boss' take on the Lynx, the Blackhawk or UH-1F. Their Tiger got some warm reviews, but still lacks details in the cockpit or the possibility to open the cockpit doors.

Dear Fellow Modellers, and espeacially those with a shared interest in helos, know that the number of kits available is limited. And if one looks into good and quality kits, opposite to the venerable, yet a bit crude kits from the 70ies from Airfix, Matchbox and Heller, we grew up with, the list is even shorter. Yes, there are some nice kits especially from Italeri from that age, but it would still need some scratchbuilding to create a really nice model. But there are a few modern kits that could make a real nice model straight out of the box. I'm talking 1/48 and 1/72, mainly for storage issues, so I'll rather stick to these scales, although I know there are some really nice large kits out there. I'm thinking of create some list of heli kits here with your help to grow our stashes of all things rotaries. First and I think big granddad here is Hasegawa's 1/48 AH64, which was the first kit I ever used some photo etch here, and I think is still a great model. More recently, and one I have in my stash already, is Special Hobby's 1/72 AH-1 G, which I'm looking for to start in the nearer future. This seems really something that could be made into a great model without any fuss. Will post the sprues here soon. Also a bit of a surprise to me was the Kaman Seasprite 1/72 from Clear Prop Models, which I just ordered but haven't received yet - this also looks extremely promising. Can't wait to hold it in my hands. Zvezdas Hind in 1/72 should be great as well, though it might have some need for tweaking as far as rivets is concerned. But I don't have personal experience here. Airfix has some new toolings for the Sea King in 1/72, and the Lynx in 1/48, but still missing a modern take on the Lynx (especially the Army Lynx) in 1/72. So, what do you think should be added to the list od modern and detailed Helo kits in 1/72 and 1/48? Let's make a great and wonderful list here! 🚁

Servus Markus, grab a seat and enjoy - I try my best not to disappoint you and keep this neat and shiny (kidding - no chance). Great to have you on board!

Thanks, Steve! Sometimes I did miss a bit the fun of just nailing some pieces of plastic together, and having something finished within a few weeks time (still not like I build one Matchbox Kit in one afternoon, and what a pleasure it was. ) But also true, this isn't a kit I would throw a lorryload of PE and resin stuff onto. So it's just plastic here, with all it's shortcomings, and someone who enjoys gluein it together with sticky hands.

And here's the belly painted and de-masked. One can clearly see the lazyness of the modelling, but the paint is very good.

Thank you sir! I might in a later state, but for now this is just toying around with the new colours. Lazy I am. I've read about it, but given this what it is (read above), I am tempted to reply to this very fact with one of the more famous lines from early cinematic history: 😏