Vietnam Era US Helicopter Pilot Helmet x 2 (6009)
1:35 CMK by Special Hobby
We’ve been reviewing several 1:35 helicopter kits from ICM and other manufacturers recently, as the scale enjoys a resurgence of interest, especially for rotary wing craft. We’ve had the CH-53 Tarhe and the AH-1 Cobra to name but two, and there have also been crew figure sets in styrene to add a human dimension to the kits. As usual with CMK's resin sets, it arrives in the familiar clear vacformed box, with the resin parts safely inside, and the instructions sandwiched between the header card at the rear. The Photo-Etch (PE) is separated from the resin parts by a clear piece of acetate to prevent scratching and damage during transit.
The designers at CMK have created this simple set of two helmets from the Vietnam era that are cast on a single block with their attachment points on the rounded top of the helmet where clean-up will be easiest. PE parts are also included, to depict the chin straps and the comms booms that were attached to the sides, and will add superb detail to your model, regardless of whether you include figures, as you can place them on the seats as if the pilots or other crew have just vacated their ride for a cup of tea or personal break after a long mission.
Preparation will involve cutting the helmets free at the tubular attachment point, then sanding the stub back to match the rounded profile of the dome at the back of the helmet, then fitting the PE straps and boom mic using a dab of super glue. Painting it will really bring the helmet to life.
Highly recommended.
Review sample courtesy of