Eurocopter BK117 "Space Design" - Revell 1:72

[Julien]

Eurocopter BK117 "Space Design"

Revell 1:72

The Eurocopter BK117 is a twin engine medium lift utility helicopter. It is used for personnel transport, often in the VIP role; aerial lifting work; Police & Military uses; Air Ambulance and Search & Rescue.

The BK117 was originally designed as a joint venture between Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm of Germany and Kawasaki of Japan. MBB was later bought by Daimler-Benz which then became a part of Eurocopter. Development costs were shared between the 2 partners with MBB developing the rotors (based on those used for the Bo 105, the tail boom, flight controls and hydraulic systems. Kawasaki developed the landing gear, airframe, and main transmission.

The first prototype flew in 1979, with 443 helicopters being produced (331by MBB and 112 by Kawasaki). The successor of this aircraft is the EC-145 and indeed the last variant of the BK117 the C-2 is actually an EC-145.


The Kit
This kit was first issued by Revell back in 1992 in this scheme and its a welcome return to a good little kit. The most obvious change on the box, and a sign of the times is that the kit is now an "Eurocopter Officially Licensed Product". The kit comes in 2 sprues of blue plastic and one of clear. Thankfully as well Revell seem to have done away with those dreadful recycled paper instructions and the new ones are very clear.

Construction starts with the main cabin, front and rear seats are added along with what looks like a comprehensive set of pilot controls. Decals are provided for the instrument panels. following completion of the interior the main fuselage is closed up adding what looks like to be an engine face part at the same time, also the instructions would have you add the main rotor par at this stage, however I suspect a lot of modellers will leave this to later on. The engine pads are then assembled and added to the main fuselage pod.

The next steps in construction is to make the tailboom with the end plates and attach this to the fuselage pod. The main rotor head is now made up. This is a traditional two part hub which sandwiches the end of the rotors into it. Like a lot of 1/72 helicopters this does look a bit flimsy and will need superglue or similar to make it more sturdy.

Following this the skids and clear parts are added to the model, the tail rotor attached and a few aerial added. Though I suspect some of these will be better left off until after paining and decaling has taken place.

Canopy

The canopy parts are well moulded and clear, they should pose no problems.

Decals
Decals are provided for one scheme only, what Revell calls the "Space Design"

In the early days of the BK117 project, MBB contracted well-known designers of the day to create eye-catching designs which would highlight and publicise the BK117. In 1986the BK117's sales slogan was of a Space ship (ie roominess not actually space!) MBB contracted German born Luigi Colani to create this livery, "Colani's Spaceship," apparently to coincide with Halley's Comet which was visible that year. The helicopter wore this scheme from 1984 to 1986.

The decals have been designed by Syhart of France and are printed in Italy. They look glossy and in register. There are large areas of clear film over the star design which will mean the modeller having to get a good paint finish and I suspect use of setting solutions to avoid any silvering. The scan unfortunately does not show the areas with the small white stars.

Conclusion

Overall recommended, and good to see this kit re-released by Revell.

Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For further information visit

[John]

Wasn't this a Matchbox kit originally?

J

[Space Ranger]

Yes, this was originally a Matchbox kit with decals for ADAC, the German auto club's air rescue service.

[heloman1]

The kit has still been around for some time...

[John_W]

I recall reading a build review in Scale models where they ended up cutting the decals in to smaller chunks to get them to fit. Presume decal technology has moved on since then.

[Julien]

Wasn't this a Matchbox kit originally?

J

You know I thought that looking at the sprues, I know revell did the same Space Ship back in 1992 but it looks like it is a lot older than that!

Julien