Alan P Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 I was going to post this when I finished it last month, but I didn't want to clash with (or get unfavourably compared to !) HL-10's one. It's the ancient Revell 1/32 kit, (the original UK boxing) with its original price tag of 14s.9d! I bought it from eBay for a fair price from a poor chap whose eyesight is failing - he had already started the kit and was unable to continue. I hope I've done right by him Not many original parts left - replacements detailed as follows: Cobra Company: cockpit, 20mm cannon and turret (truly excellent pieces!) Fireball Modelworks: engine cowl and exhaust, rocket pods, decals (also very high quality) Werner's Wings: Extremely good vacform canopy, a must-have for this kit. CMK: crew figures Academy: Crew heads (from the 1/32 Hornet); turret miniguns (from 1/35 BlackHawk kit) Verlinden: helmets in the cockpit (from their detail set for the AH-64, wrong helmets for that kit, so very useful here!) Lots of aftermarket added on this! The excellent Cobra Company cockpit, which transforms the interior. The finished article in a simple diorama setting entitled, "Real Men Drink Kool-Aid"! (All pictures courtesy of IPMS Farnborough website, taken by Chris Bradley) The build was inspired by the book "Snake Pilot" by Randy Zahn, who flew 68-15068 "Cyndy Ann" as Aircraft Commander, callsign Cavalier 24. (The name was painted by crew chief Marshall "Bones" Maring, and was spelt differently from the real Cyndy, after whom the aircraft was named). This book is an absolute must-read if you like Vietnam-era aviation. Although a very simple diorama, Zahn mentions often that all they had to drink at the forward operating base at Phuoc Vinh was Kool-Aid, a fruit squash drink. I played on this for the diorama, and it meant I got to avoid the Vietnam diorama cliche of Coke cans! The XM-35 mod added a sawn-off 20mm Vulcan cannon to the underwing hardpoint on the left side. It was designed to enable stand-off engagements with the NVA .51 AA guns. The fitting of the cannon required extra wiring looms inside protective panels. The ammunition was carried in two sponsons on either side and fed through a crossfeed under the nose. All these additions are provided in the Cobra Company aftermarket set. Contrary to most online and book references (and even the decal instructions), 15068 had a left-mounted tail rotor. The diorama (if you could call it that) was a simple plywood base. It's based on a photo which shows C/1/9 Cav helicopters in the open on dirt parking without revetments. Suits the kind of simplicity I like! I added various vents, tail "stinger", and beacon mount/light from scratch, and extra details in the cockpit, rotors etc. I think for such an old kit, it's very well served with very high quality aftermarket items, and scrubs up nicely! I am happy to answer questions and offer any tips on the build process if anyone else is making one of these. All the best, Alan 58 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RNoAF Aerobatic Team Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 A superb Cobra. It's really nice when you incorporate such small details as the kool-aid. I love it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HL-10 Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 That is an absolutely superb Cobra! Incredible work, beautifully painted, and the figure finish it off perfectly! Great model 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 That's a fabulous Huey! The canopy is really something, too, as are the very believable thirsty blokes. One minor idea: the guy with the sunshades would really look better standing up. His pose doesn't convince me as a 'leaning backward' one. And the group would look more dynamic, especially as 'sunglasses' seems to look at the contents of his mug with some reservation. IMHO, of course. ;-) Fantastic modelling on display. Kind regards, Joachim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parabat Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Very cool! Great little dio and a superb looking Snake! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted October 2, 2014 Author Share Posted October 2, 2014 Thanks very much, your observations are very welcome and appreciated One minor idea: the guy with the sunshades would really look better standing up. His pose doesn't convince me as a 'leaning backward' one. And the group would look more dynamic, especially as 'sunglasses' seems to look at the contents of his mug with some reservation. IMHO, of course ;-) Ha ha, just looked more closely and it's because he's fallen back against the Cobra! Probably fell when the photographer moved it to the photo booth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parabat Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Ha ha, just looked more closely and it's because he's fallen back against the Cobra! Probably fell when the photographer moved it to the photo booth. Or, there is a little more than just Kool-Aid in that cup! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ c Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Really nice Hueycobra there, great job 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper_city Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Great job & a pleasure to see at the club night. Superb cobra. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batcode Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 superb work looks great, very nice job on the figures, and great touch with the helmets 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goggsy Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Really fine work all round, the figures look great mad that cockpit is amazing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonl Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 I like the simplicity of that, very nice. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mixup_1 Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Cool Cobra, great wee diorama, thanks for sharing 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the MDman Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Another lovely Cobra. Man, how I'm wishing for scale 1/48 early Cobra... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Alan Bardell Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Great work - looks the part - and a great book as well, i can recommend it - a very good read. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Cracking dio,apart from the superb cobra love the simple and effective base and those figures! is that Tom Selleck on the left? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IGKent Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 Nice job! Well done! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted October 4, 2014 Author Share Posted October 4, 2014 Thanks very much again gents Cracking dio,apart from the superb cobra love the simple and effective base and those figures! is that Tom Selleck on the left? It's either him, Burt Reynolds, or Freddie Mercury! I think the other guy is David Soul or Jon Voight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheStig Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 Wow, that's a stunner! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 Considering the 'raw materials' that's simply incredible modelling. Kudos to you, sir. Ian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickpadwick1801 Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Nice job on the cobra, looks amazing, Maybe an Apache next ? Rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper_city Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 (edited) Nice job on the cobra, looks amazing, Maybe an Apache next ? Rick Alan has HERE and very nice it is too. Saw it last month @ IPMS Farnborough Edited October 8, 2014 by snapper_city 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Although a very simple diorama, Zahn mentions often that all they had to drink at the forward operating base at Phuoc Vinh was Kool-Aid, a fruit squash drink. A splendid model, but this line took me aback. That kool-aid might need to be explained simply boggles the mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickpadwick1801 Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Alan has HERE and very nice it is too. Saw it last month @ IPMS Farnborough Thanks for posting that, I will have a look at it now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goon Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Great modelling, I love the figures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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