Mikromir Hiller YH-32 Hornet (48005) - 1/48 AMP via Mikromir

[Julien]

Hiller YH-32 Hornet (48005)

1/48 AMP via Mikromir

 

 

Hiller Aircraft was one of the early pioneers of rotary winged or Helicopter aviation in the US. The company was formed in 1942 to develop the Hiller XH-44 for the US Army. The company would be renamed Hiller Helicopters in 1948. The YH-32 was an attempt to produce an ultra light helicopter and as such was to do away with a conventional engine. Hiller's solution was to mount two ramjet engines on the tip of the rotor blades. Another benefit from this design was that there was no need for a tail rotor and its associated equipment thus saving weight. However in practice the design had a few flaws. The rotor have to be subsonic and ramjets do not work well at these speeds. This resulted in poor performance, high fuel usage, and a poor range. The ram jets were also very noisy, and importantly for military operations were very visible at night. Versions were produced for the US Army and Navy but did not progress past the prototype stage.

 

It is good to see companies bringing us kits outside of the main stream and the YH-32 certainly qualifies for this. Despite being 1.48 the kit is diminutive as was the real thing. The kit arrives on two sprues of plastic, a clear spure, with a sheet of PE and a set of masks. Construction starts f with the cabin. The main base is made up from mainly plastic parts, There are a couple of PE parts including the pedals and the seat frame. The seats follow with PE belts. The base is then added to the skids after they are made up. 

 

 

The rear body and tail assembly is then made up and fitted to the base. The large clear bubble is added along with a wire part which the modeller has to make, there as a template for this on the instructions. Finally the rotor assembly with the tip mounted ramjets is made up ad added on top.

 

 

Decals

A small decal sheet provides marking for 2 US Army & ! US Navy machines.

 

 

 

Conclusion

This is something which we never thought would be produced in kit form, it is one of those oddities from early Helicopter innovations that never took off (if you can excuse the pun), the kit is welcome addition to early Helicopters from AMP.

 

Highly Recommended.

 

Review sample courtesy of