Marines attack helicopter AH-1G Cobra, Vietnam 1970 (AZ Model, 1/72)

[jrlx]

Dear All,

 

I've recently finished this model, which was started in October 2016 and shelved in December of the same year. I resumed work on it in July 2020 and pressed on till finishing it, though it fought me hard every step of the way. Here are some notable points of the build:

 

• The kit has good detail out of the box and the shapes look good but fit is a bit "vague", which caused several difficulties.
• As usual, I also complicated the build by adding the Brengun PE set, which improves detail considerably and is highly recommended.
• I tried to use the Pavla vacform canopy but it turned out to be a bit short in length (either by design or my lack of ability in cutting it out of the mould), therefore I ended up using the kit supplied transparent part.
• I used Alclad Black Primer and Microfiller covered with a "marbling" layer made up of two different lighter greens, to create some tonal variance to the Field Green camouflage
• I used metallic paints from Alclad and Gunze's and Tamyia's acrylics
• The other paints used were Gunze's acrylics

 

In the end I'm pleased with the results, though there are a few errors. The detailed WIP thread is here.

 

So, here are the pictures:

 

1. General views

IMAG7086

 

IMAG7087

 

IMAG7088

 

IMAG7089

 

IMAG7090 / IMAG7091

 

IMAG7092

 

IMAG7093

 

IMAG7094

 

IMAG7095

 

IMAG7096

 

IMAG7097

 

IMAG7100

 

2. Detailed views

IMAG7101

 

IMAG7102

 

IMAG7103

 

IMAG7104

 

IMAG7105

 

IMAG7107

 

IMAG7106

 

IMAG7108

 

3. Cockpit (during the build, before closing the canopy)

IMAG6908

 

IMAG6913

 

IMAG6992

 

IMAG6995

 

IMAG7008

 

IMAG7012

 

 

Thank you all for looking. As always, all comments are very welcome.

 

Cheers

 

Jaime

 

 

[CedB]

Superb result with your usual level of super-detail!

Great model Jaime - very realistic  

[giemme]

Impressive job, Jaime! And I love the tonal variations!  

 

Ciao 

[Dennis_C]

Very nice Cobra! Perfect paint variation. I completed this too some time ago and should admit it turns out into a very nice model. I also used Brengun PE set that adds those small details to the model making it much more alive. 

[swralph]

Lovely build Jaime.😀

[112 Squadron]

Impressive! I like the detailing and in particular the cockpit. You did a great job! 👍

Edited December 26, 2020 by 112 Squadron

[corsaircorp]

Impressive work on this "not so easy" kit !!

Very good weathering too !!

Congrats Jaime !!

Sincerely.

CC

[desert falcon]

Quality work, it’s hard to believe it’s 1/72 !! 

[the MDman]

Excellent job! This is my favourite version of the Cobra and you turned the kit in a wonderful model.

 

I’m waiting for years now for a decent scale 1/48 AH-1G...

[Serkan Sen]

Master skill. Are you sure that it is in 1:72 scale?

Serkan

[jrlx]

@CedB @giemme @Dennis_C @swralph @112 Squadron @corsaircorp @desert falcon @the MDman @Serkan Sen

 

Thank you all very much for your interest and appreciation!

 

I've now added a few pictures of the cockpit during the build, before closing the canopy. These show the level of detail provided by the Brengun PE set, especially on the instrument panels, which look superb.

 

This kit was really difficult. Now I'm waiting for the delivery of Special Hobby's AH-1G "Early Tails" boxing, which I hope will be easier to build. I still have to order the Brengun PE set for it, though.

 

Cheers

 

Jaime

 

 

[F-32]

Awesome build, such a good looking helicopter

[jrlx]

2 hours ago, F-32 said:

Awesome build, such a good looking helicopter

Thank you very much!

[Booty003]

That looks fantastic, the cockpit is especially smart.  Those dials are superb.

[jrlx]

12 minutes ago, Booty003 said:

That looks fantastic, the cockpit is especially smart.  Those dials are superb.

 

Thank you very much! The Brengun PE set is very good regarding the instrument panels.

 

 

[John_W]

Very nice.  I like the Vietnam era Cobra, much smoother cleaner lines before all the lumps and bumps got added.

[jrlx]

1 minute ago, John_W said:

Very nice.  I like the Vietnam era Cobra, much smoother cleaner lines before all the lumps and bumps got added.

Thank you very much! I agree with you: this version of the Cobra is very smooth. Nevertheless, I have some latter versions in the stash: the Italeri/Revell Super-cobra and the Dream Models Viper. I'm also waiting for delivery of the Special Hobby "Early Tails" Cobra boxing.

 

Cheers

 

Jaime

 

[rob85]

That’s beautiful work Jaime, really love the finish on that paint work.

 

Rob

[jrlx]

2 hours ago, rob85 said:

That’s beautiful work Jaime, really love the finish on that paint work.

 

Rob

Thank you very much Rob!

[Sky Keg]

Well done Jaime!!!  I really like the subtle differences in color / tonal variations.  

 

Mike

[jrlx]

16 hours ago, Sky Keg said:

Well done Jaime!!!  I really like the subtle differences in color / tonal variations.  

 

Mike

Thank you very much Mike! I used the "black base" + "marbling" technique.

[russ c]

Fantastic `cobra there, looks superb.

Cheers Russ ( still impatiently waiting for an `up to date` 1/48 kit )

[jrlx]

56 minutes ago, russ c said:

Fantastic `cobra there, looks superb.

Cheers Russ ( still impatiently waiting for an `up to date` 1/48 kit )

Thank you very much Russ!

Some types in some scales seem to get systematically neglected. For instance, I'm still waiting for a modern tooling Alpha Jet in 1/72.

[PlaStix]

Hi Jaime. Hope you are well. Well that is a stunningly impressive Cobra. The way you have built, painted and finished it makes it look far bigger than 1/72. Very well done.

Kind regards,

Stix

[jrlx]

57 minutes ago, PlaStix said:

Hi Jaime. Hope you are well. Well that is a stunningly impressive Cobra. The way you have built, painted and finished it makes it look far bigger than 1/72. Very well done.

Kind regards,

Stix

Thank you very much Stix! You're very kind!