AMK/Annetra 1/48th scale Mil Mi-17 Hip

[albymoore]

This is the upcoming 1/48th scale AMK/Annetra Mil Mi-17 Hip utility helicopter, which is slated to be released in March, give or take. I was given the opportunity to do a test build of the kit so here we go. I've got the cockpit and left side cargo/troop compartment built so far. Excellent detail throughout the cockpit with all kinds of doodads and gizmos molded in place or added to the cockpit assembly. There aren't any seat harnesses included so those will have to be sourced out if you want to add them. Plastic quality is good, as is the fit so far. There are some things that are annoying as far as molding quality goes, but I'll save that for my final assessment once the model is built. As for the scheme, going for an old school Warsaw Pact scheme with Czechoslovakian Air Force markings. Thanks for looking.

 

Cheers,

Albert

 

The paint scheme I'm going to go with on this model.

 

 

The floor had an irritating texture molded to it that had to be sanded down before gluing any parts in place. A coat of primer and paint should hopefully hide any remaining texture. Unfortunately this texture is prevalent through the kit, along with other molding deficiencies. 

 

The cockpit and left troop/cargo compartment.

 

 

 

 

Edited January 29, 2023 by albymoore
rearranging photos.

[hairystick]

That interior detail looks rather tasty!

AMK has done some fine work there.

[albymoore]

AMK/Annetra 1/48 scale Mil Mi-17 Hip update. I really enjoy the process of detail painting and weathering, and this kit gives me plenty of opportunity to do both. Paints used for the cockpit and cargo include Vallejo Model Air 71.332 Russian Underside Blue (Faded) overall, and Model Air 71.257 RLM 76 Lichtblau for the padding on the walls and ceiling. The instrument panels are Model Air 71.331 Cockpit Emerald Green. I used Flory's Dark Dirt and Grime for the wash around the details as well as some staining to the floors and side walls. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheers,

Albert

[Flyingdutchman]

Looking good Albert. Do you think the moulding texture is a pre-production issue or something we have to deal with?

 

Evert

[albymoore]

18 hours ago, Flyingdutchman said:

Looking good Albert. Do you think the moulding texture is a pre-production issue or something we have to deal with?

 

Evert

 

Thank you for the kudos, Evert. Some of the texture seems to be a result of the molds not being cleaned up prior to plastic being shot into them as it literally looked like random anti-slip texture molded into the plastic. The tank-like cast iron texture on the fuselage will be an issue if AMK doesn't clean or smooth the molds out a bit more before these go into production. We'll see what happens as the feedback from myself and other who are building this kit rolls back to AMK. 

 

I'd hate to think what I am working with is the production kit, otherwise there are going to be some very disappointed modelers that buy this model.

 

Cheers,

Albert

[alt-92]

Polishing is usually one of, if not the last step in the process - you'd want to wait until finalized for that. 

[albymoore]

Here's that cast iron texture I mentioned earlier. I'll knock it back with a red Scotch-Brite pad, hopefully it won't obliterate any surface detail in the process. Even the clear parts have this texture to it. 😑

 

 

Cheers,

Albert