LF Models 1/72 Hiller OH-23G Raven

[hsr]

Another early Viet Nam era Aeroscout helicopter. This is the LF Models 1/72 Hiller OH-23G Raven. The raven was primarily a training and observation helicopter but in Viet Nam it served, along with the OH-13, with the Aeroscouts before they were both replaced by the OH-6A Cayuse. 

 

This is a typical limited run product with all the foibles of the breed. Having said that it was a mostly pleasant 8 day build. 2 areas gave me  the most trouble. First was joining the tail boom to the fuselage. Both pieces are hollow tubes that are butt joined. I first used liquid cement but they broke apart during handling. Then I tried Pacer Zap but they broke again. Next I tried 5 minute epoxy with the same results. Finally I inserted a .062" (1.6mm) evergreen rod into a .093 (2.4mm) tube and stuck the rod into the tail boom and the tube into the fuselage and that held. The other problem area was getting the engine, which was a separate assembly, and the engine mounts to all  fit together when there was no indication of exactly where the engine should be placed. The bubble transparency came as 2 parts joined horizontally at a frame line. The 2 pieces and then the whole bubble fit surprising well together and then to the cabin. The kit decals were printed with an Alps type printer onto a continuous decal film so they required careful trimming. Because of that I used the stars & bars from a Fantasy Printshop sheet. Other then that they worked with with no silvering. All paints were AK Real color. 

 

I also have their OH-23B that I will be building later in the years as a trainer.

 

Next up will be a Bell OH-58D with the latest upgrades. I was originally going to build this using the Matchbox/Revell OH-58D as the base kit and the Procal Decal update but that didn't get very far and this time  I will be using the Italeri kit as the starting point.

 

Enjoy

 

[Blue Monday]

That is a very nice Hiller. I'm tempted to try that kit.

 

BM.

[hsr]

1 minute ago, Blue Monday said:

I'm tempted to try that kit.

It just takes patience 

 

Thanks

[Vultures1]

Very nice work! Well done 

[VG 33]

Hello

 

I have known this bird but I did not know the kit. You built her nicely even if I can say that the transparencies are not so clear. Anyway I cannot see how to improve that.

Congratulations.

 

Patrick

 

Edited March 21, 2023 by VG 33

[hsr]

25 minutes ago, VG 33 said:

the transparencies are not so clear

I coated them with future both inside and out. They actually look clearer in person then in the photograph. 

 

Thanks

[VG 33]

I have looked around and there is an earlier version from LF with French roundels...

 

I think I will be tempted.

 

Patrick 

[hsr]

1 hour ago, VG 33 said:

I have looked around and there is an earlier version from LF with French roundels...

I think the only difference will be the shape of the bubble canopy. I have one of those boxings and will be using it to make a OH-23B trainer

[Dave Klaatu]

Nice looking build!

I have the Special Hobby 1/72 Hiller Uh-12, I really need to get around and build it...

[GeejeeZ]

15 hours ago, Dave Klaatu said:

Nice looking build!

I have the Special Hobby 1/72 Hiller Uh-12, I really need to get around and build it...

Same here!

Somehow the Special Hobby Hiller doesn's seem that complicated compared to the LF models. I built Special Hobby's TH-55/ H300 some years ago and it went together surprisingly well.

 

Btw HSR: beautiful build!

Edited March 22, 2023 by GeejeeZ
typo

[hsr]

30 minutes ago, GeejeeZ said:

I built Special Hobby's TH-55/ H300 some years ago and it went together surprisingly well.

I'll be starting on that in a couple of weeks. I hope it goes together well. I go one with a vac bubble that hasn't yellowed. 

[stevehnz]

Very nice, I've seen these or very similar operating in New Zealand, a long time ago I hasten to add. They were used in aerial deer recovery & seemed very agile. I could well be tempted.

Steve.