hsr Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 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 32 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Monday Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 That is a very nice Hiller. I'm tempted to try that kit. BM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsr Posted March 21, 2023 Author Share Posted March 21, 2023 1 minute ago, Blue Monday said: I'm tempted to try that kit. It just takes patience Thanks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vultures1 Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 Very nice work! Well done 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VG 33 Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 (edited) 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 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsr Posted March 21, 2023 Author Share Posted March 21, 2023 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 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VG 33 Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 I have looked around and there is an earlier version from LF with French roundels... I think I will be tempted. Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsr Posted March 21, 2023 Author Share Posted March 21, 2023 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 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Klaatu Posted March 22, 2023 Share Posted March 22, 2023 Nice looking build! I have the Special Hobby 1/72 Hiller Uh-12, I really need to get around and build it... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeejeeZ Posted March 22, 2023 Share Posted March 22, 2023 (edited) 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 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsr Posted March 22, 2023 Author Share Posted March 22, 2023 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted April 20, 2023 Share Posted April 20, 2023 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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