So, this is going to be a very large question to ask. I’m looking for opinions for the best kits for all the major choppers in use by the US and Russia in 1/35. I’m trying to make a wish list and see that some have several options, but I want the kits that have good detail and go together well. Oh, and I’ve never built a chopper and really what to get some in the stash.
It might be easier to narrow it down to a type. Most have only one manufacturer in 1/35 though.
Here are a few opinions…
H-60 series Academy and KH, best is Kitty Hawk
UH-1B Trumpeter and SAR (No opinion yet)
UH-1C Academy and SAR, Academy better
AH-1G only by ICM
AH-1W only Academy (Trumpeter has announced)
AH-1Z only Academy (Trumpeter has announced)
AH-64D Meng is best, Takom is very good
AH-64E only Takom
AH-64A Academy and Trumpeter (No opinion yet). Academy kit is a rebox of the IMEX/Kangnam kit, which isn’t good.
OH-58D only Academy
H-6 Dragon and KH, KH best
UH-1D and N Panda and Dragon rebox, Dragon is better as it comes with PE
UH-1Y none (Academy and Trumpeter have announced)
ACH-47A, CH-47A and D only Trumpeter
CH-54A only ICM
Bell 47 / H-13 MRC and Revell, MRC is better
HH-65 USCG only Trumpeter
Can’t comment on Russian helos other than Trumpeter’s MI-24D, which is pretty good. Trumpeter makes most of the Russian/Soviet helos, so they should be pretty good as well.
That pretty much covers it.
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It looks like your recommendations are on par with my wish list. Thank you for the advice.
I got a follow up question for the chopper builders here how do u store/display your built kits I know the rotor takes a whole different set of limitations and considerations. Pictures are encouraged.
By limiting yourself to 1/35 scale you are missing out on two very fine options, the MH-53E and CH-53E, both by Academy in 1/48 Most models in that scale still have very good detail, but these are among the best.
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I build them so the rotors are removable, whether the directions show this or not. Most kits have you add a cap at the base of the rotors to lock them on. I leave this off which allows them to be removed. Usually, they sit on shelves with rotors on. If/when I move or store them, I remove the rotors and move them separately. Some of the naval helos can have the blades folded to save space too.
Rotor on…
Rotor off…
Rotors folded (Academy MH-60S).
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Example:
You can also do a shadow box. I’ve done two with Monogram kits - their old Hind and Huey kis.
I built two versions from each kit, splitting them down the middle. I made one into an Mi-24, which was not available way back then, using modified cannons from the 1/35 Sgt. York, You just need to cut off the rotor blades - the ones that protrude toward you, at the correct angle (parallel to the centerline of the fuselage) and paint the ends red.
Another option that I’ll be doing is displaying one disassembled, with components (including rotor blades) stored in the appropriate scratch built racks.
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Thank you and I’m not limiting to 1/35 but for now its where my desire lives to build. I got to fly in the 53 in Afghanistan with the marines and it’s an amazing bird (I think this was the last combat tor for that model of aircraft) and is on my list even at the smaller scale. I did not know that the rotors could be built to be removable that is a great idea.
Also in 1/48 is the Osprey and the Comanche
good luck in getting hold of Academy’s 1/48 CH-53E it out of production and the original molds were damaged to the point that they can’t be used again.
if you know of anyone selling one at a sensible price please let me know ASAP.
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So, there is an opportunity for black mail here.
They’re still inexpensive in Korea, if you know where to go. There’s a shop near Yongsan that sells exclusively Academy models. I posted walking directions in the old forum. I may pick up a few when I take my wife to Jeju Island, which was supposed to be this year, but I think it’s Scotland first, due to my nephew.
There’s not a whole lot of difference between the two kits. If you purchase the Sea Dragon, and do something like this, it’ll be fine:
We could always get someone to design sponsons in 3D.
Just place them in a scratchbuilt rack like the one in the background. The news ones come in containers. Sometimes they put the old ones into the containers.
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My daughter’s boyfriend is in Japan maybe I can get him to grab me a couple of these.
Would you happen to have a size comparison visual between a 1/35 and a 1/48 model of the same subject?
H.P.
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Nice I might have to switch all of my 1/35 selections to 1/48 just for space reasons
With USN and USMC subjects there rotors and sometimes tails fold to save space on a ship.
Here is the 1/35 MRC AH-1T and 1/48 Italeri AH-1T kits to give you an idea on scale difference.
All the rotary is detachable, for going to shows, the Merlin main rotor is too big for the cupboard , these are all 1/48.
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