Meng only makes 1/35 D and Di (Israeli) Apache kits. They haven’t even announced an E model release.
Regarding the 1/35 AH-64A, the Academy kit is a rebox of the IMEX/Kangnam kit, which isn’t good. The Trumpeter kit is much newer, but is only a little better. It doesn’t even come close to the detail or accuracy of the Meng or Takom kits, which are D (both) and E (Takom only). Frankly, the old Revell 1/32 kit is a better option for an -A IMHO.
For Trumpeter, their 1/35 Mi-8MT and Ka-29 kits are nice, especially the Helix.
Speaking of the 53 again, Revell makes a couple of not too bad versions in 1/48, including what the Germans used in Afghanistan. I built the German version for a friend who was there when I was. It reminded me of how simple my very first helo was - the 1/72 Jolly Green Giant. I probably knocked that thing out in two hours back when I was eight years of age.
The Revell kit is a Delta version. On top of adding an extra engine and rotor blade they also stretched the fuselage another 6’ for the Echo version. Marines flew some in OIF/OEF. Retired them in 2012.
@Brantwoodboy it was probably this unit if their tour.
Definitely give the academy 1/35 Blackhawks a try…. They not very accurate but still an awesome build. If you want something quick you have some modeling skills go with kittyhwaks 1/35 ah 6
Also, I’m not aware that Academy released a 1/35 OH-6, but I know that Dragon released the OH-6/MD500 in 1/35. The only Academy kit I know of is their 1/48 MD500.
My bad…. I meant say kittyhawks ah 6 ….
Did they ever fix their decal problem? I just remembered i had a problem with their decals not showing up on the black paint or something
Does Academy make even one good model? That is a rhetorical question.
Almost every time I look up an Academy model it gets good reviews. Every so often I purchase one. Shortly thereafter, I read in some model forum that the model sucks. After doing some further digging, it turns out the model has a bunch of problems. Not just missing a few details. Shape problems. Major problems. Decals wrong. So on.
I happen to have an Academy Pave Hawk and two expensive Eduard sets for it. After reading your comment and doing some quick research, I want to sell it all.
Just once, I would like to purchase a model and actually feel good about it.
Venting. Not a lifetime model builder. Returned to it 18 months ago. Entire hobby is a giant minefield.
Build it and feel good about it. I don’t know that the Kitty Hawk is “light years” ahead - especially with its fit problems, and weird black decal on black paint decision, among others thing. The Academy Pave Hawk will look good - just keep it buttoned up to hide the most egregious aspects. Plus it goes together well.
Your Eduard set probably has a replacement for this, but it’s too flat, i.e. ribs don’t protrude the way they should. It doesn’t take long to scratch build these:
Don’ sell it! I agree with bravo18. It will be a fun build and it’s gonna look cool ( cause it’s a Blackhawk). I don’t think there is any kit that is 100% accurate or without any flaws… i think the most accurate kits are the “what if” kits cause the subject doesn’t exist so it can’t be wrong…. Right?
The Kitty Hawk H-60s forward parts of the cabin floor and roof are too wide. They need to be narrowed about 1mm on each side to make the fuselage halves fit together better. Overall, it is much better in my opinion because it has lots of interior details. The Academy H-60s are pretty much devoid of interior details. To me, it is not worth the effort and/or cost of AM sets to bring the Academy kits up to the same level of detail, which I have done a couple times already.
RE: Kitty Hawk AH-6’s lacking avionics boxes and missing some details and bad decals. Yep, the Werner’s Wings update set and decals fixed those issues for my build along with some scratch building for ceiling details
Cobra Company did offer a whole line of resin AM parts for the Academy H-60s, but they went out of business a few years ago. You can still find them on eBay from time to time. Cobra Company helicopter set reviews: AeroScale :: Scale Aircraft Modelling
Lone Star Models bought their line and it was supposed to be re-released by them, but it is questionable whether they are in business any longer. Thie website is up/down depending on the day. They do have a Facebook page: Lone Star Models
Black Ops Models out of Australia has a few sets for them as well. Their quality is very good, and I recommend them.
They also have an M134 barrel set and M200 rocket pods that can be used on them as well.
Quinta and Kelik do 3D printed decal sets for the interiors. They are mainly designed for the Kitty Hawk kits but will work on the Academy kits as well.
Eduard also does a few PE sets for them. Some are OOP, but still available on eBay as well.
By the way. AH-60 is not a US Military designation. The US Military calls them MH-60s for multi-mission aircraft used by Special Ops.
The only aircraft called AH-60s I know of are used by Columbia and they are 4-hardpoint gunships called Arpias by the Columbian military.
