Trumpeter UH-1B
1/35th Scale
Kit# 05111
Got the kit recently and overall, a very nice kit. Here is my quick review. The kit does not appear to be the Seminar kit, but a brand-new molding.
The box top is not what is in the box. This is often the case as the artist does not have access to the parts when they design the box top. I didn’t know this until working with Kitty Hawk. Things that either aren’t or are on the box top that shouldn’t be. There is a pitot tube in the box. There is no IPS filter, only the bell mouth. There is no SINCGARS antenna on the top of the vertical fin.
Inside-There are no unarmored seats, but the armored seats are really nice. Early B Models, including those in Vietnam, had unarmored seats. Armored seats were eventually added. There are no seatbelts, in the front or the back. That said the interior is REALLY nice. The B pillars are missing first aid kits. A nice touch is the inclusion of actual door handles inside and out. The kit even has an Outside Air Temperature (OAT) probe.
The engine is a little simplified but adequate, especially if modeled closed up. The transmission is nice looking as well. The main rotor system looks to be spot on and has the mass weights that are unique to the B model. The breakdown of the main rotor blades is unique but shouldn’t present any problems.
There are recessed rivets, which I like but some will disagree. There are some mold marks on the top of the synch elevators (horizontal stabilizers for fixed wing guys). They should be easily filled thanks to the recessed rivets. There are no gunship parts in this release. That will come with the next release. There are three taillights, the ones on the side will need to be removed. Taking care of them is easy. Fill the holes on the fuselage, sand flush and don’t add the parts for the side mounted lights.
The extras- It does include canopy masks, a nice touch. It also has a small PE fret.
Marking options are for two birds, one full color markings and one in three toned tiger striped camouflage with just a tail number. So, if there is any decal artist available, I’d love to do a sheet for this and the upcoming gunship one. It really could use aftermarket decals.
So overall, I love it. Seatbelts would have been nice. More marking options would also be nice. The detail is beautiful throughout. A very nice job. Let’s hope they do a UH-1D/H as well. I look forward to their AH-1W and the UH-1B gunship.