For Christmas I
received the 1/35 Trumpeter version of this helicopter, but I figured I had
better practice first before I delve into such an expensive model. I had
assembled a Monogram Mi-24 before, but I wanted to make this one a little more
complex. I added some Cobra Company resin detail kits to this model for the
detail that was so lacking in the original kit. I went with a weapons set, a new
cockpit set, and I also added the HERs (Heat Emission Reduicers) to the outside.
A friend of mine had the opportunity to see 2 captured Hinds when he was in the
Army, so he gave me some pointers. After seeing every helicopter in the US
inventory, my friend concluded that no one makes a helicopter quite like the
Russians, and I agree. The Cobra Company parts required minimal sanding and went
together quite well. My biggest challenge was dealing with the age of the
Monogram kit (1987). It had warped in a few places, but I got the airframe in
shape in no time. I chose to use the brown camouflage scheme because I think it
looks the best. I then weathered the whole thing with thinned artist oils over
the acrylic camouflage base. After drying I gave it a mineral spirit wash to
clean up the panel lines a bit. I really like this helicopter, and I even found
a UN paint scheme for it, which I will be using on my other unbuilt Monogram kit
before I take on the bigger Trumpeter. All in all, this is a great build as long
as you go out and find some decent aftermarket parts for it.
Tyler
Click on
images below to see larger images
|
|
|
|
|