This
model is the MRC AH-1W Cobra. Generally a nice enough kit which and with a bit
of extra work can result in a satisfying end product. I added quite a bit of
detail to the cockpit (large, open canopy areas so everything is visible) and
the ammo bay. The engine provided in the kit is a blob of plastic which was
spruced up with a bit of sanding, lots of wiring and intricate painting. The
engine bay fire walls and engine cover were also detailed with plastic card to
simulate structural ribbing. Fuselage assembly was very straightforward. Blades
were bent (not too much as the W’s wide blades don’t tend to sag too much)
by holding these over a boiling kettle’s nozzle (carefully, holding onto the
blade root side !) and applying a clothes line peg to the other to force the
droop.
Click on
images below to see larger images
I
decided to go for a mixed Hellfire / TOW fit – I have seen pics of Cobras with
this arrangement, but I’m not sure if it was ever used operationally. There
are some nice pics in the Squadron Signal Walkaround book showing half empty TOW
4-packs – I decided to include this feature in my model representing two empty
upper tubes – I had to scratch build the entire upper tube frame as the kit
pieces represent the tubes only. I drilled out several of the chaff/flare
position on the dispensers thus depicting a helo having just returned from a
“hot” mission.
I
decided to paint the helo as it would have appeared in Gulf War 1. The squadron
signal walkaround provides a side view of a very weathered AH-1W which has had
desert sand applied over the standard (then) green / grey camo – hence the
patches of green / grey on an otherwise sand base. Weathering was applied quite
heavily using a combination of pastels and chipping with dark grey. I sprayed
sooty black around the tail boom to simulate exhaust staining. Exhaust outlets
were painted in a mix of red, gun metal and black to give a burnt iron
appearance. The “dicso” light was painted silver, with the facets randomly
painted metallic blue, clear red and gunmetal and then finally overspayed with
clear orange.
The
AH-1W is a large helicopter as can be seen in the attached pic of 35th
scale AH-1 and Chinook.
Malcolm
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