Dave W's Revell 1/72 Bell AH-1G Cobra

[Dave Ward]

Due to the unfortunate loss of a vital part of the Kaman Seaprite, that build is probably terminated, so I'll do this instead:

I've done an inbox review of this here: https://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/revell-1-72-bell-ah-1g-cobra-inbox-review.38698/
all the sprue shots etc are already there, so I don't propose to repost them!
Just to reiterate this a reboxing of the Special Hobby model.
Construction will start shortly.........................
Dave

 

[papa 695]

Nice one Dave, I’ve always liked the look of this helicopter.

 

[Dave Ward]

Off - not running, as the build starts with the cockpit area, with 12 parts most of them small - you have to be careful getting them off the sprue................

As the canopy is so large, most bits will be visible - a fair amount of detail painting & decals to add to this assy.
Seats - 3 part assemblies

More detail painting & decals for the seatbelts - I'll see how that goes, but I reckon I can get away with it in 1/72!
Dave

 

[adt70hk]

Nice start Dave.

Andrew

 

[The Smythe Meister]

Off - not running, as the build starts with the cockpit area, with 12 parts most of them small - you have to be careful getting them off the sprue................
View attachment 449262
As the canopy is so large, most bits will be visible - a fair amount of detail painting & decals to add to this assy.
Seats - 3 part assemblies
View attachment 449263
More detail painting & decals for the seatbelts - I'll see how that goes, but I reckon I can get away with it in 1/72!
Dave

Looks like a nice little kit there Dave
Unfortunately the "little" part of that statement means it's beyond me!!
Like Ian,I've always thought these look cool
Looking forward to seeing your progress,
Andy

 

[Dave Ward]

Looks like a nice little kit there Dave
Unfortunately the "little" part of that statement means it's beyond me!!
Like Ian,I've always thought these look cool
Looking forward to seeing your progress,
Andy

Wot? - A youngster like you? Too small? You never know until you try!
Dave

 

[JR]

I know what you mean when you say small in 1/72, this I am finding out Dave.

 

[Dave Ward]

I know what you mean when you say small in 1/72, this I am finding out Dave.

The eyes say 1/32! - The pocket says 1/72!!!!!!
Dave

 

[Jim R]

Hi Dave
Nice choice. I do like the nose decal although it might be awkward to put on.
Jim

 

[Dave Ward]

Hi Dave
Nice choice. I do like the nose decal although it might be awkward to put on.
Jim

Jim,
I think I'm going for the other option, 'Leprechaun' - I reckon every else who makes this, will go for the sharks' teeth!
Dave

 

[Dave Ward]

Further assembly - the plastic is very soft, and doesn't take well to Revell Contacta, so it's TET, and CA from now on. The rotor mount is very poor, not a hope of it being able to rotate - I'm going to remove it & only fix it in position at the end of assembly.

I have added weight under the cockpit ( broken miniature drill bits - I have loads of them ! ). Fit isn't that bad, but some seams need attention
I'll be using the centre rocket packs at the outer positions, and may use the gun-pods ( l ) for the inner pylons.
The cockpit ( where does that dust come from ( ?1? ). A bit of touching up here and there needed. The seat belts will be OK - I'll add a wash & matt varnish..............
Dave

 

[Dave Ward]

Assembly going very well, fit is good, the main problem is getting the fragile parts off the sprue without damage.

Now ready for a primercoat - I think by brush - it's only small & masking the cockpit would be tricky
Dave

 

[papa 695]

Fantastic work David, coming along very nicely.

 

[Mini Me]

Just had a read through....nice detail in the cockpit, should look the business when it's all buttoned up.

 

[adt70hk]

Looking good so far as Dave.

ATB.

Andrew

 

[Dave Ward]

Next step will be the canopy - this is a major feature & making a mess of it would be a disaster. I've thought about assembling first, on the model ( it has 5 parts ), then masking, but I'm not happy about removing masking from a fragile clear assembly ( if it was one piece, no problem ). I've decided to mask the clear bits on the sprue, paint the frames, remove the masking & assemble it to the model - with hopefully, just a few touch ups along the joins. You have the option of having two of the canopy sections open, but that would make things even more fragile. I've considered several ways of doing this, and all have pluses & minuses!
Dave

 

[peterairfix]

Just caught up with this some good work for a small scale.

 

[Dave Ward]

After about 20mins, I realised that masking the canopy sections was a non-starter ( if I had pre-cut masks, though.... ). I gave up & hand painted the frames........................

A bit wobbly in places, but some careful work with a chisel edged cocktail stick should improve things.
Meanwhile, a basecoat was added to the fuselage & the yellow bits carefully added. The rotor primed & the yellow tips roughly painted ( I'll mask them when I do the rotor topcoat )

One of those days that things went very well - I even had a Tesco Delivery whilst painting the canopy frames!! I'm limiting myself to an hour-and-a-half benchtime at the moment - I had a few twinges in the hand over the weekend, so I'm heeding the warning.
Next up. I'll detail paint the fuselage, then gloss varnish, in preparation for decals.
Dave

 

[Jim R]

Hi Dave
Coming on well.

I have added weight under the cockpit ( broken miniature drill bits - I have loads of them !

I think we have all been there
I have only ever built one helicopter and the canopy was very difficult. Maybe helicopter canopies are prone to issues.
Glad the hand is OK but don't overdo things. It's easy to spent too much time without noticing.
Jim

 

[The Smythe Meister]

Looking very nice indeed Dave
Canopies sure are tricky I find too!!
Andy