Italeri 1/72 AH-1Z Cobra

ITALERI 1:72 AH-1Z COBRA
'INBOX Review'

Reviewer: David Kirk (rec.models.scale)

Kit: MPM No.72074 1/72 Makajima Kikka

The AH-1Z kit is simply the Italeri AH-1W kit with a new sprue added. Conjecture immediately is rife as to now the accuracy of the kit, since there are many exterior changes from the W to the Z that would not be covered on one sprue (eg: fuselage changes etc). Everything in the box is loose, no parts were detached but as with most modellers presented with this scenario our thoughts immediately go straight to the clear part to see how much (read badly) it may be scratched. Fortunately it is okay, but still needed a dip in future to make it spick and span!

So the AH-1W kit is recycled and added to. If it was just a matter of covering everything on one sprue then kudos to Italeri for taking a little effort to produce an alternative version for us. The extra sprue contains the 4-blade main and tail rotors, larger housing for transmission, new stub wings and tailplane endplates. As modeller you are required to replace the rear part of the transmission housing to install the replacement part. The whole kit contains three sprues of light grey injection molded plastic plus one for the clear glazing, in the usual Italeri crispness, no flash et al. Looks like the canopy can be cut away at the door hinges to display same open.

Surface detail is finely raised, so any sanding undertaken will likely result in the destruction of these. Checking the fit of a couple of components doesn't reveal any major obstacles and I guess anyone who has built the AH-1W kit will have some valuable foresight into how this kit will go together. The cockpit is sparse with the usual toy outfit of chairs and sticks and stuff. There are no aftermarket AH-1Z cockpit sets that I am aware of (There are resin AH-1W and S ones around the place, Cobra Co - aptly - makes the former but obviously these would not be accurate for this model).

Main markings provided are for a USMC Development aircraft in a gull grey upper, light ghost grey lower scheme. The decal sheet is in very good register and contains enough for roundels etc, plus a small amount of stencilling. The super detailer would want to replace the decal sheet.

Overall this looks like a decent project to undertake but as stated above the warning bells are a sounding with regard to accuracy. There are many more exterior changes to the aircraft than are covered on that 'extra sprue' - fuselage mounting of flare and chaff pods, different FLIR etc, so unfortunately for the stickler for accuracy this is probably not one to add to the modelling cabinet. For everyone else like me, I think it will turn out to be a worthwhile investment.

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