HOBBY BOSS 1:72 SIKORSKY UH-34A CHOCTAW
'INBOX Review'

 

Reviewer: Myself  (rec.models.scale)   

Hobby Boss   # 87215   1/72 SIKORSKY UH-34A   CHOCTAW

The UH 34 Choctaw being a development of the S55/UH19 Chicasaw first flew on the 8th. March 1954.  US Navy called it the HHS-1 Sea Bat and had folding rotors and tail boom. The Marines called it the HUS-1 Sea Horse and the Army the UH34 Choctaw which eventually became the standardized name. The US Coast Guard flew them between 1959 and 1962 and they were also produced under license by Sud Aviation for the French and Belgian military and with a turbine engine by Westland in England as the Wessex. With various name changes and about 38 variations serving in about 30 countries it becomes pretty complicated to try to figure out what’s what. Anyway with a crew of two the UH 34 normally carried twelve passengers, eighteen troops or 8 stretcher cases. It was powered by a 1525 hp R1820-84 radial engine had a rotor diameter of 56’ (17.07m) and a length of 56’8.5” (17.28m). If you want to see probably the most bizarre flying machine of all time have a look at the Piasecki PA97 Heistat from 1986. It consisted of four HU 34Js hooked up to a ZPG-2W Blimp. Not surprisingly it crashed on its first flight killing the unfortunate pilot.

Hobby Boss is a new name in modeling. Some say that it has a tie up with Trumpeter but I doubt this as although manufactured by Huihuang Electric Appliance Co in PR China the head office seems to be Wai Mou Ltd. in Macau. It has fast got a reputation for turning out simplified aircraft kits however this one is fully detailed consisting of fifty five parts in crisp grey plastic and six in clear. The one page instructions are clear enough and come with a sprue map. The separate painting guide quotes Gunze Mr. Hobby paints It all comes sealed in cellophane with decals for two machines in an attractive box. Hobby Boss also offers a UH-34D #87222 with US Marine decals. I have not seen it but suspect that it is the same kit with alternative decals. I am not sure about the differences between the A and D but think as far as the modeler is concerned the only visible difference is in the undercarriage.

Starting with the interior, the cabin is well detailed, the cockpit less so. It has no collective and could do with instrument decals but as the sliding pilots windows/doors are molded shut this isn’t too important. The whole assembly is then trapped between the fuselage halves. One has the option of having the cabin door open or closed and a cannon and machine gun are provided although I doubt that neither aircraft would normally carry them although the winch would probably be fitted. The surface detail is very good and the clear parts as good as anything. The vent grills which can be a problem with helicopter kits seem to be well portrayed and the rotor has droop built in.

For a change Hobby Boss provide a welcome alternative to “stars and bars” in the form of  French Navy and Belgian Air Force decals which look very nice with lots of stencil markings. Both machines are in Navy Blue. The French one with Yellow panels on the spine and the Belgian with Orange gear box cover and nose. One major omission is that Hobby Boss gives no clue to the interior colours which is bad as colour interior pictures are hard to come by!

This looks to be a top rate kit and I look foreword to making it. I see that Iteleri produce a UH34D #066 and a UH34J #1066 and probably related Revell  a UH34G #04424. It would be interesting to compare them all! There is quite a lot of information on the internet and “H34 in Action” #146 from Squadron Signal and “Sikorsky H34 an Illustrated History” by L Lundh from Schiffer Books would no doubt be of use.

In conclusion I think that this a first rate kit although as to which is the best we will have to wait and see so come on someone, review the Revell and Iteleri kits.

                                                                                           RHS/08

Addendum from John Lacey -  the French Navy actually flew with a 20mm GIAT (I believe) cannon fitted during ops in Algeria, so Hobby Boss’ inclusion of the weapon is not only appropriate but welcome. USMC UH-34s also routine flew with M60s on a door mount during the Vietnam War. A good depiction of this is in the movie “Full Metal Jacket” by Stanley Kubrick.

 

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