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Reviewer:
Gavin Dore
(rec.models.scale)
Kit Review submitted:
16 September 2002
The Kit:
The Dark Green parts and the way they are presented on the sprue effectively
confirms this is a reboxing of the Italeri A-109 kit, although I am not sure if
they have a KM variant in their range; perhaps upgraded by Revell? There
are 70 high quality injection molded parts on four sprues including one with
just over a dozen clear parts in a separate bag. Two sprues are obviously
from the basic earlier release of the civilian variant. The panel lines
and general external detail is recessed and of a fairly high calibre.
Instructions:
A 12 page booklet is provided with a 30 step assembly process of which
the last is devoted to decal placement and exterior markings for the single
example the kit provides for. Painting instructions are also provided
during assembly with - as you would expect - Revell paints quoted.
Construction steps are easy to follow and should not present any real problems
at all. The instructions also contain brief history, model assembly
tips/cautions, paint symbol info and sprue diagram.
Construction:
The interior is where assembly starts and is covered in the first five
stages of construction, to give you an idea of the amount of things to do
here. The cockpit includes a good array of detail with seats - which have
belt detail molded onto them, cyclic pitch levers and controls, instrument
panel, floor and internal sight system which apparently is viewed by the pilot,
since this is where it is placed. The floor extends into the cabin area
and you have to open up holes in these to install the seats that passengers,
soldiers and other transported folk sit on in flight. Those holes are
clearly marked and should present no problems - just make sure you don't make
them too big. Additionally, you need to test fit and sand smooth around
these holes for easier installation.
The fuselage windows were installed next, and they all fitted almost perfectly. There is a large cavity in the belly which needs to be plugged up by a supplied part and it's best to test fit and trim the part first - with fuselage halves around it so you know it will fit okay. A small bit of nose weight was also added, and is recommended. The fuselage halves go together superbly with an almost 'click into place' effect.
From there construction was smooth sailing with all the external bits and pieces added on without any real hassle at all. The main and tail rotor sections were easy with the former perhaps mildly on the fiddly side. Steady fingers are needed when installing the aerials, tail bumper, and other small bits of detail, but all still fit pretty well. One anomaly I noticed was regarding the instruction step covering attachment of the pilot boarding step - I could not find this part anywhere on the sprue! Perhaps I knocked it off at some point, or perhaps it is not included.
Armament consists of a gun pod and rocket pod on outward extending pylons on each side of the fuselage. Again, everything goes together well but the stores do seem overly large in this scale, and made me raise my eyebrows. A roof mounted sight is also attached to the opposite side to the pilot.
Versions:
The provides for only a single example wearing fuselage code
"109" (is this coincidental or fake?) from the South African
Army. A different insignia is provided than the springbok I am used to
(perhaps they have changed emblems?), although I am not an expert on insignia
types, and the RSA flag is also displayed on the rear rotor fin. The
aircraft wears a wrap around Dark Green, Light Earth, Pale Stone camouflage
scheme.
Decals:
The decal sheet is small but looks great with sharp colour resolution and
plenty of stencilling provided. However, they did require decal setting
solution assistance to conform to the model surface.
Accuracy:
Hard to really say - it certainly captures the look of the
chopper well but the weapons look huge and the length is about a centimetre too
long when compared to a reference quoting 11.6m. This may not be
absolutely correct anyway, as my resources on this chopper variant is very
limited, so rather than doing the kit an injustice (if it is more accurate) I'd
just say to compare against own references.
Overall:
Highly recommended - it was easy to build and looks really nice
in the collection. A small chopper but a hassle free build and one which
should be enjoyed by any Military Chopper enthusiast.
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