This is my first
1/35 helicopter model. I finished this one fast within six months, on and off of
course. It is a nice kit, with the Eduard set. Except a little problem with the
canopy, everything went smooth. I enjoyed building this one.
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At first I want to build
this one simple and quick. I didn't buy the Cobra set because I wanted to
have a break working the way I built my last work, 1/32 F-14B, sure you
know what I meant, plastic chopping, fitting resin, panel lines and
rivets......etc.. I used the Eduard set to replace the exhaust and
grilles, and added more detail to the cockpit, main and tail rotors. With
just a little work, the Eduard set turned the Academy kit to a gem. I used
the kit seats and added photo etched harness. I prefer resin seat with
cast harness. It would be a lot easier just to paint the things. The
photo etched harness is a bit difficult to work with.
I believe everyone who built the
TOW missile launchers out of the Eduard set would agree with me, it is almost
impossible to build. I ended up building the photo etched launcher frames only.
The four missiles I built from thin copper pipes. The result is satisfactory,
though the length and color might not be accurate.
A major problem in the last step
is that the canopy didn't fit the fuselage opening. I tried but it fit either
left or right. I finally took the left and inserted a thin triangular strip to
the right hand side. I dared not to force it on with CA glue because it is a
clear part, worrying that it might turned white by the CA glue flumes or even
break as clear parts are always brittle.
I covered the Cobra model with a
glass box. It looks good as a display. This kit is highly recommended. It is fun
building it.
Douglas K. L. Chan
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