Bell OH-58A Kiowa – Esci 1/48
Following Hughes OH-6A presented here on April, a new Vietnam aeroscout is coming from my bench.
This mid ‘80s 1/48 scale model by Esci is pretty good although its age.
I got a lot of work inside the cockpit, none the less outside, with an Allison engine taken from the CMK resin set and modified for a Bell machine.
I used Testors enamel colors with artistic oils and chalks as weathering.
As reported in Print Scale decals sheet, the example 68-16761 (callsign 'Inferno 761') of Casper Platoon is taken in 1970, just few months after delivery, so that I chose a semi-gloss finishing.
Following Casper Platoon official website, I got a small diorama according the Landing Zone (LZ) English homebase during Vietnam war.
Pilot from Plus Model.
Enjoy,
Alessandro
Rome
12 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Craig Abrahamson said on July 10, 2015
Very nice work, Alessandro...your fine detailing could have been "showcased" with some additional photos, however. But it's not too late to edit your article and plug in some more pics for us. 🙂
Craig Abrahamson said on July 10, 2015
Oh...never mind - I see you just DID. 🙁
Alessandro Parmigiani said on July 10, 2015
😉
Mike Grant said on July 10, 2015
Very nice work Alessandro, especially considering the age of the kit. Great detailing in the cabin. How did you make your seat harnesses? They look very natural and realistic.
Alessandro Parmigiani said on July 10, 2015
Dear Mike, although it was poorly considered by the crews (and so poorly photographed), I've collected around 100 good pictures of inside and outside details before starting. Seat belts are from Eduard heli generic set. In real life seats were more basic than the kit ones, no paddings indeed (gotten by the civil version 206).
Bernard E. Hackett, Jr. said on July 10, 2015
Alessandro, great work! Where did the M-60 MG in the rear seat come from?
Alessandro Parmigiani said on July 11, 2015
Bernard, thanks a lot! M-60 is coming from H-13 Italeri kit, M-16 from Tarmac crew figures, incendiary (orange) and smoke (grey) grenades, ammunition case, intercom, fire extinguisher etc etc are self made
Bernard E. Hackett, Jr. said on July 11, 2015
Thanks, Alessandro! I've got the kit, and had no idea.. The only others I could think of were in the REAL old Aurora (!) Huey. There's an M-16 in the O-1 Birddog from sometime back. Whatever that company was, the kit was a one hit wonder, as we used to say. Nice work on the "smokes" and the interior in general.
One of the guys in our club flew these in Kosovo. He's flying for the Baltimore police these days. Probably misses Kosovo!
Alessandro Parmigiani said on July 11, 2015
M-16 in the Bird Dog I used for Hughes 'Loach' previously. Check it on April contest if you like (much more elaborated!) 😉
Bernard E. Hackett, Jr. said on July 11, 2015
I always wanted a ride in a Loach, but didn't. Our TTY/crypto maintenance man got to, and went to Can Tho a couple of times when we were there in the Delta '68-9. Didn't see any Kiowas during my tour, several hops in Hueys.
Tom Cleaver said on July 11, 2015
This looks really nice, a fantastic project, but that finish has to be what was on it the day it arrived in-country. Believe me, things weathered FAST over there.
Alessandro Parmigiani said on July 11, 2015
Tom, yes and not. Pictures do not give a perfect result of finishing. Anyway is more matt than gloss...
George Williams said on July 11, 2015
Good to see a helicopter, Alessandro, and this one is well detailed and displayed. You obviously have a passion for this subject.
Dirk Derks said on July 21, 2015
Job well done.
Interesting subject and setting.
Thanks for sharing it.