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David Mozley
6 articles

Academy 1/35 USMC AH-1Z Viper "Shark Tooth"

January 14, 2024 · in Aviation · · 12 · 360

In 2022, the Armor Modelling and Preservation Society (AMPS) held its bi-annual model competition in Georgetown, Texas. In the special categories division, there was a Tank Buster category for fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. I selected to try to build the Academy AH-1Z Viper in 1/35 scale. I had a really good time building this kit. The engineering was good with little issues putting the model together. This was the first Academy kit I completed, and I was really happy with the result.

This was an out-of-the-box build which is ok because the model can stand alone without it. That's a great thing because I'm not entirely comfortable working with resin parts or PE parts.

To my surprise, I did take the Rotary-wing Tank Buster award!

Reader reactions:
8  Awesome 1  1 

3 additional images. Click to enlarge.


12 responses

  1. Excellent job, super result and a prize well deserved, David!
    Well done!

  2. Beautiful Cobra David. Very nicely done. I just seen your awesome F-14A build, keep up the good work and enjoy the comarodary of this great sight. There's a lot of inspiration and great modelers here. I look forward to seeing more of your great work.

  3. Your win doesn't seem so surprising to me - that's excellent work on display here and a great result - your painting and weathering created a very realistic result.

  4. A well deserved award, David @dvmozley
    Definitely a winner which is clearly valued by the jury.
    Painting and weathering gives it a very realistic look.

  5. Good looking Snake David, and congratulations on your award. Well deserved.

  6. Another great helo, David. Very realistic.

  7. I’m glad I’m not a tank, seeing one of these on the horizon would have been very scary, congrats on your well deserved award.

  8. That’s an award winner for sure. Great looking chopper. The drooping rotor is perfect. Not sure if the kit comes that way or if you did it, but that small detail really helps. Thanks for sharing.

  9. Another fine helo, David. Very realistic-looking and deserving of a prize in its category. Nice weathered look to the monochrome low-viz scheme. Between the Cobra and the Hind, these 1/35 beasts must take up quite a bit of space!

  10. A well deserved medal on that one. I think I'd rather be a Viper than a Tank!

  11. An excellent build and a well deserved result. Like others mentioned, no surprise that you took the top place in the tank buster category. Well done!

  12. I'm not surprised by the win! Looks great!

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