Review by: Geoff Coughlin (December 2011)
Our thanks to Revell for supplying our review sample.
A little bit of inspiration…
The Revell Kit
According to the date on the instructions this is a kit from 2010, which it may be but looking at the sprues and parts I suspect that it dates back a lot further. Everything is moulded in dark green plastic – a bit of a Revell trademark these days.
This package is as a Model set with associated Contacta plastic glue, paint brush and paints from the Revell range; everything (well nearly) to get you started if you are new to this great hobby of ours. Click on the thumbnails below to enlarge the images and scour the contents for yourself.
This is the first time that I’ve looked at this kit in detail and the age of the kit does show through with a combination of mostly raised and some recessed panel line detail. Despite the small scale, quite a lot will be seen in the cockpit and you may want to add a seat harness and other small details to busy this area up.
The cockpit floor is nicely moulded with that raised grain effect that will look good under some subtle dry-brushing.
Being re-released here as a SAR machine serving with German forces, as depicted on the decal sheet (more below), there aren’t any weapons fitted to the aircraft although the original tooling has a couple of rocket pods included and these remain.
The main side doors are moulded separately and that’s good news because you may be able to have them as movable features to create interest. Several nicely moulded and detailed stretchers are included to fit out the interior, but with such a space to play with your possibilities could be endless here!
Instruction Sheet
This is standard Revell in their usual exploded view format in a fold out sheet. Revell paint references are provided but helpfully (and unlike Airfix), the manufacturer also gives a colour call out so at least you can find an alternative paint source if required.
Transparencies
The clear parts are just that. They will need to fit well to avoid any unsightly repair work around the framing so fingers crossed for that.
Decals
These look pretty good, being printed in Italy for Revell. Colour and register both look sharp and the small Unit insignia included will bring a bit of colour to the dark green/grey scheme. The scheme is a good choice though and the box image captures the aircraft well.
Overall
We don’t really get a lot of new helicopter models and, although this is a re-release in some form, it is a ‘Huey’ nonetheless – a popular type that is always welcome.
FEATURE STAR RATING (out of five)
Quality of moulding ***
Accuracy ***
Instructions ***
Decals ****
Subject choice ****
Overall ***
Geoff C.