Introduction

Perhaps the best known helicopter of all time is the Bell UH-1 better known as the ‘Huey’. All that film footage of the Vietnam War cemented the Huey into most people’s collective memory’s, I look at one and instantly hear ‘Flight of the Valkyries’ playing in my head. Revell of Germany have re-released a 1/24th scale model of the Bell UH-1 Huey in 1/24th scale that I remember with fondness from my youth. The model is date stamped as 1976 and so you have some idea of what to expect.

Contents

The model is packaged in a card tray with a card light, and this is quite a size, I do not know how well this would hold up to be in the postage system knowing how little they seem to care for what is placed in their care. Inside the box you will find:
1 silver sprue
1 clear sprue
5 green sprues
The two fuselage halves
Vinyl rubber ammunition feeders
2 decal sheets
An instruction booklet
And advisory sheet

Review

First Impressions
Despite the age of the moulds the various parts of this model look to be cleanly moulded, with the only issue I noted being that some of the thicker areas of the model have sink marks in them. On the plus side the absence of flash would indicate that the moulds have had a clean-up and so it so the model should go together fairly easily.

Cockpit

The cockpit of this model has a reasonable amount of detail that should keep the younger modeller happy, and it is the younger modeller that I believe this model is aimed at, I know as a child I thought this kit was great. Revell of Germany have supplied a decal for the flight instruments as the instrument panel is devoid of any raised detail. The visible frame work inside the cockpit area is supplied as separate parts rather than being moulded inside the fuselage. There are two figures supplied with the model , but they are very basic and I suggest they are left out assuming someone is looking to do some scratch work to this model.

Rotor Head and Tail Rotor Assembly

The main rotor has a reasonable level of detail for such a large model, but there are some ejector pin marks that will need to be taken care of. The tail rotor also has a reasonable level of detail but will take some clean up in this example as the finish is a little rough. Both the main and tail rotor will rotate if that is important to you.

Engine

There is an engine supplied with the model, but it is again very basic for a model of this scale. The gearbox assembly for the main rotor has had more work put into it and if someone wants to detail the model it will provide a good starting point.

Fuselage

The fuselage of the model is reasonable with nicely raised rivet detail present throughout, unfortunately the panel lines detail has also been moulded raised. each fuselage half has been moulded as a single part and the plastic is fairly thick overall, this thickness has resulted in some shrink marks where the locators are placed. The accuracy of the model as regards shape and overall dimensions is difficult to ascertain due to its large size; however it does look good to a Mk 1 eyeball and as I said before this is one of those models to hook the youngster into the hobby due to its impressive size. The side doors supplied with this model are moveable, which is a nice touch.

Weapons

The weapons supplied with the model consist of four M60 machine guns and 2 rocket pods. The M60 machine guns are not overly detailed but do look the part and the addition of the vinyl rubber ammunition feeder belts do help carry this feature off. The rocket pods are also fairly basic but with them and the machine guns being moveable they will appeal to the younger modeller.

Clear parts

The glass or clear parts if you prefer have good clarity, but they are on the thick side. The thickness of the parts does cause some distortions but this is only really noticeable where curves are present.

Finishing options

The model has been supplied with two finishing options which are:
US Army, 174th AHC, Vietnam 1967
US Marine Corps, Vietnam 1965

Conclusion

This release from Revell of Germany is aimed at the youngster coming to the hobby, or at least as a model to hook them and peek their interest in scale models. This model should be good at that as it is an impressive size, easy to build, has some nice features as regards parts that move and one of the finishing options with its shark mouth make the model colourful. The more serious modeller will have little interest in the model unless they want to do a lot of scratch work or invest in after-market products, but if you are willing to put in the needed work it should make for an interesting looking model when complete. One other aspect that is not often mentioned is that due to its large size it should be a good model for new modellers to learn the basic skills needed for the hobby. the price is also worthy of mention as £27 makes it an affordable present for Xmas.

Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For details visit www.revell.de/en, @RevellGermany or facebook.com/Revell