History

The Bell UH-1Y Venom also called Super Huey is a twin-engine medium size utility helicopter, part of the United States Marine Corps' H-1 upgrade program. The helicopter is also called Yankee for its variant letter, Y.
The UH-1Y is currently in full-rate production to replace the USMC's aging fleet of UH-1N Twin Huey light utility helicopters first introduced in the early 1970s. The UH-1Y was to have been remanufactured from UH-1Ns, but in 2005 it was approved for the aircraft to be built as new.
Info from Wikipedia

Introduction

All the sets are packed in Eduard's familiar cardboard backed bag, with the contents and the instructions.

UH-1Y seat belts

Item no - 49732
Price - £9.50 (Hannants)
Even though KittyHawk do supply seat belts for the pilot and co-pilots seats none are supplied for the passenger compartment seating, so this set from Eduard is a must have if you are to have any of the side doors open.
Thirteen sets of harness's are supplied with each harness made up of four parts each. All the parts are pre-coloured but a couple of spots of paint will be needed for the belt buckles which need folding over.
Although tackling 13 sets of belts for the 13 seats looks daunting, it is not as time consuming as you would think. I managed to bend, glue and attach all the belts in a little over 4 hours. Once installed the set greatly improves the look of the interior with the added belts and adds some much needed variation in colour to the otherwise black interior.
The one small instruction sheet does have a build sequence as such and is easy to follow, with each part shown where to place and glue it.
Rating - 90%

UH-1Y self adhesive set

Item no - 49731
Price - £16.70 (Hannants)
Two frets are supplied with this set, one pre-coloured and self adhesive, with the larger set plain.
The pre coloured set covers interior details, with new instrument panels replacing the decal option found in the kit. Having already built the interior and used the decals, which snuggled down very well over the raised detail of the kits instrument panels, I have not used them. Other parts that I didn't get too use but will improve the look of the interior are small parts to go onto the Cyclic stick and collective lever. Pre-coloured interior panels for the pilot and co-pilot doors are supplied and are far better then the moulded on detail that are on the kits clear cast doors. Interior window framework for the twin side doors are also supplied.
The engine bay doesn't get a lot, with the engines only having a small P.E part fitted. The engine bays get four brackets each.
Where this set excels is in replacing the rather thick Kitthawk P.E set. The Eduard set replaces all the set and adds a few more parts for the exterior that will enhance the look. All the mesh grills are replaced, and adds a few inspection panel covers for good luck to replace the moulded on detail. The skids have eight brackets fitted which have raised bolt detail to the skid joint points. A P.E Ariel for above the cockpit replaces the plastic part found in the kit.
The rotors get some new bolt bracket detail, which replaces the moulded on detail.
The last part is new facings for the 50 cal machine guns.
The instructions are clear and easy to follow, with any kit parts to be replaced highlighted. Moulded on detail to be removed is coloured red.
All in all this set is quite extensive and does add some nice touches to the kit. I wouldn't say its a must have but it does replace the rather inferior Kittyhawk fret, and adds a few parts such as the skid brackets, Ariel and door interiors which either the kit lacks or is rather thick. My only bugbear with this set is the lack of detailing for the engines and engine compartments.
Rating - 80%

UH-1Y mask set

Item no - EX476
Price - £7.20 (Hannants)
Made of the usual Kabuki tape that Eduard make their masks out of, this set takes care of the numerous clear windows in the kit. All the masks are full masks apart from the lower side cockpit glazing which only has the clear edges as masks. I would imagine this is due to the complex curve found on these parts.
I am a fan of the Eduard masks, mainly because I'm a lazy so and so, and hate masking canopies myself. This set does exactly what is says it does, fits nigh on perfect, and are easy to use.
Rating - 95%
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