Introduction

This kit is gigantic in terms of box size and especially the quite amazing numbers for the size of the finished model.

In 1/35 scale, this Mi-24 model will have more than half a meter in length while the diameter of the main rotor is almost exactly half a meter, which means some pretty significant space required for displaying the finished model.
Think about it in advance.

History

This huge helicopter is one of the most iconic Russian attack helicopters dating back to the early 70`s of the last century.

It played major roles in numerous conflicts throughout the years, mainly as a ground attack helicopter thanks to a vast array of weaponry that it can carry under the two massive wings. And yes, in this 1/35th scale, the wings look like wings of a plane.

Advanced missiles mounted on the outer wing pylons, fuel tanks and non-guided rockets are only a couple of examples.

The Contents

Fuselage:
There is one huge plastic bag containing the two halves of the fuselage and it is the first thing that appears right after opening the box.

The size of the sprue with the two fuselage halves covers literally the entire area of the box, and it`s quite easy to imagine what we talk about when we talk about just one piece with more than half a meter in length.

The two halves indeed look similar, but they have their own little differences, such as the location of the accessing door for the transportation compartment, numerous panel lines and rivets, the tail area and many other smaller details are different on the two sides of the fuselage too.

Overall, the numerous rivet and panel lines suggest that this Trumpeter kit is very advanced and is from a very high quality.

And yes, in this 1/35th scale, the wings look like wings of a plane.

Cockpit section:
The cockpit floor and the instrument panels for the two cockpits are also enormous.

Some of the side panels are offered into one big huge piece, while other consoles are in separate pieces.

The main instrument panels are to be made via transparent film and layered surface detailing.

The cockpit is really an essential part in this Mi-24 model since it is so huge and the canopies provide a much clearer view inside the cockpit.


Main and rear rotors: they are the next essential part in every helicopter, and in this kit one could find an entire sprue with parts only for the two rotors.

The blades are beautifully engraved and detailed, featuring a myriad of recessed as well as raised lines.

The panel lines and the rivets make no exception too. They are everywhere, especially near the hub areas, which include delicate imitations of hydraulics and actuators.


Canopies:
Separately packed in transparent bags and in another, second, cardboard box inside the big box, the clear parts offer another interesting array of opts to display your model.

From closed canopy doors, to transparent engine cowlings for a better view to the engines – the clear parts can replace every detail that looks transparent on the real plane too, and even more.


Wings:
There is no doubt the wings of Mi-24 are what really create the famous silhouette of this helicopter.

Both wings are made out of two halves each – with upper and lower parts, and they look like the wings of just about any plane model in 1/72 scale.

The wings feature beautiful detailing and full amount of underwing pylons for the loadouts.


Nearly one half of all the plastic sprues in this kit contain parts for the weaponry.

The underwing loadouts, the fuel tanks, the cannon under the nose… there is nothing better to turn this Mi-24 model into a very spectacular model, than a dozen different loadout pieces to choose from.

From rockets to missiles and fuel tanks – there is just about everything that can be stored on each of the underwing pylons.


Engines:
They are undoubtly another important part of this model that could easily turn it into a real masterpiece.

There is an option to display the engine cowls open or with the transparent parts.

In both cases, the engines could be clearly visible and the best thing is that they have plenty of beautifully detailed separate parts, such as fuel lines, tubes, oil pumps, wiring, intake fans, nozzle details, and more.

Instructions

A nice and rather regular looking instruction manual will get you effortlessly through the assembly of the model.

The pages are matt, black and white, and there are 24 pages!

This instruction manual looks like a booklet full of interesting information and diagrams.

The last page depicts all the possible loadouts and mounting opts.


Painting guide and decals:
It`s just one big glossy page with colored visualizations of the two Mi-24 variants offered OOB.

The one is with a typical Russian camouflage, the other helicopter opt is from the Czech Air Force. Or in other words – the famous green-spotted camouflage and a camouflage with the grey “tiger” stripes.

They both are beautiful and could make the choice difficult. All the recommended paints and the places for attaching the decals are mentioned in this guide too, while the decals themselves are stored in a rather typical bluish sheet hidden under a paper sheet and a transparent bag.

A small box inside the big box: except for the clear parts, it also contains a small bag with a PE fret and a transparent film for the main instrument panel.

This transparent film has some very nice and glossy dials with contrasting white colors, which are quite difficult to imitate even with a decal.

The PE fret is very thick and heavy, but it holds some tiny little and delicate parts, which will help improve your model even more.

Conclusion

A massive helicopter in 1/35 scale and the display requirements are definitely something to consider!

Besides from that, you get a wonderfully detailed kit with surface items, which will look fabulous after paint and weathering.

Add just a little more rivets and panel lines to make it look even better.

Although containing nearly 500 parts, almost a half of them are for the different loadouts, so the build of the helicopter itself would not be very difficult.

Decide in advance the exact display mode, because there are plenty of optional parts such as open or closed canopy doors, landing gears, and others.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on Aeroscale.