modelersc Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 A comparison/review of the 1/48 HobbyBoss CH-47D and the Italeri CH-47F Chinooks (Very sorry the photos aren't shown with the text but I can't figure out how to insert them without them being unaccepted as way too big.) HobbyBoss Kit #81773 Italeri kit #2779 https://www.dropbox.com/s/rl4ikpj3dxd5y4v/IMG_0715 (2).JPG?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/58oaapk19c1ea04/IMG_0716 (2).JPG?dl=0 I was excited to see HobbyBoss’ new release of the 1/48 D model Chinook since I’m a fan of the big Helicopter. Italeri has offered a number of CH-47 versions including an A, an HC.MK.1 and a now out of production D. I thought my fellow helicopter enthusiasts would be interested in a review of both kits with some comparisons and personal opinions. Note that Italeri’s out of production “D” kit has only a few detail differences with the current “F” offering so this review could just as well inform about their D kit. With your indulgence I’ll refer to HobbyBoss as “HB” and Italeri as “IT” in some cases. The Italeri kit now comes in a two part top-opening box instead of the thinner weaker end-opening one. Parts are wrapped in two bags with another bag inside protecting the clear parts. HC.2 and “F”specific parts are on two new sprues. With HobbyBoss each sprue is protected by individual bags with the small detail areas additionally wrapped with thin foam sheets. Very nice. The box is of HobbyBoss’ usual solid strength’ Both manufacturers have provided extensive and very clear instruction sheets with HB including a full color sheet for the colors and markings placement. Italeri has now included full color printed markings and decal placement guides in the instruction book. There are significant differences in the offerings between the two manufacturers regarding the windscreen and adjacent windows. While both kits have the cockpit clear parts as single pieces, HB's is clearer and thinner. The IT cockpit compares less well being thick and rather distorting. To my eyes the framing is too wide as well. Italeri https://www.dropbox.com/s/hv5jbcj9lvdhckc/IMG_0718 (2).JPG?dl=0 HobbyBoss https://www.dropbox.com/s/by19mpoc7zbt8i9/IMG_0719 (2).JPG?dl=0 The rotor blades of both kits are very similar. Happily both incorporate the “Chinook Droop” molded into the blades. Rotor heads also compare well but the IT kit’s detail depth is more pronounced. Italeri https://www.dropbox.com/s/g4hk236yuxsmwwr/IMG_0720 (2).JPG?dl=0 Hobbyboss https://www.dropbox.com/s/lc3cw0f4874od8g/IMG_0721 (2).JPG?dl=0 The fuselages scale out well with the HB fuselage halves being split into front and rear sections just forward of the rear pylon. The IT kit fuselage halves are one part front to rear with only a few rear pylon parts to install. However there are major differences in how each kit presents the panel lines and rivets. The HB kit has finely engraved panel lines and equally fine rivet detail. It's very attractive but may disappear under primer and paint coats. Italeri’s panel lines are engraved but there are no rivets represented. To my eye the panel lines are overly deep and wide detracting from the effect. Small exterior details look good on both kits. The sponsons and upper drive shaft maintenance covers are integral with the fuselage halves on the IT kit. On the HB kit the shaft maintenance cover is a separate part. On the HB kit the sponsons are separate from the fuselage and complete front to rear. This is good news since it suggests in future we could see the uber-desirable MH-47 Special Ops version with the much larger sponsons. Both kits have positional upper and lower rear doors with ramps. As you know the Chinook’s upper rear door retracts inside the lower door but only the IT kit has provision for posing the rear ramp down with the upper door stowed inside correctly. That is the most common ground pose for the Chinook but the HB kit does not account for this. Happily a little surgery on the upper door can attach a portion to the lower one for a more correct look. Italeri https://www.dropbox.com/s/qt01u0pxux49lce/IMG_0722 (2).JPG?dl=0 HobbyBoss https://www.dropbox.com/s/t91s9becmzat8bl/IMG_0723 (2).JPG?dl=0 Various vents on HB are molded open and supplied with fine photo etched screens. Italeri has all vents molded closed except the large rear pylon oil cooler with nylon screen supplied to cut and apply over the other (molded closed) vents. Not nearly so nice as HB. Both kits have good looking forward cabin doors but only the IT kit has an open forward port window - a common configuration for the Chinook. The cockpits of both kits are comparable but the IT kit provides only decals for the instrument panel while HB’s panel is a clear engraved part. Engine shapes on both kits look good but here again there are no open cowl vents on the IT kit. There are recessed areas on the cowls for the modeler to cut and apply more nylon screen into the closed recesses. Not nearly as nice as HB who provides a full set of fine photo etch screens for the engines. It's the same with the large air filters, HB providing etched parts with IT using the same cut nylon screening for the intakes. Italeri does have printed patterns for the engine screens in the instructions. Points again to HB in providing two full (but simplified) engines inside the cowlings. Both kits have the engine exhausts split into two halves leaving important seams to fill. The IT kit provides un-split exhausts for kit versions other than the US Army one. Wheels are superior on the IT kit with better detail than HB’s . Italeri https://www.dropbox.com/s/iwz35ihh8art5vz/IMG_0724 (2).JPG?dl=0 HobbyBoss https://www.dropbox.com/s/0yxwoqpj6ztjuqo/IMG_0725 (2).JPG?dl=0 Inside the cabin both kits have excellent floor detail but beyond this the Italeri kit is much better. On separate inner wall parts Italeri has replicated the soft quilted padding in a very believable wavy 3D effect. Cabin ribs and other details are present with a separate overhead piece similarly formed. With Italeri the important bare rib structures beside the rear ramp are deep and well defined -a great place for super-detailing! Italeri again takes the prize for providing a full cabin of canvas-style troop seats with belt detail. I have to admit I’m really impressed but IT didn’t include the prominent rear pylon transmission. Hopefully the aftermarket will step in. The HobbyBoss kit has a great exterior but really compares poorly inside the main cabin. The cabin’s interior walls are not represented by separate parts but padding and ribs are engraved on the inside of the fuselage halves. All the detail inside is done by very light scribing with the quilted padding squares being too small and regular. The cabin overhead has only the same padding and some tiny engraved ribs. The aforementioned wall details next to the rear ramp are faintly and simply expressed. The one cabin interior area that is superior on the HB kit is the aft side of the front cabin bulkhead. It has individually molded electronic boxes and shelving for them as well as a separate cabin heater making a marvelously 3D look in an area easily viewed through the cabin door. In the Italeri kit this same bulkhead has the equivalent details molded in place. Not bad really but HB did it nicely indeed. Italeri https://www.dropbox.com/s/qq9pprbdu8makfu/IMG_0727 (2).JPG?dl=0 HobbyBoss https://www.dropbox.com/s/kguriqn549c5655/IMG_0728 (2).JPG?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/mpm2pny3ngken8p/IMG_0729 (2).JPG?dl=0 And finally the decals. Italeri provides a beautiful large decal sheet printed by Zanchetti encompassing three marking choices- US Army, Royal Air Force and Japan Ground Self Defense Force. The Japanese aircraft is identified in the instructions as Air Defense Force but the decals are the correct JGSDF. A full set of walkways, stencils and rescue markings are all sharply printed by Zanchetti. HobbyBoss furnishes US Army markings for only one aircraft. It's a much smaller one than IT’s but does provide walkways, stencils and rescue markings as well. Italeri https://www.dropbox.com/s/x9oaz2v93wmiapu/IMG_0730 (2).JPG?dl=0 HobbyBoss https://www.dropbox.com/s/im7zf5aa82w78pa/IMG_0731 (2).JPG?dl=0 My conclusion…. I think HobbyBoss is the clear best choice for a superb exterior but falls very short inside. Italeri’s kit is very good but is held back by its exterior scribing and less impressive clear parts. Both can certainly be made into impressive models. I hope you found this review informative and useful. Big thanks to MRC for the HobbyBoss CH-47D review sample. Sherman C. IPMS NOVA Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hooker169 Posted June 28, 2022 Share Posted June 28, 2022 Thanks for doing this comparison, it’s very helpful and you nailed most of the differences between the two kits. The inaccuracies of each kit in regards to the actual aircraft is an entirely different subject and would need its own thread. But one of my pet peeves is how wrong both kits got the blade droop. In my opinion it’s the biggest visual distraction of all CH-47 kits. Yes, it’s a ‘Hook’, the blades do in fact droop but not how or where depicted in the kits. From the vertical hinge pin to the blade tip the blade in fact only sags roughly 12 1/2 inches. Now, there are obviously other factors such as fwd head tilt (9 degrees), aft head tilt (4 degrees), smaller fixed droop stops on the fwd as compared to larger aft centrifugal droop stops etc. which effect the distance from blade tip to ground or tunnel cover. Strut servicing, fueled or not. Loaded, unloaded or flight controls neutral or not can also effect the distance to the ground. But the blades never ‘wilt’ like an unwatered plant as depicted by both kits. I plan on covering a “how to” post on fixing the Hobby Boss kit blade droop after the holiday. It’s simple and can be used for the all 1/35, 1/48 and 1/72 scale Hooks on the market. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
modelersc Posted June 29, 2022 Author Share Posted June 29, 2022 Thanks Hooker I've been reading your informative comments and reviews for some time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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