Janissary Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 (edited) Hello all. What would be the best base kit to make a 1/48 Turkish Ground Forces AH-1P as seen in these examples? https://www.ridder.aero/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/20160629_xxxx_7535.jpg https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnneyboy/6014904410 https://www.stocktrekimages.com/wmpix/DJR1/001/djr100149m-A-Turkish-Army-AH-1-Cobra-attack-helicopter-during.jpg The things most critical for the base shape (I think) are the flat panel canopy, extended exhaust, and the turret. The only three options for a base kit I see are: (1) Revell / Monogram AH-1S: Good base shape, and a reasonable cockpit but raised surface details that is a downer for me. (2) Fujimi AH-1S: Simplistic cockpit, less details on the surfaces than the Monogram, but recessed panel lines. (3) Special Hobby AH-1Q/S: Absolutely fabulous kit, recessed lines, but it has the curved canopy rather than the flat for some reason I cannot understand. I would much prefer recessed panel lines, so between 1 and 2, 2 seems like a good starting point. But I am unsure if I have all the above right. Of course, I would much much much much prefer to start with 3, but I have no clue why the canopy is not flat. I would scratch an exhaust and a gun if I were to start with 3. I am open to kit bashing. Could I start with 3, but use the canopy from 1 or 2? I fear it is not going to fit, and I think there are shape differences in the back where the canopy meets the fuselage, but this is why I am reaching out to you helo experts. I am open to kit bashing 1 and 2 also, but not sure what that gets me. Please let me know if I am missing something. thanks! Edited January 8 by Janissary Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Floyd S. Werner, Jr. Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 15 minutes ago, Janissary said: The only three options for a base kit I see are: (1) Revell / Monogram AH-1S: Good base shape, and a reasonable cockpit but raised surface details that is a downer for me. (2) Fujimi AH-1S: Simplistic cockpit, less details on the surfaces than the Monogram, but recessed panel lines. (3) Special Hobby AH-1Q/S: Absolutely fabulous kit, recessed lines, but it has the curved canopy rather than the flat for some reason I cannot understand. I would much prefer recessed panel lines, so between 1 and 2, 2 seems like a good starting point. But I am unsure if I have all the above right. Of course, I would much much much much prefer to start with 3, but I have no clue why the canopy is not flat. I would scratch an exhaust and a gun if I were to start with 3. I am open to kit bashing. Could I start with 3, but use the canopy from 1 or 2? I fear it is not going to fit, and I think there are shape differences in the back where the canopy meets the fuselage, but this is why I am reaching out to you helo experts. I'm not a huge fan of the Fujimi kit (I think it is a little under scaled [could be wrong] and less detailed) however, it will get you where you want to go easier. If you use the Monogram kit, you'll have to reshape the front of the doghouse. With the Fujimi you won't have to worry about it. If you buy the Step III you'll have all the parts you need in one spot that should all fit. Note that the Fujimi kit has landing gear with the fairings over them and the Turks do not. I can't remember if the unfaired ones are included. You could steal them from the Special Hobbies/ICM kit. I would not start with the Special Hobbies/ICM kit, for a number of reasons. First as you noticed, it is a round canopy. Major surgery to fix that along with the nose. Then there are the lack of access panels on the tailboom. Completely different main rotor blades. They use K747 and the kit comes with B540 blades. You can't just cut them. They are completely different in shape, size and mounting. The interior of the front seat is different as well. However, you proceed you will need to scratch build antennas and mounts, along with flare/chaff dispensers. Depending on when in the service life you depict it, you may need a brand new front seat and new TSU in the nose. The Turks upgraded their cockpits to glass cockpits and thermal TSU recently. I think the Fujimi kit with Special Hobbies/ICM landing gear is your best starting point. I do recommend the Master barrels for the 20mm and of course the Werner's Wings M-261 rocket pods. Crosseyed Modeler offers excellent TOW missiles on eBay. It depends on what armament your helicopter will carry. You notice in two of your pics they have M-261 pods and the other has just TOW racks. I hope this helps. I will be doing a US Army AH-1P sometime in the near future, but it is different than these upgraded ones. I'll use the Fujimi kit for the reasons I mentioned. Floyd Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Janissary Posted January 8 Author Share Posted January 8 This is incredibly useful, thank you. I had no idea about the skids, I now see what you mean. I am aiming for one that flew around 2008. I had two follow on questions if you don't mind: (1) I haven't done my research yet but do you know of the top of your head if the thermal TSU and gas cockpit came after 2008? (2) I am leaning toward Fujimi Step III as the base, but do you know if any part of the Monogram kit could be useful? I am thinking for example I could take the skinny legs and possibly the cockpit (special hobby one is quite expensive) but I am not quite knowledgeable about the upsides of the Monogram kit. thank you! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Floyd S. Werner, Jr. Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 15 hours ago, Janissary said: This is incredibly useful, thank you. I had no idea about the skids, I now see what you mean. I am aiming for one that flew around 2008. I had two follow on questions if you don't mind: (1) I haven't done my research yet but do you know of the top of your head if the thermal TSU and gas cockpit came after 2008? (2) I am leaning toward Fujimi Step III as the base, but do you know if any part of the Monogram kit could be useful? I am thinking for example I could take the skinny legs and possibly the cockpit (special hobby one is quite expensive) but I am not quite knowledgeable about the upsides of the Monogram kit. thank you! Happy to help. To answer your questions. 1) Yes, definitely after 2008 2) The cockpit is better in the Monogram kit, but I don't think it will fit because of the size difference. Worth a try at least. I'd love to be proved wrong. The Monogram interior is much nicer. Either way you'll have to scratch build the HSS rails on the inside top of the canopy. They aren't in any kit. I can send you some plans for 1/32 that you'd have to scale down 66%. I like the Monogram gun better too. I might release a 20mm upgrade, as well as, a new resin HUD but, you'd still need the Master Barrels. Floyd Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PeepingBear Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 Hi, after dry-fitting the 1/48 Monogram AH-1S (well F) cockpit into the Fujimi Fuselage, let me say it fits quite well, but needs support or correct positioning: Fujimi has horizontal ribs at the level of the cockpit floor inside both fuselage halves, these perfectly adjust the Fujimi cockpit tub, but the side panels are too narrow, leaving ca 1 mm gap to the inner fuselage sides. OTOH, the Monogram tub fits nicely against the inner fuselage sides, but there is nothing to place it correctly. Either eyeball it and use fast setting glue or put some fine sqare plastic rod in place first, against which the Monogram part can be settled. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Reddog-03 Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 On 1/8/2025 at 1:21 PM, Floyd S. Werner, Jr. said: Happy to help. To answer your questions. 1) Yes, definitely after 2008 2) The cockpit is better in the Monogram kit, but I don't think it will fit because of the size difference. Worth a try at least. I'd love to be proved wrong. The Monogram interior is much nicer. Either way you'll have to scratch build the HSS rails on the inside top of the canopy. They aren't in any kit. I can send you some plans for 1/32 that you'd have to scale down 66%. I like the Monogram gun better too. I might release a 20mm upgrade, as well as, a new resin HUD but, you'd still need the Master Barrels. Floyd Floyd, I have the Monogram kit, intend to build as a National Guard Cobra, late 1990's just prior to conversion to Apaches. Can you send me the plans for the HSS rails and info on any other mods necessary from the issued kit. Thanks!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Floyd S. Werner, Jr. Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 19 hours ago, Reddog-03 said: Floyd, I have the Monogram kit, intend to build as a National Guard Cobra, late 1990's just prior to conversion to Apaches. Can you send me the plans for the HSS rails and info on any other mods necessary from the issued kit. Thanks!! Email me Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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