New OH-58D 1/35 sets for MRC/Academy

[Blek Stena]

Hello everyone,

I asked a friend of mine to design and 3D print few details to upgrade my Academy/Revell/MRC OH-58D kit in 1/35, and he went fully overboard with this project!
Far beyond my wildest hopes. So, although I have no share in this venture (except being satisfied customer), I thought that here would be few people interested it his work.

Beware, he is not a company (yet), just a one guy, located in Croatia Europe. For those interested in his work, here is his contact flyingfrog3d@gmail.com.

[Tank]

Noice! 👍

[drt786]

Looking like a whole new kit! The Academy MMS was also very toy-like. One of the best upgrades you could get for the kit was the beautiful Zactomodels cast resin MMS (below) which is sadly now no longer in production. If you friend is interested in doing this as well, IMO he would have a "complete" set that would be super impressive. I am now almost tempted to do another Kiowa build, but the helo stash is growing faster than I can build it!

One piece of friendly feedback: IMO the cables are better off being added via soft wire after, rather than being 3D printed. Even the best printers can't get wires as smooth as they really should be, plus you need to deal with far more supports and you're inevitable going to break them. The tailboom wires are a good example.

Edited October 22, 2025 by drt786

[Blek Stena]

1 hour ago, drt786 said:

Looking like a whole new kit! The Academy MMS was also very toy-like. One of the best upgrades you could get for the kit was the beautiful Zactomodels cast resin MMS (below) which is sadly now no longer in production. If you friend is interested in doing this as well, IMO he would have a "complete" set that would be super impressive. I am now almost tempted to do another Kiowa build, but the helo stash is growing faster than I can build it!

One piece of friendly feedback: IMO the cables are better off being added via soft wire after, rather than being 3D printed. Even the best printers can't get wires as smooth as they really should be, plus you need to deal with far more supports and you're inevitable going to break them. The tailboom wires are a good example.

 

First, awesome OH-58. Punisher markings are one of my favorite! 👍
And second, thanks for advices. I agree with your comments about wiring (wire is better then 3D print), however 3D printed ones have one advantage. Connectors at the end, which you don't have with regular wire (you have to scratchbuild them). You can always cut 3D printed ones and replace them with real wire if you don't like them and just use connector ends. 
Another way to do it would be to just 3D print connectors as separate pieces to be combined with regular wire. I discussed similar approach with my friend regarding butterfly nuts on engine housing seen on picture bellow. I'm worried that those would break during cleanup, so maybe printing them as separate pieces would be better?
Anyway, engine housing, weapons, doors, and tail boom are done. New nose with modern humps and bumps and nice grilles will follow. I would like also new instrument panel, overhead switches and IP shroud, but based on what I have requested before, and what I got, I would not be surprised if we get whole cockpit at the end with wool padded seats, fire extinguisher, etc. I also asked for few details for disco ball, but again, as I understand from Zactoman set kit ball is undersized, so completely new ball will probably follow.
So, you are right. When finished this will be almost a new kit. With only rotor assembly, blades, canopy and skies used from original kit!😀

[drt786]

44 minutes ago, Blek Stena said:

First, awesome OH-58. Punisher markings are one of my favorite! 👍
And second, thanks for advices. I agree with your comments about wiring (wire is better then 3D print), however 3D printed ones have one advantage. Connectors at the end, which you don't have with regular wire (you have to scratchbuild them). You can always cut 3D printed ones and replace them with real wire if you don't like them and just use connector ends. 
Another way to do it would be to just 3D print connectors as separate pieces to be combined with regular wire. I discussed similar approach with my friend regarding butterfly nuts on engine housing seen on picture bellow. I'm worried that those would break during cleanup, so maybe printing them as separate pieces would be better?
Anyway, engine housing, weapons, doors, and tail boom are done. New nose with modern humps and bumps and nice grilles will follow. I would like also new instrument panel, overhead switches and IP shroud, but based on what I have requested before, and what I got, I would not be surprised if we get whole cockpit at the end with wool padded seats, fire extinguisher, etc. I also asked for few details for disco ball, but again, as I understand from Zactoman set kit ball is undersized, so completely new ball will probably follow.
So, you are right. When finished this will be almost a new kit. With only rotor assembly, blades, canopy and skies used from original kit!😀

Some very good points. On wiring, the ideal approach in my mind would be to include the connectors as part of the print, and leave the wire attachment points hollow with a 0.2-0.4mm diameter as required to make it scale-correct. then one can attach a wire later at the correct length etc. Those butterfly details are insanely good looking. Maybe your friend can include a batch of them in a tray to be added later in case a few break off during build/cleanup. Either way, this is turning into a really impressive product that really deserves to be sold! 

[Floyd S. Werner, Jr.]

That is AWESOME!  I want some.  Take my money.  Where do I order them?  I love everything.  3D printing is sooo much better than casting.  I love the entire project.  

 

If I could offer some suggestions- have the antennas on the tailboom as separate items so you can represent the D model at any time frame.  

Also make Hellfire racks and the older .50 cal gun cage with the wiring.  I think his wiring looks great.  If he is going through all this trouble might as well do it right.

Also new cushioned seats with the five-point harness.  Hell, older style seats with regular seat belts and shoulder harness. 

A new instrument panel and glare shield with the CAB system and M4 mounts already installed. 

Don't forget armor side panels for the front seats.  I include them in the Werner's Wings 35-01 set, but they are on EVERY Kiowa Warrior as far as I know. 

Maybe a first aid kit for the center pillar.  

 

I can think of a whole lot of things to add if he wants to.  If he doesn't sell it, maybe he'd sell the files to me for Werner's Wings.  I'm always up for a new Kiowa Warrior set/model.  

Floyd 

[Blek Stena]

Thanks Floyd, kind words from Kiowa expert like you are very motivating. In my first post is contact email so you can reach him directly, about how to buy, prices, business proposals, etc. I'm just helping and spreading gospel 🙂
Meanwhile, here is first test print of tail boom. Minor tweeks are needed, but in general I think it looks great (yes, wires too:-)) Although, this is late model version. I doubt that he has plans for early version for now.

[Tank]

Looking great. 👍 

 

Your friend has probably already thought this but he should just continue on to with 3D printing the main fuselage as well as he won’t be happy with it once he adds these parts. I have a similar friend building a different Bell helicopter and that is what happened. 

[drt786]

Looks amazing that tail boom! The temptation is continuing to rise 😆

[Floyd S. Werner, Jr.]

4 hours ago, Blek Stena said:

Thanks Floyd, kind words from Kiowa expert like you are very motivating. In my first post is contact email so you can reach him directly, about how to buy, prices, business proposals, etc. I'm just helping and spreading gospel 🙂

I reached out to him.  This is phenomenal work.

Floyd

[Hajo L.]

What about a scaled-down offer for 1/72? Of course a good portion of the details won't be visible in that smaller scale, but there is probably interest in having some addon-stuff in this scale as well.

 

 

HAJO

[Blek Stena]

1 hour ago, Hajo L. said:

What about a scaled-down offer for 1/72? Of course a good portion of the details won't be visible in that smaller scale, but there is probably interest in having some addon-stuff in this scale as well.

 

 

HAJO

Several people already asked same questions about 1/72 and 1/48. Never say never, but for now, answer is no I'm afraid. It is not only problem of losing details. Set is measured to fit 1/35 MRC/Academy kit. There is no guarantees that would fit to Italeri 1/72, or 1/48 kits if it just scaled down. It would take some effort to adjust it to other kits/scales.

[Newtonk]

Incredible stuff, I have the Academy kit in the stash, waiting patiently, and this merchandise will likely bump it to the front; email sent.

[Newtonk]

Very prompt reply, "we don't have a website, so you can order via emai flyingfrog3d@gmail.com

Payment is via PayPal. We don't have the parts in stock, so each order is printed and it takes about a week to be ready for shipping. Payment is made when the order is ready for shipping.

Armament Lau-68w/pylon and M3P w /pylon, ammo box and ammo belt-20€

Rear door-17€

Engine cover and tail boom-30€

The price for all together is 67€+ shippingIncredible stuff, I have the Academy kit in the stash, waiting patiently, and this merchandise will likely bump it to the front; email sent."

All very reasonable 

[Kim hyun tae]

I sent an e-mail to flyingfrog3d@gmail.com but there was no reply.

[markiii]

35 minutes ago, Kim hyun tae said:

I sent an e-mail to flyingfrog3d@gmail.com but there was no reply.

When did you send the email? It is a one man operation and they are in Croatia. Maybe give it a little time.

[Dave Roof]

If all goes as planned, these OH-58 sets, as well many (or possibly all) of their other designs will be available on our Flying Leathernecks Website.

 

Note, they will NOT be Flying Leathernecks products. I will be producing and selling the items for Flying Frog. I'll post more information as I'm able. 

[Dave Roof]

Quick update. I received all of the OH-58 files a few minutes ago, and will be getting everything into production this week. Once they're all printed, and packaging/product numbers are sorted out, I'll get them on the website. 

[HeavyArty]

Great news!

[drt786]

Fantastic partnership. Should be a win-win for everyone. 
 

Also, great to see you branching out into army products @Dave Roof, hopefully the first of many!

Edited October 28, 2025 by drt786

[Dave Roof]

7 minutes ago, drt786 said:

Fantastic partnership. Should be a win-win for everyone. 
 

Also, great to see you branching out into army products @Dave Roof, hopefully the first of many!

 

Technically, "I'm" not branching out. Flying Frog just happens to have Army stuff in their catalog that I'm printing and selling for them. But yes, it is a great collaboration, and I look forward to getting the rest of their stuff in production. He was actually happy to not have to deal with production and all of the paperwork that comes with starting a business in Croatia, and liked the idea of making money without having to do anything other than design stuff! 😀 Personally, I thought it was kind of cool that both of our business names start with 'Flying', so it really ties in together!

 

By the way, did you know that ARMY is an acronym for "Ain't Really a Marine Yet"? 

[Dave Roof]

First test prints of the OH-58 tail boom came out perfect. I should have the whole set in full production this week, and up on the website by next week.

 

 

 

Edited October 29, 2025 by Dave Roof

[Sarathi S.]

Looks great, but did you mean to post the second image?

[Dave Roof]

9 minutes ago, Sarathi S. said:

Looks great, but did you mean to post the second image?

 

 

🤣  Ha Ha! No, I have no idea how I managed to do that!

[drt786]

Looks brilliant!