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This is Hasegawa's 1/72 scale AH-1S Cobra
(kit Dt22) built for Israeli service. The Cobra has served with the IAF
since the mid-70's, and goes by the Hebrew nickname, Tzefa' (Viper).
The Hasegawa kit contains 76 pieces and markings
for a U.S. Army snake. The fuselage has recessed panel lines and
vents. For underwing stores there are eight TOW missile launchers and
two FFAR pods There were no major assembly problems
encountered and builds up rather quickly. The cockpit detail is
sparse (two seats, a control stick for the pilot, and flat instrument panels
for which decals go over) allowing for big time improvements.
A pilot and gunner are included and were used to make the cockpit look
"busy". Aside from the stretched sprue antennas and
cable cutter braces, I built my Cobra out of the box.
Humbrol enamels
and Model Master paints were used to finish the Cobra. I mixed HU110
and HU62 to come up with the distinct brown that most IAF helicopters
are finished in (FS 30145). For markings, Isradecals IAF-10 (yellow
chevrons) and IAF-11 were used. This sheet is comprehensive,
containing decals for every type of helicopter that has served or is serving in
the Israeli Air Force. Hebrew data stencils, nationals insignias of every
type, and squadron emblems are included as well. The markings I
chose are for Cobra no. 514 of the Southern Cobra Squadron.
For weathering, pastels
were used to add the exhaust stains to the tail boom and a thinner wash was used
to accentuate the panel lines.
Albert
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