| Date of Review |
August 2005 |
| Manufacturer |
Cobra Company |
| Subject |
AH-1G Cobra Conversion/Detail Set |
| Scale |
1/48 |
| Kit Number |
48036 |
| Primary Media |
Resin |
| Pros |
Excellent conversion and detail update
to the venerable Fujimi AH-1J kit |
| Cons |
|
| Skill Level |
Intermediate |
| MSRP (USD) |
$24.00 |
What is the difference between an AH-1J and an AH-1G? Simple
- the number of engines. The US Marine AH-1J is a twin-engined
attack helicopter whereas the AH-1G is the same aircraft for
the US Army only with one engine. The Marines operate out over
water and need multi-engine reliability to land safely while
the Army Cobras can usually autorotate into any field.
Fujimi released the twin-engined AH-1J Sea Cobra many times
over the years, but never got around to the Army version. Cobra
Company to the rescue. This conversion and detail set for the
Fujimi kit will make the transformation to a late-model AH-1G
Cobra.
What's in the set? A completely new engine and transmission
cowling, which is the main difference between the two aircraft.
This set provides the mast mounts to make the kit compatible
with the Fujimi rotor mast.
Once very nice touch is the engine exhaust 'Strella' duct
that redirects the engine exhaust into the rotor downwash to
reduce the heat signature of the aircraft against the shoulder-launched
SA-7 missiles that were appearing in Vietnam toward the end
of the conflict. I'd love to see this duct in 1/32 scale for
the Revell AH-1G kit!
The set also includes a completely new cockpit with a whole
new two-place tub, crew seats, instrument panels, and other
essential details to give the viewer something nice to see
through that huge canopy.
The set is rounded out with a new chin turret in the compulsory
Army configuration of minigun and grenade launcher.
This set is definitely recommended for the Cobra lover and
will fill in a major hole on your rotary-wing flightline. This
detail set is available directly from Cobra
Company (www.cobracompany.com).
My sincere thanks to Cobra
Company (www.cobracompany.com) for this review sample!
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