1:32 Bell AH-1G Cobra late

Eduard photo-etched set 1:32 Bell AH-1G Cobra late

A set of photo-etched parts from the Czech maker Eduard intended for detailing a model of the Bell AH-1G Cobra attack helicopter in the late form, in 1:32 scale. Photo-etched sheet replaces thick-walled plastic parts with thin and accurately shaped elements, which show on a finished model as sharper edges and a more legible surface. The plastic model is not included in the package.

The real subject

The AH-1G was a single-engine attack helicopter with a very narrow fuselage and a tandem cockpit in which the weapons operator sat in front and the pilot behind and higher up. In design it came from the dynamic system of the UH-1 helicopter, with which it shared the rotor and the power unit. Its typical features are short stub wings with hardpoints for carrying armament and a trainable turret under the nose. The designation late refers to the later production form, which differs from the first production machines in details of equipment and external elements.

Usage tips

Separate the parts from the fret with a sharp scalpel on a hard surface and sand the remainder of the tab back. Make the bends in a photo-etch bender or between two blades; only that way do you get straight edges without rippling. Degrease the sheet with alcohol before gluing. It is glued with cyanoacrylate glue; on larger areas the gel version helps, as it gives time for accurate positioning. The base has to be flat, so first sand the plastic molding down to nothing. In 1:32 scale every part is clearly visible, so it pays to work in small steps and to keep trying the parts dry.

Who the set is for

• Modelers who want to take a helicopter model beyond the contents of the box
• Builders of the large 1:32 scale, where coarse plastic detail is most apparent
• More experienced modelers with experience of working with photo-etched parts
• Those building the AH-1G in the late form

This is an accessory set, not a kit. The model, glue and paints are not included in the package.