1:48 1:48 Aero HC-2 Heli Baby

The real subject

The Aero HC-2 Heli Baby is a light Czechoslovak helicopter from the 1950s. It was a small machine with a glazed cabin, on which home designers tried out helicopter construction, and only a few were built. Among the helicopters that are commonly modeled it is one of the least known, so a finished model is a welcome change in a display case beside American and Soviet machines.

The model in 1:48 scale

The real subject is small in itself, so a model in 1:48 scale takes up only a little space on a shelf and holds its own beside larger helicopters in the same scale. The set is supplied unassembled and unpainted, and the particular building sequence follows the manufacturer's instructions.

Building and painting tips

• Wash the parts before gluing in lukewarm water with a drop of detergent, degrease them and let them dry.
• Cut the excess material off with a sharp blade a little away from the part and sand the rest away carefully.
• Mask the cabin glazing before spraying, not once the paint has dried.
• The thin parts on a helicopter are easily lost, so work over a tray with a raised edge.
• Apply the base color in a thin coat, so that the fine surface of the parts stays visible.
• Try the rotor mounting dry while the glue is not yet holding; a crookedly seated rotor is the most visible thing on a finished model.

Who it is for

For collectors of Czechoslovak aircraft and for modelers looking for a subject outside the mainstream. Building a small helicopter means working with thin parts, so it suits someone who has already finished a kit or two.

Paints, glue and thinner are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.