1:48 Mil Mi-8MT

The real subject

The Mil Mi-8 is one of the most widely used transport helicopters in the world and is still in service in dozens of countries. You can recognize it by its five-blade main rotor, its roomy cargo cabin and the large doors at the rear of the fuselage. The Mi-8MT version is a later upgrade of the basic type; its characteristic feature is the tail rotor moved to the left side of the tail boom. In the export version this variant was designated Mi-17.

What the set contains

This is a set of photo-etched metal parts for a model in 1:48 scale. Etched sheet is considerably thinner than plastic, so it suits everywhere a part is thin in reality and comes out disproportionately thick in plastic at scale. The extent of the set and which kit it is tied to are given in the instructions supplied by the manufacturer.

Building and painting tips

Lay the fret on a hard surface and separate the parts with a sharp blade, not with cutters, which deform the metal. Sand the remains of the tab down with a fine file. Make the bends over the edge of a steel ruler or in a photo-etch bending tool, always in one stroke and along the whole length at once. Wash and degrease the metal before painting and lay on a primer made for metal, or the finish will rub off during handling. Cyanoacrylate glue holds the parts; for larger areas use two-part epoxy.

• 1:48 scale, photo-etched metal parts for the Mi-8MT helicopter
• thin sheet for a correct thickness of the elements at scale
• the parts are separated with a sharp blade on a hard surface
• the bends go over the edge of a ruler or in a bending tool, in one stroke
• the metal has to be degreased and given a primer made for metal

Who it is for

The set assumes experience with tweezers and a sharp blade and a calm pace of work. For a modeler who wants detail to match the scale on a large helicopter, though, it is worth it.

Terms of supply

The model of the helicopter, paints, glue and tools are not included, unless stated otherwise.