Trumpeter 1/35 Mil Mi-24V
Hind-E
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Background
The Mi-24 series started development in the late 1960s following the
success of the AH-1 Cobra. As the AH-1 was developed using the power train
from the UH-1 Huey, the Mil Design Bureau also saved development time
by adapting key airframe and powerplant components from the Mi-8 Hip/Mi-14
Haze family. The Mi-24 was closer in development to the UH-1C Huey Hog,
as it not only carried an impressive array of firepower on its stub wings,
it also retained the ability to carry troops in its cabin. The first versions
of the Mi-24, NATO Codenamed Hind A, B & C, all featured a greenhouse
cockpit housing the pilot and gunner.
The next version of the Hind was the first to employ a similar tandem
seating arrangement as the AH-1 Cobra, with the gunner in the forward
cockpit and the pilot sitting above and behind the gunner. The Mi-24D
Hind D retained the typical armament arrangement of the later glassnose
Hinds with four rocket pods on the inboard pylons and four AT-3 anti-tank
missiles on the outboards.
While operational experience dictated additional improvements for the
next version, the Mi-24V Hind E, some of these were retro-fitted to the
Hind D as well. These included centrifugal air filters over the engine
intakes, an infrared jammer mounted aft of the main rotor, provisions
for engine exhaust IR suppressors, self-protection chaff/flare launchers,
and replacement of the four AT-3 missiles/rails with four cannisterized
AT-6 anti-tank missiles.
The Mi-24D, Mi-24V, and export Mi-35 were the combat workhorses of not
only the former Soviet Union (especially in operations in Afghanistan),
but also throughout the Warsaw Pact and many allied nations around the
world. Many of these aircraft are still in service with the Russian armed
forces and have even found their way into German Army service as well
as with the US Army for OPFOR (opposing forces) training.
The Kit
At approximately 23.5" x 12.5" x 4", the Mi-24V's large
box is actually smaller than Trumpeter's recent F-105 Thunderchief releases.
On opening the box, I could only muster one word - YES!!!!
This kit is gorgeous! Molded in light gray styrene, the kit is comprised
of twelve (12!) trees of parts. Six of those trees are just weapons!
The first thing any Trumpeter veteran will want to know is about the
injector pin marks. Many of their recent releases have been marred by
these scars, usually in places that require the surrounding detail to
be destroyed in order to deal with the pin stubs/impressions. Such is
not the case in this kit, While there are a few marks on the inside of
this beautiful fuselage, they are not in visible locations from what I
can tell and/or are easily dealt with. Ditto throughout the rest of the
kit. For example, there are a few on the more complex-shaped main gear
doors, but these are in easy-to-work areas.
The cockpit is beautifully laid out with attention to detail here given
the visibility through the cockpit bubbles. While there will no-doubt
be some detail enhancements coming from companies like Eduard, I am impressed
with the level of detail straight out of the box, including photo-etched
seatbelt/harness buckles for the two crew seats and photo-etched blades
for the cockpit cooling fan. The main instrument panel and one sub-panel
even use acetate instruments under clear faces.
The main cabin is not ignored - there is seating provided in the fully
enclosed cabin. The cockpit and cabin access doors can be positioned opened
or closed. As with the real aircraft, the cabin ceiling is also the structural
mount for the two TV3-117 engines. This kit provides two highly detailed
engines that can be displayed or hidden as you choose. The engine bay
access doors are actually provided as clear parts, so you can paint and
position the doors open, leave them clear and position them closed, or
paint the closed doors.
The landing gear detail is nicely done, though the super-detailers will
want to plumb the gear struts and wells with hydraulic lines. The wheels
are not weighted so you'll need to modify the kit parts to depict the
rhino on the ramp or wait for some aftermarket wheels to come along.
As is typical with most rotary wing kits, the main rotor blades come
out of the box perfectly straight. For the rhino, the only time straight
blades are accurate is while running on the ramp. Otherwise they are either
bowed downward with gravity or bowed upward during flight. You'll have
to add some curve to the blades to get that natural 'at rest' pose.
Since one of the principal differences between the Mi-24D Hind D and
the Mi-24V Hind E was the anti-tank missiles, you'll be happy to know
that the kit includes a full set of AT-3 missile to backdate the model
to the Hind D. A variety of 50, 100m 250 and 500 kilogram bombs are included
along with luster bombs, grenade launchers, gun pods and rocket pods to
depict your Hind in any one of many eras and mission configurations. You'll
definitely want to stash the unused armament in your stores for 'future
projects'.
Markings are provided for two aircraft:
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Blue 04, USSR, stationed in East Germany in the early 90s
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0705, Czech Air Force, wearing Tiger Meet 1998 stripes.
The only real complaint I have is the lack of self-defense equipment
in the kit. While the IR jammer is provided behind the main rotor, the
IR suppressors used on the Hind E in Afghanistan and the chaff/IR flare
launchers used by virtually everyone were not included. While the IR suppressors
were also a performance hindrance and not that widely employed (these
were boxy fairings that were fitted over the engine exhausts), the chaff/flare
launchers are a common detail that are noticeable in their absence. These
are not that difficult to fabricate and if this is the worst problem in
this kit, I'm going to have fun with this!
Conclusion
I have been looking forward to this kit since it was first announced
over a year ago. After seeing the extensive ejector pin scars on Trumpeter's
earlier 1/35 helicopter, the Mi-4 Hound, I was fearing the worst. These
fears were unfounded as the engineers who put these molds together did
a brilliant job of minimizing the ejector pins needed to get the parts
trees out of the molds. You're going to love this kit!
My sincere thanks to Stevens International for this review sample!
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