Italeri 1/48 Bell OH-13/AB-47
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History
Development of the Bell model 47 actually can be dated back to the
1930s when a back yard inventor named Arthur Young began private research
on helicopters. Using a series of flying scale models, Young concentrated
his efforts on stability. The use of the rear tail rotor, which was conceived
by Igor Sikorsky, had solved the torque problems caused by helicopters
that used a single main rotor, but vibration and control were still major
obstacles that needed to be overcome in order to make the helicopter
a truly feasible aircraft type. Young overcame these challenges with
his signature, counter balancing flywheel concept, a feature that became
a Bell helicopter trademark for many years.
 As
it was with the initial uses of fixed wing aircraft so went the early
days of the helicopter. Aside from Sikorsky most major aircraft manufactures
didn’t seem to have the vision to see the potential of this new
aircraft type. Only Larry Bell, founder of Bell Aircraft, showed interest
in Young's concepts and as it is said, after that the rest is history.
Design and development of what would eventually become the model 47 began
is late 1941 and continued through 1945. The first model 47 was rolled
out in mid 1945 and flew in December of that same year. Originally the
model 47 had a semi -enclosed cockpit and covered latticework tail boom.
However that was soon discarded for the now familiar open lattice boom
and one-piece cockpit bubble.
The history and use of the Bell Model 47 spans a number of decades
and two major military conflicts. As was the case with fixed wing aircraft
it took a war to dramatically demonstrate both need and application of
the helicopter. The Korean War, without question, became the real time
proving ground for this aircraft type and the Bell model 47, (Army designation
H-13), contributed greatly to establishing it’s creditability.
Although the light helicopter is capable of multiple military rolls  such
as reconnaissance, artillery-spotting etc. the H-13 is without a doubt
best known and best recognized (thanks to the TV series) for medical
evacuation as part of a MASH unit. As it turned out the rough terrain
and lack of roads in Korea made the need for medical evacuation by helicopter
all the more useful and, although not planned, practically essential.
The Korean War certainly went a long way to establish the potential
of the military helicopter. However it was the Vietnam War where that
potential became full blown and once again the H-13 was a key player,
however this time it was armed. During the closing day of the Korean
War initial and very successful experiments were being conducted using
the H-13 as a light gun and rocket platform. As a result, and over a
decade later, late Model 47s (designated the OH-13S) were in use with
air-Cavalry units that were operating in Vietnam. Although replaced,
in the late 1960s, by more advanced turbine power light  choppers the
H-13s not only had laid the groundwork for what would become the modern
day attack helicopter but also establish and proved the tactics by which
they would operate.
The Kit
The kit I built is the most recent version/release and is for a late
Bell Model 47s that was equipped with pontoons. The kit comes with three
choices of scheme including one that was used in the 1960s by the US
Coast Guard for harbor patrol security which included watching for pollution,
smuggling, illegal dumping as well as search and rescue duties. These
particular aircraft were regular fixture around large ports such as New
York. The second scheme is for an Italian Airforce AB-47 G-3 circa 1982.
The third and last is for a US Army OH-13 S circa 1962
 First
off, I found that the Italeri's 1/48 th scale OH-13/AB-47 is a very nice
little kit that despite its delicate appearance goes together rather easily.
Some fiddling with the engine exhaust pipes is required but that was the
only area that presented much of a challenge if you could even really
call it that. The kit contains five styrene trees four of which are molded
in dark red plastic with the last being the bubble and doors which of
course are clear. It should be noted that although this kit is for the
pontoon version, (which come molded separately) if desired it can still
be done as the originally released gun ship on skids. However, and of
equal note, the parts for the gun ship version may not have been deleted
from the main trees but the instruction showing how to assemble them has.
 As I said above this kit goes together fairly easy but prior to assembly
some clean up is necessary. The tail boom latticework especially needs
to be cleaned up to remove the parting lines left be the molds. When
cleaning up, be advised that some of the engine plumbing is very delicate
an as such a light touch is needed. Speaking of the engine, this assembly
is a little gem and care should be taken to do it up nicely because this
is one of those rare models where you can actually see the engine when
it is finished. This kit is also somewhat unique in that painting many
of the parts prior to assembly is a must, but on the other hand the way
the kit is designed to go together touch-up is almost negligible upon
final assembly. The only negative I came across is that a choice of two
types of saddle tanks are provided but no indication as to which style
of tank to use on the three different schemes provide.
Decals
 The decals provided as noted above give the modeler a choice of three
aircraft. I found that they went on well and were of good quality. The
Coast Guard emblem that appears on the fuel tanks came from another source
and is not included with the kit marking.
Conclusion
This is a great little kit of that out the box makes into a very nice
model.
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