Trumpeter 1/72 CH-47A Chinook
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Overview
 The
development of the Chinook had an interesting path. Vertol came up with
the Model 107/YHC-1A, but that was rejected by the U.S. Army as being
too small for its needs. The YHC-1A was then evaluated by the US Marine
Corps, and ordered as the HRB-1 (CH-46A after 1962). The Army then ordered
the similar but larger Model 114/HC-1B. The pre-production Boeing Vertol
YCH-1B made its initial hovering flight on September 21, 1961. In 1962
the HC-1B was redesignated the CH-47A under the 1962 United States Tri-Service
aircraft designation system.
 The
all-weather, medium-lift CH-47A Chinook was powered initially by Lycoming
T55-L-5 engines rated at 2,200 horsepower (1,640 kW) but then replaced
by the T55-L-7 rated at 2,650 hp (1,980 kW) engines or T55-L-7C engines
rated at 2,850 hp (2,130 kW). The CH-47A had a maximum gross weight of
33,000 pounds (15,000 kg). A total of 349 were built. The CH-47A Chinook
entered service in Vietnam with the U.S. Army 1st Cavalry Division in
late 1965, but was soon replaced by the more powerful CH-47B variant.
The Kit
Trumpeter’s new 1/72 Chinook kit is based off their larger 1/35
kit, which is good for those wanting detail. Molded in light gray plastic,
the kit comes with a decent interior, nicely detailed rotors, and a decal
sheet with three options.
 Starting
with that interior, this has a very nicely done front cockpit, with a
multi-piece instrument panel, separate rudder pedals, and detailed bulkheads.
Also present is the overhead console, all of which will be quite visible
through the clear canopy. Moving aft, the cabin area has a floor and some
sidewall detail, but there is much that could be added. With all the rear
doors closed up, though, not much will be visible, needing perhaps just
the fold-up seats to complete it. For those who want to have the rear
doors open, be ready to add quite a bit more detail here.
 With
the interior done, the fuselage gets buttoned up, and with that, the remainder
of assembly is quite straightforward. The engine pods are nicely molded,
with the main body and pylon cast in one piece. The intake screens are
separate, as are the exhausts. The former would probably benefit from
replacement with actual screen, although getting them to hold the shape
of the cone might be challenging.
 For
the underside, the landing gear is nicely detailed, both in the wheels
and in the struts. There is also the underbelly winch provided, along
with several antennae. The latter have their base included in the part,
fitting into recesses in the underside. This will make for a much nicer
attachment than the simple peg and hole we normally see. The rotors have
a detailed hub with separate blades, the blades having droop molded in
place.
Moving on the decals, there are three options provided, all finished
in overall green. The first adds a bit of color with large stars and bars
on the rear fuselage, and orange on the nose and tail. A yellow band around
the rear fuselage is also present, as is a large white 2 on the sides.
 The
remaining two choices are much more sedate, with basic black markings
for the most part. The first one is an Army National Guard helo, with
emblems on the side sponsons and rear rotor housing. The second has a
red triangle on the forward rotor housing and is coded B49 on the rear.
As is common with all Trumpeter kits, there is no information as to what
any of these CH-47s are, either squadron or date, so some additional research
will be required to know what exactly you are building. Interestingly,
the CH-47A wore some very interesting nose art while in Vietnam, yet Trumpeter
did not choose to have any of those on their decals. A web search on the
CH-47A will show many of these for the more intrepid modeler.
Conclusion
This is a very nice CH-47 kit, and one which looks to be a fast builder.
My thanks to Stevens International
for the review sample. |
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