André Middeldorf Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 The (virtual) Original The Boeing-Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche finally saw its comissioning after 21 years of development and the first helicopters saw duty in the US Army in 2004. In 2006 the United States Marine Corps decided to use this helicopter as a replacement for the aging AH-1 Cobras. So in 2009 the first USMC Comanches were delivered, replacing the Cobra as a light attack helicopter. The kit The Kit is the old Italeri Kit in 1/48 scale and unfortunately it is very rare and hard to get. A very simple Kit, especially the cockpit, it's in need of a lot of work to do. So the 'pit was build with a lot of scratch, e.g. a complete new console for the Gunner, revised seats and the back board in the cockpit. New sidewalls in the cockpit had also to be done, because in the kit there's nothing between the cockpit and the hull of the helicopter. Outside an Avionicbay was build, some wires were laid into the bays. On the rear two fins were made, these were there on the original Prototype 2 due to stability issues. The Radar radome was also completely made from scratch. The Hellfire's under the wings were taken from a Hasegawa AH-64 because the kit parts are wrong in shape and lack of detail. I painted the kit in Gunze FS36375 and FS 35237 for the typical USMC Scheme. The Decals were taken from the kit, from an Italeri AH-1W kit and out of the junk box. In conclusion I really enjoyed this build, although there was a lot of work to do. But if I'll get another one of these, I will definately put my hands on it again. I hope you like this one and I'm looking forward for your critique. And sorry for my bad english... it's been a while since I wrote or spoke in english. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ST0RM Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 Breathtaking! Your work truly paid off and you've got an outstanding looking model. Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FAR148 Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 (edited) Very Cool! :wub: Edited October 5, 2014 by FAR148 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
infofrog Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 (edited) That's one great job you done . Rick Edited October 5, 2014 by infofrog Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jfmajor60 Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 You've done an amazing job with this 'very simple kit' Well Done Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Exhausted Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 Where's the tailhook? J/K Great work! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
canadadry1 Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 Holy Crap.....that's beautiful. I built this kit when it first came out and it was problematic to put it mildly and you made a diamond out of it. Fantastic Job Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
André Middeldorf Posted October 7, 2014 Author Share Posted October 7, 2014 Thank you for aour kind replys. I'm very happy that you like the kit and how it comes out. @Exhausted You're right with the tailhook... I simply forgot it :-( Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bravosierra001 Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 That looks AWESOME!!! Brandon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Beautiful work!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wolf_el_Real Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 Excellent work!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TaiidanTomcat Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 Wonderful creativity and execution Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stephen Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 Stunning work, all your effort paid off. Stephen Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trigger Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jinxter13 Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 OH WOW!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
André Middeldorf Posted November 8, 2014 Author Share Posted November 8, 2014 (edited) Thank you :D/> At the moment I'm looking for a second Kit of the Comanche, because there's one thing I would like to build: A Comanche with folded Main Rotor and all bays open So please, if anyone has this kit to offer, please drop me a short mail :thumbsup:/> Edited November 8, 2014 by André Middeldorf Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dsmith Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Andre, You did a wonderful job! You build makes me want to pull mine out and work on it again! Cheers, -Doug PS Check your PM Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Postman623 Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Makes me want to break out my 66. I am in the middle of doing a Navy version depicted in James H. Cobb's "Amanda Garrett" Series, started with "Choosers of the Slain". Very nice! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joel_W Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 What an amazing build. It's the overall final presentation that is important to the viewer, and your build is simply outstanding. Joel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Whiskey Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 @André Middeldorf I know this is an really old thread but do you have any pictures of the work you did in the cockpit? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
André Middeldorf Posted April 15, 2020 Author Share Posted April 15, 2020 I'm afraid that I have no more building pictures. Looked through all my pics but no Comanche 😧 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Underdog Posted April 21, 2020 Share Posted April 21, 2020 Andre, What is it about helicopters, that stirs all this excitement besides the rotors? For one, a well executed build as we have here. I'm not actually familiar with this particular kit, but you seemed to have done an excellent job with it... "Tail-hook forgiven!" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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