Aubrey Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Evening all As per the title, I'm looking for a plastic kit model of the Agusta Westland AW139 (AB139). This is an awesome modern up-to-date helicopter and I'd love to build one. I've searched Google, but to no avail! Thanks in advance Aubrey Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dmanton300 Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Nothing yet. Only military user is the Republic Of Ireland. Unless and until more militaries acquire it don't hold your breath. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aubrey Posted September 16, 2009 Author Share Posted September 16, 2009 A real shame. I take your point about the Military, but surely as the helicopter is so popular for SAR and HEMS work it would be worth it. If it's any help to a manufacturer, I'd buy at least two Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aaronw Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 I'm hoping since Agusta is an Italian company that Italeri will bring us one, otherwise civil helicopters are pretty rare. I'd take at least 2 or 3 in 1/72 myself. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
barkin mad Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 Nothing yet. Only military user is the Republic Of Ireland. Unless and until more militaries acquire it don't hold your breath. I think you can add the RAF to that too, although I think they are leased. Linky ------------------------------- Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blackhawk7 Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 The UAE also uses them for civil and military SAR duties... although I beleive they are leased from/though Evergreen(?). I had the chance to have a look around one whilst it was 'royal' transport duties... even got a personal tour around the bird by an ex-Blackhawk crewcheif who is now flying on it! I have been wanting to build one for ages as well, however as the others have said unfortunatly no manufacturer makes any besides 1:1... Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aubrey Posted September 17, 2009 Author Share Posted September 17, 2009 unfortunatly no manufacturer makes any besides 1:1... Tom Well that's a lot of plastic, but I'd have a go :blink: I'm definately keeping my fingers crossed that someone will make one. I'm trying hard not to contemplate scratch building one. Is there any kit that one could use as a basis? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Loach Driver Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 Fingers-crossed someone will produce a 1/72 kit of the AW139 soon. Italeri production of new 1/72 scale kits has slowed after all the good stuff they came up with in the late 1990's. Maybe Revell Germany will release a kit of the AW139 but it's not a helicopter with strong german connections so I'm not hopeful. I don't know what sales of their A109K kit was like but given that it is now deleted for a few years now, maybe that will scare Revell off touching another Agusta helicopter again. More and more operators will purchase the fullsize AW139 though, so sooner or later, a kit will come along. Maybe a smaller manufacturer like AZ Models might tackle it. When you see the number of obscure fixed-wing types that are kitted, surely a helicopter in production now deserves to be released in kit form. I am a little biased when it comes to the AW139 though because the Irish Air Corps operate them. http://www.irishairpics.com/photo/1030464/...1597a81e54ff9d9 The AW139 is a nice machine but it lacks the charm of the Alouette III! LD. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aaronw Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 Fingers-crossed someone will produce a 1/72 kit of the AW139 soon. Italeri production of new 1/72 scale kits has slowed after all the good stuff they came up with in the late 1990's. Maybe Revell Germany will release a kit of the AW139 but it's not a helicopter with strong german connections so I'm not hopeful. I don't know what sales of their A109K kit was like but given that it is now deleted for a few years now, maybe that will scare Revell off touching another Agusta helicopter again. More and more operators will purchase the fullsize AW139 though, so sooner or later, a kit will come along. Maybe a smaller manufacturer like AZ Models might tackle it. When you see the number of obscure fixed-wing types that are kitted, surely a helicopter in production now deserves to be released in kit form. I am a little biased when it comes to the AW139 though because the Irish Air Corps operate them. http://www.irishairpics.com/photo/1030464/...1597a81e54ff9d9 The AW139 is a nice machine but it lacks the charm of the Alouette III! LD. RoG re-issued their A109K2 earlier this year. They also did two versions a K2 rescue helicopter and a KM military helicopter, so it couldn't have done that badly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hemspilot Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 Well, with 450 hours on it from both front seats I am a little biased. First helicopter I can fly almost without touching the controls, faster cruise than anything else (eat your heart Sikorskyans) in its category and range enough to make your fanny sore. For once I am glad Bell bugged out of the program before they could butcher a perfectly good helicopter. The situation is different when it comes to modeling, I am surprised RoG even released a 109K. Civilian helicopters, even more so in 1/72 scale are more the realm of resin kit producers, like the MD-900 from Czechmaster. I am not expecting to see one in kit form, perhaps the follow up AW149 (a slightly stretched and more powerful variant) for the military and paramilitary markets shall have better luck. As a note, AgustaWestland now owners of the Lynx design, have re-designated it the AW159 in its latest incarnation. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Loach Driver Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 RoG re-issued their A109K2 earlier this year. It's good to see that this kit is available again. This might give us some hope that the AW139 might eventually be kitted by Revell. LD. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Fleming Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 I think you can add the RAF to that too, although I think they are leased.Linky ------------------------------- Not strictly RAF - Defence Helicopter Flying School has them (along with a couple of A109 Powers) as part of a contract with the Algerians for pilot training Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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