Useful model kit, a quick review

[YPU]

So I have been looking at a  model kit on HLJ.com for ages as a potential war-gaming model, a few weeks ago I finally snapped and ordered it.

And boy a I glad that I did! It is one of the best fitting model kits I have ever build, snapping together perfectly without glue even. Hardly any mould lines and very snug fits on all joints. A few quick pictures for everybody who is curious to the model and its size compared to 15mm and 28mm models. I'm currently away from my collection so the comparisons are rather random.  My potato of a phone does not do this thing justice, but at least it gives a chance to see it outside of promotion pictures.



I think attack helicopter/drone is the only term that fits here.  Look at the size of that gun! Its like the heli version of the A-10.




Very menacing shape without going over the top I feel.





When looking for this model online I couldn't find a picture of the rear, so here it is.





Clear horizon helldiver, GW elf with extra bits, Rebel minies trooper and WotC DnD minie. for reference.



All the weapons come of easily, this whole kit is part of a range which features interchangable weapons. The weird vents on the engines are also weapon pegs so you could put the missile pods there. Or get a pair of this set and put a gatling under each wing if your really crazy. As you can see in the picture above there is an optional front leg, switches in and out very nicely with a hatch to cover it up. It doesn't fit with the gun in place tough. (but it could swivel out of the way)

Very pleased with this thing! I will be taking it apart and gluing it soon and then on to a simple but effective paint job. I plan to use it as a light attack heli for my supers games. And perhaps as heavy gunship in 15mm but not sure about that yet... What do you guys think?

And a link to where I got it.
http://www.hlj.com/product/KBYMB-24

Cheers,
Tim

[Dr.Falkenhayn]

The huge Gatling Gun is ridiculous imho,still a very nice Aircraft for a reasonable Price methinks.Maybe a bit tight for 28/32mm.thx to the Leadgod i invested heavily in 25mm Sci-fi already
great find,thx for sharing 

[Conquistador]

Sweet Lord, despite the rotary 5" weapon,  that is a fantastic find!      

Looking forward to finished state model.

Gracias,

Glenn

[commissarmoody]

Agreed! Despite the over the top cannon, its a pretty good model. Great for some near future, cyber punk, post apocalyptic fun. 

[YPU]

I found the cannon very fitting for a "hero killer" weapon for superhero games. Its the kind of gun that should give even the toughest heroes pause. For more "realistic" games it would definitely remove it and just have the rocket pods and missile packs.

[Vermis]

Woah! What's the backstory to that thing? And... how much did it cost?

[YPU]

Woah! What's the backstory to that thing? And... how much did it cost?

its made by kotobukya (sp?) who make a lot of optional parts for Gundam kits. So this is meant as a generic sci-fi helicopter to be used for displays with gundam kits. They also make one that is outfitted with transport cranes to move said giant robots.
It cost me bout 10 euro's, but it apears the yen has strengthened since then, or perhaps the euro dropped. Yen euro is pretty swingy the past few years anyway so keep an eye on current exchange rates, it might pay to wait a day. 

[YPU]

Pictures are unglued so you are right. One of the wings has a tendency to pop open just a half mm for some reason. I think there might be a small bur of sprue left but if thats not it I will probably glue it. heck I might just do so anyway, just "feels" better that way. 

[Connectamabob]

I always glue. Even with the Japanese kits, which are indeed lightyears ahead of the western ones in quality, I still often find bits that misalign if you don't snip off the pegs, or bits that don't fit fully flush unless you clip/rubber band them down and glue. Not due to burrs, but to slight differences in shapes or curves that add up across complex assemblies. Plus I like to add details, and that often means cutting parts open or otherwise modding them in ways that change the fit or load bearing aspects.

The gun does seem over the top for a vehicle that size, but still mega-useful as a part for other 'bashes. I could see buying a couple copters to use as copters, and using the guns to build CIWS turrets or something.

As a "hero killer", I'd still be inclined to stick it in an axially fixed body mount or pod. The gimbal mount kinda takes it from "cartoon" to outright "toy".

The copter looks perfect for 15mm. More of a UAV in 28mm, except shaped like a manned copter instead of a UAV copter, so I don't think I'd buy it for 28mm.

[maxxon]

I think the gatling is oversized... where's the ammo for that gun?

I think it would better as an unmanned drone in 28mm. In 15mm it fits the bill pretty nicely.

[Connectamabob]

where's the ammo for that gun?

Good question! I was too busy admiring the fact that unlike many skiffy gatlings it actually has a portion of it's length dedicated to the receivers (seriously though: why do so many sculptors make their gatlings all barrel and no receiver?).

[maxxon]

why do so many sculptors make their gatlings all barrel and no receiver?

It's a common problem in sci-fi miniatures: the guns are all barrel, little consideration is given to other components, especially if they are hidden from view like in a vehicle.

How much of a typical co-ax machinegun you see on a real tank? Compare that to guns stuck on scifi tanks.

I guess the sculptors either don't know enough about real guns, don't think their target audience knows or just plain don't care. Masamune Shirow is a rare example of a sci-fi artist who really puts thought into his guns.

The barrel is also the most prominent feature telling everyone there's a gun here. Emphasizing that to a certain degree is understandable.

Artists do what looks cool, not what works. Think about all the shoulder pads that would prevent a real person from lifting their arms above horizontal level...

[YPU]

I think the gatling is oversized... where's the ammo for that gun?

In the main vehicle body is the only explanation I can think of. Seriously tough while I agree the look of the weapon is totaly over the top I'm not convinced its more rediculous then the actual GAU-8 that the warthog uses. That enhances the ammo problem, mind. But the gun size isn't that out of bounds by that much. 

[maxxon]

In the main vehicle body is the only explanation I can think of.

It's missing any visible feed mechanism and the obviously flexible mount isn't helping any.

But the gun size isn't that out of bounds by that much. 

No, it's just missing the feed and it's way too large for this vehicle. I think it's a nice spare part to be used in some other kit.

Yes, the GAU-8 is big, but how much of it is visible outside the A-10?

[YPU]

just put some pipes and gribbles and call it a rail gun or laser gun or ray gun. Its freakin sci fi fer crying out loud.

And especially when using it with suppers, if somebody can shoot lasers from their eyes then THAT thing is a believable gun. Far better then the helicopters in the animated avengers show anyway. 

I am very much considering shortening the thing a bit tough. Maybe if the barrels ended roughly at the nose that would improve the looks a bit? What do you guys think.

PS, accidentally locked this topic earlier today, curse those modern touch screens. Thank Chris for unlocking it.