AH-1G 66-15273, D Troop, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, ICM 32nd Scale

[Sharkmouth]

AH-1G 66-15273 AH-1G D Troop, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment is an early bird with the later M28 turret. Another thing making it unique is the camouflage and sharkmouth. There was another one in Vietnam but I have more photos of this one before and after the tail swap and ECS (Environmental Control System) installation.

Kit changes involve removing the ECS vent on the port side behind the pilot. Done. Needs polishing and primer to check for flaws.

Not seen in photographs but obvious of how it was built, I decided to go with the early position lights.

The side bumps for the position lights need removing. Done. They need filling and some rivets, shaved off the included extra tail parts, have to be added.

Then the UHF scabbed on antenna base needs removing.

Done as well but needs filling and some rivets, shaved off the included extra tail parts, have to be added.

 

[centaur567]

YEA!! Go Cobras. Wow, that is an early bird. Gary S.

 

[Sharkmouth]

Special Hobby seats lack the cut out between the ears on the gunner's ceramic seat. I thought it was an error as the manuals don't show it and veterans don't recall seeing it.

Luckily, I have archival photos! It is on the very early production run but I don't have a serial number range.

 

[Sharkmouth]

Early Cobras without the ECS had a different rear wall for the air piping...

This is the reason I bought the Quinta Studio 32nd scale cockpit upholstery:

Soon... soon!

 

[moon puppy]

I think this is the first time i've seen the quilts represented in anything.

 

[Heavens Eagle]

Quinta does a really good job with most of their interior stuff.

 

[Sharkmouth]

Quinta does a really good job with most of their interior stuff.

I didn't like the cake icing look to them. Colors don't match the paints I have (not really a problem but for most of my russian kits, I use Akan archival matched paints and the Quinta vinyl can't be painted to match them), edges are not sharp on the bezels and the effect is magnified the smaller the scale. However, for things without sharp edges, like seat belts, rivets, and quilting, they are appropriate. I found that Metallic Details, from Ukraine, also make 3D decal quilting in larger sheets so I don't have to buy the russian products. I am considering using these on a closed canopy Cobra.