Good Morning Vietnam OH-58 Kiowa completed 8th November

[vespasia]

Well, it's under way!

I've managed to get off to a quicker start than usual on this one. Italeri's 1/48th OH-58A Kiowa, which will be finished as my first diorama with pilot figures included (Czech Master Resin). The plan is that the kit will represent a Kiowa on an earth ramp (inspired by several photos), and possibly having a rear door removed after taking a small arms hit from an AK47.

The box and sprues


The cabin completed - the cabin roof also forms the base of the gearbox compartment


C and C welcomed as always!

Steve

[Ben H]

Looking good Steve, thanks for entering!

[Deacon]

That looks great Steve, I really like the look the seats and belts. Well painted mate.

Deacon

[vespasia]

Thanks for the comments guys - I wasn't over happy with painting the belts, next time I'll revert to tape, but I couldn't be doing with filing down the moulded belts this time

Anyway, fairly quick progress (by my standards anyway )

Fuselage together and primed


First coat of Olive Drab on (the doors are being used as masks since the finished kit will have front doors off, rear doors open and baggage compartment ajar)




The OD was a bit too dark for a weathered airframe, so I oversprayed with a coat of OD mixed with desert yellow, then again with OD/desert yellow lightened with a touch of white.


On with the skids, grab handles and lower fin painted black and doors/masks removed. Some touching up around the canopy will be needed, but she's coming along now!


The display base is making progress too, so it's on to decals, weathering and rotor blades before I tackle the crew figures.

Steve

[vespasia]

Finished at last!

The display base was made from A4 foamboard framed by wooden skirting board designed for a dollshouse (good old Hobbycraft! ), covered in scenic earth. The revetment was evergreen plastic card with plastic strips atttached, painted with revell acrylic steel and weathered with tamiya rust powder.


The completed model:


And finally the full diorama with crew discussing the mission just finished


There are a few more in the "completed" thread.

Cheers all

Steve

[Deacon]

Well done on the build Steve and the base adds a little more interest.

Deacon

[Ben Montgomery]

I missed this one - thats a nice build there!

[Craig]

Nice chopper! Base looks good, but a little barren, nice jeep or something may finish it off nicely?