SPA Modeler

speedgraflex wrote:Keep going! You need to google the Kiowa from the Sixties-Seventies. Simple all flat black.

Wasn't EVERYTHING flat black in the 60's 70's...? (Cockpit interior wise obviously - we're not talking miniskirts here... )

That's cool Lyle - I know who to come to now when I want some printing

speedgraflex wrote:Keep going! You need to google the Kiowa from the Sixties-Seventies. Simple all flat black.

Actually until the late 80’s or so, the cockpit, and cabin interior would have been the same color as most every other late Cold War US aircraft, Dark Gull Gray. The transition to black came in the 80’s when the NVG Flying became mainstream throughout the Army. When cockpits were rebuilt to be NVG compatable, lighting for them was lowered and Black was painted to cut down on reflected light from the instruments.

speedgraflex wrote:Thanks for the corrections, Carlos! That’s great information! Did Revell or Monogram make a version of the Kiowa? From what I read the length of the boom and the propellers was increased for those models. Great project, Lyle! Keep going!

Revell issued this kit under their label in the late 80s or early 90s. They did not do a kit of their own. Nor has Monogram.

Later versions of the Kiowa had flat plate faceted windscreens to reduce reflections, and later, an enclosed tail rotor shaft. The ultimate Kiowas, the D model Kiowa Warrior added a four bladed main rotor, the capability for a mast head sighting system, and hardpoints for weapons mounts.

Lyle, the interior looks great; I do not see it as 'cartoonish'. You're doing a bang up job on this helicopter, especially given it's age. You're doing far better than I would on something like this.

Duke, thanks. I know we are our own worst critic. Been masking clear parts, trying to mount the door windows, etc. today. She ain't showing the love. The doors will be about as thick as bank vault doors when I'm done!

One “AH, CRAP” moment from the trash can....and it probably would have taken the Ventura with it!

Progress today was a mixed bag. Finally got the interior in “place” and the fuselage halves glued together. The whole thing lacks clearly defined positioning guidelines in the instructions and there is no help from the parts. For example you are told to add the rear seat, cockpit assembly, glue up the fuselage and then add the engine bay. Remember, nothing on the fuselage, other than “that looks about right”. Surprise! There are slots on the bottom of the bay to align with the interior pieces. Those have been cut away.

The nose did not want to close up due to a mod I made to hold weights. Had to remove a bit of that, but no biggie. Still squirrelly as then the right windscreen came loose and three cracks appeared.



I do not like this plastic. But, we made it and got things glued (CA). The a small amount of filling. Surprised how little there is at this point.

Then, crazy brain fart mode kicked in. Pictures tomorrow. I decided to cut out the grills on the engine hood. The first one went okay. The second? Not so much. This will need some work. I thought I might as well see what happens. A “What could possibly go wrong?” Moment.