The undoubted success of the Bell UH-1A/B Iroquois gave convincing proof that there was little wrong with the basic design of this utility helicopter. As detailed in the Model 204 entry, the UH-1A/B was developed continuously for differing roles and with progressively more powerful engines.

In early 1960 Bell proposed an improved version of the Model 204 design with a longer fuselage, plus additional cabin space resulting from relocation of the fuel cells, thus providing accommodation for a pilot and 14 troops, or space for six stretchers, or up to 1814kg of freight. In July 1960, therefore, the US Army awarded Bell a contract for the supply of seven of these new helicopters for service tests, these having the US Army designation YUH-1D and being identified by the manufacturer as the Bell Model 205. The first of these flew on 16 August 1961, and following successful flight trials was ordered into production for the US Army, the first UH-1D being delivered to the 11th Air Assault Division at Fort Benning, Georgia, on 9 August 1963. The power plant of these initial aircraft was the 820kW Avco Lycoming T53-L-11 turboshaft, and the standard fuel storage of 832 litres could be supplemented by two internal auxiliary fuel tanks to give a maximum overload capacity of 1968 litres of fuel. Large-scale production of the UH-1D followed for the US Army, as well as for the armed forces of other nations, and 352 were built under license by Dornier in West Germany for service with the German army and air force.

I've been told that this is basically the Panda kit with a bunch of upgrades, thanks to Dragon. There are four main sprues for the helicopter itself. The kit is nicely molded and while some may fuss about the rivets (these are raised), helicopters do have quite a few roundhead rivets on them as they are not supersonic and don't need flush rivets. If you think they are too much, allow me to direct you to sandpaper to reduce their impact.

Inspection of the parts showed no mold flaws in terms of flash, sink marks or unwanted ejector pin markings. The molds were quite clean. Detailing as I mentioned, is quite good and in line with what I see on armor models. The base kit is relatively basic, as one would expect from Panda, though what is there is quite well done. Dragon has added several etched brass sheets, including one large one in full color, to help flesh things out. The majority of the parts are for the cockpit and cabin, as you can see by the plethora of belts and buckles for the seats. There are also bits for the instrument panel, rudder pedals, engine exhaust, cable cutters, radio antennas (which actually are not flat so I'd use the kit part), skid straps and other bits and pieces.

To add value to the kit (as if all the etched bits weren't enough), Dragon includes a figure set (# 3021), which looks to me like some NATO soldiers in various poses. Dragon has been doing this with a number of the 1/35 kits it imports or reboxes and I think it is a great way to increase the value of the kit and allow Dragon to perhaps lessen the number of extra figure sets it has.

Instructions are all we've come to expect from Dragon and provides complete construction drawings, with color information in Gunze and Model Master references. There are three German aircraft. Two are in the later 'Lizard' camo scheme with one being a SAR bird with an orange door. The other is an earlier UH-1D from 1978 in the OD and orange scheme. Actually, the OD color is not pointed out for this option, but that is what they were painted.

Overall this looks like a very nice kit and and a great value with the etched bits and soldiers included. Should make into a very nice big scale helo that really won't take up that much space on your shelf.

October 2007

My thanks to www.dragonmodelsusa.com for their kindness in providing the preview kit. Get yours at your local hobby shop or ask for it if you don't see it.