Dragon 1/35 AH-6J 'Little Bird'

The Boeing MH-6M Little Bird (nicknamed the Killer Egg) and its attack variant, the AH-6, are light helicopters used for special operations in the United States Army. Originally based on a modified OH-6A, it was later based on the MD 500E, with a single five-bladed main rotor. The newest version, the MH-6M, is based on the MD 530F and has a single, six-bladed main rotor and four-bladed tail rotor. This kit is the attack variant.

This is one of Dragon's earlier kits and it is a nice choice of subjects. Though eclipsed in terms of detail and parts count by the Kitty Hawk version, KH is no longer in business so it unknown at this time if it will reappear. The kit does require some holes opened and some filled, but the instructions are fairly clear as to where these are.

The cockpit is nicely done with all the appropriate controls. The foot pedals need a bit of trimming to fit. In the back there are all the ammo cans and belts for the pylon mounted miniguns. The tail boom is a separate item so that this tooling can be used for the earlier OH-6A.

Next the fuselage halves are cemented and the landing skids attached. Next the clear bits are attached. The very top of the windscreen piece needs some clear green. Then the tail boom is attached. A myriad of antennas are next followed by the lower rear fuselage bit. The final parts are the main rotor and the rocket pods.

Instructions are well done with Gunze paint references. The kit does not include decals as the aircraft at the time were unmarked. Instructions call for this helo to be overall matte black. Perhaps a very dark OD would be an option as well.

This is still a very nice kit. It has a fairly good amount of detailing and it won't take up a lot of shelf space.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MD_Helicopters_MH-6_Little_Bird

September 2022

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