Trumpeter 1/35 UH-1B Huey, previewed by Scott Van Aken

Powered by a prototype Lycoming YT53-L-1 (LTC1B-1) engine producing 700 shp (520 kW), the XH-40 first flew on 20 October 1956, at Fort Worth, Texas, with Bell's chief test pilot, Floyd Carlson, at the controls. Even prior to the first flight, the Army had placed an order for six YH-40 service test helicopters. During 1957, a further two prototypes were completed. In 1959, the Army awarded Bell a production contract for 182 aircraft, which was designated "HU-1A" and officially named Iroquois after the Native American nations.

The helicopter quickly developed a nickname derived from its HU-1 designation, which came to be pronounced as "Huey". The reference became so popular that Bell began casting the name on the helicopter's anti-torque pedals. The official U.S. Army name was almost never used in practice. Even after September 1962, at which point the designation for all models was changed to UH-1 under a unified Department of Defense (DOD) designation system, yet the nickname persisted.

While glowing in praise for the helicopter's advances over piston-engined helicopters, the Army reports from the service tests of the YH-40 found it to be underpowered with the production T53-L-1A powerplant producing a maximum continuous 770 shaft horsepower (570 kilowatts). The Army indicated the need for improved follow-on models even as the first UH-1As were being delivered. In response, Bell proposed the UH-1B, equipped with the Lycoming T53-L-5 engine producing 960 shp (720 kW) and a longer cabin that could accommodate either seven passengers or four stretchers and a medical attendant. Army testing of the UH-1B started in November 1960, with the first production aircraft delivered in March 1961. Even that increased power was insufficient for the UH-1B to be used as a gun ship so a more powerful engine was incorporated into the UH-1C, which was supposed to be just a gunship.

THE KIT

To my knowledge, this is, so far, the only UH-1B kit in this scale, which is somewhat unusual because they were so widely used during the Vietnam War. Though the box art shows a UH-1C, the kit is a B model. As is the norm for Trumpeter kits, an etched fret is included. This provides detail for vents, the nose probe mountings and antenna, and a couple of smaller fittings. Unusual is that there are no p.e. belts, which you would think would be included. Another nice addition is a set of masks for the clear parts, something I wish all kits included.

Both the cockpit and cabin are well appointed with the cockpit including both collective and cyclic along with foot pedals. The seat frames are quite accurate and made up of multiple rather thin pieces. A decal is provided for both the instrument panel and center console, though you can also paint the raised details if you so wish.

The kit comes with a full engine and nicely details rotor hub and transmission. It is kind of a shame to have all that detail when most will be hidden once one attaches the various upper fuselage panels. Though shown in the closed position, it would seem to be fairly easy to pose the cockpit and cabin doors open if one wished.

One thing that struck me when reading over the instructions were the plethora of fairly small parts that go on this model. These parts are ones that would normally be molded in place on smaller scale kits. I dare say this will not be a weekend project.

Instructions are well drawn and include both generic and a variety of paint brands. Note that the instructions call for the interior to be Aircraft Grey, which would be far too light. The interior of these aircraft, and most all US military aircraft since the mid-1950s is Dark Gull Grey. There are two markings options provided. One is the box art plane in gloss olive drab with a lot of high visibility markings. Though the yellow fuselage band is provided as a decal, one may want to paint that feature. Note that on this one, the upper and lower horizontal stabilizers is red. The other only used decals for the tail serial and is 'tiger striped' in dark green and brown with the red stabilizers partially overpainted as well. There is at least one aftermarket sheet for this version, but it includes the two options in the kit, which sort of limits its desirability

I am sure that Vietnam War diorama enthusiasts will find this a very welcome kit. One thing that I noticed is that this kit seems to have the broad fin of the C model rather than the thinner version of the B variant. Now it is quite possible that there was a change as construction went on and that earlier airframes were retrofit, but I'm not well versed in Hueys so someone can fill me in on that.

KIT #:	05111
PRICE:	$45.00, which includes shipping from China
DECALS:	Two options
REVIEWER:	Scott Van Aken
NOTES:	2024 tooling