"In Search of MI-8 Hip Transport Helicopters in 15mm." Topic

To the wise Magi of TMP:

I've looked at past threads here on TMP to find 15mm (1/100 scale) MI-8 Hip helicopters for my Soviet airborne troops. Aside from Geoff at TSS/QRF, does anyone make metal, resin or plastic kits of the transport version of this helicopter. QRF does not have a picture of the transport version of the Hip on its site so it's hard to figure out whether it will meet my requirements for the job. I know some die cast models exist as well but they all seem to be civilian/commercial versions of the Hip. Any insights you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Cheers and good gaming.
Rod Robertson.

Been looking into that too.

Sadly no source but food for thought if you come across a die cast model (Italeri/Fabbri):

link

Hi Rod:

I'll see if I have one in stock. If I do, I can take some quick pics.

What specific questions do you have?

Most all of the QRF helos are solid resin bodies with metal rotors, etc.

Mark "Extra Crispy" Severin
ScaleCreep.com

That there isn't a 1/100 model of one of the most common transport helicopters in the world confuses me. And that there's only one (QRF) resin 15mm model…

I have three qrf in build, I'm modifying them a bit but they are perfectly serviceable as-is, with the usual resin clean up. I can supply some pics on request but they are currently in black undercoat which doesn't show the detail!

Does this help?

That there isn't a 1/100 model of one of the most common transport helicopters in the world confuses me. And that there's only one (QRF) resin 15mm model

*cough cough* I've been saying the same thing about the CH47…*cough cough*

I did find a relatively inexpensive source for 1/100 scale CH47s, Murphy: Deagostini's Japanese Self Defense Forces model collection. There's some other cool stuff in there, like a C130 and the OH1 'Ninja', plus UH1s/AH1s, UH60s, AH64s… and the aircraft are all 1/100 scale!

Can't seem to find the CH47 on HLJ right this second, though.

Jason O Mahony:

Thank for sharing the review. It was a good read.

Extra Cispy:

Thank you so much for taking your time and posting the photo. It was very helpful. I hope I don't offend you but by tradition I have given my patronage to Geoff directly in matters QRF. I will however go to Scale Creep and see if there is something else I can purchase from you to begin a new tradition other than of QRF products. I appreciate your efforts on my behalf greatly.

Lion in the Stars:

Thanks for the tip on the Deagostini's line. I will check those out too!

Cheers and good gaming.
Rod Robertson.

Hmmm, the QRF model looks pretty good. Might need to pick up some of those.

Off topic, but I believe that Armaments in Miniature have a CH47 for about $20.00 USD.

Armaments In Miniatures now has a 1/100 scale CH-47A available. Model has drop down rear loading door with a M60 and gunner.

Old Glory also do a Chinook but no Mi8 in their lil' flyin' fokkers range:
link

OH58? Anyone?

OH58:

link

Google is your friend.

Sabre 6:

Entex Industries does an OH-58A Kiowa model # 8459 in 1/100 scale. See the page below for more helicopters available in this scale.

link

More specifically:

link

Cheers and good gaming.
Rod Robertson.

The Entex kits pop up on Ebay every now and then. I picked up the OH58s for under $5.00 USD a pop.

How do those metal rotors for the Hip model stay on? They look relatively heavy which makes me wonder if it would be a PITA to keep the rotors attached to the model.

Actually rather well. Put the rotor head upside down, locate the blades, I use a drop of superglue gel, then a drop of liquid superglue over that once it dries.

No offense, Geoff, but I'm going to have to say, "Don't bother with the fixed rotors, go to Hurlbat.co.uk and get an etched-plastic rotor disk, instead."

link

No problem. Depends on your preference. The Hurlbat rotors should look good on them. Might get a couple myself.