I was surprised to come across this 1/48th Gallery Models CH-34 Choctaw kit at a local Hobby Show a few years back as I didn't know of its existence. My mind raced to remember if this CH-34 was the same basic model used by Canada in various roles. I was betting I could produce the RCAF CH-126 version from it. Upon opening the box I was quite pleased to find a very nicely detailed model that should build up into a great display... Sold!
Notable Kit Features:
Instructions are very nicely illustrated
Very detailed flight deck
Pilots' seats include photo-etched harnesses
Positionable flight deck windows
Rear of main cabin also has great detail with separately molded sidewalls
Web and standard seats in main cabin include photo-etched seat belts
Option to have stretcher setup in main cabin
Positionable starboard main cabin door
Rescue hoist parts included
Highly detailed engine with cooling shrouds and exhaust ducts
Photo-etched grilles around engine compartment
Nose doors can be opened to reveal engine bay
Vented rear section venting of doghouse is incredibly see-through molded
Tail can be posed folded or flight-ready
Main rotors molded with gravity sag
Clear and thin canopy parts which flow into the fuselage for easier seam clean-up
Rockets, .50 caliber & M60 guns were also provided in this version (not used)
Build Inspiration:
The RCAF had their Air Transport Command CH-126 helicopters painted up a a beautiful red & blue scheme with a white sash. I managed to source the decals for this aircraft type from Belcher Bits, so had my Choctaw project at the "Ready 5". I knew this scheme would require some precision to get it right so, made sure to have my mindset for a more slow, complex build at hand.
Heads-Up Report:
This is a highly detailed kit with many assemblies and photo-etch parts (so take your time with it o get it right)
Oddly no collectives included
Kit Additions / Modifications:
This kit is a stunner Out-of-the-Box so I really didn't need to add much except...
Built some control collectives using interior photos as a guide
The top engine air vents were backed by plastic so I decided to cut out most of the backing here to allow the PE venting to show through to the engine better
The photoetched-metal engine venting flows over a compound curve, so you will have to carefully curl these parts appropriately
Capped off the pilot entry steps as these were different on the CH-126
Both rotor assemblies are well detailed but have some rather fragile part assemblies. I built the main removable for transport
Decals from Belcher Bits - Canadian RCAF/CAF Helicopters 1/48 - Product No. BD2
Finishing:
The paint scheme for this aircraft had a rather precise scheme with demarcation between colours separated by a thin white line. I decided that the white "sash" over the lower blue would be best painted on, so that is where I started. Afterwards, I sprayed the upper red followed by the lower blue. As is typical with high-contrast schemes a bit of clean-up on the paint edges was necessary. After the paint sufficiently dried for a couple of days, I put a gloss coat on using Pledge in preparation for the decal application and weathering. The final coat was done in a semi-gloss.
The After-Build Report:
The original version of this 1/48th Gallery Models CH-34 Choctaw was released in 2012 with other boxings following. Mine was the 2014 U.S. Army Rescue version. This is a great kit with petty much everything you need included (always room for improvement so you can add on whatever you want). I would caution that this 1/48th Gallery Models CH-34 Choctaw (CH-126) has a lot of delicate parts & Photo-Etch as well, so not for a beginner or easy-going weekend build. The 1/48 Italeri kit is also reportedly a good kit (how unusual I might add). Both are modern tool kits easily besting the decades old 1/48th Revell offering (which use to be the only game in town). Note: The 1/48th Trumpeter kit is the same plastic as this Gallery Models /MRC kit.
Feel free to comment or ask any questions - Keep on building, gain experience, challenge yourself if you like, but try not to stress yourself out over the build - it is supposed to be an enjoyable hobby after all - Cheers
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