1/48 Revell-Monogram Mi-24 Hind

by Vjekoslav Ranec

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I finished this kit about four years ago (2004), so it`s one of my older kits.  I have always liked this bird, especially after Croatia bought a few in the mid 90`s. This kit represents one of 12 Croatian Mi-24 in the first days when they came - probably from Ukraine. The kit is OOB except for a few scratchbuilt details and decals from MACH - Germany. I can`t find them anywhere today, so I think that they are not in the production anymore. Figures are from one of Tamiya`s kits in 1/48. Overall, the kit is not bad, but still, there are a few problems. Some parts required a little work to acquire a nice fit, and almost all panel lines are raised.  In the box, you can find figures for air gunner and pilot, movable chin turret mount with MG, movable main and tail rotors, and wings with pylons, 4 rocket pods and  2 launchers for "Swatter" guided missiles, cockpit doors have the option to be open or closed.

Click on images below to see larger images

Croatian color scheme is in fact a Russian scheme where Russian insignia were just overpainted.  Colors on this model are maybe a little too dark. I tried to represent the moment when Mi-24 arrived in Croatia before the "first flight". All the helicopters were probably washed with water before the Croatian insignia were applied.

The finished model is quite interesting with Croatian decals because you can`t see it often. Today, Mi-24 is mostly retired from Croatian Air Force after only 10 years of serving under Croatian markings.

Vjekoslav

Photos and text © by Vjekoslav Ranec