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
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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
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