1/35 MRC AH-1W Cobra

by Ed Burns

Part 1

This is my first time submitting anything to a scale model site. Really do like your site though, its great. This is the 1/35 MRC AH-1W kit, with the Verlinden cockpit set.

I'd wanted to build a Desert Storm Cobra ever since...well...Desert Storm. I know there are a lot of die hard color lovers out there, but something about low-viz schemes really impresses me. In my opinion, this scheme seems to give both planes and helos a little more of an intimidating look.

When MRC first came out with this kit, I couldn't wait to buy it. After doing so though, I was disappointed to find a rather simple cockpit, considering the amount of detail that they had put on the exterior. Since I was relatively new to model building, I wasn't ready to take on a scratchbuilding job, so I built it straight from the box. The next disappointment came when I couldn't find any other decals or paint schemes besides what was on the box. After painting mine in the lizard scheme, I was just about finished (and pretty proud of myself) because it looked pretty good. Then, one of those stupid super glue mistakes occurred and the canopy was completely ruined. The rest of the kit ended up in the spares box.

Several years later, the kit started selling for almost nothing, so I bought another one with the hope that my improved skills would allow me to at least add a little more detail to the cockpit and wing it on the decals (I also learned to replace the cap on the super glue). The kit stayed in a closet though, until a few months ago when I heard that Verlinden had released a detail set. I bought one right away and got ready to build. To my surprise, I also found out that Two-Bobs was planning on releasing some decals in the lo-viz scheme. I was set!!

Now, I've read some of the reviews about the Verlinden kit, but despite the minor shortcomings, I find this to be a great add on and very accurate according to reference photos I've found. So, this is where I'm at today. After putting in the cockpit, I have a few more details to add, and then comes the canopy. I've added some copper wire details in the cockpit, which aren't quite visible, and I'm scratchbuilding the rotor head. More pics will come soon, as I get closer to completion.

Part 2

I finally had some time to continue working on my MRC 1/35 AH-1W. I painted it in the two-tone gray scheme and will be using Two Bobs "Whiskeys in the Mix" decals. I should get the decals this weeek, so the cobra should be done by next week. Attached are two photos. One just after it was painted, the other as I started weathering it.

© Ed Burns 2006