1/72 Boeing Chinook HC.1 (A06023) - In-Box Review

[Ratch]

History:

An aircraft which encapsulates all the capabilities of the modern helicopter more effectively than any other type, the Boeing CH-47 Chinook has already been in military service for over sixty years and shows no sign of retiring from the skies any time soon.

The distinctive tandem twin-rotor configuration of this heavy-lift helicopter cleverly counteracts the effects of engine torque by having each of its huge rotor blade stacks rotate in opposite directions, thus negating the need for the tail rotors traditionally associated with helicopters. This arrangement gives the distinctive Wokka-Wokka sound for which the Chinook is renowned. The impressive Chinook made its first flight in 1961 and since then, it has become one of the most effective aircraft designs of the post-war era, capable of operating in almost any environment, no matter how inhospitable the terrain. Clearly, this has made the Chinook invaluable when performing many roles, ably tackling a multitude of military and civilian applications. 

As the world's largest operator of the Chinook outside the US, the Royal Air Force ordered 33 of these heavy-lift behemoths in 1978, with No.18 Squadron taking the honour of becoming Britain's first operational Chinook unit in August 1981. These first helicopters were designated HC.1 (Helicopter Cargo Mk.1) and had hardly settled into service when events on the other side of the world required their first overseas deployment. Following the Argentinean invasion of the Falkland Islands in April 1982, five of the RAF's Chinooks were wrapped in Driclad PVC protective covers and loaded on the deck of the requisitioned container ship Atlantic Conveyor. Tragically, all but one of these helicopters was lost following an Exocet missile strike on the vessel, with that surviving Chinook earning legendary status within the RAF.

In-box Review:

This is a new tool 1/72 scale kit.

Dimensions are 356 X 250mm.

Parts count is 171 pieces.

Skill Level is 3 and 2 Flying Hours are printed on the box.

Moulded on six frames (five grey and one clear). There is no frame A, which might seem disconcerting, but I read further variants into this omission. Detail quality is excellent, finely moulded and nicely defined.

Frame B

reverse

Frame C

Frame D

reverse

Frame E

Frame F

Frames G & H

Frame J

reverse

The country of manufacture is India.

Instructions are printed in a 16-page, A4 booklet with 82 assembly steps.

As usual, Airfix provides reference images for paint colours and decal placements.

The marking options are:

‘Bravo November’, No. 18 Squadron RAF, “Operation Corporate”, Falkland Islands, South Atlantic, May – June 1982.

No. 7 Squadron, Operation ‘Granby’/Desert Storm, Gulf region, May 1991.

Decals are by Cartograf, ensuring perfect registration, sharpness, density of colour, and unobtrusive carrier film.

Paints advised:

11 Metallic Silver

33 Matt Black

34 Matt White

53 Metallic Gunmetal

56 Metallic Aluminium

60 Matt Scarlet

85 Satin Coal Black

106 Matt Ocean Grey

118 Matt US Tan

125 Satin US Dark Grey

163 Satin Dark Green

164 Satin Dark Sea Grey

These are not included in the kit.

RRP £33.99