Revell NH90

[kiwi]

I have got my hands on the 1/72 Revell NH90 and I am interested in peoples opinions and hints on turning this into one of our new aircraft . The kit I have is the NH90 TTH . The areas I can see straight off being different are the two main exhausts and the engine side intakes . Our aircraft appear to have exhausts which vent directly up and have a different shape and detail to those in the kit .There are intakes on the engines sides on our aircraft which do not appear to be included in the kit . the kit maybe based on an early prototype . To my eye the two cabin windows on each side appear to be taller and thinner in reality than on the kit . Overall it looks like a nice kit .

[Calum]

I think you can build it pretty much out of the box, bar decals

[phil]

I think there are two versions of the Revell NH90 kit, one is an older one that is based on the prototype, the other is the retooled version that should be a production aircraft (exactly how close to ours I'm not sure).

[kiwi]

On further investigation it appears that the only areas that need work are the engine side covers. The exhausts have more parts that look like they finish the job looking like what we can see from photos . The photos available on this site are very informative . Anyone got any colours for ours ?

[phil]

It looks like the same grey as the Iroquois, FS26118.

[kiwi]

Oct 16, 2011 14:12:31 GMT 12 phil said:

It looks like the same grey as the Iroquois, FS26118.

Which is closest Humbrol 123 , 125 or 176 ?

[phil]

Off the top of my head I'd say 123 Extra Dark Sea Grey is too dark, I've used this on a SHAR and although it is fairly close it would need to be lightened a bit.

125 should be about right (since it is 26118!).

I can't comment on 176, but it's called 'Neutral Grey' which doesn't sound promising as the Iro grey has a distinct blue hue to it, and the photos I've seen so far of the NH90 look like it has a similar blue hue.

I'll be working with a couple of A109s this week so I'll see how their colour compares to the Iro Grey.

[kiwi]

Thanks for the help , any idea what the interior colours might be ? As the A109 is on the list any colour calls on them would also be useful .

[phil]

A109 colour is exacly the same as the Iro, having seen them on the same flight line this week.

[kiwi]

I shelved this kit while I sort more info and had a trip to see one in the flesh . For anyone interested Revell have issued this kit in three versions , the first I have not seen but I imagine this was based on the first airframe to fly . The other two are kit No 04489 , the NATO NH90 TTH , the other kit No 04651 NH90 NFH "Navy" . I had bought the former and was told I really needed the latter as that had parts applicable to RNZAF aircraft . So I have now had a look at the "Navy" kit to see what it has . Well both kits have the same sprues for the basic aircraft but the "Navy" kit has an extra sprue containing parts needed for the navy role . This is also the cheaper of the two kits ! Go figure . With regards to RNZAF aircraft the "Navy" kit has the external pylons for weapons . There is a structure above the main doors on each side on RNZAF aircraft not supplied in either kit and another point about the RNZAF NH90s I have seen is that they have two winches fitted together outside the starboard door , these kits only supply one though the modeller could buy one of each kit and build one with every thing hanging out and both winches and the other clean with everything closed .

[ngatimozart]

Well the winches in the RNZAF TTHs are not the stock standard ones that come with the NH90s - they are unique to the RNZAF TTHs. I can't remember the winch makes but they are a far better winch and were specifically specified in the contract. I read this somewhere a whiles back and have had a few sleeps since then.

[kiwi]

Looking at the kit winch , it does not look like the ones fitted to the RNZAF NH90's . they differ in shape , the hook hangs from the rear of the winch body on the kit part where as on the RNZAF ones the hook hangs from the middle . The mounting is completely different too . I wonder why we went for this dual winch set up , I cannot recall seeing it on other helicopters ?

[phil]

The winch on the RNZAF NH90s is an extremely capable Goodrich winch, which has dual cargo and personnel modes, as well as two winches per installation. It is vastly superior to the Telefunken hoist the NH90 was originally marketed with.

[ngatimozart]

The Aussie MRHs have the Telefunken hoist then. There was discussion on the DT RNZAF thread about this a whiles back and it was generally agreed that the Goodrich winch was a really good call. Considering the NZG didn't include the automatic blade folding and the IR setup that came with the NH90 to save money, then the winch choice is even better.

[phil]

I thought the Aussies went with the Goodrich hoist as well.

[ngatimozart]

They were having a moan and I presumed that they didn't get the Goodrich hoist. They haven't had many nice things to say about the MRH90 so far and I think it's back on the at risk list again. From what I understand originally the MRH90 was supposed to have been the Sea King replacement. So they had to get the MH60R which apparently the RAN originally wanted. Between that and the Seasprites the RAN helos haven't had a good run. With the NH90 the Aussie experience and ours have been different because of differing procurement approaches, different variants and I think our more cautious aircraft induction program.