Introduction

The CH-54 Tarhe helicopter was a workhorse for the US Army during the Vietnam War. As the nickname “Sky Crane” suggests, it was designed as a heavy-lift helicopter. It weighs 19,800 lbs. empty and could carry an additional 25,000 lbs. of cargo. The simple, but very robust, design has allowed it to last even to today – no longer in military use, but in commercial use for heavy construction, firefighting, humanitarian relief, and even supporting the rescue of a whale. In Vietnam, each CH-54 Company was issued a few Universal Military Pods to enable repositioning equipment and troops as needed in support of military operations. These pods also served as medivac units and mobile command posts.

I wish to express extreme gratitude to Yahu models for providing IPMS/USA with this release. Yahu has a history (since 2013!) of providing exceptional aftermarket Instrument panels at a reasonable price, and we appreciate their support!

Designed for ICM’s 1/48 DO-217N-1 model, Yahu’s instrument panel and associated radio tuning faces make an excellent upgrade for a world-class model. I had not built any of ICM’s Dorniers until this set showed up, and the fact everything was a perfect fit into the existing kit parts made the experience even more pleasurable.

Yahu’s set adds the additional bits required for an excellent upgrade out of the package. Yahu, unlike other companies, assembles their instrument panels for the modeler. Not that I don’t mind modeling using PE, but Yahu’s products are ALL this way (I’ve used others) and have been singularly impressed with the final product.

I continue to be amazed at the capacity of this Ukrainian stalwart company to release new and interesting kits monthly it seems without skipping a beat despite the involvement in a long tedious war. The field kitchen in the kit is identical to the one released in ICM’s recent AHN ‘Gulaschkanone’ kit. Unlike that kit though we get a crew of 4 cooks that would rival anything Gordon Ramsey could cook up.