OH-6D Cayuse JGSDF
The OH-6 is a compact light helicopter used for observation, light transport, training and light attack. This particular boxing depicts a Japanese aircraft used in the observation role.
This kit looks to be the Academy kit reboxed for Hasegawa. The molds have been around for quite some time but the moldings don’t show its age. The plastic is typical Hasegawa light grey plastic on four sprues. The plastic was quite shiny and polished. My review copy doesn’t have any flash or blemishes. The panel lines are recessed. There is a sprue of eight dark grey resin parts that includes antennas, FLIR, tail lights and spotlights. The resin pieces will require some careful cleanup but they look really great.
A sprue of clear styrene has the nose and windows.
The parts breakdown and assembly looks quite simple and easy enough to build. The hardest part will be to determine which aircraft you want to depict. You must be careful about which parts go where. Once you’ve determined that the Hasegawa instructions are very easy to follow.
There are decals for three Japanese aircraft, including one from the 50th anniversary of the J.G.S.D.F. Hasegawa decals always look thick on the sheet but when applied they snuggle down and are perfectly thin. The decals are in register and opaque enough to go over the Japanese camouflage.
There are parts included on one sprue to do an Israeli TOW machine, but no decals. This sprue also contains the two pilot figures that are actually quite nice. This release has a new FLIR ball that is very similar to the one used by Task Force 160th. So there are multiple options available for this kit.
If you’ve never done a helicopter this would make a really nice first helicopter. It is small and compact and colorful enough to be fun. The unique paint schemes will make an attractive model. I do wish that the doors themselves were separate but opening them up should be easy enough. The price tag may be a little high for some, myself included, but the kit is really nice. I’m going to enjoy building this one.
Highly recommended with reservations about the pricing.
Thanks to Hobbico and IPMS/USA for the review copy. You can obtain your copy at your local hobby shop, online retailer or directly from Hobbico.
Reviewer Bio
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Building models since the age of 7, I’ve become known for my Bf-109s and helicopters. I currently run Werner’s Wings. I was previously the ‘star’ of the Master Class Model Building Video series. I’ve been published numerous times on various website, including Hyperscale and ARC. My work has been in FSM and Great Scale Modeling 2001, as well as, numerous other model magazines. I’m a published author with my Squadron/Signal Walkaround book on the Kiowa Warrior. My models have continuously won many regional and national awards. My unique model photography gives my models instant recognition for their historical perspective.
I’m a retired from the Army after 21 years of flying Cobras and Kiowa Warriors, including tours in Iraq, Bosnia, Korea, and Germany. I’m also a retired Flight Officer for the Baltimore City Police and flew their helicopters chasing bad guys. I’m currently flying Cobras and Hueys with the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation.
I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart, Yvonne, for 42 years. Our daughters have blessed us with six grandchildren. My passions continue to be his family, friends, helicopters, models and airplanes, especially the Bf-109 and my beloved AH-1 Cobra. My motto has always been - MODELING IS FUN!
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