MLD Agusta Bell AB-204

**Agusta Bell AB-204B**
**MLD**
UH-1/ AB-204 in 1/72 scale of Italeri
On this page a typical helicopter is depicted as used by the Royal Netherlands Naval air service (MLD). Recently, Italeri issued quite of number of helicopter kits, mostly in 1/72. Some were also released by Revell.
The Agusta Bell UH-1 was also operated by the MLD in the nineteen sixties and seventies. It was an Italian made version of the American Bell "Huey". The kit is from Italeri in 1/72 scale, kit no. 040. I had to convert it to the AB-204B or AB (I)UH-1 but the kit is a very good starting point as the older kits of the UH-1B were not correct (such as the very old Monogram kit). About the Italeri kit conversion, 1- first, the exhaust pipe was modified on these Dutch MLD AB-204's; I made a round end-section with a tube by using parts from my spare parts box... 2- make the rotor head a bit finer and although the rotor diameter is about 2x8 mm too small, I just used it as is. 3- cut out the winch hole in the lower fuselage straight below the rotor mast, which is present in every Huey. 4- The lower fuselage doppler fairing was also added I kept the moulded rivets on the model as the real thing is also very rough and rivets can be seen everywhere! The decals are from the excellent Dutch Decal set 72034. Finished in the Dutch MLD standard scheme with enamels: Extra Dark Sea Grey (Humbrol 90) and Sky (Extracolor X607).
References: - IPMS Nederland, MIP magazine 1983, number 4 - IPMS Nederland real AB-204 info pages.... Check out my real photos here of the AB-204B
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