Reviews : Italeri Bell AB212/UH1N

A number of years ago, Italeri released the 1/48 UH-1N / AB212 (Agusta (now Leonardo Helicopters) manufactured this helicopter under a Bell license). This kit is a re-release of that older kit with a nice decal sheet but without the Canadian rescue scheme (yellow helicopter) . This kit has also been released by Heller as the special forces UH-1N (with minimalistic decals). This kit is quite nice, and you have the benefit of a number of aftermarket enhancements, including PE from Eduard. The model comes together quite easily but some putty and dry fitting will be required. I find the details to be adequate in this scale (and as previously stated, you can get aftermarket parts). Decals included in this kit provide for building 4 machines. 2 Italian military (including one for a deployment in Afghanistan). 1 US Marines Rescue machine (abandon chute), and 1 German border patrol machine. The kit makes for an enjoyable build but I miss the decals for the Canadian Bell 212 (CH-135). If you wish to build this Canadian machine, you will need to separately purchase the decals from Belcher Bits (Candian RCAF/CAF helicopters - 1/48).

The model parts fitted okay but not the best and the rotor mast fits too tight in the hole so it must be filed down a little for to fit down in I'm not a fan of Italeri models now due to lack of true detail. They are average but not the best. I hope Hobby Boss will make a Twin Huey 212 in 1/48th scale someday. It might assemble much better. I do not recommend this kit don't waste your time and money on any Helicopter that Italeri offers Just wait until a well-known model company manufactures a much better-quality kit than this one it will happen someday just got be patient. So I won't build this one ever again due to sloppy fit lack of detail never again.