Revell 1/72 Eurocopter Tiger UHT/HAP

The Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) Tiger is a four-bladed, twin-engined attack helicopter which first entered service in 2003. It is manufactured by Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters), the successor company to Aérospatiale's and DASA's respective helicopter divisions, which designate it as the EC665. Following their languages, in Germany it is known as the Tiger; in France and Spain it is called the Tigre.

Development of the Tiger started during the Cold War, and it was initially intended as an anti-tank helicopter platform to be used against a Soviet ground invasion of Western Europe. During its prolonged development period the Soviet Union collapsed, but France and Germany chose to proceed with the Tiger, developing it instead as a multirole attack helicopter. It achieved operational readiness in 2008.

The Tiger has the distinction of being the first all-composite helicopter developed in Europe; even the earliest models also incorporate other advanced features such as a glass cockpit, stealth technology, and high agility to increase its survivability. Improved variants have since entered service, outfitted with more powerful engines and compatible with a wider range of weapons. Since the type's introduction to service, Tigers have been used in combat in Afghanistan, Libya, and Mali.

This kit was produced prior to the type reaching operational status, but still is pretty much like the ones that are currently in service. You are offered two types; the French HAP and the German UHT. The main external difference is that the French version has a nose mounted gun while the German variant does not. However, the German UHT does have a mast mounted  pod that is absent on the French version.

Molded in a green plastic, the detailing is quite good. There is a nicely done cockpit with both a collective and cyclic control. Pedals are molded into the floor and you get the proper armored seats. Decals are used for the instruments.

Not surprisingly, the nose section is separate so you can choose between the French or German version. The modeler needs to decide the variant pretty early in the build. The exhaust section is a separate insert as is the forward section of the doghouse, and the side weapons pylons simply slot in place. A single piece transparency is provided, though it is quite clear so any detailing you have done to the interior will be easily seen.

Landing gear are properly complex and thanks to modern rotor technology, the main and tail rotors are both somewhat simple looking without all the little links and pushrods of earlier helos. You do get a fair weapons suite in terms of several missile pods and there is the usual plethora of antennas and other bits that festoon modern military helos. I'm not up on European helo missiles/rockets but these look like what I've seen in photos.

Instructions are like a notepad in that they open vertically rather than like a book. Lots of somewhat complex looking construction steps are provided with the appropriate Revell paint colors given. I should mention that where there is printing, it is tiny so you may need a magnifier of some sort to read it. You get markings for three German machines and one French version. Decals are nicely printed and include the walkways. Most of the markings are stencils.

If you are a fan of attack helos, then this is one you really should have in your collection. Revell has a very good reputation for accurate models and this one should look very nice on your shelf.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurocopter_Tiger

September 2017

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Thanks to Kevin Dolin for the preview kit.

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