1/100 AH-1G Cobra

OK, I'll admit it. After seeing Aoshima's recent 1/144 aircraft releases, I didn't have particularly high hopes for this kit. However, I am pleased to report that Aoshima exceeded most of my expectations! This is actually a very nice little kit, with fine recessed panel lines, a fairly complete cockpit (the seats could use armor plate and belts, but that's about it), an engine and transmission assembly ala the 1/32 Revell kit (which is to say, not 100% accurate, but a very good start and certainly more than you would expect in this scale) and 7- and 19-shot 2.75" rocket pods. The canopy is also nice and clear, but one piece. I'll let the superdetailers out there figure out how to open it up. The only area where this kit is let down in my opinion is the decals. Aoshima included a generic sheet of US stars-and-bars, printed in silver for some reason. However, it should be possible to find some appropriately-sized US insignia in your "decal dungeon", and with some lettering to spell out "U.S. ARMY" you should be well on your way to a fairly accurate Vietnam-era scheme. Despite the decal issue, this kit is definitely worth the 800 yen!