Mi-28 Havoc
Mi-28 Havoc; 1/72nd scale
by DML Price: about $11.00
The subject of many poor illustrations prior to its Western
debut in 1989, this Soviet attack helicopter suprised many with it's performance
and versatility. Designed to live and fight with forward deployed armored
units, the Havoc was designed with the same automatic cannon as the BMP,
and in a pinch can be configured to fly on tank fuel. Another unique feature
of the design was the window-less compartment within the fuselage that
would enable one helicopter to rescue the crew of another helicopter.
DML's kit is well done with recessed panel lines and sagged
rotor-blades. I added interior details to the cockpit as well as the pilot
figures. The cheeck blisters were blanked off, but I opened mine up and
added sequin lenses to represent what FLIR equipment might be fitted. The
weapons included with the kit are well done...especially the rocket pods
which are depressed on the ends to simulate the open tubes. Just a drop
of black paint makes these look super. The spiral anti-tank missile tubes
look fine, but I couldn't resist hollowing out a few of these to look "used".
The camo-job is roughly fictitious. Not having a great deal
of reference material, I kind of winged-it and sprayed the colors freehand.
The decals were printed well and in register. Various stencil markings,
Airshow markings, as well as "operational" markings were included.
For more accurate color reference, The March 1990 issue of AIR COMBAT has
a couple nice shots of the Havoc that was at the REDHILL Air display.
Copyright 1999 Kyle Williams