Hiller OH-23 Raven - Modeling information

Scale 1/72

• Special Hobby
  • Kit 72017: A model of a Hiller UH-12C.

(Building and Conversion of the Special Hobby UH-12 in 1/72nd scale by Jan Brussaard:

A couple of years ago I bought the Hiller UH-12 model from Special Hobby. It proved to be a different type than the Hille used in Dutch military service. I started looking for photo's and other information and found this site Aircraft Walk-Around Hiller UH-12C Militaire Luchtvaart Museum.

This is a complete photo report of the Hiller UH-12C, which is preserved in de Dutch military Aviation museum at Soesterberg. This was the sole UH-12C used in Dutch service, all other 35 models were of the type UH-12B, so a new canopy had to be made from scratch. I produced a mould for this new canopy.
The floor, part nos 4, 14, 15, 16, 17, 25 and 27 were glued together as instructed. The seat on part 25 is a for two persons, the one used by the Dutch was one for three persons, two crew members and a passenger, so a new one was made.

Next step was to double the steering. The seat was split in two parts by sawing a gap in it. A second part no 23 was made, a stick an pedals were added to both sides of the instrument panel.
Both sticks, parts no.24 were not in the floor, both placed in the front of the seat, so two new parts 23 were made from pieces electrical wire. As grips part of the isolation material was used. I drilled a hole in the front of the seat and glued one part no 23 in it.

Next another piece of wire was used to realize a transmission just behind the back of the cabin, to connect both steering sticks, pats no 23. Check photos for this step of the conversion.
The Hiller in the Museum has instruments just in front of the console on the floor. The B model had these instruments placed besides the console, just like the model.
The floor was was modified to fit the new canopy. Note the floor ended to the front, the floor of the museum Hiller is open at the front.

next step was the engine. This didn't fit. Is used wire of different thickness to make a new holding frame. The resin parts added to the kit I thought un usable.
By checking photos I made several smaller parts for the engine. The hose for the cockpit heating was added.

Boom no. 6 and 7, was glued together and added . At the rear I removed the skew part. Part no No. 5 was useless and a new one was made from several pieces of wire. At the end of the tail gear boxes etc were added.

Note the tail rotor was positioned to the right side of the machine, not to the left! I added steering wires etc. to the model.
According to photographs a battery and other smaller parts were added.
The doors of the kit were modified to fit in the new canopy.

Photo's of the result can be seen at: Hiller UH-12B Jan Brussaard

A model of a Hiller OH-23C, built by Adri Kleijn.

Modeling add-on

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Scale 1/48

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Decals

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