The Ukrainian firm’s hotly anticipated 1/35 US Army helicopter is now available. As CHRIS CLIFFORD discovers, it’s BIG… and brilliant!
Many helicopter fans almost lost the plot after ICM announced it was releasing a 1/35 CH-54A. It’s only ever been moulded in 1/72 and 1/100 scales, by Revell and Tamiya respectively. Most modellers would expect a new kit to be released in 1/48 scale… but ICM’s 1/35 version (53054) undoubtedly surprised many. With 573 parts it’s a big proposition and you’ll need serious display space for it. Due to a rotor diameter of almost 63cm and a 77cm-long fuselage (including main rotor), this will be a properly imposing model.
If you’re wondering about the unusual name – Tarhe – it follows the US Army policy of using native American monikers for its helicopters. Think Apache, Sioux, Iroquois… all famous tribes. Tarhe, however, was an 18th Century Wyandot Indian chief whose nickname was ‘The Crane’. Perfectly apt for the CH-54 and its prodigious lifting power.
Above: This sharply moulded cockpit floor soon gets busy with seats, collective and cyclic levers and a well-rendered instrument panel, among other items.
Above: Plenty of buttons/switches adorn the cockpit's central control console. There is a si…
