Hobby Boss 1/72 Mi-2URP Hoplite Kit First Look
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | May 2013 | Manufacturer | Hobby Boss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Mi-2URP Hoplite | Scale | 1/72 |
| Kit Number | 87244 | Primary Media | Styrene |
| Pros | Nicely detailed kit | Cons | Nothing noted |
| Skill Level | Basic | MSRP (USD) | $21.99 |
First Look
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The Mi-2 (NATO Codename: Hoplite) was Mil OKB's follow-on to their initial helicopter design, the Mi-1 (NATO Codename: Hare). In the Mi-2, Mil replaced the heavier piston engine of the Mi-1 with a pair of much lighter turbine engines which decreased the empty weight of the aircraft and nearly doubled its payload. The engines were relocated over the main cabin and the airframe was redesigned to make use of the increased payload capacity. Despite the capabilities of the Mi-2, the aircraf was never put into full production in the USSR as Mil had its sights on even larger and more capable rotary-winged designes. Production of this aircraft was allocated to PZL-Swidnik in Poland with nearly 5,500 aircraft built.
With a good combination of small size and good payload, PZL-Swidnik produced a wide range of variants ranging from simple utility helicopters to mine laying, from air ambulance to attack helicopter. In the attack configuration, the Mi-2 could be armed with a combination of 23mm cannon, machine guns, two 57mm rocket pods, four anti-tank guided missiles, or four Strella 2 (SA-7) anti-aircraft missiles.
HobbyBoss is producing a variety of Mi-2 variants in 1/72 scale including this recently released attack helicopter variant, the Mi-2URP. This kit is molded in light gray styrene and presented on four parts trees plus a single tree of clear parts. Among the features and options in this kit:
- Detailed flight deck
- Six-place passenger configuration in main cabin
- Choice of side windows or flex-mounted machine guns in window openings
- Nose is molded in clear (no seperate windscreen, foot windows, flight deck door windows to install)
- Positionable main cabin door
- Choice of avionics box configurations under tail boom
Armament included:
- 1 x 23mm cannon
- 4 x 9K11 Malyutka (AT-3 Sagger)
- 4 x 9K32 Strella-3 (SA-7 Grail)
Decals are provided for two examples:
- Mi-2URP, Bort 6924, Polish Army Aviation
- Mi-2URP, Bort 7333, Polish Army Aviation
Hobby Boss has done a nice job with this kit. It will be a simple build and provide a nice model for your scale flightline.
My sincere thanks to Squadron Mail Order for this review sample!