Zvezda 1/48 Mi-24V/VP Hind E Build Review

By Michael Benolkin

Build Review

For a brief description of the subject and a look at this kit out of the box, look here. Since I have two of these kits, I considered the idea of using one for a quick-build review before going all-in on the second one.

This was also a good opportunity try the Quinta Studio Mi-24 cockpit detail set installed in the otherwise baby-butt-smooth kit cockpit. Here's the Quinta Studio Mi-24 set atop the kit decals, which you can see would otherwise provide the interior details. Let's get started.

I used Akan's cockpit turquoise as the base color but as you can see, the Quinta panels are more turquoise blue while the Akan paint is more turquoise green. Both colors are used (as well as variations in-between) but not in the same cockpit. I asked Quinta what they'd used for their color source and they used photographs. I really wish these detail makers that color print like Quinta and Eduard would use an appropriate hobby paint we can all use to replicate their results. *sigh* Zvezda was not any more help as their paint recommendations in the instructions are using Tamiya paints and there is no cockpit turquoise in the Tamiya range (so far) and they instead recommend X5 Emerald (which is even more green). As far as installing the decal/details, check out our review of the Quinia Studio set here.

After the color mismatch, I was still on track to build the rest of the kit in the quick-build format, but my inner 'old-school' modeler wanted to fix the color problem and instead, to a full build on this kit with the turquoise cockpit and finished as an Afghan war veteran while doing the other as a NATO Mi-24 (with the black cockpit). I pulled out the Akan cockpit turquoise and mixed it with a Flanker light blue until it was close to the blue-turquoise of the Quinta parts. When it was close enough for government work, I re-sprayed the cockpit interior while shielding the Quinta parts. While it isn't an exact match, once the cockpits are built out, they'll be just fine. I also painted the main cabin light gray (Tamiya XF80 per the instructions).

Next up are the crew seats and flight controls in black and installing the Quinta Studio crew restraints onto the seats before installation in the cockpit tub.

To be continued