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Miniwing 1/144 Piasecki HUP-2 "Retriever" FL

By Matt Bittner

Introduction

From Wikipedia:

"The design was a product of a competition by the U.S. Navy in 1945 for a compact utility/rescue helicopter to operate from Navy ships including aircraft carriers, battleships, and cruisers. The prototype was designated by the Navy as the XHJP-1, and first flew in March 1948. It was selected by the Navy for production, as the HUP-1 in a side-by-side flight evaluation against the Sikorsky XHJS-1. It entered service with the Navy and USMC from 1949."

The HUP-2 was the first helicopter developed with an autopilot and had an updated engine, the Continental 550hp R-975-46.

The Kit

The Miniwing 1/144 HUP-2 consists of 25 pieces of resin, two vacuformed canopies (one being a spare) and a piece of clear acetate sheet, for the side windows (although I will probably just opt for Kristal Kleer in the one I build).  Decals for two machines, one from the U.S. Navy, the other for the French Navy.  No further details are supplied.  Decals are - like all Miniwing decals - ALPS-generated so I'm sure you're tired of hearing this in regards to these kits, but extra care must be taken when handling the decals.

miniwing_hup2-parts.jpg
Construction starts with adding the cockpit tub and engine into one fuselage half before gluing the fuselage halves together.  This is one Miniwing kit where adding more detail to the cockpit might be warranted.  The canopy is a very large greenhouse-type enclosure, and there is a lot that can be seen through that clear piece.  At the very least you might was to add the pedals to each seat, since the kit comes with the "control columns".

Once the fuselage halves are glued together, then it's all down to adding the canopy and then the final details (like landing gear, etc.).  Since the markings in the kit are for single-color machines, you could probably get away with gluing on everything but the rotors prior to painting.

The most difficult assembly could be gluing the blades to the rotor hub, and ensure everything lines up straight.  One thing I'll have to research further is if there was any droop to the blades, and try to add that to the resin without damage (naturally hot water, but you don't want it too hot and risk ruining the thin-ish blades).

Conclusion

Another interesting release from Miniwing.  In general it could be a quick build, aside from lining up two sets of three blades per rotor hub.  That could take some finesse and plenty of patience.  But once built, the Miniwing 1/144 Piasecki HUP-2 could definitely become a conversation piece.

Huge thanks for Miniwing for the review kit.

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