Tamiya 60712 Bell OH-58 Kiowa (1/72) – plastic helicopter model kit

The Tamiya 60712 Bell OH-58 Kiowa model is a high-quality plastic kit designed for modelers interested in military helicopters from the Cold War era and modern times. In 1:72 scale, this kit faithfully replicates the famous American multipurpose observation helicopter – the Bell OH-58 Kiowa, widely used mainly by the United States Army from the late 1960s until its retirement in 2020.

The Bell OH-58 Kiowa is a light helicopter that played a significant role in reconnaissance, escort, and fire support missions. It made its debut during the Vietnam War, where it was used for both reconnaissance and artillery spotting. In the following decades, the OH-58 performed patrol and escort tasks during operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, and UN interventions. Its reconnaissance-combat variants, equipped with advanced electronics and weaponry, made the Kiowa the primary light reconnaissance helicopter for the US Army and several allied forces, including Australia and Canada, for many years.

The Tamiya 60712 kit is made of high-quality plastic, featuring excellent detail and precise fit, ensuring a comfortable assembly experience. The model does not include extras such as metal barrels or photo-etched parts; all components are made of plastic. The box contains sprues with detailed parts for the cockpit, rotors, landing gear, and armament, as well as decals for authentic aircraft markings.

• Scale: 1:72
• User country: USA (and other allied countries)
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Material: high-quality plastic
• Category: plastic model kit
• Historical period: Cold War and modern times

The Tamiya 60712 Bell OH-58 Kiowa model is recommended for both intermediate and more experienced modelers interested in military aviation and historical conflicts of the second half of the 20th and 21st centuries. The assembly difficulty level is rated 2/5 – parts fit well, and the instructions are clear, making the kit suitable even as a first helicopter model in this scale. Glue and paints must be purchased separately.

A carefully assembled and painted Kiowa will look excellent both on a collector’s shelf and in military dioramas, making it a valuable addition to any helicopter model collection.