Vietnam Huey - 1st Pictures (1 Viewer)

WesternOutlaw said:
Katana,

I had planned to share a more extensive review but based on the lack of responses (and the quick bump of another topic), it appears that very few are interested.

For those of you who end up buying one, hope you like it.
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Rob, Overall how do you like your Bird ?

Wayne
 
Since it doesn't look like K&C will be doing a chopper I thought about buying a CS version. After reading the above and with my patience and modeling skills I won't get near this. Nothing more frustrating spending $300 for something and it either is so fragile or plain falls apart, no thanks.
Gary
 
PanzerAce1944 said:
Rob, Overall how do you like your Bird ?
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Hi Wayne, my honest opinion:

I have some mixed feelings of the Marine version I purchased.

Initially, I was very frustrated when trying to put the thing together. Here's why:

1) The forward machine gun turret set is attached by an interlocking rectangular piece that runs through the copter. One piece (the left side) didn't fit into the right side. Just trying to connect it broke/chipped a piece of the section. Poor construction IMO. Both pieces/sections are further enforced by clips/arcs that fit over the bottom of the copter. One of the clips broke when trying to attach - very difficult too attach I might add.

2) The missile launchers toward the rear utilize similar clips/arcs. Another clip (on the left side) broke off when trying to attach.

3) The rear propeller does not stay on. I put some tape on mine but others may try glue to keep it from falling off with just slight movement.

4) Both doors just fit into place and I'm okay with no movement, but as mentioned previously, both fall off very easily.

5) I purchased the machine gunner who is difficult to fit/position in the copter. Mine won't be coming out anytime soon. In addition, both machine guns (without the one attached to the gunner) do not attach/stay into place very well.

Just a few other quality issues:

- I think the preassembled sections are a bit crudely attached and consistent paint flow/color is a shade or two off when comparing different section (ie. front, middle, and rear sections of the copter). Section assembly (esp. front to middle) have some gaps and color variations.

- Rear decals that say United States Marines are rough over the copter's rivets - this one I feared because I had some bad decals on my TCS DAK Tiger Tank.

- One of my side front windows (right side) is a bit tweaked/bent (maybe just an issue with mine).

Now let me share some other more positive thoughts:

I contacted Brian the day after I received my copter. He's a pleasure to talk with and had replacement parts out to me the next day, which I very much appreciated.
He shared with me that this was a very complex model to build (which I'm sure it is), and that the price is not bad for such a model. The box it comes in is very large - it's a pretty good sized piece. Unfortunately, my replacement parts are pretty much the same as what I had the first go-around so I didn't even try re-assembling because I fear they may break again.

Secondly, all things considered, it looks really nice on a shelf/table. I would not recommend swooshing or whooshing; however, due to it being VERY delicate.

I purchased all TCS's existing Vietnam figures with the exception of the wounded evac figure. They are all very nice looking figures larger than most of my other 1/30 scale figures. I was planning on purchasing the M113A1 Welcome Wagon but I think I may stop with this Huey. I understand more figures are on the horizon though.

Perhaps the Army or Evac versions with less parts to attach may be more stable than the Hog/Marine version.

Overall, this piece looks nice and if one doesn't mind having a few broken clips, and is VERY patient, it's a pretty good model for the cost.

I love my U-96! This helicopter is okay considering everything. For those of you who have one, please share your thoughts and I hope mine are fair.

I do appreciate all of Brian's efforts to design and produce a complex model at a reasonable cost. His customer service is very good and as I mentioned earlier, I enjoy talking with him and learning about all the work that goes into these models. I think that as critical collectors, we sometimes take for granted the numerous steps and challenges faced with design and delivery of a model into the comforts and shelves of our own homes. Brian/TCS did a pretty nice job with this 1/30 scale Huey.
 
Rob:

So you received replacement parts that will not fix the issues? I only ask because I was thinking of contacting CS to see what fixes there are for my Hueys.

Best,
Jason
 
Panzer ace said:
Rob:
So you received replacement parts that will not fix the issues? I only ask because I was thinking of contacting CS to see what fixes there are for my Hueys.
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Correct, the forward two machine gun turret sections fit no better than the first set. One of the replacement machine guns (I think the right) is crooked. The clips appear to be the same as well. You have the Marine version as well?
 
WesternOutlaw said:
Correct, the forward two machine gun turret sections fit no better than the first set. One of the replacement machine guns (I think the right) is crooked. The clips appear to be the same as well. You have the Marine version as well?
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I have all three.

The only one that I have taken out of the box so far is the medevac. It has all of the same issues you mentioned except none of the windows are damaged.
 
WesternOutlaw said:
Wow! what do you think overall, Jason?
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Rob:

I would preface this by saying that I do not like to bad mouth manufacturers for any number of reasons. First and foremost, to each their own. Second, the issues I have with the Hueys are mine. I have no doubt that there are collectors who can and will fix the problems. After all, as my wife says, I can't make ice cubes even if someone gives me the water!

With that being said the quality leaves a lot to be desired. I can and do accept little things that go wrong. However, with this particular item anything that is not attached does not fit/falls off sometimes without even being touched or moved.

I don't buy (pun intended) the thought that it is a good model for the price. Figarti made one (albeit undersized to me) for about $60 more dollars and nothing falls off of them. I can't help but feel that the Hueys were rushed out with little if any quality control.

I would love to get them to the point where the doors, rear rotor and machine gun stay on so that I can at least display them as stagnant On the other side, for close to $1,000 for all three I feel like that shouldn't be the most I can hope for.

Best,
Jason
 
The above is why I sold the M113; I didn't think it was well made. I will wait until FL or K & C make one. If they don't, it's not the end of the world.

Since I have one of the Figarti Hueys, I felt no need -- nor had any desire -- to purchase the CS one.
 
Panzer ace said:
With that being said the quality leaves a lot to be desired. I can and do accept little things that go wrong. However, with this particular item anything that is not attached does not fit/falls off sometimes without even being touched or moved.
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I hear you (and three - that's a lot of Huey). TCS has been a good company with some nice products. Maybe you should give Brian a call. Appreciate you sharing your thoughts.

zblang said:
Has there been any word from CS about these issues?
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I had discussed my issues with Brian; he did his best to make them right, with I appreciate. I'm sure he will hear from other collectors. I will note that once I got everything together and on my shelf, it looks pretty cool!

jazzeum said:
The above is why I sold the M113; I didn't think it was well made.
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I had been looking at one of these as well - it looks really cool, esp with the detailed interior.
 
Hi Rob

You say the figures are larger than other manufacturers 1.30 scale figures. Against K&C figures is it quite a noticeable difference or do they fit in as just taller men ? I ask as I will be getting K&C Vietnam Marines and was hoping to add to their releases with TCS Vietnam figures.

Steve
 
Horus said:
You say the figures are larger than other manufacturers 1.30 scale figures. Against K&C figures is it quite a noticeable difference or do they fit in as just taller men ? I ask as I will be getting K&C Vietnam Marines and was hoping to add to their releases with TCS Vietnam figures.
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Hey Steve,
Yes, they are noticeably larger, esp. compared to K&C. I do not think they would go very well with K&C's new Vietnam Marines.

I have TCS's Kriegsmarine figures purchased with my U-96. They work pretty well with both K&C and Thomas Gunn Miniatures. TCS's Marines; however, seem a bit larger, although they are nicely posed and detailed.
 
Cheers for the info Rob. That's a shame, as you say they're good animated poses especially like the M60 gunner.
Got to go for the VC guy though all the same, but as he'll be placed away from Marines hopefully it work out since he's the only opposition around at present apart from the Del Prado NVA figure.
Shame TCS haven't kept to same sized figures like their Romans allowing for a mix of manufacturers.

Steve
 
The casualty figure seems smaller than the other figures, perhaps it is because it has no base?
 
Panzer ace said:
The casualty figure seems smaller than the other figures, perhaps it is because it has no base?
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He has a base and is in scale/same size as the Marines. It's a cool figure!

EDIT: On a side note, I like the way TCS made the bases to these Vietnam figures - a little grass which adds a nice touch of realistic detailing.
 
Oh well, I'll see what happens when TCS figures meet the new K&C figures and Del Prado in Vietnam as I have or have on order figures from all these producers. Hopefully the del Prado's will be ok size wise with K&C and be good for NVA interest / US casualties.

Steve
 
WesternOutlaw said:
Let me know how you like them, Steve.
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Hi Rob.

Have the K&C Marines on pre order so hopefully I'll get them around the beginning of June.
Still awaiting the TCS figures.
But the Del Prado NVA figure has come, and while it is a little on the chunky side, it's no a bad sculpt and he'll be featuring in a few scenes for sure even when K&C do some enemy figures for the Marines in the months ahead. I think he'll still be doing duty, though he might swap his NVA Uniform for some VC Black Pyjamas courtesy of a little paint later on !

Steve
 
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