1:48 Mil Mi-4 wipers (Trumpeter)

Mi-4 cabin wipers in 1:48 scale

A small box from Quickboost containing cast wiper arms for models of the Mil Mi-4 helicopter. The casting replaces the injected part, which because of the mold has to stay far coarser than the real thing is. The helicopter kit and glue are not in the package.

A small thing that shows

The forward glazing of the Mi-4 is large and flat, so every element on its surface stands out sharply against the light background of the cabin. This is exactly where it is decided whether a finished model looks fine or coarse. A thin cast arm is therefore one of the simplest ways to move the result up a level.

Something about the real subject

The Mi-4 belongs to the first generation of Soviet transport helicopters of the 1950s. It was powered by a radial piston engine in the nose, cargo was loaded through rear doors beneath the tail boom and the crew sat high above the cargo compartment. The type flew with armies and in civilian service, in a number of countries it stayed in service for many decades and it became the basis for later heavier machines. It was also built under license in China, from where it reached further users in Asia and Africa. Preserved examples still stand in museums today, so it is easy to check the real thing against photographs.

Rules for working with resin

• wash the parts before primer or glue touches them
• separate them from the block with a cut, as bending would crack them
• if you sand dry, protect your breathing with a mask
• fit them as the very last step of the build