Robinson R44 Raven - Stransky (also KP) 1/72nd scale

 

Above: friend David the Immeasurable tall (he had to be folded over several times to get him in the helo) and wife, taking off from the mysterious African savanna. No wildlife would even get close to him, as if by instinct they knew David is truly despicable and surely would taste horribly. 

The kit comes in a two-part very sturdy box. Well done Stransky as I despise the pre-crushed, too flimsy, side-opening affairs we generally get. Several schemes are offered, none of which I will be using, as the intention is representing the machine David flew in. It is now due for a through cleaning to remove his last lunch, dinner and breakfast, all of which decorated the passenger cabin at the first minuscule vibration of the machine. The other passengers...elated.

Main sprue and transparencies in the same bag, good that there is a bag, not good that the transparencies are not packed separately. Vinyl masks (that I avoid like the plague) are included: 

Bought paper masks, much more reliable:

Off the bag. Good detail, a comprehensive interior for the scale, including cockpit instruments, controls, seats, and even the engine. No flash to speak off, so far no sink marks or short pours, looking like a fine, good mold, even for the minuscule parts. You don't see this often:

After a bath to eliminate any possible release agent. The transparencies are clear enough, but of course not optically perfect:

The only weak point so far seems to be the tail rotor guard, bent in transit and looking quite fragile. May be replaced with very fine metal wire or tube, as it needs to be masked and painted red and white.

To be continued...