Robinson R22

Pavla, 1/72

Reviewed by Mick Evans

Pavla's 1/72 scale Robinson R22 will be available online from Squadron.com
 

The Robinson R22 light helicopter is one of the most interesting and much sought after types in its category today.

The Robinson Helicopter Company was founded in 1973. The products of the new company were to be low cost, low maintenance light helicopters. The manufacturer’s intention was to fill the gap in the light helicopter category and replace the Hughes 269 and the Bell OH-13 Sioux machines.

The Robinson R22 prototype flew for the first time on the 28th August 1975. It was certified to FAR Part 23 on the 16 March 1979 and some 2900 helicopters have been delivered since this time.

I believe that this is the first 1/72 scale kit of the Robinson R22 Helicopter to enter the market.

On opening the box we are presented with the typical high quality multi media kit with limited run injection moulded plastic, resin, etched metal and vacuum formed canopy that has become the trademark of Pavla Models. There are 20 injection moulded parts, 10 highly detailed resin parts, 18 etched metal parts, and 4 vacuum formed clear parts. In the case of the vacuum formed parts a duplicate set of transparencies have been provided in case of error.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

As with most Pavla kits it is necessary to remove all of the flash from every styrene part and clean up all the mating surfaces before assembly. Spend the time in preparation and you will be rewarded with a high quality finished product.

Having built many of the Pavla kits over the years I have been impressed by the high quality of the detail and moulding. The detail in this kit is nothing short of superb. The resin cockpit leaves no detail out and only needs some fine paint work to bring out the finer detail. The other highly detailed resin part is the engine deck. I have walked around the Robinson R22 quite often and this area has been accurately reproduced.

Now for the bad news for all vacform-phobics. The main cabin is a two piece vacuum formed transparency. Some modellers do not like this type of construction but I have never had a problem with vacuum formed parts. These are formed very well. They are also structurally substantial in their moulding and have captured the detail well. The parts should behave like injection plastic once they have been cut away from the backing, and the join is along a panel line. This looks to be simple compared to the Esoteric Bell 47 that I built years ago.

The decals are crisp, accurate in colour and in register.

Markings are provided for 4 different aircraft as follows;

• Robinson R22 Beta II of the Escuela de Aviation (Pilot Training School) of the Mexican Navy based in La Paz. The aircraft is in an overall yellow scheme.

• Robinson R22 Beta II of the Dominican Republic Air Force based in Santo Domingo. The aircraft is in a 4 tone camouflage scheme.

• Robinson R22 Beta OK-FFF owned by Karel Kladiva – Klinex Company and is operated by the flying school FLY FOR FUN from Sazena airfield. The aircraft is in an overall white scheme.

• Robinson R22 Beta OK-BLT belonging to NISA AIR company and is flown from the airfield in Miada Boleslav. The aircraft is in an overall two tone grey tiger stripe scheme.

Highly recommended for modellers experienced with multi media kits.

Thanks to Pavla for the review sample

Review Text Copyright © 2007 by Mick Evans
Images Copyright © 2007 by Brett Green
Page Created 06 December, 2007
Last updated 24 December, 2007

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