I
n the 1980s Germany and France decided
to develop in cooperation a new battlefield
multirole helicopter. Germany wanted an
anti-tank platform later designed ‘UHT’, while
France needed an escort helicopter which
took the designation ‘HAP’.
Germany’s version features a recognizable
optronic mast on top of the rotor, while the
French version one carries a chin mounted
30mm gun. Five prototypes flew during the
1990s and production aircraft where
delivered to the armed forces in 2005.
This subject is not well covered in 1:48. The
only kits have been released by Italeri (ref
842 for HAP & 844 for UHT). The UHT variant
was reboxed by Revell and Heller.
The kits are quite simple, with basic details
but thankfully with engraved panel lines.
They depict the prototypes as seen in the
‘90s. I could see work would be needed to
achieve a good level of detail and bravely (or
foolishly!) I decided to build both versions.