Introduction

The following introduction is as supplied by ICM:

Created in 1962, the heavy helicopter CH-54 Tarhe was primarily designed for transporting oversized military cargo. The powerful crane winches of the helicopter allowed it to lift loads in a hovering mode, without the need for landing. The helicopter was successfully used during combat operations in Vietnam, where it evacuated damaged aircraft and helicopters, transported artillery guns, vehicles, tanks, and even patrol boats on an external suspension. To expand the transport capabilities of the CH-54, a special container was created – a kind of transport capsule for transporting infantry, wounded, or military equipment. The containers had windows, doors, and ramp in the stern section, which made it possible to transport military equipment inside if necessary, such as guns or light vehicles. Such versatile containers could even be used for parachute deployment of soldiers. A total of 22 containers were built, each with its own military registration number.

Review

This offering of the CH-54A must be even the 4th or 5th release of this kit from ICM and this one has real presence due to the universal military pod making the big look even bigger. Unlike previous releases, the kit is in a single flip-top cardboard tray, with an additional card lid showing the artwork. The box is very full, with the sprues being provided in 3 plastic bag,s and I will confess that due to the amount of plastic the risk of breakages is to be considered with this model. This example was free from defects. beyond some ejector pin marks that I do not believe will be seen on the finished model, but you will have to be thinking about that as you progress the build to make sure that is the case. On the plus side, access for part removal is good but care will need to be taken with some of the finer parts to avoid breakages. 

The cockpit of this release is very pleasing in all regards, with the only usual fault being the lack of harnesses on the seats. Decals have been provided to lift the control consoles, and I like that fact that even areas behind the main cockpit wall have been given detail for you eyes to seek out. I am sure that Eduard have released sets to further enhance these kits, but the modeller who builds from the box only really needs to worry about the missing harnesses. The cockpit and its exterior can be considered as a model in it’s own right, as it can be built as a very large subassembley before bringing everything together. 

The backbone of the model is also another nicely detailed area of the kit, and the construction method used for the framing out of the spine will give the model a decent amount of strength in an area that would be most at risk of weight damage.  Once you bring the backbone and the cockpit together, you start getting an idea about how big this release is and you will need to be thinking about how to support the model to prevent breakages on the more detailed parts that further lift the details of the model. ICM has added the undercarriage to the kit at an early stage to provide the supports that I have already mentioned. I myself would prefer to leave this area of the model until later in the build near the end. A lot of cabling and what I believe to be hydraulic lines are added over the body, which really adds an awful lot of detail to make it a stunning visual piece.

Moving on to the rotor-head and engines we are again spoilt by ICM who have really pulled out all of the stops to add a very large amount of detail to make the model even more stunning. You have the 2 large turbines, followed by the gear assembly and even the filters for the intakes on the turbines have been well detailed. These filter housings are one of the areas that I would expect could be slightly improved by the use of photo etch, but if you do not want to go down that route no big deal. The rotor-head itself is another very nicely detailed area of the model, but care will need to be taken as those 6 blades could fight you when it comes to getting them to sit where required and allowed to cure completely before messing with them. A clear panel sits in the  middle of the upper rotor-head cover which has caused questions to be asked in the past, but it is accurate although there is more than one design of this feature and you can consider it to be present as a visual inspection area. 

The universal military pod is fitted out as a seated area, with a decent level of detail on both the inner and outer surfaces of the pod. Access doors and windows have been included as separate items with decals provided for adding those final details. The wheels that are mounted for manoeuvring are present, which gives this cargo load a truly massive presence, and makes this release of the CH-54A such a different look to previous offerings. ICM has provided 3 finishing options for this release:

Sikorsky CH-54A Tarhe 68-18457 with Universal Military Pod, 295th Aviation Company, Germany, 1972

Sikorsky CH-54A Tarhe 67-18429 with Universal Military Pod, Keyfield Air National Guard Base, August 1982

Sikorsky CH-54A Tarhe 68-18459 with Universal Military Pod, 113th Aviation Regiment, Reno Stead Airport, November 1989

Conclusion

Not too many people will have the space for all of the CH-54s, and so if you are going to have just one I suggest you get this one due to the sheer size that the universal military pod gives this large model already. Perhaps the biggest issue of space is the huge rotor assembly which takes the kit to nearly 24 inches across. The only negative that I can lay at this release is the lack of harnesses on the seats. However, with regards to detail generally I cannot really fault the model as it is stunning in every respect. I know that no model is perfect, but built straight from the box you can’t help but be impressed with the details present and its sheer size.