Blue Thunder with metal Gatling gun

When first heard about this kit, I initially assumed that this was a scale down reissue of the Monogram kit 1/32 kit. However, it became clear that Aoshima didn't scale down the Monogram kit. In fact, you can clearly see the Gazelle's lines in this release where you don't get that out of the Monogram tooling.

This kit is a completely new-tool production provided on three trees of very dark blue styrene, one tree molded in gray styrene, one chromed tree, one clear styrene tree, and several separately provided parts in black styrene or vinyl (for the display base). This release also includes the Gatling gun cast in white metal.

This is definitely NOT the Monogram kit! The rotor head and swash plate are very nicely done. The rotor blades plug into the rotor head and the main shaft slips into a vinyl tube that sits inside the transmission, making it easy to remove the rotor assembly for transportation or storage.

The cockpit layout of the movie helicopter is very nicely replicated with details and decals to represent the various control displays and consoles. The JAFO side console is really nice here. You'll have plenty to look at through the huge greenhouse canopy.

The chromed engine is plated with a dull finish so it won't look toylike, but some modelers will want to remove the chrome plating and metalize the engine after assembly to make it easier to remove seamlines.

The ventral ammo tray and ammo feeds are replicated as are the boom microphones, spot lights, gatling gun turret, and 'Murphy' pilot figure.

One other nice touch in this kit is a fully articulating display base that you can plug into the bottom of your completed Blue Thunder and pose the aircraft in flight. You can put the completed model on its skids if you wish as well.

The Decals
The kit's decal sheet provides markings and stenciling for the movie version of the helicopter including the red emergency access stripes that surround the applicable canopy windows. The sheet also has the decals for the various console and panel displays to make this model very visually appealing.