1/32 Blue Thunder Build - Kitech

[Boneman]

Hello fellow RPF model builders. I figure I would document my latest build - the Kitech 1/32 Blue Thunder model. I first built the Monogram version as a kid back in the mid 1980's over a weekend. With Testors glue still runny, I couldn't wait to play with Blue Thunder as it was one of my favorite movies as a kid. Fast forward many years to mid 2000's and for some reason Blue Thunder had popped back into my thoughts and I found this Kitech kit on eBay. Once purchased, it sat in a closet for another 15+ years where I'm now finally getting around to building it. I had spent the last year getting back into model building and setting up a permanent modeling workspace/area. I build a 1/72 VF-1J Armored Valkyrie and took silver in the 'Sci-Fi' category at a local IPMS showcase. After working very hard on this build I was looking for a fun and fairly simple build, so I figured it was time for Blue Thunder!

A bit about the kit. Kitech either copied or purchased the Monogram molds for this kit (along with many others). Apparently I was fortunate to get an actual Blue Thunder box as many people received this kit either in mismatched boxes or in some cases, a plastic bag full of parts! Going into this build I knew the molding would be poor and would need a lot of 'help' to get it together and looking half decent.

So buckle up and join me for this WIP build of Blue Thunder!!

 

[Boneman]

First Steps - The Cockpit

As with most aircraft models, one needs to build the cockpit up first. Right away the fit and finish were not great, but I had a few ideas to address these issues as well as a few ways to help improve them.

As with all my builds, I collect as much reference materials and photos as I can find. I was able to find quite a few behind the scenes and very detailed interior/exterior photos taken of the real, flying Blue Thunder helicopters they made and used in the movie. These aided greatly for adding missing details as well as coloring.

Fitment issues with the seats meant I had to trim down the sides of the 'cushions' in order for them to fit into the chair frames. I also noticed that the interior was completely missing one of the computer terminals that JAFO used and sat at!! So I made a new computer and keyboard out of sheet styrene.

For the rear bulkhead wall, it was missing a stand out object - a fire extinguisher! So back to the styrene to craft one up!

For the new computer terminal I constructed, I used Photoshop and made a custom decal to replicate the terminal screens and keyboard. I also used some left over decals and added a few 'greeblies' to dress up the cockpit a little more, including some PE seatbelts.

The molding is not that detailed so I did what I could with it. Definitely an improvement over OTB.

 

[Boneman]

4,000 Rounds Per Minute!

One of the most iconic and lasting impressions about the Blue Thunder helicopter was its 6, barreled, 20mm cannon. In keeping with Kitech's poor molding, I wasn't too happy with how the gun looked. Since I already deviated from a straight, OTB build in step 1, I figured I might was well spruce up the focal point of this model and upgrade the Gatling gun with a PE version.

I cut off the original, molded gun and then created a hole for it to fit into. Yes this PE gun will be a little bit longer than the original, but it will look so much nicer!

 

[Boneman]

Rotor Blades

Very straight forward assembly of the main rotor blades and drive assembly. Like the cockpit, the rotor drive assembly has to be installed prior to gluing the body halves together. I dug deep into the rotor assembly and photos of Blue Thunder and found that there are individual color bands on each rotor blade that corresponds to its location on the rotor assembly. IRL, this is due to each blade being individually balanced and paired with it's own mounting orientation.

 

[Boneman]

Nose heavier than the Ayatollah

I was expecting and fearing the worst when it came time to fit the 2 body halves together, but turns out it wasn't as bad as I was expecting (whew). Lots of dry and test fitting prior helped especially when it came to the location and fitment of the cockpit assembly as there were no real indicators/mounting points of where exactly to position it. A lot of trial and error, including me gluing it in a position I was thinking was correct, then having to pry it out and try again.

I ended up adding a styrene 'panel' to the left side of the cockpit assembly as there was a large gap showing once in position. I also affixed some metal washers under the cockpit for added weight and to give the model some 'heft'.

Then the gap filling, scraping and sanding began.....

I ended up gluing the halves together in stages, working mid to front and then mid to back. That method seemed to work the best to keep everything aligned.

Fitment of the forward bulkhead was horrible! Lots of filler needed!

Slowly taking a proper shape.

 

[Boneman]

Tail Section

Another iconic part of Blue Thunder is it's distinct, enclosed fantail rotor and boom. I found that the real tail boom had the holes along the top as well. As these top holes were not even molded into the model, I would have to add and drill them out, along with all the side holes.

It would have been nice to be able to put in a styrene or brass dowel tail rotor shaft inside this section but no way to now (probably would have been a little overkill for this kit anyway....)

 

[whiskeyrat]

Excellent improvements, I always wondered if there had ever been a kit of this thing. How did I miss the original Monogram kit back in the eighties?
Nevermind, nice to see the old bird again, and looks like she's in good hands too.

 

[Boneman]

Excellent improvements, I always wondered if there had ever been a kit of this thing. How did I miss the original Monogram kit back in the eighties?
Nevermind, nice to see the old bird again, and looks like she's in good hands too.

Thanks Wiskey! I hope to do it the justice she deserves. I wish someone would do a new design and mold of this beauty and in 1/48!!

 

[Boneman]

Finally got the front bulkhead all cleaned up with a combination of gap filling glue and Tamiya putty. All sanded and smooth. Next I'll finish the bottom seams then onto priming to check for seam defects.

 

[pengbuzz]

TREMENDOUS EFFORT AND WORK on this one!!! I'm just floored at your progress, and eagerly looking forward to your next update Boneman!!!!

 

[Boneman]

TREMENDOUS EFFORT AND WORK on this one!!! I'm just floored at your progress, and eagerly looking forward to your next update Boneman!!!!

Thanks pengbuzz! I'm happy with the progress as well. Once I finish the main body ready for paint, the rest is some small add-ons, aside from masking and painting the cockpit which will take some time. I'll keep ya posted as I chip away!

 

[Junk Pilot]

Wow. This is a great looking build.

Is the Kitech kit a re-pop of the Monogram kit or another kit?

 

[Boneman]

Wow. This is a great looking build.

Is the Kitech kit a re-pop of the Monogram kit or another kit?

Thanks Junk Pilot ! I believe Kitech purchased the original Monogram molds. Either that or 'copied' them. Either or, their production is known for not being of the best quality. Kitech is also molded in a light grey plastic, instead of the dark metallic blue as per the Monogram version and the decal sheet is not as detailed as Monogram's.

 

[Boneman]

Final Body Work (I hope)

Not sure why I decided to spend so much time on the underside seams and details, but it just kinda happened. Oh well, good practice I guess. During the process I ended up removing several details so I replaced them with styrene pieces. I also added a missing antenna to the underside of the tail boom. Next update will hopefully have some primer and pre-shading!

 

[real9thdoctor]

Since people are asking for a new kit, Aoshima has a 1/48 kit. I have their excellent Airwolf kit, and will absolutely get the Blue Thunder.

 

[Boneman]

Since people are asking for a new kit, Aoshima has a 1/48 kit. I have their excellent Airwolf kit, and will absolutely get the Blue Thunder.

Good info, however that price tag if you can find one....yikes! (eBay - US $266.00)

 

[Boneman]

Finally have the main body fitment and seam lines completed (I think). Starting in on additional 'add on' pieces as the fitment is so poor I may have to affix most of these to the body as their mounting points will also need significant filler. I prefer to paint pieces individually and add them onto the main body once complete, but this kit has other ideas in mind....

Once again, fitment and alignment were dreadful. Lots of gap filling glue and filler.

So I goofed a bit on the tail stabilizers as I glued them together on the model then added filler. When sanding, they started to break at the attachment point due to the sanding pressure and movement. Not sure why I jumped the gun by mounting them first.... Anyway, I cut off, finished sanding and made a new joining, support piece out of some brass rod.

Stay tuned for more!

 

[rbeach84]

Looking good! Very nice treatment so far. And sounds like you're having fun which is the important thing!
;^)
Regards, Robert

 

[rastanz]

Amazing attention to detail on one of the rarest kits around.
Thanks for sharing your work.

 

[Boneman]

Amazing attention to detail on one of the rarest kits around.
Thanks for sharing your work.

Thanks for the kinds words rastanz! I'll have some more updates soon as I've been busy with other projects/life and just been sanding and filling more pieces of this kit (dosent make for exciting updates). Stay tuned!