1/48 Italeri UH-1D "Slick" |
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Gallery Article by Thang Le |
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Tribute to all men and women of
Air America. In the last day of the VietNam war, the helicopter seen on
top of the Pittman Building picking up people trying to escape from the
Communist regime, was that of an Air America Huey. The picture took by
Hugh Van Es, of United Press International, of refugees climbing a ladder on the
side of a building to the helicopter waiting above. No one knows who the
helicopter crew was. The men who flew these helicopters on the last day of
Saigon were not there because of international economics or political issues.
None of them ever received official commendation for his valor; in fact, very
few people realize that the helicopter in the photograph that became famous
around the world was an Air America helicopter with a civilian crew.
Unheralded and unknown, these pilots were performing acts of heroism for no
other reason than it was the right thing to do.
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images below to see larger images
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The kit is an
Italeri 1/48 UH-1D "Slick". I have problem with the fit, in
general, and the clear parts just wouldn't fit flush with the rest of the
frame. I know there's a reason for me not to build helicopters. I
planned to build it for last year's April 30th Anniversary of the Fall of
Saigon. I put it away for about 6 months, then I took it back out and
finished it. I said to myself that I must have it for my collection, so
I did it.
