DreamModel – DM720024 – KA-52 Russian Attack Helicopter

Description:

Unassembled plastic model kit in 1/72 scale of a Russian Kamov KA-52 Attack helicopter.

The Kamov Ka-52 “Alligator” is a modern Russian attack and reconnaissance helicopter, developed from the earlier Ka-50 “Black Shark”. Designed by the Kamov Design Bureau, the Ka-52 retains the distinctive coaxial rotor system of its predecessor—a hallmark of Kamov helicopters—which eliminates the need for a tail rotor, improves maneuverability, and allows for a more compact design.

The Ka-52 entered service in the Russian military in the early 2010s, and it serves both as a combat helicopter and as a command platform capable of coordinating groups of attack helicopters on the battlefield. It has side-by-side seating for two crew members (pilot and weapons officer), which is a major shift from the single-seat layout of the Ka-50. This configuration improves crew coordination, situational awareness, and overall combat effectiveness.

Both helicopters are armed with a 30 mm 2A42 autocannon, but the Ka-52 is equipped with upgraded avionics, a more advanced radar suite (Arbalet system), electro-optical sensors, and compatibility with a wider range of weapons, including the Vikhr and Ataka anti-tank missiles, and reportedly the newer LMUR (Izdeliye 305) guided missile. The Ka-52 also includes modern electronic warfare systems, improved armor, and ejection seats—a rare feature in helicopters.

In terms of roles, while the Ka-50 was envisioned as a fast, highly maneuverable solo attack helicopter for high-risk missions, it suffered from limitations due to its single-pilot workload and lack of battlefield coordination features. The Ka-52, by contrast, was designed to correct these shortcomings, acting not only as a direct strike platform but also as a command-and-control asset capable of operating in tandem with other aircraft or coordinating ground-attack operations.

In summary, the Ka-52 builds upon the Ka-50’s speed and agility but adds crew coordination, battlefield networking, sensor fusion, and greater mission flexibility, making it more suitable for modern warfare.

This kit is a new tool by DreamModel in 2025. The kit features a large number of 3D printed parts. These parts, are not enhanced parts also present on the plastic sprue, but unique parts required to build the model. This allows to keep the plastic frame simpler and with less delicate parts, and switch the production of these parts to the 3D Printed technology. Kit include also PE (photo-etched) parts and a decal sheet including 4 (Russian) markings.

The brand is also commercializing a separated set, DM0310, with a detailed 3D printed (with metal barrel) 30mm gun, a Shipunov 2A42, mounted on the right side of the fuselage (See pictures below). Many sellers are offering together both sets, and certainly in our opinion it should had been included in the set, instead of as a separated detail set. Note than in this case, kit includes a less detailed hard plastic version of the Shipunov 2A42.