ESCI – 9073 (99073) – Kamov Ka-34 Hokum

Description:

Unassembled plastic model kit in 1/72 scale of a Soviet/Russian attack helicopter Kamov Ka-34 Hokum.

The Ka-34 was a heavy attack helicopter project which can be considered a precursor or prototype of the Kamov Ka-50 Hokum.

Designed during the 80s, still in the Soviet Union times, the Ka-50 was not adopted into service till 1995 after several refinements. The type is still in service in improved variants.

ESCI tooled the Kamov Ka-34 Hokum 1/72 scale kit in 1988, before the final introduction of the real and final Kamov Ka-50 Hokum attack helicopter. This anxiety to provide newer subjects always have the same result, the kit just depicts a prototype very inaccurate for a real Kamov Ka-50 later produced by several manufacturer.

The kit was issued three times in the ESCI/Ertl catalogue, in 1988, 1992 and late 1990s, probably 1998, just before the end of the brand. In the last release code number was updated from 9073 to 99073, and all the three times got a different box cover layout. Included a single marking in decal sheet. With a sightly different decal sheet was released also in 1989 in the AMT/Ertl range.

Kit features nice engraved panel lines and a very nice overall detail, but the subject, never materialized into a real production helicopter, get little attention nowadays. The kit include cockpit decal sheet as ESCI used to do, for a very basic cockpit and seat details.