New Ray USCG A-109

[planejunky]

I'm not entirely sure if the US Coast Guard is civil or military, a mixture of both I suppose! Well I've just used Bob's recommendation and ordered the New Ray Agusta 109 (or MH63A in USCG service), and will hopefully have it by Thursday.

Looks nice enough on the FM website but it's made in a very odd 1/43rd scale. :confused:, It looks very detailed so hopefully it'll be just as nice in the flesh. I'll try and post some pics by the weekend.

[planejunky]

It arrived today! Having never bought a New Ray product, my first impression is that it's a fairly decent model, but a little toylike in some areas but given that New Ray is marketed as a toy manufacturer it's not that surprising!

The paint job is well reproduced, and the equipment carried by USCG MH-63A is very accurate and includes the FLIR ball, searchlight, canisters, and is also fitted with a winch for SAR duties.

The downside is that the real MH-63A does differ from its civilian counterpart (the Agusta 109) in a number of ways, including sliding side doors for the gun emplacement. This model has not incorporated this and still has the hinged type doors either side, and still has civilian type seating inside. Another issue is that the door glazing is non-exsistant, thus leaving a gaping hole in each door! Despite all this though, by keeping the doors closed this is not a huge problem, and for a model costing $14 (around 8-9 pounds) it's not bad at all! :)

[ForkTailedDevil]

Was just in a SMYTHs toy store today (the big toy shop chain) and discovered the two New Ray A109s (USCG and another one) and the Canadian Cormorant for £6.99 each. Never thought I was going to see one in the shops here.

[sniperUK]

Is that the one at Forestside,Ii got the 109 there a while ago but i would like the Cormorant.

[zed550]

would'nt mind a cormorant myself not seen any over this side of the pond

[ForkTailedDevil]

The new one just off Boucher Road Sniper, though I'm sure the Forestside one will have them, its actually far closer to my own house. There were half a dozen at least and I was only there yesterday. Same with the USCG 109. Its a huge big chunk of metal for that price, and really, the problems with poorer construction really aren't that obvious when you don't have it in your hand. Park it on a shelf beside a few Corgi Chinooks and you reallt won't notice. I have mine about four feet away from me on a shelf just above head height and I can't pick out anything that really annoys me, the painted on side windows don't bother me nor the join lines around the cockpit at more than 5 or 6 feet away. I'm just pleased with the prescence of an eh101. I REALLY REALLY want one of scaleplanes Merlin HC3 rebuilds now.

[sniperUK]

Called into Forestside yesterday and picked up the last two Cormorants they had,nice models . :)