All I can say is that this kit has to be seen to be believed. There are a few areas of the
kit that that were a disappointment, the cockpit being one of them, but the kit kit more
than makes up for it in other aspects (and Black Box is doing a cockpit set for it
anyway, so take heart!)
FUSELAGE
The sturdy kit box is somewhere on the order of the Tamiya F-15E kit in terms of size.
First, the kit is molded in gray plastic (a definite plus over the Euro I dark green
plastic of the Monogram kit), with recessed panel lines throughout. The fuselage is
molded in four pieces, and is utterly huge. Panel lines all appear to be where they are
supposed to be on initial inspection. And yes, the model is replete with raised rivet
detail on the aft fuselage and vertical tails!
GAU-8A Avenger
The GAU-8A Avenger 30 mm cannon is represented with a beautiful 30 piece
assembly. One thing that I did notice is that the ammo belts are represented as open
belts instead of flex chutes, but some modification in this area can probably still
represent the flex chutes (are you listening, Eduard?) The gun is completely
represented from the muzzle all the way back to the ammo drum, and is really nice.
WINGS
One really nice feature about this kit that I gleaned from reading through the
instructions are that the Fowler flaps are completely movabe (that's both flaps on both
wings!) In addition, the decelerons are movable as well.
For the modeler who was asking, the chaff/flare dispensers on the undersides of the
gear sponsons are there, and appear to be of the correct type, although the ones on the
sponsons appear to be slightly undersized. Also, you have the option of opening the
refueling receptacle on the port side sponson. The Pave Penny pod is included, and
FINALLY, someone has included a clear piece for the seeker head of the pod!
ENGINES
The TF-34 engines are very well represented by one piece resin castings, and the
modeler is provided with optional clear parts for the engine nacelles, a la the 'Phantom
Mustang'. Optional position (movable?) engine doors are also a feature.
(Oh, and by the way, the bird is EGI/LASTE equipped. If you're modeling a Desert
Storm bird, get out the sanding sticks).
COCKPIT
As I said before, the cockpit is the only downer of the kit - it has almost no detail at
all, save for a fairly nice ACES II seat (in multi piece injection, not resin as
previuously speculated).
WEAPONS
Weapons provided include AIM-9L/M on DRA, and ALQ-119 ECM pod, X2 BLU-27
napalm canisters, X2 Mk. 20 Rockeyes, X6 CBU-52s, a GBU-10 Paveway I, GBU-8
TV guided bomb, X6 AGM-65 Mavericks, and X12 Mk. 82 LDGPs (which are best
left in the box, IMHO). The kit also comes with a pair of MERs. Now, IIRC, the A-10
is not authorized to carry MERs, except to carry and deliver those little 25 lb. practice
bombs, so unless you're doing a training loadout, leave these in the box as well. As an
alternative, you can use the MK 20 Rockeyes found in the Tamiya F-15E kit, Mk. 82s
from the Revell F-15E kit (both of the aforementioned kits have plenty of ordnance
left over which is in better shape than the stuff provided with the kit). Also, you could
consider using CBU-87s from Flightpath, or Mk.20 or Mk. 82 AIR from CAM as
well.
Just my opinion.......
Also, the kit does not provide an ALQ-184 or ALQ-131 ECM pod for later Hogs,
although you could modify the ALQ-119 to represent a 184 by lengthening the lower
gondola.
DECALS
Decals are provided for two aircraft: an Eglin bird (80-209), and an AFRES bird (77-
272). I havent had time to look over the decals in much detail, but I'm going to use my
TwoBobs sheet anyway, so it wasn't a priority for me.
That's about it for this sneak peek - look for a detailed in-box review (with lots of
pictures) later this week at the Aircraft Resource Center. I'm going back to my kit to
fondle the parts a bit more!!!!!!
--
There is no excuse my friend
for breaking my heart
breaking my heart again
This is where our journey ends
--
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◆ From: round241.mc.ntu.edu.tw