1:32nd Scale
Manufacturer: Revell, Germany
Kit / Product: Kit No: 04783 – Eurofighter Typhoon & Engine
Reviewer: James Vaitkevicius
Our thanks to Revell Germany for the review sample: www.revell.de
NB – check out the Early Inspection Review (EIR) by Geoff Coughlin
Background info
My first review for Scale Modelling Now; I have this year dived into the world of 1:32 scale and simply love the attention to detail that manufacturers offer us in this scale. I have previously built models by Tamiya and Trumpeter also in 1:32nd scale; however, this will be my first Revell kit. I am sure you are all aware that this is the eagerly anticipated reply to the Trumpeter kit released earlier this year, which (from previous reviews) lacked detail and accuracy compared to the real aircraft. Revell have included in the kit an option to remove the engine including a static trolley to depict the airframe being maintained. The airframe also includes a detailed airbrake and the option to extend the In Flight Refuelling probe (IFR) should you wish to do so.
The decal sheet presents the Typhoon F2 in schemes from the German Air Force: “Jagdgeschwader 74- ‘Mölders’”, based at Neuburg and the Royal Air Force: 11 Squadron, based at RAF Coningsby. The F2 standard will be deployed primarily as air-superiority fighters, and will be equipped with a potent precision ground-attack capability.
A brief overview of the capability of the Typhoon F2 is as follows:
“This highly capable and extremely agile aircraft is powered by twin turbofans to Mach 2 at 65,000ft. The airframe is largely constructed of carbon fibre composites and light alloys to save weight while the aircraft is equipped with the advanced ECR90 radar, which can track multiple targets at long range. The pilot can carry out many functions by voice command while aircraft manoeuvre; weapon and defensive aid deployment is done through a combined stick and throttle. All of these innovations dramatically simplify operation of the aircraft in combat. Combined with an advanced cockpit that is fully compatible with night-vision goggles, the pilot is superbly equipped for air combat”
(Source: http://www.raf.mod.uk/equipment/typhooneurofighter.cfm)
The Kit measures 498mm in length and has a wingspan of 349mm and includes for a variety of air to air weapons only. I am sure the aftermarket companies will benefit in the supply of various air to ground weapons that the Typhoon will be cleared to use (Brimstone, Storm Shadow, Enhanced Paveway, Paveway IV).
For the purpose of this build, it is my intention to construct the model as an FGR-4 version (upgraded F2 Multi Role airframe), which the following ordinance:
- 2No. GBU-16 Paveway bombs (from the Tamiya F14A Tomcat kit
- 1No. Isracast RAFAEL Litening Pd
- Decals from TwoBobs – ZJ939 “DXI” – 11 Squadron – RAF Coningsby
- AIM-120B missiles (from the kit)