Magic Factory Iron Dome Air Defence System 1:35

The Kit

Magic Factory seems to be a new start-up company and produces models such as a PLF Destroyer and Chinese space hardware. This kit seems to be the first non-Chinese subject. Although the kit is labelled as Air Defence System, Iron Dome, it comprises just the launcher part of the system. The box art is quite nice and depicts a missile leaving the launcher.

The plastic is a sandy colour and on first inspection looks to be nicely moulded with nary a hint of flash evident. There are a number of metal parts included as well as a sheet of photo etch, two small decal sheets, a length of Ariel wire and two incongruous figures (more on these later). The instruction booklet is nicely done with clear and logical construction stages and English wording which has been translated properly, unlike most Chinese offerings!

Two options are included, an Israeli Defence Force desert yellow version or a US Army flat black launcher. There are few differences between the two but the instructions are clear on the different parts to be used.

There are quite a number of small parts in this model which normally can be a pain to remove from the sprues without breaking. I was to find that this wasn’t the case here. All the sprue gates are very narrow and the styrene is very pliable. This made clean-up of the parts as easy as a quick wipe with a file.

Construction

Now, because the price of Tamiya Extra Thin cement has almost doubled in the last twelve months, I decided to go with a tip I was given by a fellow modeller and built this model using standard cellulose thinner purchased off the internet. The cost for 500ml was the same as two 40ml bottles of extra thin. The result was………………exactly the same as the proprietary brand with no problems whatsoever. Result!

Construction begins with the base. Lots of small parts to add to the basic unit which could have been fiddly but, because of the excellent engineering, was a pleasure. In fact, this was the point at which I really started to enjoy putting this model together. The PE parts, although few in number, were similarly easy to attach.

With the base complete, there could now be added the electrical cabinets, what looks like a stand-alone generator or possibly a hydraulic pump. The latter was the only component I left off the base unit to be painted separately. The four retractable legs were now built up using plastic and metal rods and attached. The hook and arms assembly, to which the launcher crate will later attach, is assembled next, along with the four hydraulic rams which raise and lower it. These rams consist of plastic cylinder and manifolds with a metal piece for the piston rod. This assembly is now mounted to the base. This is the point at which the modeller must decide if the model is to be completed in the transport or operational mode. I suspect, like me, most will build it ready for action.

Read on…