Instructions
The instructions are a double-sided long fold out style, which means you have to keep re-folding them to show two pages at a time in sequence. Five pages cover the thirteen stages of construction and, straight out of the box, it should be a fairly quick build. The part count isn’t that high for the size of the aircraft.
The instructions also cover the painting scheme in a black and white picture so care will need to be taken to identify the correct colours and position of the camouflage pattern. There are no paint manufacturers call outs just the FS codes for the main colours and white. The engines are simply coded ‘steel’.
Model Masters have ‘Flanker’ colours in their enamel range some of which I got to do the kit but I think I may have got the wrong ones so I have ordered the three main ones from White Ensign Models. I quite like their Colourcoat range and I have used them in conjunction with cellulose thinners on ship models with great success before so will probably go with them.
In conclusion
In conclusion, I am quite looking forward to building this gorgeous looking aircraft. There are issues with the kit regarding accuracy in some place, especially the nose cone, but in all honesty any issues can be sorted with a bit of care or throwing loads of money at it.
Eduard and Wolfpack do some resin for it including ‘corrected’ wheel wells and resin cockpits and that nose. I do have a standard Eduard photo etch set for it but to be honest, especially around the cockpit side panels which are overhung by the curving cockpit walls, it looks a little flat as the kit tub has loads of raised detail which could be picked out and washed to reasonable effect. I will decide on that when I build it.
I am a little disappointed that neither the box nor the instructions give any details about the aircraft and its history. The instructions do not even give a unit, date or location for the one scheme given. However there is nothing to lead me to believe this will not be a great kit to build, paint and display.
SMN Quick summary Star rating out of 5
| FEATURE | STAR RATING (out of five) |
|---|---|
| Quality of moulding | **** |
| Accuracy | **** |
| Instructions | *** (no background info) |
| Decals | *** (only 1 scheme) |
| Subject choice | ***** |
| Overall | **** |