Box and contents
The Revell box artwork is usually impressive enough and that’s the case here – an image of an AC-47D Gunship doing its worst over enemy territory.
Let’s go inside
The grey sprues are packaged well and no damage is apparent. Taking the main components first, they are well tooled, raised panel line detail may not suit everyone but it has a quality feel. Some of the detail looks a little soft around the edges and unsurprising given the age of this kit. No distortion was apparent and a dry fit of the main fuselage promises a decent fit; the initial impression is one of a lot of detail parts that will go to make up a nice representative model in 1:48 scale.
Cockpit and interior
Decals are available on the decal sheet to add to the instrument panels in the cockpit, although you could simply paint the raised detail on the cockpit panels instead. The other internal details are well detailed too as you can see from the attached photos and will add a fair bit to the eventual look – especially those fuselage-mounted Miniguns / rotary guns.
Engines
This area of the model is well dealt with – two different types of propeller are included, paddle-blades or pointy-blades, depending on the exact aircraft you are building. I think the manufacturer’s made up model should have the paddle-bladed props fitted but just check your references and both are supplied whichever way you want to go.
Engine faces with cylinders are very softly moulded and you might want to replace these.
The engine exhaust stacks are hollow and look fine on the manufacturer’s model.
Undercarriage units
Impressively detailed units are supplied that will be highly visible on your finished model – as is typical of the type.
Options and stores
Options in your box and includes:
- Various antennae
- 3 ground/crew figures
- Open rear left cargo door with rotary guns
- Flare dispensers
- Internal seating
Clear parts
The clear parts look clear and the windscreen is provided as a one-piece moulding; but a dry fit and photos from Revell of the finished model suggest all will fit.
Instructions
Decals
Options for two different aircraft are included:
- Douglas AC-47D Gunship, 3rd. Air Commando Squadron, Nha Trang AB, South Vietnam, 1968
- Douglas AC-47D Gunship, 4412 Combat Crew Training Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida 1971.
The AC-47 had a naturally understated three-tone camo scheme with black under surfaces – very menacing. You can see the sheet above and quality looks good with all markings in register.
Looking at the manufacturer’s completed model (above) the decals will look good when carefully applied.
Conclusion
This is a great subject and it’s great that it’s back and readily available at the time of writing. This model will provide all military fans, especially those with interest in the Vietnam War or a South East Asia theme with an opportunity to expand their collection.
The model itself looks to be well engineered from the dry/test-fit. Moulding is good and the raised panel detail ok in my opinion although you may have a different view and feel that a complete panel line re-scribe is justified – your call.
Personally I love this model, but I’m acutely aware that this is testing my objectivity of the kit package to the limit. The model is already with Adam B who is going to do his usual great job of fine, subtle weathering and finishing and so keep an eye out for that build in Build Now during the build and when it’s finished in the Revell area of Finished Now.
Geoff C.
SMN Quick summary star rating out of 5
| FEATURE | STAR RATING (out of five) |
|---|---|
| Quality of moulding | *** |
| Accuracy | **** |
| Instructions | *** |
| Level of detail | *** |
| Decals | **** |
| Subject choice | ***** |
| Overall | *** |