Let’s go inside
The grey sprues are packaged well in separate ply bags and no damage is apparent. Taking the main components first, they are well tooled, recessed panel line detail and having a quality feel, some of the best I have seen in this scale. No distortion was apparent and a dry-fit of the upper/lower laterally-split fuselage promises a decent fit; the initial impression is one of a lot of detail parts that will go to make up an impressively large model in 1:48 scale.
The huge fuselage is split into three main sub-sections: front, centre and rear – the latter including the tail unit.
Cockpit and interior
Decals are available on the decal sheet to add to the instrument panels in the cockpit, and, to be honest, I think this is ok on this model given the location of the main instrument panel sitting well forward in the cockpit. Raised detail is there too for seat belts and although I’m generally not a fan of this at all, especially in larger scale models, they look ok if carefully painted (see manufacturer’s model pics above).
Engine cans
These will look good under some Alclad2 metallic paint and a good opportunity to add some of their ‘Hot Metal’ colours in the process. The engine face is located suitably far down the jet exhaust to feel and look realistic.
Undercarriage units
Impressively detailed units are supplied that will be highly visible on your finished model – as is typical of the type. The hydraulic lines are moulded there too and some simple cleaning up should see them usable as is.
Summary of main kit features
- Detailed surfaces with recessed panel joints
- Moveable swing wings or can be fixed in position
- Moveable rear elevator
- Removable emergency escape hatch
- Detailed main undercarriage
- Bomb shaft doors may be optionally mounted in the open or closed position
- Removable nose cone with detailed radar equipment
- Detailed cockpit and operations centre
- Moveable cockpit ladder
- 2 bomb-shafts with a total of 16 AGM-69 SRAM guided missiles
- Additional fuel tank in the third bomb shaft
- Separate tyres.
Clear parts
The clear parts are tinted with a smoke-grey tint and look clear and blemish-free.
Instructions and decals
The Revell instructions follow their usual exploded stages format. Location of parts is clear but colour paint coding is for Revell paints only. You’ll have to match your own choice of paints if you go elsewhere for your choice of colour. The build sequence is pretty standard and logical but many modellers will part company with the stated order to suit their experience.
- Rockwell B-1B Lancer, 77 Weapons Squadron, USAF Weapons School, Dyess AFB, Texas, October 2012
- Rockwell B-1B Lancer, 116 Bomb Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, Robins AFB, Georgia, July 2000
Stencil detail is also provided and is almost always well worth adding, especially in 1:48 scale (and being a grey-coloured subject) to add additional interest to your completed model, but I suspect you’ll have your own views on this. All the colours are in register and colour density looks impressive and carrier film limited, so I wouldn’t expect any problems with application. Looking at the manufacturer’s completed model (see attached photos) the decals will look great when carefully applied.
Conclusion
This is a good subject and will provide all modern military fans with an opportunity to expand their collection; especially if you like your aircraft BIG or creating a themed collection. The model itself looks to be very well engineered at first glance from the dry/test-fit. Moulding is good and the panel detail excellent for current 1:48 scale kits.
Recommended for all scale modellers.
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 | **** |