Whew, this was a strange one and I apologize up front to Kitty Hawk. They were nice enough to send us a sample and somewhere between them and us, the USPS lost the kit. Every effort to find it or get it back failed. In the end, I bought the kit as I really wanted it. More importantly, let’s look at the kit!

The FJ-2 Fury was the result of an effort to convert the USAF’s F-86 Sabre to a carrier-based plane. It included folding wings and a longer nose gear strut. Kitty Hawk has come out with kit KH80155. Inside the box, you will find three well-made gray sprues with recessed panel lines, a clear sprue, a small photoetch set for details and seat belts plus a decal sheet. With this initial release, Kitty Hawk also included two resin figures which are very nicely done. Looking at the kit, the build is separated into front and back as the plane can be posed with each portion separate. I wanted a buttoned-up plane, so all the access panels and engine panels are closed off.

For one of their latest releases, Brengun has issued a pair of AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles in 1/48 scale for arming your latest modern aircraft in this scale. This is a relatively easy upgrade for modelers that have some experience with resin and photoetched parts. Assembly is straightforward, which adds to the ease of using these replacement missiles.

The AIM-9X is the latest development of the venerable Sidewinder missile, and manufactured by Raytheon, it is currently in use by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and more than two dozen NATO countries and U.S. allies. The missile uses infra-red tracking and actually maintains the rocket motor, warhead, and fuse of the predecessor AIM-9M. The big change with the X is the use of thrust vectoring to allow the missile to quickly change direction during flight. The AIM-9X was first tested in 1999 and was in full operation in 2004.

In keeping with other figures that are offered by AeroBonus, the figure consists of a head, two arms, and a body. This “kit” consists of four parts, all attached to a resin runner. Looking at the accompanying images there are two rectangular “partitions” also attached on either end of the runner. These are not parts to be added to the figure. They serve as “safety” barriers to prevent damage to the four body parts. Removal of these two barriers with a razor saw will make it much easier to cut the kit parts away from the runner. The arms and head are quite small, and it is wise to exercise some caution when removing them from the runner “lest ye old Carpet Monster” attempts to abscond with them. Do not ask me how I know.