Introduction

This is actually my second build and review of this kit (See review posted October 24th, 2015). This time around it’s the same great kit with some really striking markings. My research says Aircraft # 92-8906 was specially painted for an airshow that was cancelled due to a typhoon. You do get a second marking option without the cool artwork but I can’t imagine building this kit as such.

I’m not going to go into the history of the Eagle as it is well documented many other places. Unlike the first build where I used a nice photoetch set, this Eagle was built out of the box with the exception of some seat harnesses from the spares drawer.

Master Model is a Polish company. The owner is Piotr Czerkasow who is a mechanical engineer by trade. Piotr is also a scale modeler. Master model has a broad range of accessories for aircraft, military vehicles, and ships in several of the popular scales. In addition, they also offer a blackening agent until their Tools and Supplies tab.

Background

The Dornier Do 335 Pfeil ("Arrow") was a World War II heavy fighter built by the Dornier company. The two-seater trainer version was called Ameisenbär ("anteater"). The Pfeil's performance was much better than other twin-engine designs due to its unique push-pull configuration and the lower aerodynamic drag of the in-line alignment of the two engines. It was Germany's fastest piston-engined aircraft of World War II. The Luftwaffe was desperate to get the design into operational use, but delays in engine deliveries meant that only a handful was delivered before the war ended.

This set comes in an extremely large box considering the size of the completed conversion but it takes a lot of room to hold what is in the set. There are four clear bags worth three containing resin and one containing photo-etch, instrument decals and clear sheet for instruments. The photo etch has a standard brass sheet and a second sheet that is full color photo etch. Next in the box is a lengthy full color instruction sheet containing twelve pages that clearly describe what kit parts to modify and where the update set parts go.

From Coastal Kits website: Founded in 2011, Coastal Kits is a family run business based in Blackpool, Lancashire UK and originally retailed plastic model kits and associated hobby supplies.

During the latter end of 2012/early 2013 we introduced our own range of display bases, encouraged by a successful launch at Scale Model World Telford where they were well received. Because of the success and popularity of the product we decided to concentrate solely on the manufacture and supply of our display bases.

Continually developed, and after listening closely to our customers, the range covers a variety of popular scales and subjects with a choice of over 220. Custom bases are also provided to customer requirements when requested.

The AN/ALQ-184 electronic countermeasures pod is used by the US Air Force and the Air National Guard on tactical aircraft including the F-16 and the A-10. The pod is a self-protection jammer and is available in either two or three band versions.

This set depicts the shorter version of the ALQ-184, so presumably it is the two band version and it is often seen on the centerline pylon of USAF F-16s or an outer wing pylon of the A-10. The set is very straightforward consisting of simply of resin cast pod. The casting is outstanding and includes several small antennas on the nose of the pod. I used a sharp razor saw to remove the pod itself from the pour stub as well and then cleaned up the stub attachment points with a fine sanding stick.