Developed jointly by the US Air Force and US Navy starting in 1971, the AIM-9L was a vastly improved Sidewinder that was based on the H-model. The missile used All-Aspect Capability against maneuvering targets, as well as high-speed targets. The forward canards were longer in span, and of a double-delta design. Production began in 1978 with over 16,000 missiles being built by Philco-Ford, Raytheon, BGT (Germany), and Mitsubishi.
For any who have missed it, Aviaeology out of Canada produces decals specific to many Canadian themed subjects. The first thing that hits you when you purchase one of their sets is the detail provided to replicate specific aircraft. The research going into these decals is second to none. This set includes markings for nine different aircraft in a variety of schemes. Here’s a quick list:
Developed as a follow up to the B and C models of the Sidewinder, the AIM-9D featured a Nitrogen cooled Infrared (IR) seeker and utilized the Hercules MK 36 solid-fuel rocket motor. Philco-Ford and Raytheon produced about 1000 of the missiles between 1965 and 1969. The missile was 9 feet, 5 inches long; 24.8 inches across the rear fins, and had a diameter of 5 inches. Weighing in at 195 pounds (25 pounds belonging to the warhead), the missile could travel at over Mach 2.5 with a range of 9.7 nautical miles. The AIM-9D is credited with aerial victories over twenty-two aircraft during the Vietnam War (8 MiG-21 and 14 MiG-17’s) being launched from F-8E/C/H Crusaders and F-4B and J Phantom II’s of the US Navy.
One of the latest releases from Eduard in their Brassin line is this ejection seat meant to replace the kit part in the Tamiya 1/72 scale F-16CJ Fighting Falcon. The Eduard set consists of one resin part and a photoetch fret with eight items that can be used to dress up the appearance of the cockpit of the Tamiya kit. The F-16CJ Block 50 release by Tamiya follows their impressive renditions first rolled out in 1/32 scale, and later in 1/48.
One of the latest releases from Eduard in their Brassin line is an exhaust nozzle meant to replace the kit provided one in the Tamiya 1/72 scale F-16CJ Fighting Falcon. The set consists of two resin parts and a photoetch fret that can be used to dress up the appearance of the Tamiya kit. The F-16CJ Block 50 release by Tamiya follows their impressive renditions first rolled out in 1/32 scale, and later in 1/48.
History
The C-17 was funded for development in 1984 and the first one was delivered in 1991 to the USAF for testing. The C-17 was originally designed to replace the C-130 and augment the C-5 and C-141. As we all know the C-130 and the C-5 are still going and the C-141 has been removed from service and has been sent to the boneyard for scrapping. The initial order was for 120 units and that was bumped up in 2002 following the attacks of September 11th to 180. Although the USAF is the main user there are many other countries that utilize the C-17.
The Kit
The kit is molded in light gray plastic. Several of the parts had a grainy texture to them and several of the sprue attachment points were thick and difficult to remove. The construction is fairly straight forward.
Thank you to Classic Warships Publishing for providing another exciting volume in the excellent Aircraft Pictorial series. I am also very appreciative of the IPMS Reviewer Corps for allowing me the chance to examine this volume and report my opinions.
In case you missed the IPMS/USA Nationals this past summer, Eduard released a 1/48 scale F-14A Tomcat as part of a special Danger Zone boxing that included a slew of photoetch and resin detail parts along with the plane. I mention this as some of the detail items, such as this set, are now being released to further spruce up the limited edition release. I have never seen anything like this fabric set, so I would consider this a warning shot across the bow of other detail part manufacturers.
Quickboost’s latest item is a detailed seat, with the harness installed, for the Meng 1/32 Scale Me 163B. All you need to do to use this seat is paint to it, remove it from the pour stub, and install it. This seat is well worth the investment, as it will save you the time of building a seat with harness. In person, it looks a lot better than under a digital camera’s lens.
This item is, like all Quickboost parts, worth every penny!
Thanks to Aires for providing IPMS/USA with this review set and to the IPMS/USA leadership for passing it my way!
In case you missed the IPMS-USA Nationals this past summer, Eduard released a 1/48 scale F-14A Tomcat as part of a special “Danger Zone” packaging that includes a slew of photo etch and resin detail parts along with the plane. I mention this as some of the detail items, such as this set are now being released to further spruce up the Limited Edition release. This set includes fabric seatbelt pieces as well as the photoetch parts for all of the connectors, buckles, etc.
