The Yak-38 Forger was the Soviet Union’s equivalent to the Harrier. Built to operate from the KIEV Class Aircraft-Carrying Cruiser, the Forger provided limited air defense and anti-surface ship capability. The Forger relied on the main engine to provide the forward thrust and the lift capability for the rear fuselage. Unlike the Harrier, it had two dedicated lift engines behind the pilot to assist with VTOL. Like the Harrier, the Forger had spring-loaded blow-in doors in the intakes to provide more air during takeoff and landings. And, like the Harriers, when the Forger was shut down, these doors could often be found in the open position. I have provided an image from a Soviet State Publication on the Navy of the period that shows the open intakes to good effect. Unfortunately, the Hobby Boss kit provides intakes with the doors closed. You could open these doors and make replacements from styrene strip. Quickboost, however, has done this for you with this set.

The Product

Arriving on the heels of their all-new Bf-109E in 1/48 scale, the boys at Eduard have already produced an excellent and comprehensive photo etch upgrade set. Considering the beautiful, highly detailed, all-new tooling Eduard kit, I wondered what else they could add to this superb kit. The answer is easy. Starting in the cockpit, we get a new document box, rudder petals, trim wheels, plus all the extra small items that add the finishing touches where needed. The gun bay and engine also benefit by adding ammo box grab handles. The DB 601 benefits from adding lifting-jack points, intake screen, and a top case plate. New cowling formers for the engine bearers and a cap for the header tank are also included. The radiators also get the treatment with new exit doors that include the proper linkages. We also have new interiors for the main landing gear wells, as well as gear-leg parts that include drag links, brake-plates, and brake-lines.

I typically start my reviews with a brief history of the item that I am reviewing, but in this instance, the item represented is a pilot for either an F-16 or an F/A-18. What I will tell you is that the latest 1/48 scale figure offering by PJ Production from Belgium is a nicely designed figure wearing an HGU-55 helmet along with a standard flight suit, G-suit, and Nomex gloves. The figure comes with a single left arm and two different right arms, as the controls are different for the Falcon and Hornet (the Falcon has its control stick located on the right console where the Hornet is centered in front of the pilot).

One of the last things I add to an aircraft model before calling it complete is the pitot tube. It's too easy to break off otherwise. If it didn't have such an important function and was not so noticeable on the aircraft, I think I'd leave it off.

A French engineer named Henri Pitot invented the pitot tube in the 18th century. It was a device to measure pressure and determine the velocity of a fluid flowing past it. It has since been modified and significantly improved to determine the airspeed of an aircraft. Today's sophisticated pitot tube measures the air pressure as the aircraft "flows" through the air.

Eduard has fired up another set of seatbelts to fit in with their PE Interior set for the 1/32 F/A-18E. Aside from their beautiful and accurate seatbelts, Eduard has also included lots of stuff for the enhancement of the seat for this kit. It has colored “padding” which fits to the seat bottom and back. There are also other small items that can be added to the seat for detail that will make this seat really something to look at. The belts and all the other items are painted beautifully with details that can’t otherwise be matched by dry brushing. The instructions are clear and concise and, importantly, not intimidating. Of course, the use of CA glue will be necessary, but using it sparingly and carefully along with a little weathering or a wash should produce great looking results. I definitely recommend this package for this kit, which plainly shows that a little can go a long way. Also, the price is right, which makes it a complete value.