Background

The Nord AS-30 is an air-to-ground missile. This two stage rocket propelled missile entered production in 1973. The initial booster section of the rocket motor exhausts on each side of the missile at the rear while the longer running sustainer rocket exhausts at the rear center of the missile. The impact speed is over 1000 mph. The missile carries a 240 kg. warhead of the semi-armor piercing high explosive type. Control of the missile is through the pilot using a small joystick to send signals to the missile. This requires the pilot to maintain sight of the missile. A later version of the AS-30 utilizes laser homing guidance for control. I am not sure if there are any visual differences between these variants. This weapon is used by the air forces of over a dozen countries.

This is a color photo etch set for the cockpit and ejection sets of Trumpeter’s new Su-24MR Fencer E kit. While the kit’s molded in details are not bad, this set really spruces up the cockpit.

This is a difficult kit to assemble with some significant fit issues with many of the parts. An old diecast version of this car was previously issued by Protar, and it looks like Italeri worked directly from the diecast kit. The Italeri plastic parts are identical to the Protar diecast parts, including ejection pins and sink marks. It looks like Italeri used the Protar parts to make their molds. This helps to explain some of the rough spots, lack of crisp decal on the parts, and all the nut & bolt fasteners.

When I first saw that these were released, I was a little confused as they had previously released set 48585 which was a set of scoops. The confusion was solved with a little research. The initial release was for the OV-1 early versions while these scoops are specific to the OV-1D Roden release. Problem solved but there is no mention of which is which on the either set so modelers will need to do the research. On to the parts review.

The set includes three scoops with no seam lines and deep insets. Casting is perfect and removal is simple with a saw blade. Installation is also simple with one scoop on the left by the cockpit and the other two on the top of the fuselage. There is an excellent note explaining which Quickboost parts replace which kit parts. As you can see by the pictures showing comparison, these parts are much improved with better profile and depth in the openings.

Normandie-Niemen were Free French fighters who flew for the Russians following the fall of France. Their exploits while flying Yak-3s is the stuff of legends. Until now, if you wanted to have one of these pilots in your diorama, you had to settle on a Russian pilot in Russian flight gear. Not anymore.

Molded in light grey resin, this pilot figure contains four parts: the body; arm; and two heads, one with a dress hat and one with a flying helmet on. The pose is completely natural with the pilot standing upright with a parachute draped over his shoulder. You can put either head on him. I’m going to put the dress cap on mine, since it is uniquely French. Both faces are well sculpted and very high quality.

Assembly is easy, just remove the parts from the block and assemble. The figure will look really nice next to an Eduard, Zvezda, or Accurate Miniatures Yak-3.