One of the great things I have always found about modeling is that I never fail to learn something here and there. This set of the GBU-39 and the BRU-61 bomb rack caught my attention as, frankly, I had never heard of it. A quick Google and I was hooked and volunteered to review the set.

The GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb is just that, a smaller 250 lb. weapon which is a precision guided glide bomb. Its intent is to allow aircraft to carry more weapons and destroy more targets. Think of it this way, a plane has four pylons for example. At a bomb per pylon, that’s four total. Using adapters, at two bombs per pylon, eight targets can be destroyed. Using the GBU-39 with BRU-61 rack, the plane can carry sixteen bombs and destroy sixteen targets. Adding to that, the effective range of this weapon is over 50 miles and it can use multiple targeting systems. To get that long distance, it deploys wings to allow a glide range of over 50 miles. Interesting stuff.

Eduard has issued the first release of these weapons in its classic gray resin and it comes with two BRU-61 dispensers and eight GBU-39 bombs and decals. Prep work is simple, cut the casting block off the dispenser and sand smooth. Cut the rear casting block off the bombs, carefully trim the fins and sand the back smooth then trim a small nipple off the front and we’re ready. I primed a set using Alclad gray primer and set aside for overnight drying.

The BRU-61 rack was painted FS36118 from Xtracolor and let dry. The shackles were then painted silver. The bombs were painted gloss white. The instructions call for a silver tail with orange details and with a tan nose cone. The fin unit is black except for the wings. Looking at operational pictures, I see the fin unit being dark gray to black but the bombs are overall white with tan noses. So, I went with that. Lastly, there is a bit of orange also noted up under the deployable wings. With all these colors on a piece under an inch in size, I did go back and do several touch ups.

Before proceeding, it was decal time and there are a lot on the little tiny missiles- eight on each one and they are small. The decals wanted to fold over but patience and Microsol got them to their positions. There are five decals on the base unit and they went on with no issues. A black wash on the base unit and the missiles were attached. An overall flat coat was applied in several steps and done.

Definitely recommended. The odds of a kit maker producing these is not good and with advances occurring in weaponry, this is a great way to keep your models up to date. My thanks to Eduard for the opportunity to review this great set.