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Trumpeter's 1/144 scale A-50 Mainstay is available online from Squadron.com
S
u m m a r y
|
| Catalogue Number: |
03903 |
| Scale: |
1/144 |
| Contents and Media: |
104 injection molded pieces, 1 decal
sheet |
| Price: |
USD$31.95 (USD$26.96
from Squadron.com) |
| Review Type: |
First Look |
| Advantages: |
Excellent fit, fine recessed panel
lines |
| Disadvantages: |
Expensive, no cockpit, markings for
1 aircraft only |
| Recommendation: |
Recommended |
Reviewed by Dave Roof
Trumpeter's 1/144 scale A-50 Mainstay is an absolutely beautiful kit.
The model comprises 104 injection moulded styrene parts. Panel lines are finely
recessed and well done. The clear parts for the cockpit and tail are flawless
and fit like a glove.
Decals are in register and very thin. Markings for one
aircraft are included.
Click the thumbnails below
to view larger images:
The only drawback to the kit is the lack of a cockpit.
Although not much can be seen in the cockpit of a 1/144 scale transport
type aircraft, it would have been nice if Trumpeter had included
something for the interior. Even a basic deck and bulkhead with
generic shapes for seats would have helped here. Due to the clarity of
the cockpit glass, you can see all the way to the back of the plane
through them.
The leading edge slats are molded separate from the
wings, which is a nice touch. However, the instructions tell you to glue
them in the closed position, so I'm not real clear as to why they were
done separate in the first place.
Each engine consists of five pieces and they are
designed in a way that leave no interior seam in the front. I have
assembled one of them and it fit together very nicely.
The instructions are clear and easy to understand with
only one omission. Trumpeter fails to tell you to open holes on the top
of the fuselage to attach parts F3 and F17. These parts hold the radar
dish on the top of the fuselage. There are two slots on the inside top
of the fuselage parts, but no clear instructions on exactly where to
make the holes.
The paint color call outs are for Gunze Mr. Color, so a
little work will be needed to match the colors to your preferred brand
of paint.
In the photos below you will notice that I have already
taped the main parts together. The fit is so good that it is hard to see
where the fuselage seam is in the close-up of the wing to fuselage join
picture.
Click the thumbnails below
to view larger images:
At USD$31.95, the Mainstay is a little expensive for a
1/144 scale kit. However, it is an excellent model of a long overlooked
aircraft. Now all Trumpeter has to do is release this kit in 1/72 scale!
Recommended.
Review and Images Copyright © 2002 by
Dave Roof
Page Created 03 January, 2002
Last updated 22 July, 2003
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