Introduction

This is a first look review of what’s in the box.

The Kit

The sturdy box is medium-size and contains 223 parts on 6 grey, 1 white and 1 clear sprues, 1 etched fret containing instrument panel and seat belts, 1 acetate backing for the panel, 1 hexagonal metal shaft, a nice decal sheet and an instruction booklet. All sprues, decals and etch are packed in their own separate bags, well protected from damage.

Everything is crisply moulded in the "standard" light grey plastic. All surface details are recessed and not as overdone as earlier. All control surfaces are moulded in place (no more pins and hinges), the wheels are moulded in plastic with separate hubs (not weighted! ), the instrument panel is a etched part with acetate backing, only the propeller(s) consists of 17 parts(!) and can be built fully functioning contra-rotating!

Wings can be built folded or extended, flaps down or up and there are lots of things to hang under the wings (60lb. Rockets x8, 90-Gal. wing tanks x2, 1000lbs bombs x4, 500lb. torpedo, centreline fuel tank and two RATOG bottles). All the holes are flashed over so you’ll have to drill out the holes for your selected weaponry and RATOG´S. Those annoying ejector pin marks are there, but they are placed so they cannot be seen when parts are assembled.

Decals and instructions

Decals are provided for three aircrafts, all in the same scheme of Dark Sea Grey over Sky.

One option is J, WN325 830Sqn, HMS Eagle 1956, Suez (Operation Musketeer?), complete with the stripes! The other two aircrafts are 388, WN335, 831Sqn, HMS Ark Royal 1957 and 278, WL879 813Sqn, HMS Eagle 1958. A first look at the decals gives a good impression being printed in register with good colours.

Instructions are in the usual clear Trumpeter style with colour callouts for Gunze Sangyo only.

Conclusion

With every new issue Trumpeter shows that they are listening to what the modellers want and are trying hard to fulfil every wish! If Trumpeter only could give us a paint chart as some other manufacturers do. But remember that Revell and Airfix only use their own brands too. This is a top quality kit, well on par with Hasegawa and Tamiya.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AeroScale.