Skunkmodels Workshop IDF Weapons Set - 1/72 scale Rockets ...
Skunkmodels Workshop IDF Weapons Set - 1/72 scale Rockets ...
Skunkmodels Workshop IDF Weapons Set - 1/72 scale Rockets ...
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Kit Review<br />
<strong>Skunkmodels</strong> <strong>Workshop</strong> <strong>IDF</strong> <strong>Weapons</strong> <strong>Set</strong>, 1/<strong>72</strong> <strong>scale</strong>, kit no. SW-<strong>72</strong>001<br />
by Al Magnus<br />
Until this release, obtaining detail sets for <strong>IDF</strong> aircraft weapons forced the modeller to search for<br />
aftermarket resin items, which usually meant getting them piecemeal from different sources. With<br />
the <strong>Skunkmodels</strong> <strong>Workshop</strong> set you get the more common <strong>IDF</strong> types all in one convenient<br />
package and in injected plastic, which in my opinion is always the better and more flexible<br />
medium when compared to resin.<br />
Inside there are 4 sprues, consisting of 168 parts molded in a medium grey plastic. Three different<br />
missiles are provided. They are:<br />
Missile No. of No. of parts Kit Part No.s<br />
Copies per missile<br />
Delilah 4 9 A1, A2, A3(x4), A4, A5(x2)<br />
Python-4 4 3 D1, D2, D3<br />
AGM-142 Popeye 4 11 F1, F2, F3(x4), F4 (x4), F5<br />
Also included are parts for AN/AXQ-14 and AN/AAQ-28 pods, and Rafael Spice guided bomb.<br />
Initial inspection of the parts shows that this set is quite well done. Detail on the parts is excellent.<br />
Panel lines are of the engraved variety. Fins are provided as separate pieces save for a couple of<br />
fins on the body of the Python-4.<br />
Construction of the missiles is straight forward with only a few parts for each. The Delilah<br />
assembles easily. The only problem encountered was with the base of the pitot tube (part A4)<br />
which is too small for the recess in the body. This had to be filled with some plastic and sanded<br />
flush to the body. The pitot was then attached after trimming some plastic from its base so it<br />
would not sit too proud. The rear fins (part A3 ), which at first I thought were going to be a major<br />
fit problem, actually turned out to fit perfectly.<br />
© AC Magnus 2010
As for the Python-4 and AGM-142 Popeye there are problems with the fins. As nice as it is to<br />
have these as separate pieces they suffer from an affliction common to most manufacturers who<br />
go this route – the fins are much too thin for the slots molded into the missile bodies.<br />
The remedy is to fill the slots with some plastic rod, sand them smooth, then trim the tabs from<br />
the fins and finally glue them to the body. This was easily done for the Popeye but was much<br />
more difficult with the Python, mainly due to its small size.<br />
A comprehensive painting and decal placement guide is printed on the rear of the box.<br />
The decal sheet is well printed and the images are thin and in register. Images sat down very well<br />
on the models following a soaking or two with Microsol and they didn’t silver. Opaqueness was a<br />
bit of an issue though. The yellow and orange/red stripes are acceptable on the grey areas of the<br />
missiles where the light colour underneath does not bleed through and darken the images, but this<br />
is not the case when they are applied to a green background. Finding denser replacements may be<br />
a better option in lieu of the kit decals.<br />
So, outside of the fit problems with the fins, this is a very nice set and worth their reasonably<br />
inexpensive price. <strong>Skunkmodels</strong> <strong>Workshop</strong> has created a very useful set of ordinance for the <strong>IDF</strong><br />
modeller. Now all they need to do is put out some sets for other modern subjects. A set of US<br />
aircraft missiles and rockets including injected plastic weapons like the ADM-160 MALD,<br />
AIM-9X or the AGM-129 would be most welcome.<br />
© AC Magnus 2010