REVELL 1:72 SCALE A400 'GRIZZLY' - BUILT-AND-PAINTED UPDATE

SMN report:

The 1:72 scale Revell Airbus A400M models the tactical airlifter that is the long-delayed European answer to the hugely successful Lockheed-Martin Hercules, a military cargo plane that’s been produced continually since its first flight in August, 1954.

Big airlifter

Actually, the A400 aims to be somewhat more than that, as it is both faster and bigger, roughly half-way in size between the Herk and the newer turbofan Boeing C-17. Flights by the A400M ‘Grizzly’ test aircraft should result in the A400M finally making squadron service with the eight nations that have ordered it, starting in 2013.

Interior detail

The Revell A400M is a biggie all right - produced to 1:72 scale, it has a wingspan of no less than 588 mm (23.15 in) and measures some 626 mm (24.6 in) long. There are 210 components, but perhaps the best thing about the kit - as you can see from these newly-released Revell buildup pix - is the amount of interior detail. All models benefit from a certain amount of convincing interior detail, but the cavernous interiors of cargo planes probably need it most of all.

Curving props

Detail looks good on the outside too - the complex shapes of those eight-bladed scimitar-curve propellers look just right, as do the dozen wheels of the twin-sponson main landing gear. We also like the neat drop-down airstair extending from the lower port fuselage side. The air-to-air refuelling probe over the flight deck is also included, and rightly so.

Add-on kit wanted

However - and this is just an SMN opinion - wouldn’t it be a terrific bonus if Revell, or an aftermarket supplier, produced a supplementary add-on kit, with flight and loading crews, plus a detachment of paratroopers and vehicles to drive up that long tail ramp? 

Combat loads

The real thing will be able to carry all sorts of deadly gear - up to 116 combat troops, a pair of M113 personnel carriers, or attack helicopters such as the Tiger or Apache. So, model manufacturers - bring ‘em on please!

The Revell A400M will make a mighty big addition to your display shelf, and is due on release this month.

GIANT 1:72 SCALE C-17 TACTICAL AIRLIFTER FROM ANIGRAND

SMN reports
For lovers of b-i-g model aircraft, and cargolifters in particular, then Hong Kong-based Anigrand has the answer, in the form of its newly-reissued 1:72 scale Boeing C-17 Globemaster III.

The C-17 is often nicknamed ‘Moose’ for its tall winglets, but it’s a lot faster than the animal that’s for sure - a fully loaded C-17 can leave the ground in just 1064 m (3500 ft) and cruise at some 833 km/h (518 mph), all the while carrying a 70-tonne US Army M-1 Abrams tank. If you’ve ever seen a C-17 at an air display, it’s likely you will have seen the short-landing capability, and its showpiece, reversing and manoeuvring on the ground by using thrust reverse from the four underwing engines.

Anigrand’s model is certainly a shelf-filler, with a wingspan of 722 mm (30.4 in). Its length is little shorter, at 736 mm (29 in). It’s a mixed-material kit, with 99 components. Most of these are in resin, with 14 metal and a clear-cast glazed flight-deck window section.

SMN would like to see a big-scale injection kit of the C-17 from another manufacturer though - such a cargolifter begs for masses of internal detail, an operating loading ramp, crew figures and flight deck, plus a full load of  troops and AFVs - well, here’s hoping!
 
Visit Anigrand here to order direct.


The smaller and more manageable 1:144 scale Revell C-17 kit is a decent kit that is also worth considering. Despite its smaller size, there is loads of detail, including a particularly neat airstair on the nose portside.

A400M AIRLIFTER MAKES FIRST FLIGHT AT LAST

The European A400M military airlifter, falling roughly midway in size between the 'Fat Albert' Hercules and the jet-powered C-17 has - at long last - made its first flight.

For air-buffs, it's been a race (with betting on some aviation sites) as to whether the A400M or Boeing 787 Dreamliner would be first (or second) into the air. Well today that particular race is over, with the years-late and way over-budget A400M finally turning from a paper project into real aircraft. Boeing meantime, promises a 787 first-flight before the year ends - it could come as early as next Tuesday.

As for us model fans, well we're still waiting too, so come on Revell-Germany - these aircraft have to be right up your street for 2010 release! In 1:144 scale, an A400M would make a good partner for the neat C-17 already available. The same goes for the 787, with rumours indicating we could see a model of this next year too. Once again, there's a bigger kit already out there, in the form of the A380 double-decker, so please let's get that 787 out of the world of dreams and into scale reality!