The kit is released by Platz of
Japan. And most probably it is the same kit released by Italeri for the European
market only and Accurate Miniatures for the other parts of the world.
The kit consists of only 23 parts in
2 sprues. The plastic itself is a little bit grainy, but the small parts are very
well injected and delicate. I took only 30 minutes to assemble major parts.
No
filler needed.
Click on
images below to see larger images
The colors suggested are
confusing although Platz gave us full serial options, including a lot of
spare numbers. I think we can build any available UAV operated by USAF, US
NAVY and NASA (which is quite different, I think). Some of the options
show a "humped" (fuel tank ?) RQ-1, but the part is not given.
Perhaps for future release?
I used Gunze's FS 36495 for
overall color. The Cartograph-printed decals that are supplied
are superb. They stick well
and are thin. MM coating sealed everything at the end.
There are slots for weapon
pylons on the wings but should be filled on this kit. And "MQ-1/RQ-1"
is written on the sprue. I think a Hellfire-armed Predator variant is on the
way.
Is it a good kit ? Definitely.
Alex
|