MODERN AIRCRAFT STORES FROM EDUARD

Recent releases from Eduard can undoubtedly upgrade the loads on your fast-jet builds in either 1/72, 1/48 or 1/32 scales, as CHRIS CLIFFORD reveals.

MODERN AIRCRAFT STORES FROM EDUARD

Many modellers make a world of effort on their aircraft models, yet often fail to afford the same care and attention to whichever weapons they carry. All modellers can achieve better and more accurate stores arrangements by  simply studying appropriate photographs. Still, though, stores in kits are often misshapen and incorrect in their detail.

Eduard can help massively in this regard, with its recent cache of 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 stores, which are mainly resin items, some having photo-etched (PE) metal embellishments, waterslide decals, or both. Let’s take a look at what’s been released for modellers who favour fast jets and helicopter gunships…

1/72 SCALE

672140 UB-32A-24 Rocket Pods for Mi-24 (£5.23, above)
Ripe for hanging on any 1/72 Hind, or certain Hip sub-types but also on various Soviet-designed fighter-bombers, these four rocket pods feature finely detailed rear launcher plates and separate tail cones. Stencilling decals are offered too.

MODERN AIRCRAFT STORES FROM EDUARD

672185 R-3S Missiles for MiG-21 (£5.23)
Here are four air-to-air missiles also known as the AA-2A Atoll in NATO codename parlance. While the bodies with combined rear fins are resin, the separate front fins and rear trim are provided as PE parts. Optional resin protective covers for the seekers are also present, along with stencil decals.

MODERN AIRCRAFT STORES FROM EDUARD

672199 GBU-38 Non-Thermally Protected (£2.62)
Four examples of this 500lb Joint Direct Attack Munition are supplied here, and can be fitted to aircraft types such as the F-16, F-15E, Canadian F/A-18, A-10, B-1 and B-2. Italy’s Tornado IDS is also a user. These stores, as stated, are non-thermally protected, which means they do not feature the textured finish seen on naval versions to extend ‘cook-off’ time in case of fire. Be careful with the fuzes supplied though, as Eduard gives options for USAF and USN… but as stated, this is not a naval bomb. Stencils are provided, plus PE GPS antennas and tail unit end plates.

MODERN AIRCRAFT STORES FROM EDUARD

672217 Shafrir 2 (£4)
This infra-red air-to-air missile was developed by Israel and was hugely successful during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Here. Eduard’s pair of missiles can equip Israeli Mirage IIIC ‘Shahak’, Nesher and Mystere models, as well as the Argentine Air Force Dagger and fighters operated by Ecuador, Columbia and Chile. Besides stencils, you receive PE front fins and rocket motor covers, plus resin protective caps for the seeker heads.

MODERN AIRCRAFT STORES FROM EDUARD

672240 R-3R Missiles with Pylons for MiG-21 (£4)
A semi-active radar homing missile, the R-3R Advanced Atoll  is replicated well here, via resin bodies with integral rear fins, PE front fins and rocket motor covers. Resin rails and pylons are supplied for use on Fishbeds, but the missiles can also be employed on particular MiG-23 Flogger builds.

MODERN AIRCRAFT STORES FROM EDUARD

672258 R-27ER / AA-10 Alamo-C Missiles (£3.46)
A weapon developed for use on the MiG-29 and Su-27. Eduard supplies four missiles, the rear fins being integrally cast, while the front fins and annular fuzes are in PE. You can also remove the bare seeker heads and fit protective covers if desired. A large stencil sheet is also present. Resin rails are in the box too.

MODERN AIRCRAFT STORES FROM EDUARD

672273 GBU-15(V)21/B (£6.92)
Resin alone is employed for these glide bombs, used predominantly by USAF F-15E Strike Eagles and Israeli F-16s. Separate seeker covers are provided, along with stencils.

1/48 SCALE

MODERN AIRCRAFT STORES FROM EDUARD

648384 AGM-154C1 Block II (£8)
If you want something different to equip a US Navy Super Hornet, this could be just the ticket. These Joint Standoff Weapons are well detailed and are formed entirely from resin parts. The wings and tail fins are separate pieces.

MODERN AIRCRAFT STORES FROM EDUARD

648527 BOZ-EC Pod (£6.15)
While Eduard brands this as a BOZ Enhanced Capability, this is actually just a standard BOZ-107 countermeasures pod as fitted to British, German and Italian Tornados. The tiny strakes and rear fins come as PE parts, and the main body detail is superb.

MODERN AIRCRAFT STORES FROM EDUARD

648548 AN/AAQ-13 LANTIRN Pod (£6.92)
Low Altitude and Targeting Infrared for Night has been fielded mainly by USAF F-15E Strike Eagles and Block 40/42 F-16s. It comprised the -13 navigation pod and -14 targeting pod. These days, the latter has been usurped by either Litening or Sniper pods. Eduard’s rendition of the -13 comes with the appropriate adapter, and stencil decals.

MODERN AIRCRAFT STORES FROM EDUARD

648553 AN/AAQ-14 LANTIRN Pod (£6.92)
The weapon-aiming component of LANTIRN, -14 comes mostly in resin here, save for PE grille parts. It’s versatile too, as besides being suitable for the F-15E, Block 40/42 F-16 and US Navy S-3B Viking, this set also offers an adapter for F-14B/D Tomcat employment.

MODERN AIRCRAFT STORES FROM EDUARD

648554 AN/ALQ-99 High Band (£8.04)
The staple electronic warfare pod of the EA-6A/EA-6B Prowler – and EA-18G Growler – the ALQ-99 comes as a large resin part here, with the main ‘canoe’ being joined by its ram air turbine nose, protective cover, suspension lugs (if posing off the aircraft) and adapter in the same medium. The turbine blades are in PE and all necessary stencils are included.

MODERN AIRCRAFT STORES FROM EDUARD

648562 GBU-31(V)1B JDAM (£8.04)
Eduard’s 2,000lb USAF bombs are spot-on for detail when many kit examples fail for shape and accuracy. While the main bodies and tails are in resin, all the aero strakes are PE items.

MODERN AIRCRAFT STORES FROM EDUARD

648563 GBU-31(V)3B JDAM (£8.04)
This is the 2,000lb USAF variant with BLU-109 warhead, hence its slightly slimmer nature. These are involved stores, as there are separate resin tailfin sections, adapters and nose cones, accurate bulging of the main body at its mating with the tail unit, and integrally cast conduits. The stores’ trademark strakes are all in PE but the centre portion of each needs to be rolled to conform with the warhead curves. Example types to carry this store are the B-52, B-1 and F-15E.

MODERN AIRCRAFT STORES FROM EDUARD

648598 GBU-54 Thermally Protected (£8.04)
The 500lb laser JDAM carried by the F/A-18 and AV-8B, with ablative coating and prominent domed seeker, with four supplied here. Just rear tail cone plates are in PE, the rest of the pieces being in resin and well detailed to boot. The bomb body texture is also evident.

MODERN AIRCRAFT STORES FROM EDUARD

648614 AGM-62 Walleye Mk.I (£3.48)
A great option for Vietnam War US Navy A-4 Skyhawks, these two TV-guided bombs feature integrally cast fins. Clear seeker lenses are supplied, along with optional covers, plus the rear turbine with PE blades.

MODERN AIRCRAFT STORES FROM EDUARD

648616 AGM-62 Walleye II (£4.02)
Here’s the larger 2,000lb Walleye, developed when it was found that walleye I didn’t have quite enough ‘punch’ for certain jobs. It’s recognisable instantly by its notched fins and these are rendered well here. Like the Walleye Is above, they come with the same accoutrements, plus copious stencils. Useable on Vietnam War and later A-7 Corsairs and F/A-18s.

MODERN AIRCRAFT STORES FROM EDUARD

648623 ADM-160 MALD (£3.48)
The F-16, B-1, B-52 and A-10 are just some USAF types to carry the Miniature Air-Launched Decoy. Three of these defence suppression stores are provided in Eduard’s box and are excellent facsimiles. They come with accurate latticed end plates and you can pose the wings open or closed. Even the air intakes are hollowed.

MODERN AIRCRAFT STORES FROM EDUARD

648749 MICA RF (£8.04)
Give your Mirage 2000 and Rafale builds more refinement with these splendid active radar-homing air-to-air missiles. Entirely in 3D-printed resin, they have separate noise and tail sections, and plenty of stencils.

1/32 SCALE

MODERN AIRCRAFT STORES FROM EDUARD

632165 AIM-132 ASRAAM (£8.04)
The main short-range air-to-air missile on RAF Typhoons, this weapon was also carried by the Australian F/A-18A/B. You can also load your RAF Harrier and Tornado with these unfussy missiles, rendered here in resin save for the PE rocket motor rings provided.

MODERN AIRCRAFT STORES FROM EDUARD

632168 Brimstone w/AGML Rack (£8.04)
These would look superb on Italeri’s new-tool Tornado – especially as it doesn’t come with any RAF ground-attack weaponry in the box. Two 3D-printed resin racks are provides, along with six traditionally cast missiles and clear seeker heads. PE rocket motor plates and stencil decals are supplied.

See a full build of Italeri's 1/32 Tornado GR.4

MODERN AIRCRAFT STORES FROM EDUARD

632172 GBU-49 (£4.02)
Offering notable presence due to their size and detail, these GBU-49s are ideal for various US/NATO fighters, being an enhanced Paveway with GPS, similar to the British Paveway IV but with a different body conduit. Suspension lugs are provided if posing the bombs beside an aircraft.

MODERN AIRCRAFT STORES FROM EDUARD

632174 ALARM Missiles (£5.34)
Another item ripe for RAF Tornado sub-type models, these large anti-radar missiles are beautifully detailed and have PE additions, plus many stencils.

There’s something for every modeller of modern military aircraft here, and Eduard’s refinement will almost certainlybetter that seen on kit weaponry. All the items above are available direct from Eduard, but many can also be found in the UK at Hannants.