If you’re into modelling subjects from the Vietnam War, you won’t want to miss Italeri’s re-released 1/72 AC-119K Stinger.
It’s been a whole decade since Italeri last issued its AC-119K gunship kit, so fans of Vietnam War machinery should be delighted with its reappearance. It replicates the advancement of the AC-119G ‘Shadow’, itself converted by Fairchild-Hiller from the standard C-119G cargo variant. The ‘Shadow’ was created as a follow-on aircraft to the AC-47 in the Troops in Contact support role. It sported four 7.62mm SUU-11A miniguns, a 20KW Xenon light and a Night Observation Sight (NOS) as its main equipment.
However, it was felt that an upgrade to the Shadow could make it more effective. To that end, the AC-119K was born by upgrading another batch of AC-119Gs, these gaining two 20mm ‘Stinger’ rotary cannon, an AN/APQ-133 Beacon Tracking Radar and an AN/AAD-4 forward-looking infra-red turret. Both the G and K fielded a LAU-74A flare launcher.
Above and below: Raised panel lines are prominent due to the 1980s vintage, but the simple layout means they can be re-scribed easily. Note the interior fuselage moulding, ejector-pin marks included.
Above: The cockpit has a reasonable amount of detail despite the kit's age.
Itale…
