Italian firm Italeri has become the first to offer a mass-produced, injection-moulded AMX fighter-bomber in 1/72 scale. CHRIS CLIFFORD offers a full review.
While Hobby Boss and Kinetic have produced styrene examples of the Aeritalia-Embraer AMX in 1/48 scale, there has been just a single 1/72 styrene kit, this being a limited-run item from Aeroclub released in 1990. The only other route to building an AMX has been via boutique resin kits from the likes of Warrior Model and Cunar Model. Thankfully, Italeri has decided to manufacture a new-tool 1/72 AMX (#1460) and it’s generally superb, although it’s a mystery as to why it took so long… especially as it’s a partly Italian-designed aircraft.
The AMX is something of an unsung hero, never achieving the glamour and aura of types such as the F-16 or A-10. It’s a shame, because it’s capable and has much character… and has played important roles in major operations such as Deny Flight and Deliberate Guard over Bosnia in the 1990s, plus Allied Force over Yugoslavia in 1999. The type also flew operationally as part of the International Stabilisation and Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Known officially as A-11A in Italian service (and A-11B after upgrade), this joint Italian-Brazillia…
