Fans of ‘what-if’ aviation have a fascinating option with Takom’s new 1/72 German Silbervogel Suborbital Bomber, reviewed here by CHRIS CLIFFORD
If you like to be more adventurous with your modelling – and don’t wish to be tied to actual history – drawing-board subjects can offer much enjoyment. So-called ‘what-if’ builds can really help your imagination run wild, and a new kit from Takom in this vein offers detail in spades… and should appeal to Luftwaffe-leaning modellers too.
The Silbervogel (Silver Bird) was a 1930s design for a sub-orbital bomber by Germany’s Eugen Sänger and Irene Bredt. It was hoped that the rocket-powered machine – supposedly able to reach New York with a nuclear payload – could compete for the Amerika Bomber programme. Also known as Raketenbomber (RaBo), thankfully it never passed mock-up wind-tunnel testing due to huge costs.
Above: Two main fuselage sections are provided by Takom and, on dry-fitting, the join is excellent.
Above: A choice of cockpit layouts is supplied so you have a flush-glazed two-seat version, and a single-seat 'office' with bubble canopy.
Above: Surely taking a cue from NASA's Space Shuttle, Takom has moulded tiles on the fuselage and wing undersides.
Takom’s 1/72 replica (supplied…
