Sword

1/72 Northrop T-38A Talon model kit

Product Article by Chris St Clair on Dec 20 2005

 

 

 

Guess what arrived in the post for me today!

First impressions are positive.  I was initially concerned that the price was high, but having looked at the kit, I can understand why...

  • There are 23 parts moulded in gray, covering the main fuselage, tail and wings
  • There are an additional 19 parts in gray resin, comprising the cockpit, seats, engine exhaust, intakes, wheels and the main undercarriage and speed brake bays
  • There are 3 clear parts for the canopies
  • There is a complete Eduard color etched brass sprue containing complete cockpit interior detail (instrument and side panels, canopy framing and rails and foot pedals)  as well as colored RBF tags!
  • The decal sheet reminds me of Italeri - not bad  and quite thin.  Markings are provided for 3 aircraft (I'm sure Haydn can enlighten us as to which units.
The plastic parts aren't bad, although the panel lines are not brilliant.

Click on images below to see larger images

Where this kit scores is that the intakes are separate, as are the fin and engine exhausts.

Overall, quite impressed (the fact that I've been able to hide FOUR kits in ONE  box could be seen as either good or bad! ...

The only down-side I can see is that the exhausts are not "shrouded" as per the real aircraft, although they ARE shown correctly in the colour scheme drawings!

Apologies for the quality of the photos - it was a rush job to get them done and up tonight!

Chris 
IPMS UK USAF SIG

Photos and text © by Chris St Clair