September 28, 2008

Revell-Germany's F-22 Raptor ~ In-box preview

The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22A Raptor is primarily an air superiority fighter that uses stealth technology, but with multiple capabilities that include ground attack, electronic warfare, and signals intelligence roles.

The F-22A Raptor is a fifth generation fighter, replacing the F-117A Night Hawk, and it is able to achieve a cruising speed in excess of March 1 without using afterburners.  In addition to a 20 mm cannon it has three internal weapons bays, located one on each side of the fuselage and one in the ventral position. They can accommodate guided missiles or GBU-32 bombs of the new JDAM generation.

The 183 Raptors delivered to date are mainly in service in Langley (Virginia), Elmendorf (Alaska) and Tyndall (Florida) air bases. This kit's decal sheet has markings for up to 7 different Raptors stationed at these air bases.

The kit offers a complete set of weapons, including AMRAAM's, Sidewinders and JDAM bombs. The weapons bay can be built open or closed, same as with the landing gear (although the wheel-wells lack detail). A pair of fuel drop-tanks is also included as an option.

Instructions are the typical black & white deal I've seen in other Revell-Germany kits, with "exploded view" diagrams for assembly, and a color/decal guide at the end.

Box Art

 

What You Get

Main body	Parts	More parts	Tinted canopy	Instructions	Decal sheet

Scale: 1/72
Manufacturer: Revell Germany
What you get: 118 injection-molded styrene parts, b&w instructions, decal sheet
Price: $22.50 list, but available for $17.99 plus shipping from SprueBrothers.com
Molding Quality: very nice & crisp, no visible flash
Detail: good surface details with recessed panel lines
Accuracy: supposedly it is the most accurate kit available
Pros: price, good parts fit, well-stocked decal sheet
Cons: no wheel-well detail, some parts are very fragile & tiny

Final comments: Not a bad kit for the scale and price. Definitely an improvement, quality and detail wise, over the old Italery kit. Recommended.