September 28, 2008

Bandai's Sky Crawlers kits ~ In-box preview

The Sky Crawlers is a Japanese novel series by Hiroshi Mori. First published by Chuokoron-shinsha in June 2001 and spanning five books, it follows the journeys and tribulations of a group of young fighter pilots involved in dogfight warfare, and is set during an alternate historical period.

The novel was adapted into an anime film, directed by Mamoru Oshii, which was released in theaters in Japan on August 2, 2008.

These kits are 2 of the fighters seen on the anime film, the Skyly J2 and the Sanka Mk. B.  Unlike other Bandai EX models, these come with color instructions for painting and decaling. Typical of Bandai kits, the detail is very nicely done and delicate, no flash anywhere (that I could see).

Box Art

What You Get

Parts & decals	Clear parts	More parts	Assembly, pg. 1	Instructions, paint guide	Instructions, decaling

The Skyly J2 was designed to represent the ultimate in propeller aircraft development, evolutionary rather than revolutionary.  The strong resemblance of this aircraft to a collection of parts from famous WWII aircraft like the Corsair, Sea Fury, Mustang and P-38 Lightning  is anything but coincidental.

This kit features a high level of detail, geared counter-rotating propellers with the option of using clear plastic discs to represent the propellers "in action". The landing gear can be built extended or retracted, and the kit includes an adapter that can be used with Bandai's Action Base 1 or 2 (sold separately) to pose the model "in flight."

Box Art

What You Get

Parts	Clear parts	Decals & more parts	Even more parts	Assembly, pg. 1	Instructions, paint guide	Instructions, decaling

The Sanka Mk. B was designed to represent the ultimate in propeller aircraft development, evolutionary rather than revolutionary.  The strong resemblance of this aircraft to the Kyushu J7W Shinden is anything but coincidental.

You get 2-for-1 with this kit. Each plane features a high level of detail, geared counter-rotating propellers with the option of using clear plastic discs to represent the propellers "in action". The landing gear can be built extended or retracted, and the kit includes an adapter that can be used with Bandai's Action Base 1 or 2 (sold separately) to pose the model "in flight."

Scale: 1/72
Manufacturer: Bandai
What you get: 60 styrene parts (Skyly J2)/132 styrene parts (Sanka Mk. B), instructions, decal sheet
Price of Skyly J2: ¥2,800 (about $26.42) plus overseas shipping, available from HLJ.com
Price of Sanka Mk. B: ¥3,200 (about $30.20) plus overseas shipping, available from HLJ.com
Molding Quality: typical of Bandai EX models, no flash with crisp detail and excellent parts fit
Detail: nice surface details with recessed panel lines
Accuracy: unknown, since they are fictional aircrafts
Pros: excellent parts fit & detail, water-slide decals, unusual eye-catching model
Cons: price, size of model, only available (so far) from overseas hobby stores

Final comments: Nice little kits, specially the Skyly J2 (my favorite ). It's so ugly it's kewl, IMNSHO. If you like unusual models and don't mind the price tag, these are for you. Recommended.