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In-Box Review
148
Saab A32A Lansen Exterior
Designed for the Tarangus Kit
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by: Tim Hatton [ LITESPEED ]

Although the moulded surface detail on the Tarangus 1/48 Saab A32A Lansen kit is good, there are some distinctive features missing. This release from Maestro Models will provide you with the components to improve the external look of the kit significantly. The photo etched parts and instructions look as if they have been produced by Eduard and if that's the case the quality is assured.

Contents:

With this release from Maestro Models you can add additional details to:
-the doors covering the cannon muzzles.
-cannon cartridge ejector ports.
-the attachment plates for the blade antennae under the nose and upper wing.
-various hatch covers.
-windscreen wiper.
-undercarriage parts.
-wing fences.
-guarded vents.
-air intake splutter plates.
-fairing aft of the jet pipe.
-details for inside the jet pipe.

Photo etched parts: the inclusion of the cannon muzzle doors is an excellent idea as they are not well defined on the kit. The windscreen wiper is another good inclusion as it is quite distinctive on the real thing. Undercarriage detailing includes parts to re skin the inner faces of the main undercarriage doors. The detail such as the raised rivet marks look superb. The main gear oleos have additional PE hydraulic pipes, locking mechanism, new faces for the brakes and actuator rods. The nose gear oleo has a PE torque link to add.
The Tarangus kit has separate plastic wing fences, but the PE fences with the Maestro release are far superior. Each fence needs to be folded over to provide a little more depth. The recessed rivet detail looks well executed. On the real aircraft there are some obvious guarded vents on the fuselage that are not well represented on the kit. The PE etched parts improve the looks of the vents enormously. One feature that will really improve the look of the kit are the PE splutter plates for the air intakes. The gap between the plates and the fuselage is noticeable on any photos you see of the Lansen. Some careful shaping of the parts is necessary, but the effort will be worthwhile. The detail etched onto the plates is superb. The skinning of the fairing that is in the path of the jet exhaust also has a nicely detailed PE part.
The inside of the jet pipe has several detailing parts including PE low pressure turbine blades, fuel lattice for the re heat, and the lining for the inside wall of the jet pipe just aft of the fuel lattice for the re heat.
Instructions will be very familiar if you have used Eduard photo etched parts before. One thing that is slightly different is that the areas in the cockpit that requires parts from this release are highlighted in red.


Conclusions:

This fret is packed with some very useful detailing parts for the Tarangus Saab Lansen and will improve the look of the kit enormously. Nicely done Maestro Models.
SUMMARY
Highs: All good.
Lows: Wish I had this set when I was building the Lansen.
Verdict: If you have the kit go out and buy this set, you will not regret it. Highly recommended.
Percentage Rating
95%
  Scale: 1:48
  Mfg. ID: MMK4810
  Suggested Retail: TBA
  PUBLISHED: Apr 19, 2012
  NATIONALITY: Sweden
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 90.86%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 90.78%

Our Thanks to Maestro Models!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Tim Hatton (litespeed)
FROM: ENGLAND - NORTH WEST, UNITED KINGDOM

Aircraft are my primary interest from WWll to present day.

Copyright ©2021 text by Tim Hatton [ LITESPEED ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



   
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