X-47B US Navy UCAS

[Paul A H]

X-47B US Navy UCAS

1:72 Platz

The Northrop Grumman X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System is an experimental naval aircraft designed to test the practicalities of launching and recovering an unmanned aircraft from a carrier. Although intended purely as a test aircraft, the X-47B is a similar size and weight to an operational strike aircraft. It has been designed in this way in order to provide the most realistic test data possible. The type is equipped with folding wings, two full-sized weapons bays and air-to-air refuelling capability for similar reasons.

Powered by a development of the Pratt & Whitney F100 turbofan engine used in the F-15 and F-16, the X-47 is capable of high subsonic speeds and has a range in excess of 2000 nautical miles. In line with the projected production aircraft that could follow in the wake of the test programme, the X-47B has been designed to have a low radar signature.

Japanese manufacturer Platz is developing quite a range of 1:72 scale UAVs, and their new X-47B joins their RQ-1/MQ-1 Predator and RQ-4 Global Hawk on the shelves of model shops. The kit arrives in a reasonably large, glossy top-opening box adorned with a simple but pleasing illustration of the X-47B in flight. Inside are two sprues of grey plastic which hold all of the kits 53 parts. The sprues are beautifully moulded and there is no hint of flash or any other flaws. The engraved panel lines are crisp and even and are joined by some restrained recessed rivet/fastener detail here and there. The overall impression is of a high-quality, state-of-the-art kit.

With no troublesome cockpit to hinder progress, all that has to be done before the upper and lower fuselage halves can be joined is assemble the simple, two-part engine intake. As with the fuselage, the wings are moulded in upper and lower halves. The wing mounted airbrakes can be assembled in the open or closed position, and the wings themselves can be fixed in the extended or folded configuration (this is a naval aircraft after all). The wing folds themselves look pretty good, so this option will be tempting for many modellers.

Should you wish to finish your aircraft with the landing gear retracted and all doors closed, that is pretty much where construction ends. If you don't want to take that option, then there is plenty more detail to enjoy. The two large, internal ordnance bays may be finished in the open position, and there is enough moulded detail to make them look fairly convincing. Ditto the landing gear bays, which also feature raised rib detail. A pair of JDAMs and the appropriate bomb racks are included too. The landing gear legs are nicely represented and feature some convincing details such as compressed scissor links. As you might expect from an aircraft designed to be stealthy, the rest of the airframe is pretty clean, but there are a few blade aerials and scoops to be added and which should provided some added visual interest.

Decal options are provided for both of the test aircraft, numbered 501 and 502 respectively. A very comprehensive set of stencils is included on the decal sheet, and these should look very impressive once applied. Markings are also provided for the JDAMs. The decals themselves are beautifully glossy and look reasonably thin. They are printed by cartograf, so they should perform well. The painting instructions refer to Mr Color and Testors/Model Master paint ranges

Conclusion

From start to finish, this has all the hallmarks of an excellent kit. The quality of the mouldings is superb, and I'd be very surprised if there were any issues with ill fitting parts. Although the X-47B is a relatively clean, simple aircraft, Platz have done well to squeeze plenty of detail into this kit. The excellent decal sheet is also most welcome. If UAVs float your boat, then this kit will be an essential purchase. Highly recommended.

Review sample courtesy of

[Shar2]

It's the wrong scale for me, but that does look really good. Nice review too Paul.

[Navy Bird]

Now this looks right nice. Great review, looking forward to deducting the cost of this kit from my children's inheritance.

Cheers,

Bill

[buttoncup]

thank you for a great review.

that looks like a nice model to build.

[topgear29]

Do we have a UK price for it?