C-130A Hercules

[Paul A H]

C-130A Hercules

1:144 A Model

The unmistakeable C-130 Hercules first took to the air back in 1954. Nearly sixty years later, the ever-improving design is still going strong and the aircraft has seen service with over sixty air forces and many civilian operators across the world. So versatile has the aircraft proven that it has been used for everything from aerial gunship to airborne fire fighting.

The C-130A that is the subject of this kit was the original production Hercules. It entered service with the US Air Force in 1956 and served in a variety of roles. It also saw action throughout the Vietnam War

Although this is the first A Model kit we've reviewed on Britmodeller, the brand should be familiar to most of you as they have been on the scene for some time now. They are best known for their impressive range of 1:72 Soviet aircraft, but they have also produced a number of interesting kits in 1:144 scale, including a range of Lancasters and Canberras. This kit of the C-130A is one of the latest additions to this range.

A Model's new Herc arrives packed into a compact, top-opening box. Inside are eight sprues of grey plastic, one separately bagged clear sprue and a small decal sheet. The plastic parts feature very fine engraved panel lines. Typically for a limited-run kit, many of the parts feature a degree of flash and a fair bit of cleaning up will be necessary. No part numbers are moulded onto the sprues; instead, a large, clear diagram is included in the instructions to help the builder identify the correct parts.

Construction begins with the interior of the fuselage. Sixteen tiny windows have to be fixed in place along with the main landing gear bays, followed by the floor of the loading bay and the front bulkhead. It seems the model has been designed to be built with the loading doors shut as there is little other internal detail. This means that the keen scratchbuilder has a blank canvas to work on should they wish to add some interest here. There is no cockpit detail either, but this shouldn't matter as little will be visible behind the cockpit windows once the model is complete.

Following the assembly of the wings, horizontal stabilisers and the vertical stabilisers, the basic Hercules shape is complete. The upper wing is moulded in one piece, which should help to make construction a little easier. The next step in construction deals with a series of sub-assemblies which make up the engine nacelles, airscrews and auxiliary fuel tanks. Once all of these are fitted in place, all that remains is to assemble the undercarriage and construction is complete.

Two colour options are provided: one aircraft in Southeast Asia tactical camouflage and one in a natural metal finish. Decals are crisp and well printed. They appear to have a matt finish, so a nice gloss paint job and a coat of varnish might be a good idea.

Conclusion

This is a welcome addition to A Model's range of 1:144 subjects. With the usual caveats that apply to short run kits, this is a pretty nice model and with a little work it should build up into an impressive rendition of the C-130A.

Review sample courtesy of

[woody37]

Very tide little kit.