Model Airplane International - June 2018

Issue 155 - http://www.modelairplaneinternational.com 71

F-117A NIGHTHAWK

T

he second of Revell’s re-releases this month,

sees them return to their old back catalogue

to bring a 1:72 Nighthawk back to market.

First released in 1992, though old, the kit

features an intriguing mix of fi ne detail, seem-

ingly accurate shapes and a simplicity that’s hard to

get past, only 37 pieces being used to complete this

deceptively large model.

Thanks to the low number of parts, such things as

an open canopy are noticeable by their absence which

is more than forgivable thanks to the truly terrible

cockpit! Moulded in one part, the lack of depth and

detail is more than matched by an ejection seat that

has more in common with a gentleman’s club leather

chair than it does an ACES II, but fear not, little will be

seen through the closed canopy, thick glazing and the

canopy frames moulded in-situ with the upper fuselage

moulding.

If the cockpit is less-than-stellar, the rest of the kit

fairs rather better. The shape of the aircraft is well-cap-

tured and where needed, panel lines are fi nely scribed

and vents delicately rendered. A reasonably well-

appointed bomb-bay is included along with two LGBs,

their actuators and the inner surfaces of the open bay

doors being fi ne and more than acceptable. The under-

carriage is similarly detailed, single-part wheels and

legs being supplied along with individual gear doors.

It’s nothing fancy, but is more than acceptable.

Continuing the simple approach to the kit, the decal

sheet offers a single Holloman-based jet from the 49th

FW during 2006. Overall black of course, the markings

in grey offer a degree of contrast and thanks to the

accuracy and superb printing of the sheet, should look

very nice in place.

Scale: 1:72/ Revell/Materials: IM/Kit No: RV3899/All Good Model Shops/Price: £16.99

VERDICT

It’s hard not to like this kit. Precious few releases these days are so simple in

approach, so it’s fun to see one that could be built into a pleasing replica over

a weekend. Overall levels of detail are as you would expect from a kit created

twenty-fi ve years ago and though the cockpit is far from accurate — to put it

mildly — it shouldn’t be too much of a negative for those keen to build what

is still a pleasing little model. With the Academy and Italeri kits for company

at almost exactly the same price, this kit fi ts in well and now it really is a case

of you pay your money and take your choice. So, which one will you pick?

(Spencer Pollard)

fairs rather better. The shape of the aircraft is well-cap-

tured and where needed, panel lines are fi nely scribed

appointed bomb-bay is included along with two LGBs,

their actuators and the inner surfaces of the open bay

doors being fi ne and more than acceptable. The under-

NR KITS 155.indd 65 04/05/2018 16:45