Eduard 1/48 AIM-4D Falcon Set First Look
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | February 2016 | Manufacturer | Eduard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | AIM-4D Falcon Set | Scale | 1/48 |
| Kit Number | 648186 | Media | Resin |
| Pros | Nice rendering of the AIM-4 | Cons | Nothing noted |
| Skill Level | Intermediate | MSRP (USD) | $13.00 |
First Look
Eduard from the Czech Republic is easily the most prolific producer of aftermarket details. Period. Their series of photo-etched detail sets have brought additional fidelity to otherwise bland subjects, and have taken even the best-produced models and kicked them up a notch or two with details that cannot be produced with injection-molded plastic. Many AMS modelers will collect the relevant Eduard photo-etch sets for a given project, but they'll also go out and gather specific resin enhancements as well. Eduard has stepped up with a new product line to complement their photo-etched detail series - Brassin. Brassin is a play on words with Brass and Resin, and in many sets in this series, the resin details also include a set of color photo-etch as well.
In this release, Eduard has produced some beautifully detailed AIM-4D Falcon missiles. The set includes four missiles and a set of photo-etched rocket motor rings for the tail. The AIM-4 was the standard infrared intercept missile for Air Defense Command, so it armed the F-89, F-101, F-102 and F-106. When the Air Force adopted the F-4 Phantom II for a combat fighter for Vietnam (the F-100 had no radar and the ADC fighters didn't have self-sealing fuel tanks), the F-4C essentially a Navy F-4B with a different air refueling system but retained the Navy's AIM-9 and AIM-7 missiles. The F-4D and F-4E were built more to Air Force specifications and while retaining the AIM-7, the AIM-9 was deleted and replaced with the AIM-4. F-4Ds used the AIM-4 in combat but with the exception of five kills, the missile was ineffective for dogfighting. The AIM-4 was replaced by the AIM-9 once again. You can build that distinctive brief period in time where the these distinctive missiles armed USAF Phantoms or enhance the loadout of your favorite ADC interceptor.
Eduard continues to produce a nice range of weapons at a reasonable price which will make the job of bombing up your next project much easier!
My sincere thanks to Eduard for this review sample!