Italeri 1/100 AW-101 Merlin 'Skyfall 007' Prefinished Model First Look
by Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | October 2012 | Manufacturer | Italeri |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | AW-101 Merlin 'Skyfall 007' | Scale | 1/100 |
| Kit Number | 48182 | Pros | Sharp die-cast model of movie Merlin |
| Cons | Nothing noted | MSRP (USD) | $34.99 |
First Look
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Italeri and MRC teamed up to produce this nice-looking die-cast Merlin helicopter that is one of the aviation stars of the upcoming James Bond move 'Skyfall'. The Merlin is a relatively new aircraft produced by a joint venture between Augusta Helicopters in Italy and Westland Helicopters in the UK. The resulting airframe is the AW-101 Merlin and has entered service with numerous armed forces around the world and was the short-lived VH-71 Kestrel (US presidential helicopter) before Lockheed Martin ran into problems with the program.
This die-cast model comes in very rugged packing so there is little doubt that your Merlin will arrive in excellent condition as did mine.
The model come pre-assembled and painted in its Skyfall colors. The main rotor and tail rotor are movable while the landing gear is depicted retracted, so you'll need the included stand to display the model. The model does have a good flight deck which can be seen through the windscreen.
If you are a fan of the James Bond series or a fan of the Merlin, this will make a great desk model. The fit and finish is great and the notional markings will definitely sort out those who've seen the movie.
My sincere thanks to MRC for this review sample!