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US Ordnance Set (88E01) 1:48 AMK Models Launched at the same time as their F-14D Tomcat, this set of injection-moulded styrene weapons and pods are ideal for modern jets, particularly of the American persuasion. It’s a generous set that includes all of the weapons in the Tomcat kit, plus a couple we’ve not seen before. They’re also included in larger numbers, so should be good enough for loading up a couple of models at the very least. To keep things tidy, the various types are arranged in sub-boxes within the main box to prevent chaffing, and each set of sprues is held in a clear foil bag for a classy feel. Let’s see what’s included: 16 x GBU-16 Paveway II Smart Bombs 4 x GBU-12 Paveway II Smart Bombs 4 x AIM-54C+ Phoenix A2A Missiles (Tomcat specific) 4 x AIM-7M/P Sparrow A2A Missile 2 x AN/ALQ-167 Bullwinkle ECM Pod 2 x AN/ASQ-713 SAIP pod 4 x GBU-31 JDAM Smart Bomb 12 x Mk.82 “dumb” bomb with conical fairing 4 x LAU-68 Rocket Pod 4 x GBU-38(V)-1 USAF JDAM 4 x AIM-9L/M Sidewinder A2A Missile 2 x LAU-3 Rocket Pod 2 x Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS) 2 x AN/AAS-25 LANTIRN Targeting Pod That’s quite a list, and each one comes on a separate sprue with copious use of slide-moulding to improve detail and reduce your glue bill, so you can see why it comes in a full box. Each sprue has interlocking pips and holes top and bottom that allows them to be stacked in groups, which is great to keep them from chaffing during shipping and keep their space usage down. Each sub-box has a drawing and name of the contents, which will be useful for future use, as is the instruction sheet with integrated painting guide. There are also a few sentences about each type to provide extra details, plus a construction diagram that shows how they go together, then on the right a painting diagram showing the colours and where the decals go. Markings A full sheet of stencils for all the included weapons is provided, arranged by type and with each iteration boxed off from its neighbours. Decals are printed with AMK’s logo and have good registration, sharpness and colour density, with a thin gloss carrier film cut close to the printed areas. Conclusion If you don’t rate the kit weapons in your latest project and don’t want to splash out on expensive resin parts, this set offers a raft of highly detailed ordnance that is well within the comfort zone of any modeller. Scrape away the seamlines from where the sliding moulds meet, and you should be good to go. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of