1/48 - Aermacchi MB.326K Impala (ex-ESCI) by Italeri - released

[Homebee]

In the framework of its ESCI kits reboxing policy, Italeri is to release very soon the 1981 vintage 1/48th Aermacchi MB.326K Impala kit (ref.2710).

Source: http://www.italeri.com/scheda.asp?idProdotto=2104

V.P.

Edited October 4, 2014 by Homebee

[Julien]

Thats not a bad kit.

Julien

[Parabat]

It's a great kit!

[Giorgio N]

Interesting that they provide 2 italian options... yet the K was never adopted by the italian air force and was only used by the experimental flight unit (the RSV mentioned in the decals)

[Parabat]

Well, chance business meant I was in proximity to a model shop that had the Italeri Impala II in stock. As it would be rude not to, I bought one.

As previously noted on the SAAF forum, the box art features, incorrectly, ILS antennae on the tail.

Fear not, this is all cleared up in the instructions where it is clear that only the Italian and UAE planes had them.

Initial thoughts - the mouldings have some flash, the clear parts are neatly secured in a small polythene bag.

The plastic is Italeri's usual softish grey styrene, and details are obviously the same as the ESCI kit.

The Cartograph decals are really nice looking, apart from the glaring error on the 'LOOPVLAC' decal! Nevermind, there is a 'K' that can be removed to replace the C. There are a lot more stencils than the ESCI boxing ever had, and Italeri have really made an effort to include stencils for pylons, access panels etc. How accurate these are I can't comment on as I am no Impala expert.

Once again, the Springbok emblems are orangey-yellow rather than gold and the eagle-eyed among you may have even noticed the artist has the port fuselage Springbok leaping the wrong way! Never fear, decals have inwards and forward facing Bokkies and the decal placement has them the right way too. Unfortunately... The same cannot be said for the 'Bottle Top' eagles if you choose to make the 85 CFS option. I think this may be wrong ANYWAY, as the 'Bottle Top' eagles only came in much later, not 1990 as the second scheme claims to depict.

One or two small spelling mistakes (minors) on the stencils, but overall looks great. I'll personally look to use my MAV decals to replace the Bokkies as a minimum.

Edited July 29, 2012 by Parabat