Northrop Grumman X-47B - OrangeHobby 1:72 Air Series

[Julien]

Northrop Grumman X-47B

OrangeHobby 1:72 Air Series

It is now a sure thing that Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, or UAVs are here to stay, and as the technology advances, you will find more uses of them across all military branches. The US Navy were comparatively slow in entering into the Unmanned Carrier Air System (UCAS) field, possibly due to the immaturity of the technology for the sometimes tricky take-off and landing cycle of a carrier aircraft, not to mention the harsh physical environment found at sea. The eventual aim is to create a large surveillance, and strike vehicle that can project US air power into perhaps more hotly contested airspace than would be suitable for manned aircraft.

The original A variant was a proof of concept technology demonstrator, while the B is a more robust airframe that is capable of carrying existing weapons systems, while the projected in-service airframe will be roughly the same size, but able to carry new weapons systems more suited to unmanned delivery systems. Taxying under its own power in 2010, the first airframe flew a year later, and after successful testing that resulted in a shortening of the programme, has now embarked upon sea trials ahead of schedule aboard USS Harry S Truman. In 2013, successful launches and landings were performed from USS George H W Bush in the Atlantic Ocean. 2014 saw more trials that involved deck handling and clearing of the deck within the same time-scales as manned vehicles, all of which went well for the X-47B. The X-47B will compete in the forthcoming US Navy UCLASS competition scheduled for 2016, the aircraft will be designated X-47C. Reportedly, despite the X-47B's success in test flights, Navy officials were concerned that it would be too costly and insufficiently stealthy for the needs of the UCLASS project. Costs for the programme rose from a projected US$635 million contract awarded by the Navy in 2007 to an estimated $813 million. Government funding was to last until September 2013, however, in June 2014 the Navy provided an additional $63 million for "post-demonstration" development. It is expected the winner of the competition will be in service by 2020.

The Kit
The kit arrives in a rather unassuming brown box with only a smallish label to give away the contents. On opening the box you are greeted by a wall of bubble wrap protecting the resin parts inside. Orange Hobby have packed this kit very well including extra padding for the tip on the main casting (one of the wings has a nick on the end and the leading edge but this is due to me dropping it!!). The first thing to strike you when you unpack the kit is that the main body of the UAV is a one part resin casting. Due to the hollow on top for the main intake, and the weapons bays/under carriage bays it is not overly heavy. The main top of the engine intake is a separate part, as are the two wing outer sections. Two bags then contain all off the other resin parts. A small sprue of injected parts is supplied for the landing gear. Finally there is small photo-etch fret and a sheet of decals. The resin parts are very well cast. I can see only a few small pin holes and none are in hard to fix places.

Once you have cleaned all the casting blocks off the first step is to attach the exhaust parts, followed by the large part which completes the engine inlet. A large inlet is added to the rear left hand side, and an outlet which looks like the APU exhaust. Following this the instructions would have you add a number of photo-etched antenna to the top, however I suspect most modellers will leave these parts to last.

Construction then moves onto the out wings. The modeller can build these in the folded or open positions. If building them open a set of hinges is provided. Construction then moves to the underside of the UAV though I suspect many modellers will complete this before they attach the wings.

Two detailed weapons bays and undercarriage bays are moulded into the kit. These can be closed up if the modeller wishes though that would be a shame to hide all the detail. The nose bay doors will need to be spit by the modeller. All of the hinges for the doors are supplied as photo etched parts which will look better in this scale. Weapons launching pylons are provided, but no weapons load is supplied with the kit. At present it looks like the X-47 has not been cleared for weapons, though a stated 4,500Lb is given for this test vehicle.

The main undercarriage is next to be assembled. The legs are supplied as injected parts, with the wheels as resin units. The legs seem to have posative fitment points which is welcome.

Canopy
The perils of using a template for reviews was I actually checked the box for a canopy

Decals
There is one main sheet of decals along with a small sheet containing a couple which look to have been left off the main sheet. The decals are glossy and monochrome so no registration issues. No manufacturer is listed. Markings are for the first test aircraft only. There is no decal manufacturer listed on the sheet. The decals appear to be glossy with no register problems. Care will be needed with the main decal for each wing as it is an out line only with no carrier film in the middle.

Conclusion
This is another great release from Orangehobby. It is great to see modern UAVs like this one becoming available in 1/72. Very highly recommended.

Review sample courtesy of Orange Hobby.com

[Basosz]

"Construction, as usual starts with the cockpit... oh no... wait..."

[Julien]

"Construction, as usual starts with the cockpit... oh no... wait..."

Nearly!

[Scoobydoof]

Mine arrived this morning, do I need to be concerned with up to 130g resting on the undercarriage?

Thanks

Chris