Hobbyboss AMX A-11B Trainer - 1:48 HobbyBoss

[Julien]

AMX A-11B Trainer
1:48 HobbyBoss

 

The AMX was designed as a replacement to the Fiat G.91 and derivatives, and was the product of a newly create company called AMX International, which was a cooperation between Aeritalia, Aeromacchi and the Brazilian company Embraer. Each partner builds a portion of the aircraft, with the first assembled in Italy for flight testing in the mid 80s. After successful completion of testing, it started to enter into service toward the end of the 80s, as the A-11 Ghibli with the Italian Air Force and the A-1 with Brazil. The B model is the two seat trainer.

The aircraft uses a license built Spey engine, which was chosen for reliability and ease of integration with the design, although later other engines were considered. It has been used substantially by both operators and has undergone a number of upgrades of the avionics over time. The two-seat trainer was completed in the 1990s, and many of the approximately 200 airframes are still in service, barring accidents and total loss incidents, of which there have been a few over the years, ironically one of which was due to engine failure.


The Kit
This new tool from Hobby Boss arrives on eight sprues of grey plastic, a clear sprue, two small sheets of photo-etch, rubber tyres; and two decal sheets. It was evident from the single seater kit reviewed here that a two seat version was planned. Construction starts in the cockpit. First the ejection seat s are made up, they has PE belts. The seats are put in the cockpit tub along with the instrument panels and control columns. Once the seats are in the cockpit sides are added. This is then put to one side.

 

Next up the undercarriage bays are built up. The font bay is a single part to which the 4 part leg is added the front wheel which is a separate hub abd rubber tyre is also added at this stage. For the main gear bays there is a two part leg, a landing light which attached to the leg, the main wheel & hub, plus two retraction struts. Once the gear bays are finished they can be installed in the fuselage halves. Before these are closed up the two part exhaust needs to be fitted inside. The trunking is one part so no seam to worry about.

 

 

Once the main fuselage is together the intakes are fitted each side along with their attached lights. A note he is that the intakes in the kit appear to rounded and not as square as the real thing. They should be able to be squared up if the modeller wants my a little work. The HUD is made up and attached to the instrument cowling, this is then fitted in front of the cockpit. The front screen then goes over this. For the main canopy there is an internal frame to add, along with three photo-etch mirrors.

 

 

The next stage is to make up and attach the wings. The wings come with separate flaps and slats which is good, and they can be positioned open or closed, however there appear to be no actuators present. The wings themselves are a single part to which the flaps and slats are added. Once made up they can be attached to the fuselage along with the vertical tail. The tail is a conventional left/right split and there are a pair of aerials to be added from the inside before you close them up.

 

Moving on to the last stages of construction various aerials are added along with a pilots ladder if needed. The gear doors are added along with two prominent rear ventral air scoops for the engines, along with the prominent re-fuelling probe. The arrestor hook is added along with the wing tip & under wing pylons.

 

A wide variety of stores are included with the kit for the modeller to choose from. These are AIM-9P & AIM-9L missiles, MK82 and MK-84 bombs, fuels tanks and GBU-12 guided bombs.

 

 

Canopy
The clear parts in the kit are thin and very clear. As always with Hobby Boss they wrap the clear parts in a protective foam which is a good thing to do.

 

Decals
There are two decal sheets in the kit. One provides markings for two aircraft, and the other the markings for the weapons. The two marking options provided are;

 

• 32-40, 13 Gruppo, 32 Stormo, Italian Air Force.
• 2-10, 14 Gruppo, 2 Stormo, Italina Air Force.

 

 

Conclusion
This is good looking kit from Hobby Boss. Recommended.

 

 

Review sample courtesy of