Brengun AN/ALE 47 Countermeasures Dispenser (BRL48122) 1:48

[Mike]

AN/ALE 47 Countermeasures Dispenser (BRL48122)

1:48 Brengun

 

 

Modern aircraft that must face attacks from missiles similar to the ones they themselves carry need to defend themselves accordingly using chaff to confuse radar and flares to distract heat seekers.  You often see the flares popping off at air shows, creating a point of immense heat that simulates the exhaust signature of a jet engine.  The chaff doesn't show up so well, and cleaning-up the pieces off an active runway means they're seldom used other than in combat.  The dispensers are usually found on the fuselage or wing roots of aircraft, and the AN/ALE 47 system is common on NATO aircraft, installed in recessed bays in boxes that can be triggered as needed by connected electronics.  The dispensers fit flush with the skin of the fuselage to minimise drag, and once used the individual slots are clearly open to the elements – do they whistle at speed?

 

The system is closely integrated with the aircraft's threat detection systems, and can either fire autonomously or at the request of the pilot, which is handy for airshows.  Coming into service in the late 90s, they are seen on many of NATO's aircraft of that vintage.  Other chaff and flare systems are available.

 

 

The set arrives in a small flat(ish) package with three resin pouring plugs full of 30 different versions and complements of partly used, empty and full packs for you to use in your models.  You can either cut the moulded-in kit depiction from the model and insert the boxes flush with the skin, box in the aperture and show them being installed or removed from the location by ground crew or, if you need to add the system where they don't already exist, fit them into your newly created dispenser.  I'm sure there are other situations where they'll come in handy too, and they are easy to fit and use with a bit of minor surgery the only likely task to enable them to fit.  They are much more crisp and detailed than any of the moulded-in systems I've seen on my travels, so it's a great way to add a little extra realism to your model.

 

Highly recommended.

 

 

Review sample courtesy of