Eduard GBU-54 Non-Thermally Protected (648564) 1:48

[Mike]

GBU-54 Non-Thermally Protected (648564)

1:48 Eduard Brassin

 

 

Based upon the 500lb Mk.82 iron bomb, the GBU-54 is one of the smaller Joint Direct Attack Munitions, JDAM for short.  It comprises a kit including steering fins at the rear, and a seeker head at the front, with a conduit linking them together along with a series of straps that fit around the bomb’s circumference.  They are available in bare and thermally protected variants to protect them against heat, with the latter type usually used on carriers.

 

 

This set includes resin parts for four bombs with smooth-surfaces.  As is now usual with Eduard's smaller resin sets, they arrive in the new shallow Brassin cardboard box, with the resin parts safely cocooned in bags, and the instructions folded around acting as padding.  Inside the box are eight main parts and twelve smaller inserts in grey resin, a small fret of Photo-Etch (PE), and a decal sheet containing stencils for four bombs. 

 

The bombs are built around the central bomb body, to which the rear guiding fins are added along with a choice of three types of insert just forward of the fins.  Each body is attached to a pour block at the rear, which is then covered by a small PE circle.  Just forward of the tail is a cut-out into which a choice of three inserts is applied, moving the sensor slightly forward or back, depending on which one you choose.  A scrap diagram shows the correct orientation of the fins with regard to the carriage lugs that are moulded into the top of each bomb.  Detailed painting of the various aspects of the bombs are called out on the instructions, while the stencils are shown on a colour diagram overleaf, with the colour codes also in a table on the opposite page.

 

 

Conclusion

You can’t beat Eduard weapons sets for detail, with crisp moulding throughout.  My only qualm is a wish for more information about the optional aspects of their sets and kits.

 

Highly recommended.

 

 

Review sample courtesy of