Eduard AGM-62 Walleye I ER/ERDL (648615) 1:48

[Mike]

AGM-62 Walleye I ER/ERDL (648615)

1:48 Eduard Brassin

 

 

 

The Walleye was an early guided bomb that was surprisingly successful given the analogue nature of the electronics and the relatively short gestation of the type.  It was initially called a missile, but as it was unpowered that was somewhat disingenuous.  It used television for guidance, requiring the pilot to designate a picture of the target on a screen in the cockpit, then after launch the aircraft could turn for home leaving the weapon to home in on the target unaided.  It was first used with great success in Vietnam in 1967, and was found to be an accurate weapon that reduced the likelihood of collateral damage, although it suffered a little from having a relatively light payload. The Mk.I Mod.3 had extended fins, and was also known as the ER/ERDL. The Mk.II went a long way to increase the destructive power, almost doubling the payload for a little more punch, remaining in service thanks to upgrades until just after the first Gulf War, which also marked the last hurrah of the A-7 Corsair II that carried it.

 

 

As is now usual with Eduard's larger resin sets, they arrive in the new Brassin cardboard box, with the resin parts safely cocooned in bags, and the instructions folded around acting as padding in addition to the foam sheets.  The set includes parts for two Walleyes, which are surprisingly large with their extended fins, given their relatively light explosive capability.  The main bodies have the four larger wings moulded-in, with either a clear television camera in the nose, or with a 2.3mm of the tip removed, the protective FOD cover can be installed instead.  At the rear is a resin spinner with PE blades from the tiny Photo-Etch (PE) sheet.  The decal sheet includes stencils for each bomb, which are painted overall white with a red FOD cover, and the spinner at the rear is painted steel or silver, depending on which part of the instructions you read.  A quick check of your references should soon clear that up though.

 

Conclusion

Detail is excellent, even extending to a representation of the camera inside the nose, although no painting instructions are included for that area.  Again, check your references.  The casting blocks should be easy to remove and clean up neatly, thanks to the tapered gates and sensible location of the blocks.

 

Highly recommended.

 

 

Review sample courtesy of