Revell Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor 1/72 Revell (03858)

[Julien]

Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor

1/72 Revell (03858)

 

 

In 1981, the US Air Force developed a requirement for a new aircraft that would eventually replace the F15 and F16 as a next step utilising the latest technology in composite materials, flight control and avionics systems. A competition between the Lockheed YF22 and the Northrop YF23 came to a close with the contract being given to Lockheed. 187 aircraft have been ordered by the USAF. The performance of the F22 is as good as it currently gets. In 2005, it was reported to have achieved Mach 1.7 in supercruise flight without the use of its afterburners. Performance is helped by the fact that all the weapons are stowed internally. It has 3 weapons bays - 1 centrally and two in the intakes under the wings. It also has the Vulcan cannon incase it gets in close with its adversaries. With an all glass cockpit, the aircraft is capable of both Air-Ground and Air-Air combat capability. Maneuverability is enhanced by its afterburning pitch vectoring nozzles enabling high angles of attach to be achieved. Without doubt, this is one of, if not the best fighter in the world today combining speed, agility, precision and technology to give it's pilot exceptional spacial awareness. A ban on exports means that only the USAF operate the F-22. This is a shame because it limits the choice of liveries available. Use of the Raptor has been restricted so far, probably due to it's high unit cost and initial teething problems, but kill ratios in Red Flag exercises indicate it's exceptional abilities. Although it's not yet seen combat (apart from in several blockbuster films !), it has intercepted Bears and Balckjacks that have been on probing missions.

 

 

The Kit

This is the Revell Kit first released in 2007. The kit comes in the now familiar end opening type box that Revell now use. It combines good artwork as well as photo's of a constructed model on the side, which I find really useful. Upon opening the box, there are 2 bags containing a total of 4 sprue's. Additionally, the cockpit glass is individually bagged and is nicely portrayed using slightly tinted plastic and is beautifully moulded. In total, there's 116 parts, the main tow being the large single part upper and lower fuselage parts. As we've come to expect from Revell over recent years, the quality of the engineering in this kit is excellent. Fine recessed lines and general moulding quality is very good. The interior of the weapons bays is very well done. There's a few areas where flash is present however nothing that would get in the way of a novice builder. I've read that assembling the engine intakes can be quite challenging due to their assembly design, so care should be taken when when you come to this area of the model. The kit comes with a choice of either Air-Air or Air-Ground / Air-Air combo with 2 bombs for the centre bomb bay, a choice of 2 types of short range missiles and up to 6 medium range missiles. It also comes with two external drop tanks which gives the exterior more character if you choose to fit them. The exhausts can be built in either an open or closed positions. 

 

 

 

 

 

Construction starts with the cockpit. The four part seat is built up and added to the cockpit tub along with the instrument panel. Details for the panel and the side consoles are provided as decals. Next up a host of subassemblies are made up. The engine intakes are the next up and care will be needed with these due to their shapes. There are decals to be applied in the intakes where RAM is used.  The short exhausts are also built up with simulated engine blades at one end. This is followed by the man gear bays and details added to the weapons bays. All of these subassemblies can now be fitted into the upper and lower fuselage halves as needed. The final parts to be fitted before closing them up are the tailplanes.

 

 

Once the fuselage is closed up the vertical tails can be assembled and added along with the exhaust nozzles. These can be in the open or closed positions. The nose gear leg is built up and installed installed into the nose gear bay which is moulded into the lower fuselage half. The nose gear doors are then added, these are moulded as a single part and will have to be cut if being installed in the open position. The main gear doors and their retraction struts are added next. Again these can be fitted open or closed as needed. At the rear of the fuselage the arrestor hook can be fitted in the raised or lowered position. If lowered then the parts will need to be cut up. 

 

 

Additional parts need to be fitted into the weapons bays to hold the weapons if you are going to have them open (would be a shame to close them up and hide all the details). AIM-9L and AIM-9X Sidewinders are included along with AIM-120 AMRAAMs. Additionally for Air to Ground use two JADAAMs are provided. If you want your Stealthy fighter to be decidedly un-stealthy then two under wing fuel tanks are provided. Once all of your stores are on the cockpit needs finishing with the hud and canopy parts. The canopy can be either open or closed. 

 

 

 

Decals

Decals are printed in Italy by Zanetti and should pose no issues. As well as airframe stencils and some prominent panels markings are supplied for two aircraft.

 

03-4055 - 195th Fighter Sqn, 154th Fighter Wing / Hawaii ANG - Pacific Air Force Joint Base Pearl Harbour - Hickam - 2010

01-4022 - 43rd Fighter Sqn, 325th Fighter Wing - Tyndall Air Force Base - 2015      

 

 

Conclusion

This is a good kit of an important USAF aircraft. The parts count is not great and aside from the intakes it should be a trouble free build, the real skill will be in painting the model to resemble the Raptors in service. Recommended. 

 

 

 

 

Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For further information visit

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[Hook]

On 6/8/2021 at 5:45 PM, Julien said:

the real skill will be in painting the model to resemble the Raptors in service.

 

I've found Jim Rotramel's build a very good approach. The best finish I've seen!

 

Quote

This is the Revell Kit first released in 2007.

 

Isn't it depressing to realize that this means I have had the previous release of this kit in the stash for close to 15 years now..? 

 

Cheers,

 

Andre