Eduard AGM-142 Popeye Have Nap (648652) 1:48

[Mike]

AGM-142 Popeye Have Nap (648652)

1:48 Eduard Brassin

 

 

The AGM-142 Popeye is an Israeli developed stand-off missile that has the hilariously inappropriate UN code “Have Nap” that is used in US service.  It is powered by a rocket motor, although some later versions have a jet engine instead, and can be controlled by the launching aircraft or elsewhere, using inertial guidance, infrared or TV, and carrying a fragmentation or penetrator warhead, depending on the target.  It is in use with a number of countries, and America was a user of the TV equipped variant up until 2004.

 

As is now usual with Eduard's more compact resin sets, they arrive in the shallow Brassin cardboard box, with the resin parts safely cocooned in bags, one of which is made from bubble-wrap, and the instructions folded around acting as further padding.  There are two missile units in the box, and they are large, cylindrical pieces.  The various fins, clear seeker lenses and nosecone are in a separate bag, while the decals are in their own bag.

 

 

Construction is straight forward after removing the parts from their casting blocks, which should also be pretty easy due to Eduard’s commitment to keeping the pour gates to an absolute minimum area.  The nose cone fits on a keyed joint, which will need a little fettling in order to get a good join, which I tested out to ensure I wasn’t talking nonsense.  There is the option of a clear resin seeker lens in the nose cone, or you can fit the hemispherical FOD cap that is used to protect the lens on the ground.

 

Two sets of tail fins are slotted into rectangular slots on the forward larger fins, and round pegs for the smaller aft fins.  You will need to ensure that you get these parts perpendicular to the missile body and lined up with each other to ensure a good look, with another two “whisker” fins on the nose, fitting snugly into their slots.

 

The painting guide is printed in colour on the instructions, and as usual quotes Gunze colour codes along with the colour names to assist with painting using other brands.  The stencils dotted around the weapon are also shown on the same diagram, and from my experience with their decals, they should provide no issues.

 

Highly recommended.

 

 

Review sample courtesy of