AIRFIX 1:72 LOCKHEED U-2A/U-2D
Reviewer: Derrick Winters (rec.models.scale)
The Lockheed U-2 is one of the most classified aircraft in the US inventory and began in a shroud of secrecy back in the infamous Lockheed "Skunk Works" days, when it was built for the CIA. The U-2A is the first production of the lanky aircraft with wingspan almost twice longer than the fuselage. It's primary role is one of high altitude photo-reconnaissance with a ceiling of more than 70,000 feet. When the aircraft was first suspected of existing, it was strenuously denied while clandestine missions of overflying the Soviet Union, China and later Cuba operated in secrecy. The infamous shooting down of FG Powers in 1960 confirmed with an abrupt reality what the missions involved. The U-2A and D have retired from service in the 70's but later variants with longer wingspans are still in service today.
This kit is a rather old Airfix release that was later reboxed and marketed by the now defunct MPC hobby company. To my knowledge it is the only 1/72 U-2A/D kit that one can purchase so on this basis I wasn't too phased about what sort of problems the kit would bring - as it was they were aplenty. The kit will produce two examples, one in the early A-model natural metal finish (which looks really good) and the other in the renowned black scheme that also dressed Lockheed SR-71 aircraft (basically radar absorbent paint).
The large instruction sheet is a bit vague and doesn't really show accurate placements for any of the parts. Grab your handy U-2 reference and sit it along side of you while your building your model because many bits, such as trainer wheels, inserts, wing fairings and so forth aren't given exact coverage in the instructions so it's a bit hard to follow.
The kit comes in raised panel-line injected plastic with enough pieces to make the whole bargain a bit of a challenge. Not much detail inside the aircraft or wheel well, not that you need much in this skinny aircraft. The U-2 has long, slender wings and you have to concede that these would be exceptionally hard to reproduce in a model kit - as it turned out I was not wrong here. The wings were a big problem to both subassemble then attach to the fuselage. They need to be reinforced where upper/lower bits meet, but at the same time regard for keeping it lightweight must also be given, so they do not droop down at the wingtips from their size and weight. I would really suggest only building a wheels-down example so that the mid-underwing trainer wheels will help prevent the wingtips from drooping down. The intakes are also a bit of a hassle to fix properly as well as the inserts that go where wing-tanks appear on later models. Mostly these are size inconsistencies which makes for a tough fit and half a tube of putty.
Otherwise generally the kit was surprisingly straightforward with only minor fit problems, sanding and filling having to be accounted for elsewhere. The canopy was also a bit tight but proper filing preparation and then dry fit testing should overcome any hassles here.
I finished the aircraft in the bare metal scheme suggested by Airfix. Because the kit was old, so were the decals which had yellowed. I placed them in a freezer bag, trimmed it and folded it over to seal the decals in, then used sticky tape and placed them facing out against a window in direct sunlight. Three days later I removed them and the yellow had almost completely disappeared. The decals (due to age) were a bit brittle but fortunately I only managed to tear two which were easily lined up and you would never notice the split. They were also very thin and lacked 'oomph', perhaps an aftermarket decal set should have been obtained but the Airfix set were adequate.
Well, the kit is not so bad after all and looks quite accurate in external detail. Be very wary of the fit problems and the other issues surrounding construction of the wing and intakes and if you can get through these you should complete a very nice representation of the U-2. Not a dream model by any stretch of the imagination but worth the buy if you are particularly fond of U-2A/D's as it is not available in 1/72 anywhere else. Intermediate and up modellers only.
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