1:32 AN / ALQ-101 ECM POD (SHORT LENGTH VERSION) (3D PRINTING)

AN/ALQ-101 ECM pod, short version, 1:32 scale

This is an add-on to an aircraft model, not a kit. According to the name the set is made by 3D printing and represents the AN/ALQ-101 electronic warfare pod in the shorter configuration. It is hung under the wing or on a fuselage pylon of a model in 1:32 scale and adds equipment that the kit in the box usually does not have.

The real subject

The AN/ALQ-101 is an American jamming pod, that is a carried housing with equipment for jamming the radar systems of air defenses. It was deployed from the second half of the 1960s on tactical aircraft, among others on the F-4 Phantom II, and other Western air forces used it as well. It was made in several configurations that differed, among other things, in the length of the pod body; this set represents the shorter variant. When choosing, therefore, go by the particular machine and period you are building.

Building and painting tips

First wash the 3D printed parts in warm water with a drop of detergent and check whether any remains of the supports are left on them; cut those off with a knife and sand the marks gently. The surface of a print tends to have a fine layering that very fine sanding paper and a coat of primer will even out, and the primer will also reveal any shortcomings. It is bonded with super glue. Choose the painting according to the machine you hang the pod on; a fine wash will bring out the division of the panels and the small antennas.

Who the set is for

• For modelers who build tactical aircraft in 1:32 scale
• For collectors of external equipment and pods
• For building a model with equipment beyond the contents of the kit
• For modelers with experience of 3D printed accessories

The set is supplied unassembled and unpainted. The kit, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.