1:32 GBU-12 (A,B)

Reskit 1:32 GBU-12 (A,B), laser-guided bombs

An add-on set of GBU-12 laser-guided bombs in 1:32 scale from the Reskit brand, in the form matching the versions the name marks as A and B. It is not an airplane kit but armament to be hung under a model under construction. For a large scale it is a rewarding accessory: on a bomb of this size the shape of the seeker head and the divisions of the wings are visible on the model.

The real subject

The GBU-12 belongs to the Paveway family and came about by adding a guidance kit to a conventional aerial bomb: a head tracking the reflected laser beam at the front, folding wings at the back. The bomb itself has no propulsion, it only glides and corrects its path as it goes, so success depends on how long somebody keeps the target illuminated, whether that is another aircraft, a pod on the carrier or an observer on the ground. The GBU-12 is the smallest and most used member of the family; it has been in service since the Vietnam War and is used to this day, which makes it fitting armament for models across several decades.

Usage tips

• Check the mounting and the angle of the bomb dry before you glue it permanently.
• Wash and degrease the surface before painting, then apply a primer.
• Finish the seeker head and the wings last; they are easily damaged.
• Choose the glue according to the material of the part and apply it in small amounts.

Who the set is for

• Builders of combat aircraft in 1:32 scale with a faithful weapons load.
• Modelers for whom the simplified bombs from an ordinary kit are not enough.
• Those who build equipment from Vietnam to the present day.