1:48 Falanga 9M17P missiles

Falanga 9M17P missiles 1:48 (Eduard)

This item is not a helicopter kit but a resin accessory from the Czech manufacturer Eduard. It contains Falanga anti-tank guided missiles in the 9M17P form in 1:48 scale - that is, external armament that you hang on a model in place of the simplified parts from the box. A resin casting offers sharper edges on the fins, a more accurate shape of the front section and more legible surface detail, which shows especially well on slender bodies with symmetrical surfaces.

The real subject

The Falanga 9M17P is a Soviet anti-tank guided missile with command guidance, intended to destroy armored targets from the deck of an attack helicopter. It was carried in launchers at the ends of the wing pylons and was a typical part of the armament of the earlier versions of the Mi-24 attack helicopter family. The version with the index P differed from the base variant in its method of guidance, which made it easier for the operator to keep the target in line throughout the missile's flight.

Fitting and painting tips

Wash the parts in lukewarm water with detergent and let them dry. Cut the casting blocks off with a fine saw and sand the surfaces wet; protect your airways when sanding resin. They are glued with cyanoacrylate glue (super glue). Paint over a primer and finish the racks before fitting them to the model - once the missiles are hung, reaching them is hard. Missiles tend to be markedly cleaner than the rest of the machine, so go easier with weathering on them than on the fuselage.

Who the set is for

• Builders of attack helicopters in 1:48 scale.
• Modelers for whom the external armament from the box is not enough.
• Anyone after the faithful armament fit of a particular version of the machine.
• More experienced builders used to working with resin.

This is an accessory, not a standalone model. The base kit, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.