1:144 KC-130J - Refueling Pod (2 pcs)

A pod from which a hose unwinds in flight

The tanker version of the Hercules rounds the fixed tanks under the wings out with a pair of pods hung outboard of the outer engines. Inside each of them is a reel with a long hose ending in a basket, into which the receiving aircraft inserts its refueling probe. Compared with the US Air Force, which uses a rigid telescoping boom, this arrangement is slower, but it makes it possible to refuel two machines at once and it suits slower aircraft and helicopters.

Why replace the parts from the box

In this small scale the pod is barely three centimeters long, and the castings capture the inlet opening of the ram air turbine and the shape of the rear end better than a split plastic mold can. The set holds two pieces, that is exactly as many as the aircraft carries, so one side or both can be fitted out.

The accessory that smaller brands rest on

Anyone building modern transport and special-purpose aircraft in small scales runs into the fact that the trade revolves around fighters. The Czech workshop that makes this set lists several items for the same machine and also deals with the conversion to the armed version.

• Two pieces of refueling pods in 1:144 scale
• The real subject is the naval tanker version of the four-engine transport
• A cast rendition with the inlet of the ram air turbine drawn out
• One side or both can be fitted out according to the scene being built
• The aircraft itself has to be obtained separately