1:72 AQM -34 Frebeb

The real subject

The AQM-34 Firebee unmanned vehicle came about by reworking an aerial target and showed that a machine without a crew can manage reconnaissance over dangerous territory. It flew a route set in advance, took photographs and then returned to an area where it was recovered by parachute and could be used again. A carrier aircraft lifted it into the air and released it.

What the set contains

The contents are an unmanned vehicle in 1:72 scale. It suits anywhere a scene is meant to be complete: under the wing of a carrier aircraft, on a transport trolley beside an airfield model, or simply on its own on a small base next to larger models.

Building and painting tips

The material is not injection-molded polystyrene, so reach for super glue for the joints. Cut the excess material away with a sharp blade a little way from the part and clean up the rest with fine abrasive paper. Then wash the surface in lukewarm soapy water and let it dry, otherwise the paint will hold unreliably.

Paint in thin coats from an airbrush and watch that the small shape does not get flooded. On an object this small, discreet accenting of the edges and no more than hinted wear look good. Dry-fit the mounting under an aircraft first and check that the vehicle hangs parallel with the longitudinal axis.

Who it is for

The accessory is for a modeler who enjoys less usual aviation hardware and likes to add something to the display case that the next collector does not have. The carrier aircraft model, a base, paints and glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.