1:32 BLU-1B (750 lb) napalm bombs finned MXU-469/B (4 pcs)

An incendiary weapon of the Vietnam era

The thin-walled BLU-1B container was among the most widespread means the US Air Force used over Southeast Asia against vegetation and lightly covered positions. A casing of thin sheet carried a thickened fuel mixture and tore open on impact, so the filling struck a wide area. Without stabilization it was a smooth body that behaved unpredictably after release and was dropped from low altitude in a straight pass.

What the tail unit was for

That is exactly what the MXU-469/B kit solved. The added tail surfaces gave the container stability along its axis, made the impact curve more precise and allowed a crew to begin a release from a greater distance from the target. The weapon was carried by the light attack A-1 Skyraider and A-37 machines and further by the A-4, F-100 and F-4 in strike tasks.

How to use the set on a model

The set offers four castings with the bands of the casing, the filler neck and the fin unit drawn out. The material is resin, which stands fine sanding and the drilling of mounting holes. After taking them out of the box it is worth bathing the parts briefly in warm water, because any stress is released that way and slightly bowed pieces can be straightened. The load is then hung on the wing pylons of large kits in 1:32.

• Four castings in one package
• The configuration with the MXU-469/B fin kit
• Suitable for strike types of the 1960s and 1970s
• Resin, easy to sand and to drill
• Scale 1:32

In color these containers tended to be inconspicuous, with a light metallic shade or a gray finish completed by narrow color stripes predominating. A photograph of the period is therefore more valuable when finishing than any general recommendation.