1:72 BAe Hawker Trainer Mk.120 No.85 Sqn South Africa 2008

The real subject

The BAe Hawk is a two-seat jet trainer of British design that in its advanced form is also used as a light combat machine. It serves in dozens of countries, and the individual export versions differ from one another in avionics, armament and the shape of the forward section. On training machines, moreover, striking color schemes appear more often, because the aircraft has to be clearly visible both in flight and on the ground. The Mk.120 version belongs to the newer generation intended for preparing the pilots of combat aircraft.

The workmanship

This is a collector model in 1:72 scale, that is, in the most widespread scale of aircraft models. It carries the colors of the South African Air Force, which on training machines are more striking than with combat units. The version, that is, whether the model is supplied assembled and painted, is stated by the manufacturer on the packaging.

Placement and care

Stand the model in a display case or on a shelf so that direct sunlight does not fall on it, as it gradually changes both the shades of the colors and the saturation of the printing. Sweep dust off with a soft brush, working from the fuselage out to the wingtips. Lift the model by the fuselage, because the tail surfaces, the footsteps and the antennas are fragile in this scale.

Who it is for

The item suits collectors of modern training aircraft and anyone who is assembling a collection of machines of one type in various national colors. It will also complement a display case focused on air forces outside Europe. A base, a display case and other accessories need not be part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.