Grumman EA-6B Prowler

Kinetic, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

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A little over six months ago, Kinetic released their first US Navy aircraft - a long-awaited 1/48 scale E-2C Hawkeye.

Now, Kinetic has followed up with a 1/48 scale EA-6B Prowler.

Monogram's 1/48 scale EA-6B has been around for a decade or so, but this best depicted a very early version and suffered from a number of common (an inappropriate) parts with the earlier Revell A-6 Intruder kit.

Kinetic's new EA-6B, on the other hand, represents a current Prowler fitted to ICAP III standards straight from the box, complete with ALQ-99 jamming pods, fin cap antenna housing and associated smaller antennae.

The kit comprises 207 parts in pale grey-green plastic plus 12 parts in clear. Markings for a single colourful Prowler are included.

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Thumbnail panels:

Surface texture is a distinct improvement over the Hawkeye, with finer recessed panel lines and quite smooth plastic overall. It is not quite Hasegawa quality yet, but it is really not that far off.

The cockpit is respectably fitted out with four multi-part seats, instrument panels with raised detai and basic side consolesl. Harness straps are not depicted, However, as they have already done for their F-16 and E-2 families, Kinetic will undoubtedly release colour photo-etch for the front office before too long.

The front landing gear bay is moulded as part of a ventral insert, and features separate sidewalls.

The jet intakes only go as far as the front of the ladders, but Kinetic has at least moulded an engine face here. On the upside, the boarding ladders may be posed open; and there is a decent length of exhaust ducting.

The wings are mounded as inner and outer sections, with top and bottom parts for each of the four sections. The inboard wing sections should mate securely to the fuselage with a large joining area. The top of the wheel well extends into the fuselage area to help with a solid join too.

The wings may be posed either folded or extended. Different parts are required at the wing fold depending on which option you choose, so pay careful attention to the instructions.

Leading edge slats and flaps are all moulded closed, while the rudder and airlerons are in neutral positions. I would not be surprised to see Wolfpack Designs and others address these areas for modellers who like to see their aircraft with everything hanging out. The horizontal stabs can pivot on their locating pin, so these may be posed according to the modeller's taste.

Undercarriage parts are broken down simply, while the wheels feature separate tyre halves sandwiching the wheel hubs. This should make painting easier. The front landing light is supplied as a separate clear part for the front landing gear door.

A plethora of separate small antennae pepper the fuselage.

The transparencies are thin, very clear and free of distortion.

Kinetic has moulded the opening sections of the canopy in two parts each so they retain their thinness, but still feature their characteristic bulge. You'll just need to take care when gluing the canopy halves together (although the saving grace is that there is a centreline frame along the line of the join).

Markings

Markings are supplied for a very colourful EA-6B of VAQ-140 Patriots, with the fin and wing tips covered wth the Stars and Stripes. The wing tip markings are supplied as decals, as is the piping around the canopy area. The stars are provided in strips, so should not be too much of a chore to apply!

The decals are perfectly printed by Cartograf.

Artwork was designed by Fightertown Decals.

The large decal sheet includes stencil markings.

Kinetic's brand new 1/48 scale EA-6B Prowler is an impressive model of an important subject. 207 parts might seem like a high number, but construction looks to be very straightforward. Surface detail is noticeably improved compared to the Hawkeye as well.

I was very pleased to see the folded wing option, inclusion of ordnance and the sparkling clear parts and those decals are pretty spectacular. USD$49.99 looks like very good value too.

I will be sending this sample up to Mick Evans, so no doubt we will see the model built very soon!

Thanks to Lucky Model for the samples

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2010 by Brett Green
Page Created 10 June, 2010
Last updated 10 June, 2010

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