Grumman C-2A Greyhound

Kinetic, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron.com

Who would have thought that we would ever see a plastic Grumman C-2 Greyhound in 1/48 scale? Until now, the only way that modellers could build a C-2 in any scale was to apply the old Falcon vacform 1/72 scale Greyhound conversion to the Fujimi Hawkeye.

Kinetic has taken the plunge and produced this essential carrier-based cargo and passenger aircraft as a 1/48 scale injection moulded kit.

The C-2 Greyhound is a development of the E-2 Hawkeye. The original aircraft shared the same wing and engines, but featured a wider fuselage, a rear loading ramp and revised vertical stabilisers / rudders. The aircraft is capable of carrying a load of 4,500 kg of passenger and/or cargo. The Greyhound commenced production in 1965, and the fleet was overhauled in 1973 to extend its service life. A new version of the Greyhound was ordered in 1984 with improved avionics and some airframe modifications to become the C-2A(R). In 2000, all remaining Greyhounds started a Service Life Extension Programme, which included the fitting of the NP2000 eight-bladed propeller assembly. 39 C-2(R)s are currently in active service with the US Navy.

Kinetic's new 1/48 scale Greyhound represents the current C-2(R) version, with the option of four or eight bladed propeller assemblies.

Opening the box, the first impression is the large size of the model.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 

Thumbnail panels:

The kit comprises 209 parts in pale grey plastic plus 14 parts in clear. Markings for two Greyhounds are included. Similar to the Tracker, the sprues are packed into three separate plastic bags although the sheer bulk of the parts still makes them a tight squeeze in the top opening box.

Surface texture continues to improve when compared to earlier releases. I think this is Kinetic's best effort yet. The panel lines are crisp and genuinely fine, while the raised detail on the fuselage in particular adds to the impression of substance for this large and utilitarian aircraft.

The wings are moulded as inner and outer sections. The centre section sits over the top of the fuselage with a single upper saddle and two lower pieces either side.

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. The join for the folded wing option looks robust and positive.

The flaps and ailerons are supplied as separate parts and may be posed deployed or neutral. The rudders and elevators are moulded in neutral positions.

The engine nacelles are nicely detailed and incorporate the main wheel wells. These are well done but they do present the modeller with several prominent ejector pin circles to deal with.

Both the four-bladed and eight-bladed propeller assemblies are supplied.

The passenger cabin is well fitted out with 20 rear-facing seats, textured floor and sidewalls, ceiling frame and more. The front door incorporating entry steps is separate and may be posed open, as may the cargo ramp.

The cockpit is made up from a tub with side consoles and rudder pedals moulded in place, two seats, freestanding control columns, instrument panel, coaming plus a centre console. Harness straps are not included, however, as they have already done for their Tracker, F-16, E-2 and E-6B families, Kinetic will undoubtedly release a colour photo-etched upgrade for the front office before too long.

A number of separate small antennae are provided for the fuselage.

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

The canopy is one large moulding with two separate pieces representing the bulged side windows.

Markings

Markings are supplied for two Greyhounds in service with the US Navy:

• Bu.No. 162161, VRC-30, USS Ronald Reagan 2010

• Bu.No. 162166, VAW-120, 2009

Both aircraft are finished in standard grey and white.

The propeller tip markings are supplied as decals, as is the prominent walkways on the upper wing.

The decals are designed by Crossdelta and perfectly printed by Cartograf.

The large decal sheet includes stencil markings.

Kinetic's brand new 1/48 scale C-2A Greyhound is large and impressive model of an interesting but previously neglected subject. It also delivers the finest surface detail yet offered by Kinetic.

This is another very nice package in Kinetic's growing US Navy styrene arsenal.

What will they come up with next?

Thanks to Lucky Model for the samples

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2011 by Brett Green
Page Created 12 October, 2011
Last updated 8 March, 2012

Back to HyperScale Main Page

Back to Reviews Page