R-3S / AA-2 Atoll-A

Eduard BRASSIN, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Michael Drover

Eduard's 1/48 scale Atoll-A missiles are available online from Squadron.com

The development of the R-3S follows an interesting birth. During the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis in 1958, Taiwanese F-86 Sabres were engaged with Chine MiG-17’s when a Sidewinder fired from  a Taiwanese Sabre failed to explode after become lodged in a Chinese Mig-17. Soviet officials soon acquired the missile and the R-3S (NATO reporting name ‘Atoll-2’.

It was reported that the missile had been copied so well that a captured ‘Atoll’ examined by NATO staff found that components from the Sidewinder could be used in the Atoll and vice versa. Such was the extent of the reverse engineering by the Soviets that even part numbers were identical to the US version.

Components for four missiles are provided in the set as well as the launch rails.

Eduard has been quite thoughtful when producing these missiles. The pour plugs are at the motor end of the missile which alleviates the problem of cleaning up one or two sprue tabs from the body which usually occurs with their plastic cousins. Thanks to this production method cleanup up will be quick and minimal. Separate steering fins are provided in sets of four on each pour block. The sensor head is also provided in clear resin along with protective covers sensors. This isn’t something that I’ve seen provided in aftermarket set for missiles so it should add some visual interest to a model.

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Thumbnail panels:

Decals are provided for both the missile body and the launch rail. The decals are crisply printed and the text is legible.

The etch is used for the motor bodies and the umbilical leads to the launch rail.

Due to the simple construction of these missiles I can recommend these.

Thanks to Eduard for the samples.

Review Text Copyright © 2013 by Michael Drover
Page Created 7 November, 2013
Last updated 7 November, 2013

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