Airbus A400M Atlas

Revell, 1/144 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Revell's 1/144 Airbus A400M Atlas is available online from Squadron.com

The Airbus A400M Atlas is a multi-national four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft.

It was designed by Airbus Military as a tactical airlifter with strategic capabilities to replace older transport aircraft, such as the Transall C-160 and the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules. The A400M can perform mission roles other than transportation, including electronic surveillance and aerial refuelling.

The A400M's maiden flight, originally planned for 2008, took place on 11 December 2009 from Seville, Spain.

Between 2009-2010, the A400M faced cancellation as a result of development program delays and cost overruns; however, the customer nations chose to maintain their support of the project. A total of 174 A400M aircraft have been ordered by eight nations as of July 2011.

In March 2013, the A400M received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification. The first aircraft was delivered to the French Air Force in August 2013

Source: Wikepedia.

Revell already offers a 1/72 scale A400M which must be huge, as this one is a decent size even in 1/144 scale.

The length of the 1/144 scale fuselage is 32 cm.

Revell’s 1/144 scale Airbus A400M comprises 124 parts in medium grey coloured plastic and 11 parts in clear. The plastic parts are perfectly moulded, with smooth texture and no imperfections on any of the outside surfaces.

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Thumbnail panels:

Surface details are a combination of crisply recessed panel lines and raised features as appropriate.

This interior of this small scale kit is very well fitted out. The main cabin is lined with an entire interior shell – two sidewalls and floor extending almost the length of the fuselage. The fuselage sidewalls have relevant structural detail and seat backs moulded in place, while the floor bristles with tie-downs.

Four forward bulkheads are also supplied, along with an interior staircase leading to the flight deck. The front office is fitted with three basic seats and an instrument panel with decal dials but little else – perfectly adequate in this scale.

Transparencies are clear and thin. The windscreen is moulded as a single part with the forward upper fuselage, so you won't have to fiddle with sall separate windows.

Plenty of useful options are offered. I particularly liked the choice of either feathered or regular propellers.

The undercarriage may be built extended or retracted, the cargo door may be posed open or closed and the door for the flight crew is separate. Entry stairs are moulded onto the inside of the crew hatch.

Instructions are covered over 49 steps in a 12 page booklet.

Markings are supplied for the following three early adopters:

• c/n 0018, 54+01, German Airforce, Luft Transport Geschwader 62, 2014 Wunstrof

• c/n 0008, F-RBAB, Ville de Toulouse, French Air Force, 2014 and

• c/n 0006, F-WWMZ, 2013.

The colour scheme is any colour you want as long as it is overall Grey.

The flat-finished decals are in register and colour saturation looks good. Wing walks, door outlines and stencils are included on the sheet.

This new heavy hauler fits in nicely with Revell’s recent big releases.

Revell’s 1/144 scale Airbus A400M Atlas is beautifully moulded, well detailed and offers plenty of options. It should see some crossover interest from both military and airline modellers.

Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For details visit www.revell.de/en, @RevellGermany or facebook.com/Revell

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2014 by Brett Green
Page Created 11 December, 2014
Last updated 11 December, 2014

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