French Aircraft Ordnance

L'Arsenal Aero, 1/48 scale

S u m m a r y :
Catalogue Number	AC-48-41 Mirage F-1/2000 AUF2 dual bomb pylon	AC-48-29 1/48 Multi task designation pod Damoclès for Rafale jet fighter	AC-48-44 1/48 Damoclès targeting pod and FLIR NAHAR pylon
Contents and media	14 resin  pieces	3 resin pieces	3 resin pieces
Scale	1/48	1/48	1/48
Price:  L’Arsenal + shipping	€3.95 + Shipping	€5.95 + Shipping	€5.95 + Shipping
Review Type	First Look
Advantages:	Well cast and easy clean up
Disadvantages:	No painting guide supplied
Recommendation:	Recommended for French fast jet fans

Reviewed by Michael Drover

HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron.com

The French manufacturer L’Arsenal Aero have been producing French specific ordnance and store carriers for several years now. This is the first time that I’ve the I’ve seen their products first hand and if first impressions are anything to go by I am certainly impressed by the workmanship of their products. Each of the sets reviewed here a cast in cream resin and come supplied in a small ziplock bag with a small product leaflet.

AC-48-41 Mirage F-1/2000 AUF2 dual bomb pylon

The Rafaut AUF-2 adapter pylon is designed for use on the Mirage 2000 and Mirage F-1 series of aircraft. Each pylon is designed to carry and release two bombs. The pylon is wired to carry either guided or un-guided ordinance and is wired to carry the latest in smart guided munitions.

The set contains fourteen resin items for two individual units. The fidelity of the parts, particularly the carriers themselves, is remarkable and free of any casting flaws. The only cleanup required that I can see will be the tidy up of the trailing edge on the each of the carrier units. Separate sway braces are provided as are the pylon mounting lugs. In my sample, several of the small of the pylons mounting lugs had snapped from the casting blocks so be careful when opening up the package. No painting guide is supplied. Recommended for all modern French aircraft fans.

AC-48-29 1/48 Multi task designation pod Damoclès for Rafale jet fighter AND AC-48-44 1/48 Damoclès targeting pod and FLIR NAHAR pylon

The Damocles is a current generation laser designation pod designed and built by Thales of France. It’s primary use us the designation of ground targets for laser guided and GPS/INS guided munitions. Within the Armée de l'Airthe systems is deployed on the Mirage 2000, Rafale and Super Etendard aircraft, It has also been delivered to several ex[ort customers in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Russia has procured a license to manufacture the pod through their own domestic manufacturers.

To be clear, each Damocles unit can be purchased with either Rafale or Mirage pod. Refer to the price table for specifics. Each unit is supplied in three pieces consisting of the designator body, traversing seeker head and the aircraft specific mounting pylon. The seeker head and designator have small pour plugs to be cleaned up but other than that there is not much else to do besides a wash in some soapy water and a coat of paint. Access panels and rivet details is abundant yet subtle enough to give some visual interest. Phillipe Goulard has certainly displayed his skill with these two items. Recommended to modern Armée de l'Air fans.

These three detail sets from L’Arsenal Aero are a great addition to the niche ordinance and weapons corner of aircraft ordinance and accessories . I recommend all of these for you next modern French fighter build.

Thanks to L'Arsenalfor the review sample..

Review Text and Image Copyright © 2014 by Michael Drover
Page Created 11 August, 2014
Last updated 11 August, 2014

Back to HyperScale Main Page

Back to Reviews Page