KAB-500L 500kg Laser-Guided Bomb

Advanced Modeling, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Mark Davies

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The KAB-500L is the baseline laser semi-active homing 500 kg guided bomb developed for the FA-VVS and widely exported since the end of the Cold War. It achieved initial operational capability in 1979. The weapon uses the Azov 27N or later 27N1 semi-active laser homing seeker using an annular airfoil and optical design similar to the Paveway I/II series. It will provide similar characteristics to the baseline Paveway I/II seeker. The cited CEP is 7 to 10 metres, which is consistent with this style of seeker and the bang-bang control loop technology involved. Delivery envelope is 1 to 15 km AGL and 550 - 1700 kmh. Variants:

• KAB-500L-Pr-E - Penetrating bunker buster with sub-calibre warhead.

• KAB-500L-F-E - Blast fragmentation warhead equivalent to M118.

• KAB-500L-OD-E - Thermo-baric warhead / FAE.

• KAB-500L-K-E - Cluster warhead.

Source: Airpower Australia

The resin bomb parts come loose packaged in a resealable cellophane bag, whilst the PE parts are further enclosed in their own small bag along with the decals. Inserted into the main bag is a card stiffener, and attached to this are fold-out instructions with English and Russian text. The instructions use clearly dawn assembly diagrams. The instructions include paint colour and an FS-595 reference, and illustrate locations for the stencilling provided on the decal sheet.

The instructions also give some background to the weapon and advise that it is can be carried by the Su-24M, Su-25TM, Su-25SM, Su-30MKI, Su-30MKK, Su-32, Mig-27K, and MiG-29SMT aircraft.

Each bomb is made of four parts; the main body and tailfins, warhead with forward fins, target coordinator (laser seeker head), and PE base-plate. The instructions also advise to make a small rod for the nose of each bomb for the target coordinator to mount on. This should not be too hard to make, but I would have thought that this could have been cast with the warhead nose. Perhaps at 1.2 mm long by 0.9mm in diameter there was a risk it would break off when the warhead part is removed from its mould.

There is a small error with the instructions, which are based on those used with the 1/48 equivalent set. This is where they refer to two separate mounting lugs to fix to the bomb casing, whereas in fact the 1/72 set has the lugs cast in place (their being way too small to have as individual parts in the smaller scale). But this is a minor matter that does not affect product accuracy or quality, and has is to be corrected in future production runs.

The detail is excellent for the scale, and very delicate. The casting appears flawless, and the casting blocks should be easy to remove. The decal sheet also appears to be good quality.

I have used Advanced Modeling’s own images, downloaded from BNA Models’ website, as these give a true indication of the parts’ appearance and are better than I could take!

I have included four images provided by Advanced Modeling that illustrate the real weapon.

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Distribution

Advanced Modeling does not currently have a website as all efforts are focused on expanding their product range. Distribution is through a growing number of on-line stockists and distributors. Those which had stock at the time of writing are listed in the summary table above, whilst those who did not are listed below:

• Czech Republic - Modelimex & Valka

• Hungary - HAD Models

• Hong Kong - Hobbyeasy

• USA - Roll Models & Victory Models

This is a simple and superbly detailed pair of laser-guided bombs. The need to make a mounting rod for the seeker head is surprising, but only a minor inconvenience. I am very impressed with what Advanced Modeling has to offer, and happily recommend their KAB-500L’s reviewed here.

Thanks to Advanced Modeling for the review sample

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2015 by Mark Davies
Page Created 22 July, 2015
Last updated 22 July, 2015

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