AIM-4D Falcon

(CAD illustration courtesy of Eduard)

Eduard BRASSIN, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Michael Drover

Eduard's 1/48 AIM-4D Missile Set is available online from Squadron.com

The AIM-4 Falcom was the first operational guided air-to-air missile used by the United States Air Force. It’s initial development began in 1946. It entered service with the USAF ten years later in 1956.

The missile was produced in heat seeking and radar guided versions. It was used by the F-4 Phantom with limited success during the Vietnam War. The missile was intended for use against slow moving and less agile bombers than the aircraft the Phantoms encountered in combat. It’s lack of proximity fusing also rendered it ineffective as a direct hit on a target was required. It was quickly replaced by the AIM-9 Sidewinder.*

Moulded in the standard Eduard greys, this Brassie set contains four complete missiles; enough to arm your next 1/48th F-102 or F-106. The casting detail we’ve come to expect from Eduard is present in these one piece castings. The wings and guidance fins are suitably thin for the scale.

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Thumbnail panels:

The petite moulding of the mounting lugs will fair nicely from a pin wash to bring them to life as will the rest of the piece.

The instructions are a simple affair with the only addition to the missile bodies being the photo etch rim around the rear of the missile body. Colours are called out in the Mr Color/Gunze Aqueous range. Numerous decals are provided on a single decal sheet however the paint guide only shows an inert missile.

You’ll need to check your references for the colours for a live missile scheme.

It’s great to see Eduard expanding their Brassin ordnance lines. The AIM-4D played an important but brief role in the development of the guided missile and Eduard have done a great job in this piece. It will look great on either an F-102 or F-106. Or alternatively an F-4D from the 555th, 13th or 435th Tactical Fighter Squadrons which claimed the only few operational air-to-air kills of the AIM-4 during the Vietnam war. Despite it’s less than stellar combat performance, I recommended this excellent miniature facsimile.

Thanks to Eduard for the samples and images.

Review Text Copyright © 2016 by Michael Drover
Page Created 3 August, 2016
Last updated 3 August, 2016

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