AIM-4G Super Falcon

Eduard BRASSIN, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by David Harmer

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

The Hughes AIM-4 Falcon was the first operational guided air-to-air missile of the United States Air Force. Development began in 1946; the weapon was first tested in 1949. The missile entered service with the USAF in 1956.

Produced in both heat-seeking and radar-guided versions, the missile served during the Vietnam War with USAF McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II units. Designed to shoot down slow bombers with limited maneuverability, it was ineffective against maneuverable fighters over Vietnam. Lacking proximity fusing, the missile would only detonate if a direct hit was scored. Only five kills were recorded.

With the AIM-4's poor kill record rendering the F-4 ineffective at air-to-air combat, the fighters were modified to carry the USN-designed AIM-9 Sidewinder missile instead, which was already carried on USN and USMC F-4 Phantom II and F-8 Crusader jet fighters.

Despite the AIM-4’s miserable combat performance, the improved AIM-4F/AIM-4G Super Falcon remained in USAF and ANG service, primarily with Convair F-102 Delta Dagger and F-106 Delta Dart interceptors, until the final retirement of the F-106 in 1988*

Resin sets don’t come any easier to assemble than this one from Eduard. Four beautifully cast one-piece missiles ready to be removed from their casting blocks, the only further assembly required being to add the etched PE nozzles.

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Parts appear beautifully cast and well detailed. They will be considerably easier to assemble than the plastic parts provided in the Trumpeter Delta Dart kit and also look to be more refined, the fins, in particular are very fine. 
If you choose to model the missile bay open, these will add real colour to your build.

Who doesn’t want to hang a bright red and white missile under their F-102 or F-106 (even if the real missile was widely regarded as a dud)?

Recommended

Thanks to Eduard for the samples and images.

Review Text Copyright © 2016 by David Harmer
Page Created 8 August, 2016
Last updated 9 August, 2016

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