1:72 Antonov An-30 B Clank

1:72 Antonov An-30 B (Amodel)

An injection-molded plastic kit of the twin-engined turboprop Antonov An-30 in the B version, in 1:72 scale. The maker is the Ukrainian brand Amodel, which concentrates on types the large makers do not offer. Decals are included in the package. With Amodel this is short-run production, so allow for more laborious fitting of the parts and for needing to fill and sand more than with kits from the large brands.

The real subject

The An-30 is derived from the An-24 airliner and the An-26 freighter and came about for aerial photography and mapping. Its recognition feature is the completely rebuilt nose with a glazed navigator's station, which gave the aircraft a look no other type in this family has. In the fuselage it carries photographic cameras and windows in the floor. Under the NATO reporting name the aircraft is listed as Clank, and it was used by Soviet and other air forces, among other things for observation flights.

Building and painting tips

Glue the plastic with a thin cement for polystyrene, but with a short-run kit always try the parts dry first. Allow for filling the joints, on the fuselage as well as on the nacelles. The glazed nose is the key part, so mask the clear parts carefully and glue them with an adhesive for canopies, which will not attack clear plastic. Apply a primer before painting and work with an airbrush, as the large smooth surfaces will show every irregularity.

Who the model is for

• modelers of airliners and special-purpose aircraft in 1:72 scale
• anyone interested in equipment of the An-24 and An-26 family
• builders with experience of short-run kits

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.