1:32 AIM-7A Sparrow I missiles (4 pcs)

AIM-7A Sparrow I missiles in 1:32 scale

Armament for early American jet fighters. The set captures the first generation of the Sparrow series, that is, a weapon that differs markedly from the later versions in shape and in its method of guidance. The builder adds it to a finished or part-built model.

Which generation the missile belongs to

The Sparrow I was the first production member of the family and worked on the beam-riding principle. The fighter had to hold the target in a narrow beam for the whole flight of the missile, which considerably limited the pilot's options in maneuvering combat. The weapon was carried by machines of the turn of the 1950s: the McDonnell F3H Demon, the Vought F7U Cutlass and the Douglas F3D Skyknight night fighter. The short service of the Sparrow I led to a rapid change to semi-active radar guidance, which kept the family in service for decades more.

Working with tiny parts

The fins and stabilizers of the early generation have a different span and shape from later versions, so do not mix them up with parts from other sets during the build. Fit the pylons under the fuselage dry and check that they are in line, so that the missiles do not hang crooked. A white finish calls for a good light undercoat, otherwise the color beneath shows through.

For what builds

• early jet carrier fighters of the 1950s
• models with empty pylons and no period armament
• collections mapping the development of guided missiles
• large scales, where small differences really do show

The basis for the installation, that is, the aircraft, is obtained separately.