1:72 American Military Transport Plane C-130J

The real subject

The Hercules is one of the longest-serving military transport aircraft of all. It has a high-mounted wing, a roomy cargo hold with a rear ramp and four turboprop engines, so it can cope even with short and unpaved strips. The C-130J version is the latest development branch of the type and you will recognize it at first glance by its six-blade propellers; it also differs in the instrumentation of the cockpit.

The model in 1:72 scale

In 1:72 scale this is a large piece. The wingspan exceeds half a meter, so the model needs its own room in a display cabinet, but the shape of the fuselage and the lowering rear ramp come out well. One option is to build the aircraft with the ramp open and add cargo or equipment in the same scale; a transport aircraft is rewarding precisely because it shows what it is carrying.

Building and painting

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Cut the parts away with a sharp blade a little away from the part, sand the rest down and glue the joints with a cement intended for plastic models. With the large fuselage and wing parts it pays to try the joints dry first and to glue in sections, so that no gap appears anywhere. Fit the cockpit glazing only after spraying, and mask the frames before spraying rather than once the paint has dried. Wash and degrease the surface before painting.

Who it is for

The kit is intended for anyone interested in military transport equipment and in large models for a cabinet. Paints, glue and other modeling supplies are not included in the delivery, unless stated otherwise; the exact contents of the package, the marking options and the recommended procedure are given in the manufacturer's instructions.