1:72 GBU-31 (V)1/B JDAM (3D-Printed)

Eduard GBU-31 (V)1/B JDAM 1:72, 3D-printed external stores

An accessory set of 3D-printed armament from the Czech manufacturer Eduard. It is not an airplane model but a heavy external bomb in 1:72 scale with which you complete a model of a modern combat aircraft under construction. The parts are printed in resin and have fine surface detail and sharp edges that injection-molded plastic usually cannot reach in this scale. Working with them is like working with resin and suits more experienced modelers.

The real subject

JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) is not a bomb in its own right but a guidance kit fitted to a conventional unguided bomb: a tail module with control surfaces plus a GPS receiver and an inertial unit. A cheap dumb bomb thus becomes a precision-guided weapon. The GBU-31 is the version built on a heavy 2000 lb body; the (V)1/B configuration uses a conventional high-explosive warhead. The key difference from laser-guided bombs such as the GBU-12: JDAM aims by satellite navigation and an inertial system (GPS/INS) at coordinates entered in advance, so it does not need anyone to illuminate the target with a laser and works in poor visibility, in rain or in smoke. Bombs of this family are carried by modern American combat aircraft.

Use and work tips

• Separate the parts carefully from the supports with a fine saw or a cutter; never snap them off.
• Before gluing, wash the 3D-printed parts in lukewarm soapy water and let them dry.
• Glue with cyanoacrylate glue (super glue), as plastic cement does not hold on resin.
• Sand wet and with respiratory protection.
• Lay down a primer before painting; a JDAM is typically finished in a uniform dark shade with sharply defined bands, so masks are worth using.
• Check the load rating and the arrangement of the pylons on the base model, as a 2000 lb bomb hangs only on heavy racks.

Who the set is for

For modelers of modern military aircraft in 1:72 scale who want to replace the plastic armament from the box with more detailed stores or to build a faithful strike configuration. Because of the work with resin and the fine parts, the set is intended for advanced modelers.

An accessory set, not a complete model; the base aircraft kit is not included in the package. It is supplied unassembled and unpainted; glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise. Use respiratory protection when sanding.