Lockheed-Martin MC-130E Combat Talon I
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Kit Review
The Italeri Hercules dates back to 1983 when the AC-130A gunship (#139), KC-130F 'Fat Albert' (#140) and DC-130 Drone Director (#148) were all announced, albeit most did not arrive here in the UK until late 1984. From this the kit has been reissued by Testors and Airfix (the Esci/Ertl and AMT/Ertl kits are all based on the Esci kit) and in 1992 it was upgraded to an C-130E/H (#015), then as a C-130J (#061) in 1995 and a US Coast Guards C-130J (#1348) in 2013.
Inside the large box, you will find all the original A through J parts consisting of five sprues moulded in a light grey-coloured plastic and a single sprue in clear plastic. All of the grey parts feature detail via fine raised lines. To this has been added a new sprue 'G' with all the additional parts relating to the Combat Talon I conversion. Kit detail is good, even considering the 30 year vintage, with a nicely detailed flight deck and a full cargo bag floor but bare walls via the interior of the main fuselage halves. The first conversion work comes with the removal of the radome, as there is a new nose supplied and the instructions clearly state you need 20g of weight added inside this before it is attached. The other surgery sees the removal of the extreme rear of the fuselage, as this is replaced with a longer and wider unit. All the remaining upgrade parts are simple bolt-on and the pick-up arms in the front can be put in the open or closed position. There is quite a variation in the position and type of antenna fitted to each of the three decal options, but these are are clearly shown in the instructions, just don't get confused!
Colour Options
There are three schemes in the kit.
• S/No.40551, 8th Special Operations Squadron, 1st Special Operation Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida
• S/No.40523, 711th Special Operations Squadron, 919th Special OPeration Wing, Duke AFB, Florida 2003
• S/No.40561. 711th Special Operations Squadron, 919th Special Operation Wing, Duke AFB, Florida, 2003
The big decal sheet has been printed by Zanchetti-Buccinasco and it is superb, with perfect register and colour, limited carrier film and its all very glossy. All the unique markings are included along with a full set of low and hi-viz stencils and walkway markings.
Conclusion
OK, the base kit is old, but imagine the cost of a newly tooled C-130 in this scale today - say bye-bye to £80+! So, with the additional parts, all of which are nicely moulded, you get a Combat Talon I without the need to work with resin and metal as was the case with the Flightpath conversion set.
Overall the kit is worth adding to your modern USAF collection and is thus recommended.
Our thanks to The Hobby Company Ltd for the review sample, check out this and all other ranges they import by visiting their website www.hobbyco.net.
The Italeri Hercules dates back to 1983 when the AC-130A gunship (#139), KC-130F 'Fat Albert' (#140) and DC-130 Drone Director (#148) were all announced, albeit most did not arrive here in the UK until late 1984. From this the kit has been reissued by Testors and Airfix (the Esci/Ertl and AMT/Ertl kits are all based on the Esci kit) and in 1992 it was upgraded to an C-130E/H (#015), then as a C-130J (#061) in 1995 and a US Coast Guards C-130J (#1348) in 2013.
Inside the large box, you will find all the original A through J parts consisting of five sprues moulded in a light grey-coloured plastic and a single sprue in clear plastic. All of the grey parts feature detail via fine raised lines. To this has been added a new sprue 'G' with all the additional parts relating to the Combat Talon I conversion. Kit detail is good, even considering the 30 year vintage, with a nicely detailed flight deck and a full cargo bag floor but bare walls via the interior of the main fuselage halves. The first conversion work comes with the removal of the radome, as there is a new nose supplied and the instructions clearly state you need 20g of weight added inside this before it is attached. The other surgery sees the removal of the extreme rear of the fuselage, as this is replaced with a longer and wider unit. All the remaining upgrade parts are simple bolt-on and the pick-up arms in the front can be put in the open or closed position. There is quite a variation in the position and type of antenna fitted to each of the three decal options, but these are are clearly shown in the instructions, just don't get confused!
Colour Options
There are three schemes in the kit.
• S/No.40551, 8th Special Operations Squadron, 1st Special Operation Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida
• S/No.40523, 711th Special Operations Squadron, 919th Special OPeration Wing, Duke AFB, Florida 2003
• S/No.40561. 711th Special Operations Squadron, 919th Special Operation Wing, Duke AFB, Florida, 2003
The big decal sheet has been printed by Zanchetti-Buccinasco and it is superb, with perfect register and colour, limited carrier film and its all very glossy. All the unique markings are included along with a full set of low and hi-viz stencils and walkway markings.
Conclusion
OK, the base kit is old, but imagine the cost of a newly tooled C-130 in this scale today - say bye-bye to £80+! So, with the additional parts, all of which are nicely moulded, you get a Combat Talon I without the need to work with resin and metal as was the case with the Flightpath conversion set.
Overall the kit is worth adding to your modern USAF collection and is thus recommended.
Our thanks to The Hobby Company Ltd for the review sample, check out this and all other ranges they import by visiting their website www.hobbyco.net.
