Earlier this week I got a package delivered... My expectations of this kit was quite high, because the 1/72 SAAB J29 Tunnan from Tarangus was a great little kit. I must admit, however, that this kit kind of went under the radar for me, I heard rumours about it under 2015, but didn't have a clue about the release date. But when it showed up I bought it without hesitation
The kit builds the fighter (version J32B or J32E) of the SAAB Lansen (aka Lansen Sport) aircraft. The kit includes two grey sprues and one clear plastic sprue, instruction manual and a large decal sheet.
Awesome boxart, it's cool looking aircraft for sure...
The backside of the box has three suggested paint schemes
Two sprues with all the details, one small clear sprue
Instruction Manual, same standard as the J29 Tunnan. Note that the text is about A32 (Strike-version)
Decals, the decal sheet is top notch and there are plenty of options to choose from.
No need to buy any aftermarket unless you want to build a very special subject.
The details are good, it's much better than the existing old Heller kit from the 1980s tooling. The biggest advantage compared to the Heller kit is that the Tarangus kit has recessed panellines (Heller had raised ones) and the cockpit and wheelbays actually have details. See comparison further down.
There are a lot of flash and burr in both kits, unfortunately.
Note: The Heller kit builds an A- or S-version so in order to get a J-version you had to get som aftermarket stuff.
The only real issue I have seen is that there are some ugly ejectionpin marks in wierd places. They are not easy to fix, so this might be a tough OOB build for a casual builder.
If we compare the Tarangus and Heller kit side by side the differences are more obvious. Tarangus = Grey(darker one), Heller = Light Blue(lighter one)
Tarangus at the bottom
Tarangus to the right
Myself I will gladly put the old Heller kit way back in the darkest corner of the stash (I might build a S-version someday) and spend the needed love, care and money on the Tarangus Lansen instead. I will get the pitot-tubes and photoetch for sure and if resin parts for this kit show up on the market I might get them as well.
I'm actually eager to start building it now
Tommy
