Introduction

If aircraft modellers are cut from the same cloth as armour modellers, be it a different colour, then we all share something in common. That something is the desire to improve upon models via the addition of after market products. Many modellers adorn their models with photo etch and resin parts, and even purchase after market decals for their builds.

Master Reality in Miniature have a very good selection of brass barrels in five scales, 1/24th, 1/32nd, 1/35th, 1/48th and 1/72nd scale. In addition to metal barrels they also have a fair selection of pitot tubes and radar aerial assemblies. In this review I take a look at a set of radar aerial antenna used on German night fighters and titled German radar FuG 220 Lichtenstein SN-2.

Contents

The product is packaged in a Ziploc bag with a card sleeve and card hanger. Inside the Ziploc bag is a sealed compartmental plastic bag with the radar parts inside. In the back of this packaging there is also an instruction sheet. The support frames, photo etched parts and antennas are all packaged in their own areas for their protection.

Review

The German radar FuG 220 Lichtenstein SN-2 went into regular service with German night fighters very early in 1944. The FuG 220 Lichtenstein SN-2 Radar antenna are used in 2 orientations; if in a vertical orientation it represents an early version of the radar before the Allies learnt how to defeat the radar, a 45 degree antenna orientation represents its later use. The FuG 220 Lichtenstein SN-2 antenna arrays are listed as being suitable for the Messerschmitt Me 110 and Junkers Ju 88, however this product is perfect for the Revell of Germany 1/32nd scale Heinkel He219 A-7 "UHU".

This product will require a steady hand to assemble due to the very small photo etched brackets that attaches the antennas to the arms. To use this item you will need to drill 0.5mm holes into the plastic support arms of the model, there is a 0.5mm pin on the brass radar arms. It is these arms that the very small photo etched brackets are attached to and the antennas are then attached to the photo etched brackets. The clean and crisp details of the turned metal parts are an improvement on the plastic parts I have checked them against, and of course are much sturdier.

Conclusion

This German radar FuG 220 Lichtenstein SN-2 is very nicely detailed and will improve the look of a model it is used on. Its use will prove difficult for those not comfortable with small photo etched pieces, however I do believe the effort will be worth it once added to the model.

Related review

Darren Baker has reviewed Revell of Germanys 1/32nd Heinkel He 219 A-7 (A-5/A-2 late) UHU here, which carries this type of radar, and can be used for this kit.

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