Introduction

The following is the introduction supplied by Revell of Germany;

The Euro Fighter Typhoon was designed as a new generation high performance multi-role fighter aircraft. By early 2013, more than 350 Eurofighters had been delivered. Due to the large proportion of carbon fibre components and other advanced materials, the Eurofighter - in the Royal Air Force often simply referred to as the Typhoon - is very light and has excellent stealth characteristics. The two-seat versions have the same combat capabilities as the single-seat fighter and were initially used for training purposes, until special squadrons were established for air-to-ground missions.

With a top speed of in excess of Mach 2.0 the Euro Fighter dominates both long and short range air-to-air combat as well as air-to-ground missions. For an enemy, the aircraft is difficult to locate due to its low radar signature and the use of non-metallic materials. The strength of this weapon system is based on a balanced combination of properties such as extreme agility due to its aerodynamic design and high performance engines, weapons, sensors, automated data management and low radar signature. The Euro Fighter impresses with its extreme manoeuvrability.

It is designed primarily as an air superiority fighter for airspace protection and is equipped for this role with a mixed armament of powerful short and medium range air-to-air missiles. For advanced air-to-ground missions, the Euro Fighter carries a large load of weapons on functionally adapted weapons stations. The Euro Fighter not only combines innovative and advanced technologies, but is also an International Program of great political and economic importance. A Weapons System Officer supports the pilot during missions in the two-seat fighter-bomber role. This system is already being practised in the RAF and trained for in the German Air Force.

Contents

The model is packaged in a large card tray and lid, the artwork on the lid is quite eye catching. Inside the box you will find several plastic bags sealed with Sellotape which contain the large number of sprues that go into making this model. The packaging as a whole has done a good job of protecting the moulded parts, this sample only had 1 part broken off of the sprue; that part despite have broken free at 2 points is undamaged. Inside the bags you will find;

• 13 light grey sprues
• 2 clear sprues
• 
  An instruction booklet
• A decal sheet
• A caution sheet

Review

First Impressions
My first impressions were what a lot of plastic, followed by this is a big model. An examination of the parts revealed cleanly moulded parts for the most part, with flash only appearing on two of the weapons included in the kit. I did not find any sink marks in parts and the ejector pin marks while large all look as if they will be hidden after assembly. The moulds for this model are from 2009 judging by the date imprinted on the wings.

Cockpit
Unusually for twin seat models this kit has a two part tub, which I believe may have something to do with the single seat version available. The ejector seats are nice little models in their own right and have reasonable representations of the harnesses moulded in place. The pilot’s and navigator’s control panels look good as do the side consoles, I cannot comment on the accuracy of these elements, but they should prove pleasing when painted. It is also good to see that Revell of Germany call out painting instructions as you progress. If built straight from the box the finished item should look eye catching and you can of course look to the after-market providers if you want to enhance the cockpit area.

Engines
Provided with this model is an EJ200 engine which can be displayed in or out of the aircraft. It looks to be an easy build with some nice detail, and if you use the engine in the model there are access panels that can be cut away to allow limited viewing of it. If you opt to have the engine shown out of the model Revell of Germany has supplied a nice stand for it. If I have understood the instructions you can show the model with both engines fitted and the engine model; the only thing you need to be aware of is that the exhaust is provided closed or flared, you will need to decide which option you want on the model and the other on the engine.

Fuselage
The fuselage looks to faithfully replicate the design of the Eurofighter Typhoon. The panel lines are nicely recessed and accurately match the limited reference I have, I will say there are surprisingly few panel lines especially on the wings. The jet intake, which is a very noticeable aspect of this aircraft, looks to match externally but internally the length seems a little short. There is a plus though in that the face of the first compressor fan has been supplied and so will look alright even if I am correct in my belief. The main fuselage has been supplied in 2 parts split top and bottom; the lower wing moulding is supplied as a single part and so contains most of the underside of the fuselage, I like this approach as it cuts down on filler and insures clean lines. The nose of the aircraft is supplied in 2 halves which is a little unusual and creates another area that may need to be filled. Revell of Germany has not supplied data on weighting the nose to prevent a tail sitter and I believe this kit will sit on its tail if not weighted; because of this I suggest a product like liquid gravity from Deluxe Material is used in the nose.

Flight Surfaces
The wings of the aircraft have been designed to make assembly as easy as possible while still providing the modeller with separate control surfaces on both the leading and trailing edge of the wing. There are also a number of options the modeller needs to make prior to securing the upper wing surface to the lower; if adding the large selection of weapons available there are a number of holes that will need to be opened, and the previously mentioned panels which allow viewing of the installed engine. The vertical stabilizer has also been supplied with a separate rudder. The horizontal stabilizers at the front of the aircraft can be set in any position, but I would recommend that they are cemented in your chosen orientation.

Undercarriage
The undercarriage has been very well replicated both in terms of the struts and the bays. Revell of Germany does have a habit of splitting the legs of the undercarriage; this means that when assembled it makes clean up and any filling a pain to do. On the front leg the part that the wheel is attached to slips into the rest of the strut, this part is very thin and could easily be broken so take care. Once the kit parts are assembled the model can be further enhanced in this area via the addition of wires to replicate the wiring and hydraulic lines.

Canopy
The front and rear portion of the canopy are very nicely replicated as regards shape, however there is a but, and that is there is a seam line running front to rear which will need to be sanded and polished out of both parts. There are also other clear parts included for items such as the rear view mirrors in the cockpit.

Weaponry and Hard Points
The hard points on the Typhoon are numerous and Revell of Germany has done a fair job of providing options. The pylons provided are nicely detailed and should look very good after a wash brings out the recessed panel line detail. The weaponry and stores are considerable in this offering from Revell of Germany, you get;

• 2 Aim 9L Sidewiders
• 4 Meteor Missiles
• 4 AMRAAM Missiles
• 2 1000 litre drop tanks
• 2 Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles
• 2 Taurus KEPD 350 Seeker Pod cruise Missile
• 2 IRIS-T Missiles
• 2 GBU-24B laser Guided Bomb
• A German RECCE Pod
• 2 AIM 132 ASRAAM

As you can see a considerable selection to choose from, but remember to check which items can go on to the German or British version of the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Instructions and Decals
The instruction booklet is loose leafed and guides you through 132 steps to the end of the construction, 132 steps may seem like a ridiculous amount, however Revell of Germany have kept the amount being done in each stage at a minimum. I like the fact that Revell of Germany has done this as it makes following the construction as easy as possible and allows you to think about any improvements you may wish to make. Revell of Germany has provided two finishing options from the box, a German and a British aircraft. I like the fact that the decal application process has been covered with generic decals and then the German and British decals separately. There is also a whole page covering the painting and application of decals to the weapons and stores.

Conclusion

I have become very impressed by most of the newly released large scale aircraft from Revell of Germany. I do not believe any other company can compete with what is included in the box for the price, and that makes these offerings from Revell of Germany a great introduction to large scale aircraft models. There are aspects of the model that will test you, such as the seam line on the cockpit canopy and cleaning up the undercarriage legs after they are assembled; none of this should put you off buying the model. This will build into a big and easily identifiable aircraft model which I recommend you pick up.

Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For details visit www.revell.de/en, @RevellGermany or facebook.com/Revell

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