The Mark 84 or BLU-117 is an American general-purpose bomb, it is also the largest of the Mark 80 series of weapons. Entering service during the Vietnam War, it became a commonly used US heavy unguided bomb (due to the amount of high-explosive content packed inside) to be dropped, second only to the 15,000 pounds (6,803.9 kg) BLU-82 "Daisy Cutter" then in service and presently third only to the 22,600 lb (10,251.2 kg) GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb (MOAB) currently in service.
The retarded fin section is attached to the main bomb casing to allow a lower release point and let the aircraft to escape the blast. Info from Wikipedia
In the box
Packed in Eduards usual blister pack, the resin parts are well protected in a plastic see through pack with a foam insert behind the parts to keep them well protected. A small fret of photo etch is also supplied for the rear section of the tail. The instructions are folded and have the stencil decals inside the folded instruction sheet.
The resin parts are distortion free and are cast in dark grey for the main bombs and for the nine nose fuse's.
The main bombs, of which two are supplied, are cast as one piece each with a pour plug attached to the tail end of the bombs. The tails are fairly thin, and care should be taken removing the pour plug, thankfully it is only attached in four small places. Raised detail for the tail unit panel lines and two raised mounting lugs are cast onto the resin.
Three types of nose fuses are supplied and are of various lengths. All are connected to a pour plug, so scare should be taken when removing them.
These bombs differ from the earlier MK 84 bombs released previously by Eduard in the tail section. The rear fins are shorter and taller then the standard dumb bomb, thus making the bomb shorter in length. Other then that the bombs and parts are the same.
The small photo etch has two small rings with two long tabs which need to be folded along the bomb casing for the rear of the bombs.
Decals and markings
The instruction sheet folds out to a postcard size sheet with the part placement shown as one picture. The front of the sheet has the stencil decal marking guide. The main body colour, basically olive drab, is given with Aqueous and Mr Color paint numbers.
The small decal sheet has the stencils for each bomb. The decals are well printed, in register and look to be quite legible.
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SUMMARY
Highs: Well cast and simplicity to build.Lows: None reallyVerdict: Most weapons found in kits are not as detailed as these sets by Eduard and are worth replacing.
Our Thanks to Eduard! This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.
About Andy Brazier (betheyn) FROM: ENGLAND - SOUTH EAST, UNITED KINGDOM
I started modelling in the 70's with my Dad building Airfix aircraft kits. The memory of my Dad and I building and painting a Avro Lancaster on the kitchen table will always be with me. I then found a friend who enjoyed building models, and between us I think we built the entire range of 1/72 Airfi...
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