First Look
December 26 , 2007

Blue Moon : Alpha 3 V-Wing Fighter

Available from Starship Modeler
MISCELLANY
Kit # BS-BV38
Scale: 1:48
Pattern Maker: Thorsten Dreisel
Caster: Blap! Models
Produced: December 2008

Indy: "They're gonna fly it out of here. When that ark gets loaded we'll already be on that plane."

So begins one of the most harrowing fight sequences in cinematic history as Indy goes fist-to-fist with nazis while dodging the spinning propellers of an out-of-control flying wing and we are introduced to one of the most unique contrivances devised for the screen, the nazi flying wing.

The fictional flying wing prototype was designed by concept artist Ron Cobb who is listed as one of the production artists (although in the bonus material disc of the Indiana Jones box set, the design of the wing was attributed to Raiders of the Lost Ark Production Designer, Norman Reynolds). The inspiration for the wing was not from the many advanced tailess designs of the nazi plane designers like the Horton bros. but by an american flying wing prototype from the 1940s (although it was never mentioned, but I'm guessing the specific inspiration may have been one of Jack Northrop's early flying wing designs). The full-sized model was built by the Vickers Aircraft Company and shipped in pieces to the set in Tunisia where it was assembled on set. Although the action was all between Indy and the big nazi goon, the centerpiece of the sequence was the flying wing!

   
Blue Moon Alpha 3 This model kit is cast in 50 grey resin parts with 8 vacuformed clear parts for the canopy (4 required, with one extra set), water-slide decals, instruction sheet with painting and decal placement guide. There is one pilot figure and landing gear but no base or stand included.
Blue Moon Alpha 3 The cockpit parts are nicely done, with a good amount of detail. The plastic seems different than what was used to cast the main body and other detail parts. The interior parts are a slightly darker grey and quite flexible but the detail is very sharp.
Blue Moon Alpha 3 The cockpit parts are nicely done, with a good amount of detail. The plastic seems different than what was used to cast the main body and other detail parts. The interior parts are a slightly darker grey and quite flexible but the detail is very sharp.
Blue Moon Alpha 3 The cockpit parts are nicely done, with a good amount of detail. The plastic seems different than what was used to cast the main body and other detail parts. The interior parts are a slightly darker grey and quite flexible but the detail is very sharp.
Blue Moon Alpha 3 The cockpit parts are nicely done, with a good amount of detail. The plastic seems different than what was used to cast the main body and other detail parts. The interior parts are a slightly darker grey and quite flexible but the detail is very sharp.
Blue Moon Alpha 3 Nicely detailed instrument cluster.
Blue Moon Alpha 3 If you're not interested in a detailed cockpit (or don't like to mess with fiddly vacuformed canopies, you can use the solid resin canopy that's supplied with the kit.
Blue Moon Alpha 3 The decal sheet is a simple black and white set of Galactic Empire rondels.
Blue Moon Alpha 3 The cockpit parts are nicely done, with a good amount of detail. The plastic seems different than what was used to cast the main body and other detail parts. The interior parts are a slightly darker grey and quite flexible but the detail is very sharp.
Blue Moon Alpha 3 The engine exhaust are solid-cast parts with good detail. It's possible to drill them out from behind for lighting.
Blue Moon Alpha 3 Very sharp detail in here. These parts are the hub that the various fins attach to.
Blue Moon Alpha 3 There's some great cast detail underneath. No landing gear, base, or stand is included so display options are up to the builder.
Blue Moon Alpha 3 A double set of vacuformed canopies are included. 2 chances to screw it up!
Blue Moon Alpha 3 How many astromech droids does it take to run a V-Wing Fighter? I really don't know, but I've got 3 of them to play with!

Black Sun Models BV-38 is one of the best engineered and well executed garage kit I've seen in a long time, with fine detail, delicate panel scribing and well considered parts breakdown. The pattern maker designed this kit to be as trouble-free as possible and the casting is nearly flawless. As a garage kit hobbyist, I think I can easily be spoiled by the quality of the production and service. This is state-of-the-art as far as garage kits go; a far cry from the bubbly, sticky approximations that was common to the craft only a few years ago.

A couple of notes to the instruction sheet: In step 3, the builder is directed to attach the engine exhausts (parts # 21) on the inboard side of each nacelle, curling down and in. I've done a frame-by-frame review of the entire sequence and it's clear in several shots that the exhaust pipes curl out. Also, in the shot where the planes wing tip tears open the fuel truck, I can clearly see the underside of the wing is marked with a cross, not a swastika. So in regards to the Decals portion of the instruction sheet, use the swastikas on the tops of the wings and use the crosses beneath.

It only took 27 years for a decent sized model of this unique and memorable movie vehicle to become a model kit. Now, if only someone were to make one in styrene, maybe in 1/32 or even 1/24?

My review copy was purchased from Starship Modeler.
©2007 Steven Lee
Contents: All rights belong to the creators or current legal licencers