Siga’s 1/72 US Aircraft Weapons

Weapons sets haven’t been the most popular kits out there, but they do fill an important niche.  If you want to hang something different under the wings of your model you either have to sort through several different kits or get one of these weapons sets.  To date, however, most of these sets have focused on modern weaponry such as missiles and ECM pods.  Siga has come to the rescue for earlier weapons with this latest release aimed at their recent AM-1 Mauler kit.  This set comes with bombs, rockets, torpedoes and a search radar pod as well as pylons for all the above.

Starting with the bombs, the set includes twelve 250lb and a single 750lb weapon.  Each is split in half, with the fins for the 750-pounder being made up from four parts.  The fins for the 250lb bombs are molded integrally with the separate halves.  The instructions state that the 750lb bomb could be used on the AM-1, AD-1/6, TBF, F4U, B-25 and B-26.  The 250-pounders can be carried on the AM-1, AD-1, TBF, F4U, F8F, F9F, F6F, F2H, B-25 and B-26.  Painting instructions include notes for standard and demonstration colors.

If rockets are more your style, this set includes twelve 5”HVARs and two 11.75” Tiny Tim rockets.  The 5” rockets are molded as one piece, while the 11.75” rockets are split in half.  Both have their fins molded in place.  Usage lists the 5” rockets as capable weaponry on the AM-1, AD-1/6, TBM, F4U, F8F, F9F, F6F, F2H, F-84 and F-82.  The Tiny Tims could be stuck under the wings of the AM-1, AD-4 or a B-25.

The remaining items in this set are the three Mk. 13-2 torpedoes and the AN/APS-4 search pod.  The radar is simple, being split into right and left halves.  The torpedoes are also split into halves, with a four-piece fin assembly and a separate propeller.  The radar pod can  be used on the AM-1, AD-1, TBM, F6F, SBC, F7F and F-82.  The torpedoes could be put on the AM-1, AD-2, TBM-3 or the B-25.

If you’re wanting some interesting armament to hang under late WW2 US aircraft this is a set you’ll want to pick up.  There will be a bit of work in cleaning up the parts and the purists might want to replace the fins with thin card stock, but the basics are there and this set will add some visual appeal to your model.