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Master Details 1/32 Mk. 82 500-pound "Snake Eye" High-Drag GP Bombs

By Chris Bucholtz

The Snake Eye was the standard "retarded" weapon used by the U.S. and NATO for low-level delivery. The fins in back sprung open when the bombs were released, slowing their flight and allowing the attacking aircraft to get clear before they detonated. For modelers, these weapons make for a very interesting load-out for their attack jets.

Master Details has created what is essentially a kit to build two Mk. 82 Snake Eyes, and they've done so with an understanding of their subject. The basic Mk.. 82 body is presented as one piece, with the fins as a second part. The fins are very well cast and include even the small holes in the fins; two of these are partially flashed over, but this is nothing the modeler can't fix with a twist or two of a hobby knife. From there, though, you'll have to determine what you want to do with your bombs. The set includes mounting lugs to attach the weapons directly to the pylon or to a triple- or multi-ejector rack, and these fit into recesses in the top of the bomb. The kit also gives you the conical nose plus used on inert weapons and the M904 mechanical impact fuse; this can be plugged into the nose of the bomb, or it can be added to the fuse extenders also provided in the set.

The set includes color painting instructions, which helpfully point out the colors for inert, tritonal and post-1988 H-6 bombs as well as the details of the fuse and fuse extenders, ad information on how to place the fuse safety wires.

The only negative to the set is the price of $14.95. It was not often that only two Mk. 82s were carried, so fully outfitting your jets with these may be a pricey proposition. But if you want really realistic ordnance, these bombs would be hard to beat. The Master Details line is available only through the company's website.