SAAB A32A Lansen

Tarangus, 1/48 scale

S u m m a r y :
Catalogue Number and Description	Tarangus Kit No. TA4801 - SAAB A32A Lansen
Price:	£54.16 plus shipping available online from Hannants Maestro decals available online from Maestro Models
Scale:	1/48
Contents & Media:	78 parts in grey plastic, 8 parts in clear plastic; two resin seats; markings for two aircraft
Review Type:	First Look.
Advantages:	Interesting subject; recessed panel lines; nice limited run mouldings; good quality package.
Disadvantages:	Some previous experience with limited run kits will be helpful.
Conclusion:	Being a limited run kit, you’ll want to have a bit of modelling experience before tackling this project, but Tarangus’ 1:48 scale SAAB A32A Lansen looks to be a good solid and accurate base for this interesting and versatile Swedish Cold Warrior. - Recommended.

Reviewed by Brett Green

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The SAAB 32 Lansen was a two-seat, swept wing attack aircraft manufactured between 1955 and 1960 for the Swedish Air Force. During its long operational life the Lansen also served in the fighter, reconnaissance, electronic warfare and target tug roles.

However, the Lansen was primarily tasked with air defence against Soviet border incursions.

The SAAB A32A Lansen replaced the last piston-engined bomber in Swedish service, the SAAB B18. Although not designed as a supersonic aircraft, a Lansen broke the sound barrier during a shallow dive on 25 October 1953.

Typical armament comprised four 20mm Bofors m/49 cannon and two Rb04C anti-shipping missiles, although it was also capable of carrying an additional missile. The Lansen was also expected to deliver a nuclear payload, but the Swedish nuclear program of the 1950s and 1960s did not produce any operational weapons.

Lansen translates from Swedish to English as “Lance”.

Taranagus from Sweden has chosen a 1:48 scale SAAB A32A Lansen as its debut release. This is a very welcome decision. As far as I am aware, we have not seen the Lansen in 1:48 scale kit form until now.

Tarangus’ 1:48 scale SAAB A32A Lansen comprises a modest 78 parts in grey plastic, 8 parts in clear plastic and two resin seats.

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Thumbnail panels:

If you have built a limited run Sword, Classic Airframes or MPM kit before, you’ll know what to expect here. Surface detail on the grey plastic is good, with recessed panel lines throughout. They are not quite as refined as, say, Hasegawa, but they are more petite than some mainstream manufacturers. A number of the parts, most notably the fuselage halves, are accompanied by fine flash that will need to be carefully removed with a sharp hobby knife and/or a sanding stick.

Some of the sprue connectors are heavier than usual too, so using a razor saw to cut through the gates will reduce the risk of scarring the part during the removal process. The exterior surfaces are free from moulding imperfections except for a doozy of a recessed ejector pin circle right in the middle of the main landing gear bay.

Cockpit detail is provided mostly in plastic and should look good when painted up. I strongly suspect that Swedish after-market company Maestro Models will offer a colour photo-etched cockpit set for this model, so keep this in mind if you are not building the model straight away. We might even see a boarding ladder.

Tarangus does provide two nice resin seats, however you’re on your own with parachute packs and harness straps.

The parts breakdown is quite conventional with a full span lower wing half and separate upper halves, plus two-part tail planes. You’ll need to trim off the raised ejector pins on the inside surfaces of the wings and tail planes before you glue them together.

14 weapons pylons are supplied for the wings, including options for the outboard position, but no ordnance is included in the kit. Once again, I suspect that we will be seeing resin Rb04C missiles from Maestro before long.

The canopy is thoughtfully supplied in two pieces so displaying it open won’t be a problem.

In common with many limited run canopies, this once looks very slightly cloudy but it should shine after a bath in Future floor polish.

Markings are supplied for two aircraft, including a bright subject with yellow diamond chequers on the fin and spine.

Maestro Models' Aftermarket Decals

Maestro Models has already released a set of aftermarket decals for this kit. Maestro Item No. MMD4804 offers 15 options on two compact decal sheets.

A number of these options will require a future reconnaissance conversion that is planned by Maestro. Markings for a single A32C are also provided.

Both the kit and the Maestro decals are well-printed and thin.

Being a limited run kit, you’ll want to have a bit of modelling experience before tackling this project, but Tarangus’ 1:48 scale SAAB A32A Lansen looks to be a good solid and accurate base for this interesting and versatile Swedish Cold Warrior.

Definitely Recommended.

Thanks to Maestro Models for the review sample..

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2012 by Brett Green
Page Created 16 March, 2012
Last updated 16 March, 2012

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