Arii 1/48 Al Abbas SS-1C, previewed by Scott Van Aken

Arii 1/48 Al Abbas SS-1C

KIT #:	A 686
PRICE:	$35.00 when new
DECALS:	Two options
REVIEWER:	Scott Van Aken
NOTES:

A Scud missile is one of a series of tactical ballistic missiles developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. It was exported widely to both Second and Third World countries. The term comes from the NATO reporting name attached to the missile by Western intelligence agencies. The Russian names for the missile are the R-11 (the first version), and the R-17 (later R-300) Elbrus (later developments). The name Scud has been widely used to refer to these missiles and the wide variety of derivative variants developed in other countries based on the Soviet design.

Scud missiles have been used in combat since the 1970s, mostly in wars in the Middle East. They became familiar to the Western public during the 1991 Persian Gulf War, when Iraq fired dozens at Israel and Saudi Arabia. The SS-1 Scud was made in four different variants. This kit portrays the more modern Scud C.

Molded in a tan plastic, the kit has very nice external detailing. The kit has two identical interior tubs with one having a steering wheel. All the transparencies need to be cut from a piece of acetate and a template is provided for this. The lower hull has modular suspension pieces though which one will thread a steel axle. These axles need to be forced into the wheel hubs with a small hammer to car is needed not to get too enthusiastic as you might crack a hub. Once on, the upper body section can be attached.

Then follows a myriad of smaller its like fuel tanks, lights, grab handles, etch. In the back the brace sections need to be attached. At this stage, the eight vinyl tires are attached, though many will want to leave these off until after painting.

Construction then moves to the missile erector section. Some trimming will be needed as the SS-1C is longer than the standard SS-1A/B for which this piece is made. A number of rails and other bits are attached to this assembly before it is attached to the rear of the body. This is designed to be able to be posed in the launch position or flat on the truck so pistons will need to be built up. The kit includes vinyl tubing of various sizes to accomplish this. The last and frankly simplest part of the build is the three piece rocket itself.

Instructions are nicely done and you get a fairly good size decal sheet, though it is 'old school' Japanese decals with off-white whites. In addition, you are provided three standing figures to go along with the model.

Though somewhat more basic that a similar kit would be from Tamiya, Italeri, or ICM, it should make into a very nice model and it is one that is also fairly large.