Tarangus Lansen 1/72
I am always happy when I see a new product from Tarangus. This time I will show their Lansen, the kit was released a few months ago but I was too lazy to built it at once. Tarangus have a few years ago delivered a Lansen kit in 1/48 scale and this kit here is in 1/72 scale. The version presented is J35B and E.
The kit described here has stock code TA7202, coming in a sturdy box and with simple contents inside, two frets of grey plastic, one transparent, instruction for assembly, instruction for painting and decals. It looks simple and small but there is everything inside. It’s interesting that color profiles of the airplane were provided on the back side of the box so this gives you instant info what you have as options to finish the kit.
From the very start I noted that this kit is built in the manner of medium run kits so use of sanding tools for perfect shaping as well as removing some flash and ejection marks will be important. This does not make building difficult, it’s even better to practice again some basic modeling and this makes the build more interesting. The build starts with the cockpit and two separate cockpit tubs, where is housed a seat, instrument panels as well as a few small parts. Elements on pilot console are in raised form and easy to paint them and add more details. There are many images available on the Interent so you can find all options of colors. I used the Gunze Sangyo range of paints, as proposed by Tarangus. When complete it installs between two fuselage halves and do not forget to add weight in the nose.
Wings are simply made, one bottom and two top wing parts. Sand carefully and merge them together. To glue it on the fuselage bottom I used clamps. After that I sanded all seam lines and I realized the need to re-engrave the lost panel lines but also added a few more as well as some additional (just few) needed at the bottom of rear fuselage. Not a big deal, some ten minutes work. After that I was able to place the rest of the parts, horizontal tail as well as a number of small parts and the landing gear.
Painting is provided for a few samples, most of them have simple green camouflage pattern and I chose one with green and dark blue grey at top with light grey at bottom. Demarcation lines were sharp and part of the rear bottom fuselage is in the bare metal color. Decals are rich and all are provided when needed for the kit. My only suggestion is that they could print instrument panel decals, this could made the kit more easy to build for less experienced modelers.
No matter that this kit is in the medium run class, I see no dificulties and problems during the build. Result is a nice kit with great possibility to upgrade. What is missing with this kit is armament but this does not reduce value of the kit. I recommend this kit and grant my thanks to Tarangus for sample product provided.
Srecko Bradic
