BROPLAN 1:72 VLAMET L-90TP REDIGO
'INBOX Review'

 

Reviewer: Johan De Wolf (rec.models.scale)   

Kit Details

History

Although the L-90 was developed through the L-80 from the L-70, it has nothing in common with this earlier type. The fuselage is longer and the wings are longer and narrower. The piston engine was replaced by a turbo prop, and the fixed landing gear of the Vinka made way for a fully retractable under carriage. The L-90 Redigo was the perfect answer for the Finnish airforce that was looking for a more powerfull trainer to fill the gap between the Vinka and the Hawk. In contrary to the Vinka, the Redigo was designed from the outset with two under wing hard points. There for the L-90 can also be used for weapons training and in the COIN role. The prototype first flew in ’86. In ‘88 the Finnish airforce ordered 10 machines which started entering service in 1992. In 1996 Aermacchi bought license rights and started marketing the type as M290 TP RediGo, but no orders have been placed so far. The L-90TP did attract foreign customers however. Both the Mexican and the Eritrean airforce now operate a number of Redigos.

The kit

This kit is available in bagged form only as far as I know. The bag contains two small white vacuform plates, one clear vacuform plate with the canopy (no spare) and landing light cover, a light grey sprue with smaller injection molded parts and an A4-size instruction leaflet. The vacuform parts have well defined and accurate surface detail. The short-run injection molded parts look a bit rough at first, but will be perfectly usable after a bit of clean up. The canopy in this kit was marred by a light scratch, but I should be able to polish it out. The instructions give you a parts location diagram, a construction diagram (exploded view), a detail drawing for the cockpit and the colour scheme. There are no decals with this kit.

Accuracy

Very good. Dimensions are all within 1mm of the true figure. Surface detail is a bit less fine than on the L-70 kit, but still accurate. The kit succeeds in capturing the sleek lines of the real thing. 

Construction 

Although it is a vacuform and you will still have to do the tedious sanding, the injection molded parts will greatly reduce the time needed for finding or scratch building detail parts. The cockpit will take up most time building, as here are most of the parts located. In all 3 vacuform and 12 injection molded parts go into this area. Already nicely detailed but, I would want to add rudder pedals, seat padding (not always present in parked machines) and seatbelts. The bottom wing half is in one piece, ensuring the correct dihedral. To this the top left and right halves are added. After the wings are and canopy are on, all that remains are the landing gear and some other external details.

Painting

Again no detail painting instructions. The outside colours are given in FS numbers and equivalent numbers from the Humbrol paint range. Two machines are drawn, both in the same scheme, being dark grey over light grey. There are no decals with this kit. However Gal Decals sheet nr 72008 includes decals for a Redigo.

Conclusion

Again a very nice kit by Broplan. As it is a relatively simple kit it is suitable for someone that has never tried a vacuform before as well as a more advanced modeler. I do wish Broplan would include decals with more of their kits. Roundels are usually not a problem but the more specific items like registration codes and squadron emblems are a lot harder to find.

References

 

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