Reviews : Revell-Germany Eurofighter Typhoon ''Black Jack''

The Revell Germany 1/48 Baron Spirit Eurofighter Typhoon #03848 is the same model as the Revell Germany Eurofighter Typhoon Black Jack #3820. The only difference being the decals provided with each respective boxing. That being written here, I will share my comments which apply, for the most part, to both of these Revell Germany model Eurofighter Typhoon kits. The kit I built was the Baron Spirit version because at the time of purchase, the Black Jack version was not in production. Although the Revell Germany Eurofighter Typhoon model kit has been around for a while, it has held up well against it's Hobbyboss rival 1/48 Eurofighter kit. As with other manufacturers, Revell Germany has manufactured this kit for many years, but has refreshed this model with a new kitbox and decal sheet. The fuselage parts in this kit have recessed panel lines, recessed grill detail and recessed rivet detail. The decal set in the Baron Spirit kit is amazing with it's colorful graphic design. The decal set appears to be in register. Application of decals will be much easier with Microsol Decal solution. The decal set also incudes a comprehensive set of stencil markings which are tedious to apply. The fantastic tail art replicates Harry Thrun's creative 2019 graphic art design that commemorates WWI Ace, Baron Von Richthofen and his red Foker triplane. For this kit's age, it has detailed cockpit and pilot seat parts. In this case, the seat belt detail is molded on to the seat part itself. No pilot figure is provided. The clear plastic wind screen and canopy parts present a straight forward masking task, although some care will be required here. The instruction sheet is excellent and is in a full color booklet format. Unfortunately, the color and marking guide in the Baron Spirit livery scheme is the only option shown for this kit. An extensive assortment of ordinance parts are provided in this kit including Storm Shadow cruise missles. This kit is recommended for intermediate to advanced model builders due to its large graphic art decals, which require careful manipulation, to ensure precise alignment and positioning. With careful attention to these previously mentioned areas, an excellent result can be found. Whichever version of this kit is obtained, this finished model kit will make a fine addition to anyone's modern military jet fighter collection.

This kit is a mixed bag. The highlights of the kit are excellent details and relatively straightforward build. From an assembly point of view, this kit was designed to be built in the flying position, as the landing gears were not designed to accommodate both landing struts and covers as noted in the instruction. The air intake is also unnecessarily, complicated and fiddly. Wing assembly will also require a lot of care and patience to get it somewhat right – this is an excellent example where rebel tried to over engineer something that should have really been easy to assemble. The news gets worse with regards to the decals, which are the most atrocious part of any kit I have ever assembled to date. Although the decals are likely to have come from cardiograph, the decals themselves is a cluster bomb - Guaranteed to suck any joy out of this kit. The most egregious issues are: 1) the Union Jack doesn’t even fit the dimensions of the under-wing; 2) the leading edge alignment of the decals being completely offset from the kit itself; 3) The haphazard placement of the decals which are littered in a completely illogical manner, forcing one to hunt for every single decal (don’t assume that decal XYZ is in the same location); 4) On top of mislabeled decals dotted about the sheet- All designed to suck any joy from building this kit. This is a crying shame, as Revell clearly demonstrated its ability to create a kit with very good details, but the overall execution and ham fisted approach just makes you want to cry over such a spurned opportunity to build such a cracking kit that would virtually own the 148 scale market for this jet. Would I recommend this kit? Unfortunately, that is a soul sucking, happiness depriving, frustration laden NO.

This fighter was amazing. Highly detailed crisp molds. Awesome decals and colors.