Kitty Hawk Models 1/48 Russian Loading Cart Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

Kitty Hawk likes to go where few model companies have gone before. Where Hasegawa produces airfield support equipment for 1/72 and 1/48 US and allied air forces in plastic, and videoaviation.com does the same for 1/32 and 1/48 US and allied airfield support equipment in resin, Kitty Hawk has started with this set for 1/48 Russian airfield support equipment. This set is intended to help bring their 1/48 Su-34, Su-35, and other upcoming subjects to life with nice diorama or vignette items.

This kit is molded in tan styrene and presented on six parts trees (duplicate trees not shown) plus one fret of photo-etched parts, and a set of four resin figures. Among the items in this kit:

• 2 x turbofan engines
• Two styles of wheel chocks
• Jack stands
• Flightline fire extinguishers
• 2 x smaller missile carts with optional rack configurations
• 2 x larger missile carts with optional rack configurations
• 2 x missile carts for larger weapons, also with optional configurations
• 2 x engine carts
• 2 x weapons loaders
• 4 x figures

Whether you load some spare weapons out of your Sukhoi kits or leave them parked to the side empty, these unique carts will add visual fidelity to your projects. Add these nicely cast figures, one posed going up the boarding ladder while the other three are in various poses of men waiting for their pilot(s) to arrive, this is a nice compliment to any late Soviet or Russian Air Force project.

Kitty Hawk has also announced two truck kits in 1/48, both of which are typical on a Russian flightline: a refueler and a cargo truck that would tow the weapons carts around the airfield.

Grab a set or two of these for your own scale project.

My sincere thanks to Kitty Hawk Models for this review sample!