Tarangus

1/48 SAAB A32A Lansen model kit

Product # TA4801

Product Article by Steve Bamford on Mar 30 2012

This first model kit offering from Tarangus.  It is exciting to see a SAAB A32A Lansen model kit in 1/48 scale from this new manufacturer.

History
During the Cold War Sweden was facing off against the Soviet Union, so their air force was focused to repelling Soviet aircraft entering their air space. 

The A 32A replaced the last piston-powered SAAB B 18 bomber. The A 32 ("A" stands for attacka dn Lansen translates to Lance) had an armament of four 20 mm Bofors m/49 cannon hidden under flaps in the nose.  The Lansen also carried the Rb 04C anti-ship missile, one of the earliest of its type in western service as Sweden is a coastal country. The Lansen normally was fitted with two missiles but it could also carry an additional missile. 

The Lansen was well regarded by it's pilots and two still remain operational for taking high altitude air samples for research purposes in collaboration with the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority.  And during the recent volcanic eruption in April and May 2010 that shut down airports in Northern Europe, one of Sweden's Lansens was used to collect ash samples.  The Lansen was removed from operational service in the 1990's.

 

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This is a limited run kit from a small manufacturer, so it is not of the same quality as Tamiya.

Having said that the detail is good with recessed panel lines and well done detail throughout the airframe.  It comes with 2 resin seats which are nicely detail and only needs the addition of seat belts or possibly a pilot figure to complete the cockpit. 

The canopy comes in 2 parts to permit you to have the canopy open.  The cockpit detail is a tiny bit soft and I think it is fair to say the aftermarket companies are busy making detail sets for those people that want to take their Lansen to a higher level of detail.  But considering the resin seats are well detailed and they take up the bulk of the cockpits, this kit would build up quite nicely out of the box.  It really depends on what you are after in this hobby.

The canopy comes in 2 parts which is perfect for having an open canopy, so that will suit the modelers that decide to dress up the cockpit with additional detailing

The model comes with 12 pylons....think of the Skyraider and you get an idea of the huge number of pylons.  No weapons are included, but 
Maestro Models has an ever growing selection of weapons used by the Swedish Air Force so I suspect you could buy some finely crafted resin weapons from them.

Markings 
I don't know what is is but
I love aircraft wearing the triple crown Swedish markings.  This kit includes markings for 2 different aircraft including :

  • SAAB A32A Lansen 32070 in olive green with natural metal undersides.  This aircraft is based at F7 Sltenas Historical wing.
  • SAAB A32A Lansen 32177, 29-F15 Soderhamn in 68 Squares from the autumn maneuver of 1968.  This aircraft is olive green with natural metal undersides and checkerboard squares on the tail which give this aircraft a very striking appearance.

Additional markings can be found of the recently released SAAB A32A Lansen decal sheet from Maestro Models.  

The 10 page instruction booklet is on glossy paper and full of well drawn ling drawings.

For paint, the instructions list the Paint code numbers for FS#, Humbrol, Tamiya, Gunze Sangyo, but the main colours are Olive Green and natural metal, so you can use pretty well any line of paints that you prefer. 

I'm pleased to see this new release from Tarangus, all too often Swedish aircraft are overlooking in favour of the more numerous and better known aircraft.  So seeing this 1/48 Lansen model kit is sure to bring some smiles to modellers with a passion for Swedish aircraft.  And let's face it....who can't help but like Swedish aircraft with their unique and very attractive designs. 

A list of retailers that carry this model kit can be found on the Tarangus website.

I would like to thank Tarangus for providing me with this product sample.

Steve Bamford

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Photos and text © by Steve Bamford