GBU-38

Eduard BRASSIN, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by David Couche

Eduard's 1/48 BRASSIN Spitfire Vb Gun Bays are available online from Squadron.com

The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a guidance kit that converts unguided bombs, or "dumb bombs", into all-weather precision-guided munitions. JDAM-equipped bombs are guided by an integrated inertial guidance system coupled to a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, giving them a published range of up to 15 nautical miles (28 km). JDAM-equipped bombs range from 500 pounds (227 kg) to 2,000 pounds (907 kg). When installed on a bomb, the JDAM kit is given a GBU (Guided Bomb Unit) nomenclature, superseding the Mark 80 or BLU (Bomb, Live Unit) nomenclature of the bomb to which it is attached.

The JDAM is not a stand-alone weapon; rather it is a "bolt-on" guidance package that converts unguided gravity bombs into precision-guided munitions (PGMs). The key components of the system consist of a tail section with aerodynamic control surfaces, a (body) strake kit, and a combined inertial guidance system and GPS guidance control unit.

The JDAM was meant to improve upon laser-guided bomb and imaging infrared technology, which can be hindered by bad ground and weather conditions. Laser seekers are now being fitted to some JDAMs.

From 1998 to November 2016, Boeing completed more than 300,000 JDAM guidance kits. In 2017, it built more than 130 kits per day.

*Text mainly from Wikipedia

The Eduard Brassin GBU-38 set consists of 16 light grey parts of the fronts of the bombs, 8 dark grey resin parts which are the bomb bodies, a small photo-etch sheet with tail end covers and plates for the bombs.

Also included is a small set of decals and an instruction sheet.

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Thumbnail panels:

The detail on the bomb bodies is finely reproduced even down to a really fine set of bomb mounting rings moulded with the body. Four bombs can be built in the design for the USAF and USN, always with or without fuse cover.

The fuses and covers are different for different aviation components, so the set has 16 in total, which is 4 sets of 4 in various setups (USAF or USN).

The etch parts add the rear parts of the bomb, and suspension pads, for use in the bomb bay B-2 Spirit.

Labelling of this set mentions it is for the B-2 Spirit bomber, especially the new Modelcollect release but my research has shown that the various configurations will enable you to use these on a wide variety of aircraft and in the use of a good number of countries

This is a very nice Brassin set to add a useful and now, commonly used bomb ordinance to your collection.

Thanks to Eduard for the samples and images.

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2018 by David Couche
Page Created 16 May, 2019
Last updated 16 May, 2019

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