1/72 Valom Toofani

Gallery Article by Kevin R. Ingraham on Aug 15 2013

  India Independence Day 

 

 

The Valom Toofani (nee French Ouragan--Hurricane) served India from the mid-1950s to the early 1970s and in two wars with Pakistan. It proved to be an effective air superiority fighter in the 1965 war and ground attack fighter in 1971. 

This is a kit that comes together quite well when the usual care required of limited-run kits is applied. Resin interior and detail bits enhance the plastic exterior which is very well detailed. Using the Scale Aircraft Modeling issue of October, 2011 (V-10.11) is indispensable to avoiding several pitfalls, such as the incorrect location of the cockpit shown in the kit directions. Remove the deck behind the seat and position the cockpit aft. I chose to portray this fighter in its natural environment--in flight. This spared me from having to work on the poorly detailed landing gear. The pilot figure is a PJ Production 1960s French AF pilot. He is painted in the blue flight suit and silver dome worn by IAF crew during the 1965 war. The NMF finish is buffed Tamiya acrylic, shaded with Rub-n-Buff wax. Kit decals are thin but go on easily. The scorpion logo of 29 Squadron is exquisitely detailed and will ensure that this particular scheme will become one of modeling's iconic portrayals, like "Dambuster" Lancasters and Galland's 109s. Other Valom releases of this kit offer decals for the Ouragon's home French Air Force and Israel. 

Respectfully submitted from New York State,

Kevin R. Ingraham

      

Photos and text © by Kevin R. Ingraham