The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is a single-seat, twin-engine fifth-generation supermaneuverable fighter aircraft that uses stealth technology. It was designed primarily as an air superiority fighter, but has additional capabilities that include ground attack, electronic warfare, and signals intelligence roles. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics is the prime contractor and is responsible for the majority of the airframe, weapon systems and final assembly of the F-22. Program partner Boeing Defense, Space & Security provides the wings, aft fuselage, avionics integration, and training systems.
The aircraft was variously designated F-22 and F/A-22 during the years prior to formally entering USAF service in December 2005 as the F-22A. Despite a protracted and costly development period, the United States Air Force considers the F-22 a critical component of US tactical air power, and claims that the aircraft is unmatched by any known or projected fighter, while Lockheed Martin claims that the Raptor’s combination of stealth, speed, agility, precision and situational awareness, combined with air-to-air and air-to-ground combat capabilities, makes it the best overall fighter in the world today.Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, former Chief of the Australian Defence Force, said in 2004 that the “F-22 will be the most outstanding fighter plane ever built”.
The Kit
This is the Testors 1:48th Scale F-22 Raptor Model Kit. It was boxed in a special edition box and marketed as such with a limited run of 3,500 which I highly doubt. Back in the 80’s with no dedicated hobby shops in Puerto Rico, Testors was a status symbol amongst local modelers. There was simply no such thing as Hasegawa, Tamiya and other big players available. After a long hiatus from modelling, I still had big expectations with this my first Testors model kit in years. I was really far from reality.
This model kits is very bare in the cockpit and landing gear wells. It is very possible that this kit was developed during the early years of the F-22 Raptor where most of the details were still classified. Why did Testors chose this kits for its 80th anniversary edition run is still beyond my comprehension.
The kit was a bad welcome back to modelling and the Testors brand and being an armor modeller back in the 80’s, I skipped on those 80th anniversary armor kits. The F-22 Raptor model kit simply can not command a $49.99 price tag. I’ve seen better Revell / Monogram kits for $20 or less. No mayor fit problems other than the lack of details.
As a collectors item, Testors did not bother to include a descent COA (Certificate of Authenticity). What’s in the box for a certificate was printed on a stock card very similar to the subscription card found in magazines. To be even more cheap, the certificate is printed in English and French on the other side. My local hobby shop dropped the price on this series down to $39.99 and they are still collecting dust. Buy it at you own discretion.
