Revell Arado Ar (E) 555 Review

In 1944, the Imperial Air Ministry requested a long-range, high-speed bomber that could carry 8,819 lb (4,000 kg) payloads. The stealthy Ar555 was Arado’s preferred prototype. By year’s end, however, the expensive project was scrapped. This model kit features detailed surfaces with recessed panel joints, a detailed cockpit with instrument panel and seats, the choice of a “lowered” or “retracted” undercarriage, movable MG 151/20 machine guns with two optional positions, a detailed bomb bay, three SC 1000 bombs, two SC 2000 bombs, landing gear and decals for a proposed Luftwaffe version.

Revell Kit # 80-4367
Overview
Skill level: 3
Scale: 1:72
Length: 220 mm
Wingspan: 292 mm
Parts: 98
MSRP: $24.99 USD.

The kit:

The Arado Ar (E) 555 also offers nice details inside the bomb bays and landing gear wells.

My scale of choice is 1/48 for aircraft with some of my favorite subjects in 1/32. This is a 1/72 scale model kit, great (IMHO) for those subjects that fall in the the ”dark side”. It is 1/72, but the wingspan of the finished model is slightly larger than a F-16 or F-18 Hornet in 1/48th scale. The 2 fuselage halves have a very nice fit. Because of the odd shaped wings, I suggest patience. Do one side at a time and you’ll be rewarded with an almost no gap filling main frame.

ALSO READ Academy 1/48 Messerschmitt Bf109G-6/G-2 "JG 27" Kit 12321

All the parts that comprise this model kit had a very good fit. My main concern was the curved canopy comprised of 2 different clear parts. In a scale of 1 to 10, I’ll give the canopy to fuselage fit a 9.5. The .5 is because there is a ”lip” on the canopy that wouldn’t fit unless you shave a little bit on each side of the cockpit. Speaking of the clear canopy, I found injection flow marks on my copy. I do not know if this is the norm with all kits or just an isolated case.

Before you join the fuselage halves, don’t be shy adding weight or you will most likely have a tail sitter.

Painting and Decals:

The base color used was Testors Model MasterAcryl Lightgrau RLM 63 (4777) with spots of Acryl RLM 72 and Tamiya XF-19 Light Gray. Tamiya XF-7 Flat Red and Tamiya XF-3 Flat Yellow for details. The wheel wells and bomb bays are painted with Vallejo Bronze/Green. All painting was done with my Aztek A470 airbrush.

ALSO READ Unimax 1/72 Abrams and Bradley

Decals are on the goldielocks side, not too thin, not too thick and responded very well to Microsol decal solution. Following the decal placement illustration on the instructions is a must. I did looked at some of the decals from the pictures on the box, and later on found out that they don’t follow the placement shown on the instructions. *My mistake*.

Before the decals, the model was covered on a coat of Alclad 2 Aqua Gloss ALC-600. Having used both, Future Gloss Floor Polish and Alclad, I find the finish from Alclad Gloss very thin, not too mention the drying time is way shorter. I have placed decals on models coated with Alclad 2 Aqua Gloss, 3 hours after application with no adverse reaction. As you can see on the pictures, a wash for NATO camo vehicles from AK Interactive (AK-075) was used with excellent results.

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

This is a great kit for fans of German WW-II aircraft. Don’t mind the scale (I had my concerns too), the model is not shy on size, the overall fit is great. A nice base for more scratch build if you wish. My scale figure building of modifying skills are zero.

ALSO READ Cyber-Hobby 1/48 Heinkel He 162 A-2 "SALAMANDER" / Volkjager

I would have welcomed the proper figures with this kit, unfortunately none are included. Even with no figures included with this kit which is just a personal preference, this kit is Highly recommended!