Revell/Hasegawa 1/48 Lear 35A/C-21A

The Learjet Model 35 and Model 36 are a series of American multi-role business jets and military transport aircraft. When used by the United States Air Force they carry the designation C-21A.

The aircraft are powered by two Garrett TFE731-2 turbofan engines. Its cabin can be arranged for 6-8 passengers. The Model 36 has a shortened passenger area in the fuselage, in order to provide more space in the aft fuselage for fuel tanks. It is designed for longer-range mission capability.

The engines are mounted in nacelles on the sides of the aft fuselage. The wings are equipped with single-slotted flaps. The wingtip fuel tanks distinguish the design from other aircraft having similar functions.

The Model 35A is an upgraded Model 35 with TFE731-2-2B engines and a range of 2,789 miles, with a fuel capacity of 931 US gallons (3,524 L) with refueling accomplished at ground level through each wingtip tank. It was introduced in 1976, replacing the 35. Over 600 35As were built, with a production line that ended with serial number 677, in 1993.

The C-21A is a military variant of the Learjet 35A, with room for eight passengers and 42 ft³ (1.26 m³) of cargo. In addition to its normal role, the aircraft is capable of transporting litters during medical evacuations.

Delivery of the C-21A fleet began in April 1984 and was completed in October 1985. Dynacorp International provides full contractor logistics support at seven worldwide locations.

There are 38 Air Force active duty aircraft, and 18 Air National Guard aircraft in the C-21A fleet. On 1 April 1997, all continental U.S.-based C-21As were realigned under Air Mobility Command, with the 375th Airlift Wing at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, as the lead command. C-21As stationed outside the continental United States are assigned to the theater commanders.

This is a reboxing of the very nice Hasegawa 1/48 Lear 35A/C-21A. As mentioned earlier, there was also a Falcon 10 and a Cessna Citation biz-jet released around the same time, but this is the only one that seems to pop up from time to time.

Molded in white plastic, the kit includes a rather complete cockpit and cabin, though little can actually be seen through the windows. The main door can be posed in the open position, but as often as not, this plane keeps the door closed unless being readied for flight or being maintained. Biz-Jet doors are not the sturdiest things around and are easily sprung by high winds or careless handling. I used to work on Navy Sabreliners and their doors were a constant headache for the airframes types.

Back at the kit, there are pedestals and rudder pedals molded into the cockpit floor. Seats, control stick and instrument panel are all that are needed. There is raised detail on the instrument panel, and a decal for the center console. The cabin has seats and a small stowage compartment just opposite the door. There is some inner cabin wall detailing on the inside of the fuselage halves. Cabin windows are on a strip and inserted from the inside. Those detailing the interior for display may want to separate those that will be seen.

The wings are a one-piece lower wing with the upper wings also containing the upper half of the wing tip tank. The lower tank half contains the fin. Engines are upper and lower sections with an intake compressor fan and exhaust pope. As mentioned, there is a poseable cabin door. Landing gear are well molded and sturdy. In all, there are not a huge number of parts for what is really a rather large model. There is no indication of the need for nose weight, but I'd add some just to be sure.

Instructions are standard of Revell AG on somewhat newsprint quality paper. The 16 construction steps are will illustrated and provide only Revell paint references. Four markings options are given on a huge decal sheet. All are basically white, though the SkyService Aviation version as shown on the box art has a blue underside and tail section. The other civil option is Air Net Express with a nice light blue fin. This does not need painted as the decal is already that shade. A series of stripes covers most of the lower fuselage. The other two are a pair of USAF C-21As. One is 84-0109 as based in Ramstein, Germany with the 76th ALS. The other is one of many 375 AW aircraft, home based at Scott AFB. These planes fly over my house almost daily. While only about a half dozen are permanently based at Scott AFB, the wing has many detachments at other bases, each with several planes. The sheet provides a large number of separate serial numbers so you can do any one of the planes for which you have a photo. The markings on the sheet are superbly printed in Italy, probably by Cartograf.

I have to say that I was motivated to find this kit by the superb build review done a bit earlier. Though this is a 2003 boxing, the LHS had one on the shelf and I grabbed it. Though biz-jets are not on the top of the list of many modelers, they do make a pleasant diversion from greys and as such are something you should seek out from time to time.

December 2008

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