LANTIRN Targeting Pods

Teknics

Reviewed by Dave Williams

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Meteor Productions

For those wanting to do a LANTIRN-equipped F-14 bomber in 1/32 scale, Teknics has released set TK 32022, which contains the AN/AAQ-25 Targeting Pod, complete with F-14 pylon adaptor. It’s a pretty simple set, consisting of six parts molded in CE’s gray resin. The surface detail is very well done and there are no molding flaws in my sample, which seems to be the standard for CE/Teknics. Even the exhaust vent on the rear of the pod is molded; however care must be taken when removing the casting block to prevent damaging the grill detail. The pod itself consists of two parts, the main body and a separate seeker head, which can be positioned as desired during assembly. The actual seeker ball is fixed in the normal ground position, namely with the optical windows covered by the head. The remaining parts consist of the pylon, which attaches to the underside of the kit starboard weapons pylon, the adaptor that goes between the pod and the resin pylon, and two electrical connectors which are visible between the pod and pylon.

For those doing an F-15E Strike Eagle, or F-16CG, the pod/seeker head combination is also available separately as TK 32028, AN/AAQ-14 Targeting Pod. Although the designation is different, the USAF and USN pods are externally identical. The instructions state that the pod contained in the Tamiya Strike Eagle kit is a prototype pod.

A comparison with the Tamiya part reveals that the Teknics pod has a taller rear air intake, and has the screened exhaust at the rear of the air scoop, which is missing on the Tamiya pod. Looking at photographs of the real thing, the Teknics pod is more accurate.

Usage is pretty simple; cut the Tamiya part off of its pylon and glue on the Teknics pod. Using the pod on an F-16 is more complicated as you will have to make the appropriate adaptor pylon, as well as do more work to make a correct Block 40/42 F-16C kit to go on the other side of the pylon.

 

This is a welcome set, especially for those doing Bombcats.

Highly Recommended.

Dave Williams
IPMS/USA 19050

Review samples kindly provided by Meteor Productions.

Cutting Edge Modelworks products are available from Meteor Productions Website

Review Copyright © 2002 by Dave Williams
Page Created 10 April, 2002
Last updated 22 July, 2003

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