Background

The E-1B Tracer was developed from the S2 Tracker. The Tracer was almost identical externally except for the twin tails and the unusual aerodynamic shaped radome housing an APS-82 search radar. Grumman built 88 E-1B Tracers powered by Wright 1820-82WA Cyclone engines.

This is the first review of a Mach 2 kit. I must say that I was quite impressed.

However, do not expect these kits to go together without doing some basic cleanup work. The parts all have some flash and some of the edges are a bit thin.

The kit is moulded in a brittle light grey styrene and contains 67 parts. The surface detail is finely moulded and has a slightly rough finish, reminiscent of having been lightly sandblasted. This will aid in paint adhesion, and the texture should completely disappear under a coat of paint.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Cockpit detail is adequate, but would be improved by extra detailing if desired. Even so, I doubt that much will be visible when the windscreen is fitted.

The engine fronts contain good detail. Once again these could be improved by an aftermarket engine quite easily. In the scheme of things the details are probably better than the Hasegawa Tracker, which is now 20 odd years old.

One thing that is very apparent is the mould ejector pin tags will have to be removed from all internal surfaces of the parts.

The odd aerodynamic shape of the radar dish has been captured well, and this shape is the main distinguishing feature of the Tracer.

The transparencies are a bit on the opaque side but should come up crystal clear with a pit of polishing and a coat of Future.

The markings are for an aircraft attached to the USS Roosevelt in the typical gull grey and white scheme of the 1960/70s. The decals are a bit on the fuzzy side but should suffice the average modeller.

Overall, I would recommend this kit to experienced modellers who like 1960/70s USN subjects.
 

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