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In-Box Review
172
GBU-8/B HOBOS
GBU-8/B HOBOS
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by: Andy Brazier [ BETHEYN ]

History
In 1967 Rockwell received a U.S. Air Force contract to develop an electro-optical guidance kit for the 2000 lb MK 84 bomb. The system, which became known as HOBOS (Homing Bomb System), was evaluated by F-4 Phantom units in combat in Vietnam in 1969. A HOBOS kit consisted of a nose section with the black&white TV camera and seeker electronics, strakes along the bomb body, and four cruciform tailfins with flying surfaces to control the EOGB (Electro-Optically Guided Bomb). The delivery aircraft's pilot and WSO (Weapon System Officer) had to manoeuver the aircraft to align the seeker with a target, while the WSO watched a TV screen with the camera's image. When the TV screen's center "gate" was on a target of sufficiently high image contrast, the WSO could lock the seeker. After lock-on, the bomb was released and was guided by the seeker logic toward the target

In the box
Packed in Eduards standard blister pack, the kit, if it can be called a kit, comprises of 2 GBU 8 HOBOS bombs and 2 clear resin parts for the nose sensor.
Now this is a big bomb, its comparable in size to a 1/48th Paveway, and this bomb is in 1/72nd scale.
Detail is good with the bomb strakes nicely reproduced, and the rear fins are quite thin, but not thin enough to worry about breaking them.
The clear resin parts slot into a pre-drilled hole in the nose of the bomb.
All the parts are connected to a pour plug. The bombs are connected by the tail units and the clear parts are attached to the end which fits into the bomb. Clean up should be a easy.

Decals and markings
A small decal sheet is supplied for the stencils, which are all legible. A painting guide covers the opened instruction sheet. Painting the bombs looks to be the hardest part of this kit, as several paints have to be mixed to get the correct shades for the bomb body.
All the paints are for the Mr Color and Aqueous range of paints.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.
SUMMARY
Highs: Very simple build and good detail
Lows: none
Verdict: This set has a limited use as it was only used on F-4 Phantoms, but it will add interest to any Vietnam era F-4.
Percentage Rating
90%
  Scale: 1:72
  Mfg. ID: 672 050
  Suggested Retail: £5.60 (Hannants)
  Related Link: GBU-8/B HOBOS
  PUBLISHED: Mar 25, 2015
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 84.81%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 88.59%

Our Thanks to Eduard!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Andy Brazier (betheyn)
FROM: ENGLAND - SOUTH EAST, UNITED KINGDOM

I started modelling in the 70's with my Dad building Airfix aircraft kits. The memory of my Dad and I building and painting a Avro Lancaster on the kitchen table will always be with me. I then found a friend who enjoyed building models, and between us I think we built the entire range of 1/72 Airfi...

Copyright ©2021 text by Andy Brazier [ BETHEYN ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



   
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