Iron Duke Air Defence System

Magic Factory, 1/35 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Summary

Introduction

Iron Dome is a mobile all-weather air defence system developed by Rafael Advanced Defence Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries.

The system is designed to intercept and destroy short-range rockets and artillery shells fired from distances of 4 kilometres to 70 kilometres away and whose trajectory would take them to an Israeli populated area. From 2011 to 2021, the United States contributed a total of US$1.6 billion to the Iron Dome defence system, with another US$1 billion approved by the US Congress in 2022.

Iron Dome was declared operational and initially deployed on 27 March 2011 near Beersheba. On 7 April 2011, the system successfully intercepted a rocket launched from Gaza for the first time. On 10 March 2012, The Jerusalem Post reported that the system shot down 90% of rockets launched from Gaza that would have landed in populated areas. In late 2012 Israel said that it hoped to increase the range of Iron Dome's interceptions, from a maximum of 70 kilometres to 250 kilometres and make it more versatile so that it could intercept rockets coming from two directions simultaneously.

In November 2012, official statements indicated that it had intercepted over 400 rockets. By late October 2014, the Iron Dome systems had intercepted over 1,200 rockets.

In addition to their land-based deployment, it was reported in 2017 that Iron Dome batteries would in future be deployed at sea on Sa'ar 6-class corvettes, to protect off-shore gas platforms in conjunction with Israel's Barak 8 missile system.

F i r s t L o o k

Magic Factory’s 1:35 scale Iron Dome kit comprises 208 parts in dark yellow coloured plastic, one fret of around 40 photo-etched parts, eight metal tubes of three different sizes, a roll of wire, two decal sheets and two female crew figures made up from six grey resin pieces.

A number of options are available and you should make your decision before commencing construction.

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The kit may be built as the Israeli or US version, and it may be finished in operational or transport modes. The parts cannot be moved after assembly – you’ll need to use alternative parts or different positions for your choice of configuration. The instructions clearly point out what is required for each options. Familiarise yourself with the instructions before you start.

The quality of the plastic is very good – smooth in texture and boasting fine detail.

There are a number of ejector pin circles but they all seem to be on the inner surfaces of parts where they will not be seen when the model is complete.

The platform is built up in flatpack fashion with separate parts for the floor and sides.

Assembly looks pretty straightforward. The Missile Firing Unit is made up from four identical layers.

Coiled wire is provided for the Datalink Antenna Assembly tower.

Two Interceptor Missiles are also included.

Decals are supplied for the Missile Firing Units. These are not conventional waterslide decals.

Instead, the decals are immersed in water for one minute then laid on the plastic part with the markings facing down. The decal may then be adjusted and rubbed with a damp cotton bud to remove excess moisture and to help the decal to seal on the surface. Finally, the pink carrier film may be lifted and removed after 24 hours.

A second decal sheet is included. These appear to be conventional waterside decals.

The package is rounded out with two nicely sculpted female resin crew figures.

They are conventionally cast in grey resin.

C o n c l u s i o n

Magic Factory’s 1:35 scale Iron Dome is a high quality kit of an interesting and as yet neglected subject.

The inclusion of photo-etched and metal parts as well as the two resin crew figures is welcome.

I look forward to seeing what Magic Factory has in store for us next!

* Background adapted from Wikipedia

Thanks to Magic Factory for the sample https://www.magicfactory.ltd/#/home