The Devastator was the US Navy's first all-metal monoplane when it entered service in 1937, and the first with hydraulically-folding wings to save precious deck space. It could carry a torpedo or up to 1000 lbs. of bombs in addition to offensive and defensive machine gun armament. Even though already outdated when war broke out a few years later, the Devastator fought valiantly in the vital early battles, and earned a well-deserved space in the history books.

Valom's kit is a worthy replacement for the old Airfix kit, and includes a resin engine and cockpit tub, as well as resin wheels and, in this release, two resin 500 lb. bombs. Photoetched parts are supplied for the cockpit panels and belts. An injection canopy is included. Panel lines are recessed and fine. Decals are for two camoflaged early-war aircraft from 1942: #8 aboard the USS Enterprise and #5 on Wake Island. This kit will require some basic modeling skills, but nothing beyond the abilities of those with a couple of kits under their belt. It will also give you the chance to add a modern kit of one of the USN's most important types during this period to your collection.