I had looked for this out-of-production Verlinden set before, but the usual asking price of 25+ euros for just a few parts put me off. But then I found it for 2 euros at the 2024 KMK Mol show in Geel, together with three other Verlinden US Navy sets. I first thought they were selling empty boxes for that price.
Knowing the creative freedom that Verlinden sometimes allowed themselves, I then went looking for photos of the real thing. And I was pleasantly surprised that the parts are quite accurate. I think they are great diorama accessories. |
The kit has catalog number 285. There's a 1/48 version too, with catalog number 286. The parts are perfectly cast, as usual with Verlinden, except for the towbar that was quite deformed.
I found a grand total of one online report of a diorama that used the 1/48 set (see links section). It looks like it wasn't very popular. | ![]() |
![]() | Plastic and rubber hoses are also included. |
A scan of the instruction sheet. As usual with Verlinden, it leaves open lots of questions, like how to paint the other sides. | ![]() |
![]() | Here's an identification of all resin parts:
I found several photos of units B and K, but none of A. |
The resin part has details on all four sides. Those shown at the top photo correspond to the photos shown below, and the instruction sheet shows how the detail and paint that side. The details shown at the bottom photo however do not appear in the photos shown below, and are not explained on the instruction sheet.
ARC forum member GW8345 reported that the Verlinden part, with details on either side, is the eighties configuration, and the photos below are the seventies configuration, with details on one side. He also reported that the 'dog houses' were re-worked and/or upgraded every ten-ish years. | ![]() |
![]() | Based on the photos shown, the following comments can be made:
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At least the following airfields had this type of stationary air starter & electric power unit: NAS Oceana (boxes were yellow), NAS Miramar and NAS Cecil Field in the late eighties / early nineties; MCAS Yuma in the 1992-1993 bracket.
This photo shows one detail projecting from the 'rear' face of the box, but it's difficult to see what it acutally is. From: 'Tomcats forever', David Brown & Robert Dorr. Oceana 1982. | ![]() |
![]() | This photo shows two details projecting from the 'rear' face of the box.
From: 'Tomcats forever', David Brown & Robert Dorr. Oceana 1981. |
From: 'Tomcats forever', David Brown & Robert Dorr. Oceana 1979 | ![]() |
![]() | From: 'Tomcats forever', David Brown & Robert Dorr. Oceana 1982 |
From: 'Tomcats forever', David Brown & Robert Dorr. Oceana 1989 | ![]() |
![]() | From: 'Tomcats forever', David Brown & Robert Dorr. No location listed. |
Koku Fan 1976-08, see 'Bunrindo Koku Fan' on Internet Archive. NAS Oceana photo. | ![]() |
![]() | Koku Fan 1975-09, see 'Bunrindo Koku Fan' on Internet Archive. The caption says it's NAS Cecil Field. |
Koku Fan 1973-04, see 'Bunrindo Koku Fan' on Internet Archive. Identified as NAS Cecil Field. | ![]() |
![]() | Koku Fan 1972-06, see 'Bunrindo Koku Fan' on Internet Archive. |
Koku Fan 1972-06, see 'Bunrindo Koku Fan' on Internet Archive. | ![]() |
![]() | Koku Fan 1972-06, see 'Bunrindo Koku Fan' on Internet Archive. NAS Oceana photo. |
Koku Fan 1975-09, see 'Bunrindo Koku Fan' on Internet Archive. The caption says it's NAS Cecil Field | ![]() |
![]() | This box has different details, and lacks (among others) the large wheel for air pressure control. It has eight protective poles around the box. The lid / roof is chamfered.
From: Koku Fan Illustrated No 36 'F-4 Phantom'. |
![]() | Based on the photos, the following comments can be made:
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Here's the instruction sheet picture with several corrections. Hopefully this makes the working of this unit clear.
On the ARC Forum, member GW8345 mentioned that the three-phase electrical cable to power the aircraft could be three separate wires, or one thick cable of 2~2.5 inch diameter. He also mentioned that the cable was either plugged into the aircraft or coiled up neatly - there was no in between. The following airfields are reported to have used these boxes in the eighties: NAS Miramar, NAS Fallon, NAS Cecil Field, NAS Patuxent River, MCAS El Toro, MCAS Kaneohe Bay and NAWS China Lake. Of course there could be more. | ![]() |
The VX-5 Intruder makes it NAWS China Lake. Note the length of the 'speed bump' fairing.
Koku Fan 1972-06 cover, see 'Bunrindo Koku Fan' on Internet Archive. | ![]() |
![]() | MAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. It's difficult to see, but it appears that there is a 'speed bump' fairing.
Koku Fan 1978-09, see 'Bunrindo Koku Fan' on Internet Archive. |
MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, again.
Koku Fan 1978-09, see 'Bunrindo Koku Fan' on Internet Archive. | ![]() |
![]() | MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, but the aircraft is seen from the other side.
Koku Fan 1975-07, see 'Bunrindo Koku Fan' on Internet Archive. |
Identified as NAS Fallon. Here the system connects to undergound compressed air piping.
Koku Fan 1981-08, see 'Bunrindo Koku Fan' on Internet Archive. | ![]() |
![]() | NAS Miramar.
Koku Fan 1976-07, see 'Bunrindo Koku Fan' on Internet Archive. |
NAS Miramar.
Koku Fan 1976-07 cover, see 'Bunrindo Koku Fan' on Internet Archive. | ![]() |
![]() | NAS Miramar.
Koku Fan 1976-06, see 'Bunrindo Koku Fan' on Internet Archive. |
Koku Fan 1975-09, see 'Bunrindo Koku Fan' on Internet Archive. | ![]() |
![]() | NAS Miramar.
Koku Fan 1976-06, see 'Bunrindo Koku Fan' on Internet Archive. |
Koku Fan 1975-08, see 'Bunrindo Koku Fan' on Internet Archive. | ![]() |
![]() | Koku Fan 1972-06, see 'Bunrindo Koku Fan' on Internet Archive. |
Koku Fan 1972-06, see 'Bunrindo Koku Fan' on Internet Archive. | ![]() |
![]() | Possibly NAS Key West in the mid to late 80's.
Koku Fan 1991-09, see 'Bunrindo Koku Fan' on Internet Archive. |
MCAS El Toro.
Koku Fan 1975-08, see 'Bunrindo Koku Fan' on Internet Archive. | ![]() |
![]() | NAS Miramar
Koku Fan 1979-03, see 'Bunrindo Koku Fan' on Internet Archive. |
From: Koku Fan Illustrated No 36 'F-4 Phantom' | ![]() |
![]() | From: Koku Fan Illustrated No 36 'F-4 Phantom' |
Patuxent River, 1975
From: 'Tomcats forever', David Brown & Robert Dorr. | ![]() |
Navy flightline ground power units ARC forum thread about later versions, silver colored
1/48 Hasegawa A-4M Skyhawk diorama with Verlinden movable fuel box
US Navy Carrier Deck und Naval Air Station (NAS) Equipment overview (in German)