Academy 15401 - KF-21 Boramae (4D Kit)

Self-assembly model of the KF-21 Boramae fighter — Academy 15401, 4D Kit series

Academy 15401 reproduces the KAI KF-21 Boramae, the Korean 4.5-generation multirole fighter whose prototype took to the air in 2022. It comes from the 4D Kit series (sold in Korea as the 4D Color Kit), designed to make the path from box to finished model as short as possible.

The model is made up of 39 pre-coloured parts that snap together, so no glue or paint is needed to build it. The difficulty level is very low and the manufacturer recommends it from age 8. Once assembled, the aircraft is ready for display.

What's in the box:

• Pre-coloured plastic parts
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: not specified by the manufacturer
• Catalogue number: 15401
• Manufacturer: Academy
• Series: 4D Kit
• Number of parts: 39
• Recommended age: 8 and up
• Difficulty level: beginner

Note: This model is intended for self-assembly. The kit does not include paints or modelling tools.

Assembly:

The build relies on snap-fit connections and the parts are coloured at the factory, so glue and paint are not required. The components simply need to be separated and put together following the illustrated instructions; cleaning up the gate marks helps the joints seat neatly.

Modellers who want a more realistic result can paint the model — the cockpit, intakes and exhaust nozzles, for instance — or bring out the panel lines with a wash. This is a suggestion rather than a condition: the kit is designed to look good with no extra work.

Tools you may need:

• Sprue cutters — if the parts are attached to runners
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• File and sanding paper to smooth the gate marks
• Optional: modelling paints and brushes if you wish to paint the model
• Optional: a wash to accentuate the details

About the aircraft – KAI KF-21 Boramae:

The KF-21 Boramae, meaning "young hawk", is a Korean 4.5-generation multirole fighter developed by Korea Aerospace Industries under the KF-X programme with Indonesian participation. The design combines a modern, low-signature airframe with solutions proven on previous-generation aircraft.

The prototype made its maiden flight on 19 July 2022. In service the KF-21 is intended to replace the ageing F-4 and F-5 fleets of the Republic of Korea Air Force, becoming both a mainstay of Korean combat aviation and an export product of the country's aerospace industry.

Original specifications (KAI KF-21):

• Length: approx. 16.9 m
• Wingspan: approx. 11.2 m
• Powerplant: two General Electric F414-GE-400K engines
• Maximum speed: approx. Mach 1.8
• Crew: 1 (2 in the twin-seat version)

About the manufacturer – Academy:

Academy Plastic Model is a Korean model company that has been in business since 1969 and is one of the most recognisable brands in that part of the world. Its catalogue covers aircraft, armour, ships and cars in the popular scales, alongside educational and construction sets. The brand is valued for its broad choice of subjects and for kits that are approachable for beginners. Korean military hardware holds a special place in the range — domestically built aircraft, tanks and artillery that are rarely offered by other manufacturers. The 4D Kit series extends this direction towards fast builds that snap together from pre-coloured parts. Academy exports to dozens of countries and has been a fixture of the European model market for years.