Tamiya 78006 - 1:350 US Navy Aircraft Set

Plastic model set of US Navy carrier aircraft in 1:350 scale — a supplement for carrier models

Tamiya 78006 is a set of ten US Navy carrier aircraft in 1:350 scale for self-assembly. It is not a ship model — the contents are designed to supplement a carrier model, letting you populate the flight deck and hangar with the aircraft of a 1980s carrier air wing. The set pairs naturally with kits such as the Tamiya 78007 US Aircraft Carrier CVN-65 Enterprise.

The set contains two examples each of five types: the F-14A Tomcat air superiority fighter, the multirole F/A-18A Hornet, the S-3A Viking anti-submarine aircraft, the A-6E Intruder carrier attack aircraft and the A-7E Corsair II light attack aircraft. Together they represent a typical cross-section of US carrier aviation of that decade. The set comes from 1985 tooling.

What is in the box:

• Plastic sprues with ten US Navy carrier aircraft (two of each type)
• F-14A Tomcat, F/A-18A Hornet, S-3A Viking, A-6E Intruder, A-7E Corsair II
• Waterslide decal sheet for aircraft markings
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:350
• Catalogue number: 78006
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Contents: ten carrier aircraft (two of each of five types)
• Tooling: 1985
• Skill level: beginner

Please note: the kit does not include cement, paints or modelling tools. The model requires assembly.

Assembly:

Building 1:350 aircraft is straightforward — each machine consists of only a few parts, and the part fit typical of Tamiya makes the set accessible to less experienced modellers as well. Because the parts are small, it is worth using precision tweezers and cutting the components free with a sharp knife rather than twisting them off the sprue.

US carrier aviation of the 1980s wore light finishes: grey upper surfaces with white undersides, and, on the newer types, low-visibility grey schemes. Painting the aircraft before fixing them to the deck is recommended, and applying the decals over a gloss coat helps prevent decal silvering. Paint references for the individual aircraft are given in the instructions.

Tools you will need:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in several sizes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Decal setting solution

About the aircraft — US Navy carrier aviation of the 1980s:

In the 1980s a US carrier air wing was a self-contained combat force capable of fighting for air superiority, striking targets at sea and ashore, and hunting submarines. Air defence rested on the F-14A Tomcat — a twin-engined, two-seat fighter with variable-geometry wings, armed with the long-range AIM-54 Phoenix missile and able to intercept targets far from the battle group.

Strikes against surface and land targets were flown by the A-6E Intruder and the A-7E Corsair II. The Intruder, a two-seat carrier aircraft with a heavy payload, could operate at night and in poor weather thanks to its extensive avionics. The A-7E Corsair II was a lighter, single-seat, single-engined attack aircraft valued for its accuracy and range. From the 1980s onward both types were progressively replaced by the multirole F/A-18 Hornet, which combined fighter and attack duties in one airframe.

A separate but equally important role fell to the S-3A Viking — a four-crew carrier aircraft built for anti-submarine warfare, fitted with detection equipment and sonobuoys, and also used for maritime patrol and aerial refuelling. Together these machines defined the look of a Cold War carrier deck.

Aircraft types included:

• Grumman F-14A Tomcat — carrier-based air superiority fighter and interceptor, variable-geometry wings, crew of two
• McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet — carrier-based multirole (fighter/attack) aircraft, single seat
• Grumman A-6E Intruder — carrier-based all-weather attack aircraft, crew of two
• LTV A-7E Corsair II — light carrier-based attack aircraft, single seat, single engine
• Lockheed S-3A Viking — carrier-based anti-submarine aircraft, crew of four

About the manufacturer — Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, a city regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The firm began in the timber trade and moved on to wooden models in the late 1940s, releasing its first injection-moulded plastic kit in 1960. The brand is known for precise moulds and excellent part fit, which makes its kits a popular choice for beginners and experienced modellers alike. Alongside armour and aircraft, Tamiya offers a broad range of warship models, including 1:350 and 1:700 scales, as well as supplementary sets such as carrier aircraft for carrier models. Tamiya instructions are clear and consistently illustrated, which helps considerably when working with small parts. The company also produces a full line of modelling supplies: paints, cements, tools and brushes. Today Tamiya is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable names in the hobby.