1/48 OV-10 Bronco wipers

The OV-10 Bronco is a twin-turboprop aircraft with a distinctive twin-aisle design that was developed by North American Rockwell in the 1960s. It was developed in the 1960s in response to the need for a lightweight, durable and versatile machine for counterinsurgency operations (COIN), reconnaissance, fire control and close air support. The first prototypes flew in 1965 and mass production began in 1968. The Bronco was designed with emphasis on short takeoff and landing capability, long dwell time over the battlefield at low speeds, and the ability to carry armament (missiles, bombs) directly on the wings and fuselage. These features have made it popular with units operating in difficult terrain and in operations requiring direct cooperation with ground forces.

The OV-10 was first deployed to Vietnam, where it served with units of the U.S. Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy (for example, the famed VAL-4 "Black Ponies" unit operated in the Mekong Delta in support of river patrols and SEAL units). It proved itself as a FAC (Forward Air Control) aircraft, with pilots coordinating attacks by faster fighters and bombers, while still being able to engage lighter weapons themselves. After the Vietnam War, it remained in active service with U.S. forces and overseas - it was exported to eight countries, including South Korea, the Philippines and Indonesia. The Bronco also participated in Operation Desert Storm in 1991 (VMO-1 and VMO-2 units flew from aircraft carriers) and later returned to the fight against ISIS in upgraded OV-10G+ form as part of Operation Inherent Resolve. For modelers, the OV-10 represents an interesting combination of unusual design, rich operational history, and the ability to varycolor schemes ranging from jungle camouflage to desert variants to modern gray paint schemes.

The 1:48 scale Aires add-on set is designed to upgrade ICM's OV-10 Bronco plastic kit. It includes resin wiper parts for the cab's transparent surfaces to replace or supplement the standard plastic components. The resin parts offer finer detail, more accurate shape, and a more realistic appearance compared to standard plastic parts. Working with resin requires basic experience - the parts must be carefully cut from the casting block, sanded of excess material and glued with instant glue or epoxy sealant. The wipers can then be painted and highlighted with, for example, a fine dry brushing or wash technique to bring out their texture. This type of detailing is suitable for modelers who want to achieve a higher level of realism and visual effect, especially when viewed up close or in photographs. The package does not contain paint or adhesives.