USAF | Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit | 88-0330 | 3D Design Deck

In addition to its line of regional types, 3D Design Deck has also created an increasing range of military aircraft. Most recently this has included a run of Lockheed F-35s, which must be among the very smallest types available in the scale. Slightly larger, but still not massive at 400 scale, is the B-2 Stealth Bomber, which is a type that hasn't seen any exposure in the scale for nearly 20 years. It provides both healthy competition and a nice complement to the Gemini MACs range. In this review I take a look at the 2nd release of a B-2 Spirit by 3DD.

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Each review is to split into three key areas:

• The model mould
• The paint and livery reproduction
• Printing and quality control

Each section can get a maximum score of 10 for a maximum combined score of 30

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This review is sponsored by Northeast Diecast. Check out their store for an excellent range of hard to find 200 and 400 scale collection sale models and get 15% off!

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MOULD

As I mentioned in the intro this isn't the first B-2 Spirit in 400 scale as the 400 scale military pioneer Dragon Wings produced a mould way back in 2003. The first release did not have undercarriage and accompanied a KC-10 Extender tanker, but the 4 subsequent releases, made between 2004 and the end of 2006, all came fitted with landing gear and sold as individual models.

As with many of the Dragon Wings military range these old B-2s stand up surprisingly well today, but they aren't especially common so it is good to see a new version available. Of course the B-2 itself has an almost unique flying wing design and is really only likely to be mistaken with its replacement the B-21 Raider.

I have no major complaints ​with the overall form of the aircraft wing and fuselage. The curves are graceful and angles sharp.

The flying wing has a thinness to it that feels a bit sharper and more accurate than the Dragon version. Flap and leading edge control surface detailing are present, but very finely etched, perhaps a little too finely when it comes to the flaps. In some lights they are hard to pick out.

From the front the angles once again look good. One area that doesn't look as accurate is the slightly hooked nosepoint - something hard to model in 400 scale. It is finer and more pointed than on the Dragon mould,which also lacks the beaklike point.

The undercarriage has a good amount of detailing, especially on the maingear units. The nosegear tyre is slightly too large and lacks the gearhub detailing present on the DHC-8s, but doesn't stand out and is an improvement on what the Dragon mould offers.

One area that is perhaps not as nice as on the Dragon version are the intakes. Although well shaped they feel not quite as angular, but aren't helped by the lack of a dark inner.

The unusual form of the B2 seems to suit the unique 3D printing design that 3DD is using as it replicates the almost organic form of the bomber with real skill. Once again it is easy to nitpick, but also important to remember the small size of this type in 400 scale (the fuselage length is under 5cm and wingspan under 13cm). Small modifications could be made around the nosegear tyre, beak and engine intakes - but these are not essential.

SCORE - 8

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PAINT & LIVERY

The whole point of being a stealth bomber is that you remain unseen, so the low-viz colours of the B-2 fleet can hardly be called a livery or colourscheme. The B-2s are painted into a dark grey scheme, sometimes called 'gunship grey'. It often looks almost black in photos, but is much lighter in close up. The shade used here is a good match for several of the closer shots I'm seeing, but looks lighter than the inflight images of other airframes I used above.

This aircraft, 88-0330, is reasonably well represented in photos at sites like JetPhotos. These show the unit markings well, although they are mostly restricted to the undercarriage doors. The markings worn from 2023 differ to those worn in 2021. Between those two years the aircraft was in heavy maintenance at Palmdale.

The updated markings, as seen in this photo, are faithfully reproduced here on the maingear doors. The 80330 on the nosegear door is however not well centred.

SCORE - 9

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PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL

There is an impressive amount of line printing on the model. On the upper surfaces, most of it is in white so stands out well. You might think it stands out too well, but photos I've seen of the frame suggest that is accurate.

The resolution of the printing is excellent and holds up well even with macro photos. In extreme close-up and with flash you do start to see the granularity of the printed material, but with the eye this is not at all noticeable.

On the underside the printing is dark lined and if anything even finer than on the top. In a comparison with the old Dragon Wings B-2s the amount of printwork on the 3DD version is significantly higher, and very impressive.

My only criticism of the print is the aforementioned intakes, which I'd like to see in the same dark colour as the exhausts.

As with all 3DD models the final product has been hand checked and secured in a foam cradle, which means the quality control of the model is very high.

SCORE - 9

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CONCLUSION

It is a tribute to the team at 3D Design Deck that after only a short period their models are directly comparable to diecast 400 scale units, especially given the pioneering 3D printing and UV applied markings. I am yet to be disappointed by any of the purchases I have made from them and the subject matter alone adds a uniqueness to their offering, which is hard to turn down. This is an excellent B-2 and displays wonderfully with my existing range of Gemini MACs and Dragon military aircraft.

FINAL SCORE - 26/30