AFV Club AR48114 Lockheed U-2C Dragon Lady Early/Late model 1/48

AFV Club AR48114 Lockheed U-2C Dragon Lady Early/Late is a high-quality plastic model kit in 1/48 scale, faithfully representing the famous American reconnaissance aircraft U-2C, commonly known by the codename "Dragon Lady." This model stands out for its wide range of details, precision craftsmanship, and versatility, allowing you to build either the Early or Late version.

Historical Information

The Lockheed U-2 is one of the most iconic reconnaissance aircraft of the 20th century, designed and built in the United States by Lockheed for the CIA and the US Air Force. The U-2C version entered service during the Cold War—the aircraft is best known for conducting spy flights over the Soviet Union, including during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the famous shooting down of a U-2 by Soviet air defenses in 1960. The U-2C was a key component of strategic aerial reconnaissance from 1957 to 1970, although these aircraft (in upgraded versions) remain in limited service to this day.

Model Features

• Scale: 1/48
• Material: high-quality plastic
• Set contents: parts enabling both "Early" and "Late" aircraft versions, detailed cockpits, decals, richly recreated undercarriage, optional wing for alternate configurations
• Does not include: glue or paints
• The model is designed for assembly and painting; the instruction manual includes systematic, clear illustrations

Suggestion for Modelers

The AFV Club AR48114 Lockheed U-2C model is the perfect choice for intermediate and advanced modelers who will appreciate the realistic shape, numerous details, and customization options. The assembly difficulty is rated at 4/5. This model is an excellent addition to any Cold War aircraft collection and is ideal for dioramas depicting reconnaissance operations.

Summary

We recommend this kit to all aviation and Cold War history enthusiasts, aircraft model collectors, and those who value high quality detail and faithful representation of the original. The AFV Club model impresses with its precision and wealth of options—it's not only great fun but also a valuable addition to any collection.