Revell release its new Star Wars: Rogue One series of model kits. The U-wing Fighter is a sturdy troop transport and gunship used by the Rebel Alliance, it's a well-armed swing-wing vessel that must penetrate heavy fire zones to deposit soldiers onto battlefields and then fly air support during dangerous missions against the Empire. The model comes complete with light and sound effects for even more fun. It's easy to put together, straight out of the box. Glue, paint or tools are not required...

Those of you who haven't constructed a model kit in years, and are buying this for your kids because they are Star Wars mad, may be surprised when you open this Revell release. There's no need to spend ages cutting the plastic parts from a frame of plastic, as all the components come separate, ready to be put together straight out of the box.

Now, before you put newspaper down everywhere in preparation of getting glue all over the place... don't trouble yourself. This is a snap together model that doesn't require any solvent. Personally, I'm relieved about this, because I always managed to get glue all over the models when I was building them in my youth. What this also means, is that when you put it all together it looks fantastic, there's not really much you can do wrong - unless you don't follow the instructions properly and end up damaging one of the pieces. But, to be honest, you'd have to be a major novice (you'd probably have to be one of those people who still can't get the square shape to fit in the square hole in those preschool toys for toddlers).

The back of the box shows all 35 components, so that you can lay them out to check you have the right pieces before you start. The kit, when constructed, is a 1:100 scale model, with a length of approximately 28cm. Batteries are included (3x LR44) for the light that glows in the cockpit along with the sound effects which play when you push a button. The wings can be bent back like they transform in the film.

It's a pretty simple model, coming in at Revell's Level 1 skill level, for the newbie model maker. WIth that in mind, this is the perfect gift for someone who has never made up a kit before and it will certainly get them hooked on model building.

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Darren Rea