116th Air Control Wing
Reviewed by Timothy Dike
Joint STARS evolved from Army and Air Force programs to develop, detect, locate and attack enemy armor at ranges beyond the forward area of troops. The first two developmental aircraft deployed in 1991 to Operation Desert Storm and also supported Operation Joint Endeavor in December 1995. Joint STARS supported NATO troops over Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1996, Operation Allied Force from February to June 1999, and Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

General Characteristics
Primary Function: Airborne battle management
Primary Contractor: Northrop Grumman Corp.
Power Plant: Four Pratt and Whitney TF33-102C
Thrust: 19,200 pounds each engine
Length: 152 feet, 11 inches (46.6 meters)
Height: 42 feet 6 inches (13 meters)
Wingspan: 145 feet, 9 inches (44.4 meters)
Speed: Optimum orbit speed 390 - 510 knots (Mach 0.52 - 0.65)
Ceiling: 42,000 feet (12,802 meters)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 336,000 pounds (152,409 kilograms)
Range: 9 hours (unrefueled)
Crew: Flight crew of four plus 15 Air Force and three Army specialists (crew size varies according to mission)

More on the J-Stars can be found on the 116th Air Control Wing website.

Another in the Pit-Road 1/700 Metal Plane series is this cast metal Boeing E-8 Joint STARS Airborne Battle Managment systems aircraft.
This kit includes one cast metal aircraft with separate vertical tail section, engines, landing gear, and radar canoe. The casting is clean and only a light amount of cleanup will be needed. 
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The instuctions are basic but show everyting you need to assemble these aircraft. Painting instructions are provided for the early two tone white/grey USAF paint scheme, but the newer overall grey scheme might be easier to do. 

A decal sheet supplies the insignia and other markings to complete the aircraft.

I have always wanted to try and represent an airshow with examples of many aircraft displayed on a tarmac. An almost impossible task in in scale except my favorite 1/700 scale. 

Conclusions:

Check out the entire Pit-Road Metal Plane line on their website with online ordering capability and speedy delivery.

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