Trumpeter 1/72 scale Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) plastic model kit review

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense or THAAD is an American HEMTT-based system, meaning it uses a Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck to carry the launcher. This system was designed to intercept short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles. Unlike other antimissile systems that use warheads to destroy their targets, THAAD uses the missile's kinetic energy against it to eliminate the threat. First deployed in 2008, the THAAD is used by the USA and the United Arab Emirates, with systems in several countries.

In contrast with the actual THAAD system, which took many years from concept to completion, Trumpeter’s 1/72 scale THAAD is a straightforward kit with a relatively low part count that builds quickly. The details are crisp, the fit is excellent, and I encountered no fit issues throughout.

The suspension components attach to the single-piece frame. The wheels are positioned pointing straight — which is not a big deal — but the outrigger stabilizers at the rear can only be positioned in the deployed position for firing.

The detailed cab features a bunch of decals to dress up the instrument panels and add warning labels. The floor and seats are molded together, and much of the cab’s body is a single, slide-molded component.

The tubes for the missile launcher are assembled from two parts, balancing detail and ease of building. The launcher can be modeled stowed in the travel position or raised in the firing position. Given that the stabilizers must be posed extended, placing the launcher in a firing position made the most sense, so I would recommend building it that way.

I spent about seven hours building Trumpeter’s THAAD and another three for painting and weathering. The result is a nicely detailed model of an important modern weapon system. This model should be easy for anyone with a few detailed kits under their belt to tackle.