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Herpa E-3 Sentry HE538916: A Compact 1:500 Radar-Aircraft Display

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Herpa Boeing E-3 Sentry 81-0005 in gray with its black elevated radar dome, shown loose and packaged in 1:500

Choose Herpa HE538916 when you want Boeing E-3 Sentry 81-0005 in a compact 1:500 display. The release identifies the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron at Kadena Air Base. Its elevated radar dome makes the aircraft visually distinct from a conventional airliner without requiring a large-scale military model.

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Match the serial and release identity

The E-3 Sentry, HE538916, represents 81-0005 in the stated unit presentation. Keep that serial and the Herpa code together when comparing another E-3 listing.

A shared aircraft name does not establish identical national markings, unit identity or model scale. The unit and base wording describes this collectible release; it should not be read as a statement about the aircraft's current assignment.

For an exact gift, confirm that an E-3 in this presentation is what the recipient wants. Another gray military aircraft—or another nation's E-3—is a different collecting choice.

The radar dome determines the viewing angle

The product gallery shows the dark circular radome supported above the gray fuselage, together with four underwing engines. A side view reveals the dome's elevation, while a slightly higher viewing angle shows its shape.

Leave that structure visible rather than placing the aircraft beneath another model's wing or directly behind a tall display card. The dome is a defining exterior detail, not an operating radar unit or a confirmed motorized feature.

Do not lift the model by the dome or its supports. Use the handling guidance supplied with the collectible and keep small protruding parts clear when moving it.

Compact length still needs height clearance

The approximate catalog dimensions are 3.625 inches long and 3.375 inches across the wings. Those values make it a candidate for a compact aircraft row, but they are not a complete display-case specification.

Check the highest point of the dome and tail as well as the model's undercarriage. A cover that fits the aircraft's length can still press against the elevated structure.

The quoted dimensions are listing estimates, not measurements taken here. Leave handling space around the outline rather than aiming for an exact squeeze.

What the offer includes

The model is described as diecast metal with plastic components. It is a finished aircraft, not an assembly-and-paint kit. The listing states no opening panels and does not include a display stand.

The loose aircraft and boxed view in the product image represent one collectible. They do not add a second model, airport scenery or ground equipment to the purchase.

For an elevated arrangement, confirm a compatible support separately. A generic 1:500 stand description is not proof that its mounting point suits this E-3.

Keep a shared-scale collection intentional

The UPS 757-200F, HE524612-001, is another 1:500 model that can occupy a separate position on a same-scale aircraft shelf. Displaying them together is a collecting choice, not a claim that the two releases represent a specific shared airport scene.

Herpa's 1:200 military aircraft and 1:87 cars belong to different proportional groups. Choose the E-3 for its exact subject and compact scale, then select surrounding pieces to match the display you actually intend to build.

Choose a Herpa military model for your collection

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