Airfix Model World Issue 052 (March 2015)

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FREE! BATTLE OF BRITAIN SUPPLEMENT

ISSUE 52

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product reviews

BATTLE of BRITAIN 5 EXCLUSIVE BUILDS 1/48 Airfix Hurricane, Spitfire, Bedford, Albion and crew figures

TURQUOISE TURBO 1/24 Porsche 934 Vaillant Airfix MAR UK 13.indd 1

‘GOLDEN-HOUR’ BLACKHAWK ‘GOLDEN 1/35 medevac conversion

GALLIC DOUBLE DECKER

MAR 2015 £4.20

1/144 Air France Bréguet Br.763

UNSUNG HAULAGE KING 1/72 C-133A Cargomaster 19/01/2015 12:30

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EDITOR'S DESK

WELCOME

Editorial

Editor: Assistant Editor: Editor's Secretary:

Chris Clifford Stu Fone Vanessa Smith

Contributors

Mike Grant, Ian Hartup, Garry Tobiss, Steve Budd, Malcolm V. Lowe, Keith Peckover, Peter Johnson

Design

Art Editor: Group Art Editor:

Production Production Manager:

Tom Bagley Steve Donovan

Janet Watkins

Advertising

Commercial Director: Ann Saundry Group Advertising Manager: Brodie Baxter Advertising Manager: Tom Lee Production Manager: Debi McGowan

Marketing

Group Marketing Manager: Marketing Manager: Subscriptions Manager: Mail Order:

Martin Steele Shaun Binnington Liz Ward Joan Harwin

Managing Director: Executive Chairman:

Adrian Cox Richard Cox

Key Publishing Ltd, PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1XQ, UK. Distributed by: Seymour Distribution Ltd, 2 Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PP. Tel: 020 7429 4000. Fax: 020 7429 4001. Printed by: Warners (Midland) plc, Bourne. Printed in England (ISSN 1471-0587).

Subscriptions Please refer to main advertisement within the magazine. All applications stating name, address, date to commence and remittance to: Subscriptions Department, Airfix Model World, Key Publishing Ltd, P0 Box 300, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1NA, UK. Telephone/9.00-5.30 Monday-Friday GMT +44 (0) 1780 480404, Fax: +44 (0) 1780 757812 E-Mail: [email protected] Airfix Model World (ISSN: 1471-0587) is published monthly by Key Publishing Ltd, P0 Box 300, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1NA, UK and distributed in the USA by Mail Right Int., 1637 Stelton Road B4, Piscataway, NJ 08854. Periodicals Postage Paid at Piscataway, NJ and additional mailing offices. Readers in the USA can place subscriptions by visiting www.airfixmodelworld.com or by calling toll free 800-676-4049 or fax 757-428-6253 or by writing to Airfix Model World, 3330 Pacific Ave, Ste 500, Virginia Beach, VA23451-9828. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Airfix Model World, Key Publishing Ltd, c/o Mail Right International Inc.,1637 Stelton Road B4, Piscataway NJ 08854. All items submitted for publication are subject to our terms and conditions. These are regularly updated without prior notice and are freely available from www.keypublishing.com The entire contents of Airfix Model World is © copyright, and no part of it may be reproduced in any form or stored on any form of retrieval system without the prior permission of the publisher. “AIRFIX’’ is a registered trade mark of Hornby Hobbies Limited and is used under licence.

WELCOME W

elcome to what is easily our biggest ever issue with nine full build subjects, which include five all-new 1/48 scale toolings from Airfix. What with this year's 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to showcase these exclusive test-shots in one package, and I hope you enjoy the excellent modelling by Steve Budd...and fascinating history text by Malcolm Lowe. Malcolm has also provided us with revealing photographs of BoB Spitfires and Hurricanes, and I’ll wager that upon seeing these, one will certainly be in the mood to build the mounts flown by The Few. Having had the privilege of inspecting the Airfix test-shots before they were sent out to be built, I can say they exhibit a splendid standard of detail for the retail price, and I can’t wait for the Hurricane in particular to hit the shelves...I’ll be purchasing several (yes, I actually buy kits like the rest of you!). There’s something about the Hurricane that really grabs my attention. While I’ve always loved the Spitfire for its graceful shape and that famous elliptical wing, to me the Hurri’ looks every inch the early-war workhorse. It’s also wonderful to finally have inexpensive British airfield vehicles to accompany 1/48 aircraft, and Airfix’s new figure set completes the package so we now have everything needed to complete a quality BoB diorama. As well as tackling the builds, Steve Budd also offers sage advice on how to create a convincing revetment scene with the Hurricane as its centrepiece. I’m sure we’ll all be counting down the days until the actual release of Airfix’s new kits, so we can replicate these evocative subjects for ourselves. And in this anniversary year, let’s also spare a thought for The Few and the sacrifices made by many of those brave pilots. Enjoy the issue.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE! MAKE GREAT SAVINGS BY SUBSCRIBING TURN TO PAGE 88 TO FIND OUT HOW

We are unable to guarantee the bona fides of any of our advertisers. Readers are strongly recommended to take their own precautions before parting with any information or item of value, including, but not limited to, money, manuscripts, photographs or personal information in response to any advertisements within this publication.

Chris Clifford, Editor [email protected] The average sale for the period Jan – Dec 2013 was 11,488 print and digital copies monthly.

Follow us at www.facebook.com/airfixmodelworld Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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CONTENTS INSIDE

79 COMPETITION Win airbrush gear!

REGULARS 06 News The latest happenings in the world of plastic modelling.

10 Show Scene A comprehensive and up-to-date calendar of model-related events.

38 Your Airfix Readers get the chance to showcase their own Airfix builds.

88 Subscribe and save! 90 On the shelf Seventeen pages of reviews bring you the latest modelling products.

114 Kit Court Put forward your case to AMW, as to

80

ADVANCED BUILD C-133A CARGOMASTER

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INTERMEDIATE BUILD PORSCHE 934 RSR

why a particular ‘missing’ kit subject should be made available.

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EXCLUSIVE BUILD HURRICANE Mk.I Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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CONTENTS

INSIDE

14

INTERMEDIATE BUILD BRÉGUET Br.763

FEATURES 14 Intermediate Build – Gallic Double-Decker Mike Grant does a stunning job of finishing

VIEW MORE ONLINE airfixmodelworld.com

F-RSIN’s 1/144 Bréguet Br.763 airliner.

22 Intermediate Build – Turquoise Turbo Ian Hartup appraises Tamiya’s second incarnation of its 1/24 Porsche 934 RSR moulding.

30 Advanced Build – Golden Hour Blackhawk Werner’s Wings resin and decals are employed by Garry Tobiss, to convert Academy’s 1/35 Blackhawk gunship into a medevac machine.

39 Battle of Britain Special Steve Budd builds all five of Airfix’s newly tooled 1/48 BoB kits, while Malcolm Lowe offers an historical overview of ‘The Few’.

04 Spitfire Mk.I Build 11 Spitfire Mk.I Profiles 12 Battle of Britain History 20 Crew Figures 22 Hurricane Mk.I Build 29 Hurricane Mk.I Profiles 30 Bedford MWD Build 34 Albion 3-Point Fueller Build 38 Diorama Build

79 Competition – Great prizes from The Airbrush Company Enter our free prize draw for a chance to win either an Iwata compressor, Lifecolor paint sets or an Iwata airbrush cleaning kit.

39

EXCLUSIVE BUILD ALBION 3-POINT FUELLER

80 Advanced Build – Unsung Giant Keith Peckover shows how to improve the structural faults in Anigrand’s 1/72 resin C-133A Cargomaster. Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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NEWS BULLETIN

LATEST UPDATES

THUMPING WATERPLANE PACKAGE

WINGNUT WINGS has produced what must be the most impressive (and wallet-busting) 1/32 double release ever. The firm has mated its recent and imposing Felixstowe

F.2A flying boat with its muchloved Hansa-Brandenburg W.29 floatplane in a ‘Duellists’ boxing; the latter kit has not been available on its own from Wingnut

for some time and has fetched high prices on auction sites. The colour schemes are for two aircraft that actually met in combat on July 31, 1918. Basically, a Felixstowe from Great Yarmouth Air Station was on patrol when it encountered five H-B W.29 floatplanes. The Germans outgunned the larger British aircraft completely and forced it down onto the sea, whereby they completed the attack and set the flying boat on fire. The first pass in the air by one of the W.29s killed one Felixstowe crew member, while another died when the aircraft’s petrol tanks exploded after it had already landed. Both kits offer a serious amount of parts and the usual breathtaking Wingnut detail, and the colour schemes are: • Felixstowe F.2A N4305,

UP-TO-DATE DELTA

KINETIC HAS answered many a prayer by releasing a newly tooled 1/48 Mirage IIIE. It allows replication not just of the standard ‘Echo’, but also the Australian ‘O’, French recce R/RD and Spanish EE. The box art does state that the EA can be built, but no Argentine markings are actually provided...another boxing? The styrene is superb and features fine engraving, different instrument panels are supplied, as is full intake trunking, an engine face and clear parts for the recce camera windows. Two correct camera layouts are provided for the R/RD, and for the Aussie jet the O(A)’s semi-bulged Doppler panel is offered. Storeswise there are 500lit supersonic wing tanks, and the 1,300lit variety; the speedier of the two also come in rocket-fronted form and those

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with bomb attachment points. Sidewinders are present, along with Matra Magic, Mk.82 Snakeye and AS.30, but neither SLR 1 or RPE 62

recce pods feature for the French ‘snoopers’, or a Matra 530 or Martel for the IIIE. Ultimately, though, this kit is worlds apart from Esci's old mould. Strangely, our sample failed to provide the correct four-view drawing for the IIIRD, but the schemes are: • IIIE, 514/4-BB, EC 1/4 La Fayette, Armée de l’air, Luxeuil, 1967 • IIIR, 307/33-TC, ER 3/33 Moselle, Armée de l’air, StrasbourgEntzheim, 1963 • IIIRD, 363/33-TL, ER 3/33 • IIIEE, C11-6, Ejército del Aire, ALA 11, Manises AB, 1986 • IIIO, A3-7, 2 OCU, RAAF, Williamtown, 1987 For further details visit: www.luckymodel.com

EA Mossop, G Hodson, GL Greenwood, RRN Cooper, WHD Dingley, Great Yarmouth AS • Hansa-Brandenburg W.29, 2512, Friedrich Christiansen (13 victories) and Bernhard Wladicka, 1C Staffel The dual package costs US $349, and can be ordered from Wingnut Wings directly. For further details visit: www.wingnutwings.com

BRITISH ARMY CLASSIC

DRAGON HAS just released an all-new tooling of the British Saladin armoured car in 1/35 scale. With six runners packed full of well-detailed parts, a horizontally split hull and one-piece turret, these components are accompanied by high-quality DS Styrene wheel/tyre units and a photoetched brass mesh section. The kit should please fans of post-war armour no end, and will retail at £49.99

Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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NEWS BULLETIN

LATEST UPDATES

ALL-NEW TANKHUNTER

TAMIYA HAS released a completely fresh 1/35 tooling of the Jagdpanzer IV/70 Lang... and it’s a smasher! The product (35340) bears no relation to the firm’s older kit of this famous tank destroyer, and all the parts are brand new. More than 250 beautifully detailed components include a great rendition of the ‘Saukopf’ mantlet with cast texture, and a one-piece main gun barrel

with hollow muzzle; due to clever engineering the gun has working elevation and traverse, and the gunner’s sight also moves in concert with the gun! All steel and rubber-rimmed road wheels are supplied, and the crew hatches are workable. The only contentious factor is the inclusion of onepiece polyethylene tracks; most modellers would have preferred link-and-length

versions. However, Kaizen has just released a splendid set of workable individual track links for this vehicle (see below). Excellent colour instructions offer four-view illustrations for three vehicles: • Black 322, 655th Heavy Anti-Tank Battalion, Western Front, December 1944 • Red 313, unknown unit, Western Front, December 1944 • White 103, unknown unit, Eastern front, early 1945 For further details visit: www.hobbyco.net

TOP TRACKS

THE KAIZEN brand of workable tank tracks has come to our attention via a friend of the Editor, so we thought it worth reporting here on the firm’s products. Made by J-Pak Workshop in Hong Kong, these 1/35 styrene links display an

amazing amount of detail, and are easy to build in comparison to others on the market. Shown here are assembled runs for an early Tiger I, but a ‘late’ set is also available. The latest items, though, just released, are a set of links for the Jagdpanzer IV/70 Lang (timed perfectly to match Tamiya’s new kit, (see above), and links with which to produce Ostketten winter tracks for the Panzer III/IV. Kaizen’s are the best tracks we’ve seen to date, and due

in the near future are T51 and T48 links for US tanks. The company has yet to build a website, but to find out more and discover other products in the range, e-mail Patrick at: [email protected]

MILITARY BIZ-JET THE MODEL kit industry is like waiting for a bus...nothing for ages, then several come at once, and the Learjet is no exception. Mach 2 has released a new 1/72 mould of the military version of the classic biz-jet, with a US Air Force C-21 (GP057) and Swiss Air Force aircraft (GP058) currently available. A Finnish Air Force variant is also planned and, given the parts breakdown, further types, including a Japanese Maritime Forces

U-36A, Brazilian Air Force Learjet 35A and an electronic warfare training aircraft may be in the offering. The single white styrene runner will provide a multitude of spares, irrespective of which version is built, and although the mould is rough in places, there is plenty of external detail captured with fine engraved panel lines. Care will be needed when cutting the decals, which are printed on a single sheet and provide options for two all-

white USAF airframes: • 310, 40074, Military Airlift Command • 40123, 119th Composite Wing ‘Happy Hooligans’ For further details visit: www.mach2.fr

Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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NEWS BULLETIN

LATEST UPDATES

{in brief}

MIRAGE MARKINGS Due very soon to complement Kinetic’s new 1/48 Mirage III is this superb set of markings from Xtradecal. The eight options provide for E/R/O/EZ/O(F)/RS/ airframes operated by France, Australia, Switzerland, South Africa and Pakistan, and there’s real variety among the schemes, from bare metal to numerous examples of camouflage. The standout inclusion is the ex-Aussie Mirage IIIO flown by the Pakistan AF, as it has a low-vis grey fuselage, but with green and sand wings due to the retrofitting of zero-limited South African mainplanes to the Pakistani jets. There are also three very pretty Australian aircraft... two in smart low-vis grey and another older example in bare metal and with green 77 Squadron tail artwork. Look out for a detailed review in AMW once the decals are printed.

LEGS APLENTY Scale Aircraft Conversions has released another raft of new white metal undercarriage leg sets. They are: 72097 F-16 (Tamiya) 72098 Su-35S Flanker (Hasegawa) 72099 Mi-26 Halo (Zvezda/Revell) 72100 F-14 Tomcat (Hasegawa) 72101 MiG-15 (Eduard) 48274 F-15 (Great Wall) 48275 F-35C Lightning (Kitty Hawk) 48276 A-37 Dragonfly (Trumpeter) 48277 Aero L-29 Delfin (AMK) 48278 Folland Gnat T.1 (Airfix) 32090 Dornier Do 335 (HK Models) 32091 Bristol Beaufighter (Revell) 32092 Arado Ar 234B (Fly) www.scaleaircraftconversions.com

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MEET THE EXPERTS

Juutilainen (Finland, Bf 109G-2), Ivan Kozhedub, (Soviet Union, Lavochkin La-7), Richard Bong (USA, P-38 Lightning) and Franco Lucchini (Italy, Macchi C.202 Folgore). All are Hasegawa’s own mouldings save for the Lavochkin, which is Eduard's. What makes this package really collectable though, is that a 35mm resin figure of each pilot is included,

along with a bonus figure of the Soviet Union’s female ace Lydia Vladimirovna Litvyak... and a wall poster that features head-and-shoulders artwork of the first seven and their aircraft. The release is slated to cost £249.99, but this does represent a lot of modelling fun and a high collectability factor. For further details visit: www.amerang.com

ALLEY CAT’S NEW HOME

FRIGHTENING’S DIAMOND

HASEGAWA WILL soon release a 1/48 scale celebration of World War Two's top flyers. Entitled The Seven Aces of WWII (HSP324), this bumper offering will contain the relevant aircraft for the following: Erich Hartmann (Germany, Bf 109G-6/G-14), Tetsuzo Iwamoto (Japan, A6M2b Zero 21), Johnnie Johnson (UK, Spitfire Mk.IX), Eino Ilmari

FOLLOWING A recent spate of bad news regarding after-market companies, there are good tidings at last in the shape of Alley Cat and Rotor Craft accessories. Following a successful transfer of ownership from Alistair McLean to Alec Smith, the Alley Cat range will be marketed under the Alley Cat Models label, while Rotor Craft will move to Freightdog Models. Initially, a small range of Alley Cat accessories will be re-issued in early 2015, including the 1/72 Lincoln-style

rudder (AC72004C), 1/48 Ventura II canopy (AC48048C), Canberra T.17 conversion (AC48015C), Spitfire Prototype (ACRK4819) and 1/24 Typhoon Canopy (AC24007C). Subsequent re-releases in the first quarter of 2015 will include 1/32 Bf 109 upgrades and conversion sets, 1/72 Fw 190 tropical air intake filters, and a 1/72 H4 Hercules ‘Spruce Goose’ propeller correction and upgrade for Amodel’s kit. For further details visit: AlleyCatModels.co.uk

...MORE GOOD NEWS IN A late Christmas present for ship (and aircraft) modellers, it has been announced that White Ensign Models’ kits, accessories and paints will continue to be produced, albeit under new ownership. After the shock announcement that the long-time proprietor Dave Carter would cease to operate the company (See AMW News, Feb issue), Tom’s Modelworks in the US has acquired the rights and stock for the WEM name, kits, resin and photo-etched (PE) metal accessory sets, and will market them

via the existing website. Initial plans will be for the PE sets to be available in the first quarter of 2015, with the resin accessories and sets to follow. For further details visit www.whiteensignmodels. com. Additionally, a newly formed company, Sovereign Hobbies Ltd in Scotland, has similarly acquired the rights to produce the excellent Colourcoats range of enamel paints. The intent is to return the brand to market by Spring 2015, via a combination of website and domestic/international stockists, with a view to potentially expanding the range where there is demand. For further details visit the firm’s Facebook page.

INCREDIBLY IT is more than 60 years since the EE/BAC Lightning first leapt into the sky, and Ian Black has provided a fitting epitaph for the type’s diamond anniversary last year. A contributor to AMW, and famed as the last pilot ever to be trained on the ‘Frightening’, Ian has published a very fine hardback book on the type, with more than 170 evocative images of this iconic aircraft. ‘Lightning 1954-2014’ pays homage to a simple, yet effective design and traces its service from the early days of metallic finishes through to the few remaining privately owned airframes in South Africa. This volume will be of interest to anyone with an appreciation of the aircraft, or aviation photography in general, as well as any modellers seeking inspiration to build yet one more Lightning! For more details visit: www.firestreakbooks.com

Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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NEWS BULLETIN

LATEST UPDATES

GAMING MEETS MODELLING an acrylic paints set (446AP). In addition to a standard Italeri kit, the armoured vehicles contain WoTspecific decal sheets and painting suggestions, a tank capabilities guide and bonus codes for the game. The diorama set includes the Brick Wall (0405), Church Window (0408), Church Door and wall section (0409) and Road Signs (6527) sets, and by itself is great value for money, regardless of whether or not one is a fan of the game. For further details, visit: www.hobbyco.net; for the game: www.worldoftanks.com ONLINE GAMERS will be very familiar with World of Tanks (WoT), but modellers may be relatively unaware of this multi-player phenomenon. The scenario features combat between a variety of tanks, selfpropelled artillery and other heavy armoured vehicles. In a major tiein, Italeri has announced a range of kits and paints under a WoT ‘Roll out’ logo; the first releases comprise the Ferdinand (36501), Pz. Kpfw. VI Tiger (36502), M4 Sherman (36503), M24 Chaffee (36504), Diorama set (36505) and

DIMINUTIVE DOUBLE-UGLY

ANNOUNCED LITERALLY days after AMW’s Scale Modelling F-4 Phantom bookazine went to press, Whirlybird has released a series of US Navy/US Marine Corps F-4s in 1/144 scale, starting with the F-4J (WPX44005). Cast in grey resin, with finely recessed panel lines, this is a fantastic kit which fills a glaring gap in the 1/144 market, and includes full interior detail courtesy of photo-etched metal parts...even miniscule ejection seat handles are provided. In addition, the modeller is presented with a

full stores load of three fuel tanks, four AIM-7 Sparrows and a choice of AIM-9 Sidewinder rails or travel pods for the inner wing pylons. The high-quality decal sheets feature two colourful airframes from the US Navy’s VF-114 ‘Aardvarks’, including stencil detail for US Navy and US Marine Corps. Additional F-4J releases will include VF-31 (WPX44006), RAF 74 Squadron (WPX44007) and US Marine Corps VMFA-333, the famous ‘Triple Trey’ (WPX44008). For further details visit: www.whirlybirdmodels.com

BUDGET BRAND ENTERS THE UK

AMERANG NOW has import rights to MisterCraft kits, from Poland, and the 1/72 scale range represents a large number of products at pocket money prices. The origins of the kits are mixed and include older subjects from the likes of KP, as well as MisterCraft’s own plastic from years gone by. While the quality is far from that seen on modern offerings (there’s a variance between raised and engraved lines), these items are good for kids due to the low retail price, but will also appeal to that crosssection of modellers who enjoy rejuvenating old styrene. With almost 100 items in the range, and priced from just £2.99 to £6.99, there will be something for everyone. The other pluspoint is that each kit comes with fairly decent decals and good instructions. The three 1/72 examples sent to AMW include the MiG-17PF ‘Radar Fresco’, Fw 190A9/R8 ‘Sturmbock’ and Yak-1 ‘Normandie’, but others are the Gloster Javelin, and Sukhoi Fitter family. For further details visit: www.amerang.co.uk

Search: 'Airfix Model World' Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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SHOW SCENE

DIARY DATES

SHOW SCENE 12 APR, 2015 RAF MUSEUM COSFORD

At-a-glance model and airshow calendar

Shropshire Scale Model Show Hosts:

Shropshire Scale Model Show

Address: RAF Museum Cosford, Shifnal, Shropshire, TF11 8UP Times:

10am-4pm

Prices:

Free

Tel:

N/A

Email:

[email protected]

Web:

www.shropmodels.org.uk

FEB 21

FLEET AIR ARM FEBRUARY MODEL SHOW

MAR 8

SHUTTLEWORTH SCALE MODEL EXHIBITION

MAR 21-22

SOUTHERN EXPO 2015

APR 18

POOLE VIKINGS/IPMS DORSET MODEL SHOW

Hosts:

Fleet Air Arm Museum

Hosts:

Shuttleworth Veteran Aeroplane Society

Hosts:

Peter Bagshaw, Robin Bellamy

Hosts:

Poole Vikings Model Club

Address: Fleet Air Arm Museum, RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset, BA22 8HT Times:

10am-5.30pm

Prices:

Adults £14, concessions £12, accompanied under15s £10

Tel:

01935 840565

Email:

N/A

Web:

www.fleetairarm.com

MAR 1

PETERBOROUGH SCALE MODEL SHOW

Hosts:

Peterborough Scale Model Club

Address: The Voyager Academy, Mountsteven Avenue, Walton, Peterborough, PE4 6HX Times:

10am-4pm

Prices:

Adults £2, under-15s free

Tel:

N/A

Email:

peterboroughscalemodel [email protected]

Web:

www.peterboroughscale modelclub.co.uk

KEY

E MODEL DISPLAY

) MODEL COMPETITION m AIRCRAFT DISPLAY

Address: Shuttleworth Collection, Old Warden Aerodrome, Nr Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 9EP Times:

10am-4pm

Prices:

Adult £10, under-16s free

Tel:

N/A

Email:

[email protected]

Web:

www.shuttleworth.org

MAR 14

ATLANTA MODEL CON 2015

Hosts:

IPMS Atlanta

Address: Lockheed Martin Local Lodge 709, 1032 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060 Times:

9am-5pm

Prices:

General admission US$5, children under-12s free

Tel:

001-(678)-308-7308

Email:

[email protected]

Web:

www.ipms-atlanta.org

 

Address: Hornchurch Sports Centre, Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch Road, Hornchurch, Essex, RM11 1JU

Address: Parkstone Grammar School, Sopers Lane, Poole, BH17 7EP Times:

10am-4pm

Prices:

Adults £3, children and senior citizens £1.50, family £7

Times:

Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm

Prices:

Adults £3, senior citizens £2, children £1

Tel:

01202 743494

Tel:

01708 726102

Email:

[email protected]

Email:

[email protected]

Web:

www.winkton.net/ poolevikings.htm

Web:

www.southernexpo.co.uk

MAR 29

EAST MIDLANDS MODEL SHOW

APR 25-26

9TH CAMOUFLAGE AIR CLUB EXHIBITION

Hosts:

Camouflage Air Club

Hosts:

East Midlands Model Club

Address: The Leisure Centre, Coventry Road, Hinckley, LE10 0JR

Address: Gymnase Michel Hidalgo, boulevard Général De Gaulle, 13730 Saint Victoret, France

Times:

10am-4.30pm

Times:

10am-6pm

Adults £4, concessions £2, family ticket £9

Prices:

Free

Tel:

N/A

Tel:

N/A

Email:

Email:

N/A

camouflageairclub@ gmail.com

Web:

www.eastmidsmodelclub. co.uk

Web:

www.cac-marseille. blogspot.fr

Prices:

MILITARY DISPLAY



REFRESHMENTS

AUTOMOTIVE DISPLAY



FREE PARKING

J TRADE STANDS

AIRFIX ROADSHOW ATTENDING

IMPORTANT: It is worth noting that ALL events are subject to change or cancellation. This information has been collated from a variety of sources and was believed to be correct at the time of going to press. To advertise your event here, email: [email protected]

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Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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INTERMEDIATE BUILD BRÉGUET BR.763

Mike Grant explores a characterful French airliner with F-RSIN’s Bréguet Br.763

Double -Decker Gallic

F

rench firm F-RSIN, as its name suggests, has been producing resin airliners for several years, but has now expanded its range to shortrun injection-moulded plastic kits. It has an impressive

range of unique subjects in its catalogue, which include 1/144 kits of the de Havilland Comet 1 and Dassault Falcon. The Bréguet 'Deux-Ponts' featured here is available in five boxings, which exemplify all of the aircraft’s variants.

 One basic diagram comprised the entire assembly instructions, including the different sub-type options. Exact location and orientation of the parts was a matter of guesswork in many cases.

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National carrier

The subject kit offered markings for the early Air France scheme, and came in a large end-opening box and was moulded in light grey; all of the parts were supplied on one runner. Panel lines were recessed, pleasing

detail was evident on the engine fronts and undercarriage bays and the two decal sheets looked well printed. But there were no clear parts, as all of the windows and windscreen were supplied in decal form. More detailed assembly instructions would

 With no locating pins on the fuselage halves, tabs of styrene were attached to aid alignment, and provide additional strength where the plastic was quite thin along the top edges.

Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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INTERMEDIATE BUILD BRÉGUET BR.763

Upstairs, downstairs

MODEL SPEC

 Nose weight consisted of steel nuts and Deluxe Materials' Liquid Gravity product. Bréguet Br.763 – Air France By:

F-RSIN

Stock Code: FRP4004 Scale:

1/144

Price:

€26

Available from: www.f-rsin.com

have been appreciated, though. Just one exploded diagram was supplied, which showed the basic configuration, but the parts location and orientation was vague. Internet reference photos of the real aircraft proved invaluable in addressing these shortcomings. The box top described the kit as being ‘for the enthusiastic modeller’... perhaps a veiled warning of what was to come!

Originally conceived before the end of World War Two, the Bréguet Br.763 Provence ‘Deux-Ponts’ (Double Decker) went into service in the early 1950s and was a contemporary of types such as the Lockheed Constellation, Bristol Britannia and Douglas DC-7. Just 12 Br.763s were built and these served with Air France and the French Air Force. (A freighter version, the 765 Sahara, was also developed for the military and is available in kit form from F-RSIN). French aviation took a giant leap forward in 1955 with the introduction of the Sud Aviation Caravelle, the world’s first short/medium-range jet airliner, and the piston-engined ‘Deux-Pont’ fleet then became effectively obsolete. Nevertheless they soldiered on in various guises until the early 1970s. The designers of the Bréguet Br.763 would never have imagined that in just over 50 years’ time, another double-decker, four-engined, French-based airliner would take to the skies in the form of the Airbus A380, although the similarities end there: the Deux-Pont carried 107 passengers and had a range of 1,422 miles (2,290km), compared to the A380’s 525-passenger capability and range of more than 9,320 miles (15,000km).

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Building the Bréguet With no cockpit to install, and no painting of the interior required,

the only step before mating of the fuselage halves was to attach the forward wheel well. Care was needed to ensure it was exactly parallel to the ground plane, so the landing gear would be perpendicular when installed later. Since nose-weight was required, three metal nuts were

attached to the top of the wheel bay part with cyanoacrylate (CA) glue. To add further ballast, one of the nuts was filled with Deluxe Materials’ Liquid Gravity, secured in place by pouring extra-thin CA over the particles. Before the fuselage was glued, tabs of styrene were attached

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INTERMEDIATE BUILD BRÉGUET BR.763

Short run, long journey About 40 hours went into this model, a big chunk of time for a 1/144 scale subject with no cockpit detail or clear parts to deal with. A large proportion of that time went into neatening the parts and dealing with the kit’s surface detail. Most of the parts exhibited a slightly pebbled texture, ranging from a fine frosting in places to sandpaper coarse in others. Although recessed, panel lines varied in depth and were not always as straight as they could have been. Some weren’t symmetrical from port to starboard; others didn’t align across seams. There were also numerous surface aberrations: odd lumps of excess plastic, gouges, divots, sink marks – even what looked like a human hair embedded in one component. And then there were ejector pin marks in glaringly obvious positions such as the upper wing, and copious amounts of flash. In short, every single piece of the kit required some measure of clean-up, a task made even more necessary by the unforgiving nature of a gloss white and natural metal colour scheme. In fairness, none of the work was insurmountable or even particularly difficult, just hugely time-consuming, especially since smoothing the various imperfections resulted in the loss of most panel lines, which then had to be re-scribed.

 There were numerous surface blemishes, such as this excess plastic on the upper wing surface.

 Due to excessive flash on some of the smaller parts, it was easier to scratchbuild replacements than clean them up.

 This ‘before and after’ photo shows the vertical stabilisers. Removal of flash, sanding of trailing edges to scale thickness, panel line re-scribing and re-instating lost detail was typical of the work involved on most of the parts.

 The mating edges of the fuselage halves were pinched in slightly, which left a prominent trough when the parts were glued; plenty of CA was used to fill the gap.

 A grinder sorted out the ejector pin marks on the wing inside faces. The trailing edges were thin, but sanding was still required to maintain a straight edge.

around the inner perimeter to aid alignment, as there were no location pins; the plastic was quite thin along the upper edges, so the tabs would help reinforce the join. The fuselage halves were then glued with Tenax 7R, a fast-drying liquid which flows along seams and literally fuses the parts. Clamps – and many of them – held the fuselage in place until the glue had cured properly. Although the fit wasn’t bad, there was a trenchlike seam along the underside and

several gaps elsewhere, and so lengths of stretched styrene were glued into the gaps to bridge the seams, and smothered in thick CA and sanded smooth.

Flying surfaces The unusual cantilevered wings were tackled next. Once the ejector pins on the inside surfaces had been removed with a grinding bit, the wing halves were glued together. Without location pins the fit was

 It was inevitable that panel line detail was lost and had to be restored. DYMO tape was used as a guide for most of the straight lines, but for the flowing curve along the fin leading edge a more flexible medium was called for, in this case 3M tape.

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INTERMEDIATE BUILD BRÉGUET BR.763

“ The wing trailing edges were impressively sharp, despite being formed from halves” Multiple clamps held the wing halves in position while the Tenax glue cured. Typical for a short-run kit, there were no location pins/holes, so care must be taken with alignment.

 The completed tail sections waiting to be attached to the fuselage.

somewhat inexact, and it was found best to glue a short section at a time, readjusting the fit then repeating, all the way around the wing. Again, clamps were called into action to maintain the alignment until the glue had cured. An initial dry-fit of the

thickness of the wing, which resulted in a large step (and a gap) that had to be bridged with styrene and filler. On a positive note, the wing trailing edges were impressively sharp, despite being formed from halves. Eight components went into the twin tail assembly; heavy flash marred some parts and rudder hinge detail was lost in the clean-

wings to the fuselage looked promising and seemed to mate very well with the integrally moulded wing fillet...until the model was turned over. On the underside the fillet was about 2mm deeper in places than the

up process; this was replaced with short lengths of stretched styrene. Fairing-in the vertical fins to the horizontal tailplanes required copious amounts of filler and dexterous sanding, but the fit of each tail unit to the fuselage was, thankfully, refreshingly

 With the addition of the wings, the model really began to look like a Bréguet.

Here are the completed undercarriage doors, with simplified hinges added from stretched styrene and airbrushed with Alclad Duralumin.

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INTERMEDIATE BUILD BRÉGUET BR.763

“ The main wheels came in halves which went together well”

positive, and needed very little sanding or filling.

Undercarriage and engines Having reached this stage, it came almost as a surprise to realise that just the undercarriage and engines needed to be fitted before initial painting could begin. Nevertheless, there was still much to do. The main wheels came in halves which went together well, but due to a mould misalignment the forward wheel was actually elliptical rather than round. A replacement of similar size came from the spares box (a white metal wheel from some long forgotten project), as did a replacement forward undercarriage leg to replace the crude kit part. Note that the main

gear legs should incline forward rather than backward...a detail not obvious from the instructions. Not only were the gear doors much too thick for the scale, they were also encrusted in flash, and it just seemed easier

 Photos of the real aircraft showed two circular protrusions on the belly, for which a punch-and-die set was used to create discs of thick styrene.

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and neater to make plastic card replacements, than attempt to neaten the kit parts. Plastic card was wrapped around the barrel of a pen with a similar circumference to the kit engine nacelles, held under boiling

water for 30 seconds, and then plunged into cold water to set. In reality the main doors should have a double curvature but this would demnd the creation of a former and the plunge-moulding of parts, and by this time

 To determine the correct masking line between white and natural metal, exact samesize copies of the decals were cut out of masking tape and applied.

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INTERMEDIATE BUILD BRÉGUET BR.763

Prop’ procedure

 Alclad Polished Aluminum produced a fast-drying, highly durable metallic finish.

 The parts were polished and sprayed with Alclad Duralumin. Tape was then applied to the front and rear faces, and the props received Tamiya X-11 Chrome Silver.

 The variance in tone between the two metallic shades was subtle, but still clearly visible. Little details such as this can make all the difference.

 Photographs of full-size Bréguets showed a thin black section on the leading edge of each blade. With Optivisor firmly in place, each blade was masked with Parafilm and the narrow shapes cut freehand with a new No.11 blade, before being sprayed matt black.

 To maintain consistent width of the yellow tip on all props, a simple jig was made from styrene sheet, with the correct depth marked on clear tape. It was easy to hold each blade against the end-piece, while applying a section of Tamiya masking tape to align with the pencilled mark.

 Although F-RSIN supplied the rubber de-icing boots as decals, the flat two-dimensional shapes made no allowance for the curvature of the leading edges. It was decided to mask and paint them instead.

Painting and finishing

the author’s enthusiasm was beginning to wane… Engine fronts were adequate for the scale and, with a little sanding, the nacelles looked acceptable too. The exhausts supplied in the kit, though, were usable but were replaced. Four lengths of styrene rod were glued together in a row, and then chopped into short sections and painted to represent burnt metal.

After so much preparation work and handling, the entire model was brushed with Polly S Plastic Prep, a pink pre-painting cleansing agent for styrene surfaces. Once the liquid had dried, two light coats of Tamiya White Fine Surface Primer (decanted from the aerosol) were airbrushed on the model. About an hour later, Tamiya TS-26 Pure White – also decanted – was sprayed on the upper fuselage in several coats until a solid gloss white layer had been achieved. Study of the box art profile showed a stepped demarcation between the white and the lower fuselage natural metal finish (NMF). Because it would have to follow the top edge of the windscreen decal perfectly, and then run behind the cheatlines,

 The four completed propellers; the shafts on the rear did not align with the hubs – they were off-centre – but it was barely noticeable once the props were mounted permanently on the engines.

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INTERMEDIATE BUILD BRÉGUET BR.763

Certain panels on the upper wings were masked and sprayed with a thin mixture of Tamiya X-19 Smoke to darken them. The differentiation was subtle, and unfortunately rendered almost invisible once the final satin varnish had been applied.

 An hour of masking and two minutes of spraying later, the masks were removed to reveal the sharp black de-icing boot areas.

 The decals provided by F-RSIN were comprehensive, but a mixed bag in terms of printing and accuracy.

 With all decals in place and properly dry, a pin-wash of dark grey was flowed into the panel lines.

exact same-size shapes of the critical decals were cut from masking tape and applied temporarily to the model. Not only did this help determine where the demarcation line should be, it also revealed that the cheatlines were too long for the fuselage. Alclad Polished Aluminium was used for the NMF, which required a base coat of gloss black acrylic, Tamiya X-1 in this case.

then applied by brush and the model set aside to dry overnight. Decals were something of a mixed bag, and the placement instructions were so inaccurate as to be better ignored. The black registrations went on beautifully, but those on the fuselage sides were far too big when compared to photos of the real thing. And so they were scanned into a computer, reduced in height, re-spaced and printed at a more

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Provided the styrene’s surface is clean and grease-free (and the correct primer has been used) Alclad dries very quickly and is extremely resilient. A few panels on the wings were masked and given a light overspray of Tamiya X-19 Smoke to darken them. Unfortunately the difference in tone was too subtle and the contrast was virtually lost under ensuing coats of varnish. Johnson’s Klear floor polish was

representational size. As noted earlier, the cheatlines had to be cut short by about 10mm to fit the fuselage better, though unfortunately it appeared as if the whole decal was proportionally too big, since one of the windows sat right across a panel line! The cheatlines also broke into several pieces while being repositioned,

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INTERMEDIATE BUILD BRÉGUET BR.763

 The kit parts were used for the main undercarriage, but the forward leg and wheel were sourced from the spares box. With the engines in place there was just enough nose weight to keep the model on its tricycle landing gear.

“ As the box top says, this is definitely for the ‘ enthusiastic’ modeller” and so it’s recommended that they be cut and applied in smaller sections. Final steps included a pin wash of light grey watercolour flowed into the panel lines, various aerials and a tail bumper added from scrap plastic, then finally a sealant coat of satin varnish to impart a more scaleappropriate sheen.

Not for beginners F-RSIN’s Deux-Ponts is a fantastic subject, but it demanded a lot more work than first impressions

 Photos of the real aircraft showed obvious exhaust staining on both surfaces of the wing, but on the undersides predominantly. These were airbrushed with Tamiya Smoke and a greybrown mix of acrylic paint.

 Final small details, such as pitot tubes on the nose, the aerial above the cockpit and two small intakes on the upper fuselage, were scratch-built. The red lights above and below the fuselage were CMK clear resin items (www.cmkkits.com).

suggested. The kit reminded the author of another French short-run manufacturer, Mach 2, so if one is familiar with its products, one may have some idea of what to expect. Still, although not an easy build and (challenging would be a polite euphemism), the kit is certainly buildable by anyone willing to expend the time and effort. As the box top says, this is definitely for the ‘enthusiastic’ modeller. ❚ Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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INTERMEDIATE BUILD PORSCHE 934 RSR

Turquoise Turbo Ian Hartup appraises Tamiya’s latest incarnation of its Porsche 934 RSR mould...Kremer Racing’s dazzling 1976 Vaillant-sponsored car

The exhaust system and turbocharger were glued together with the chassis used as a jig to ensure everything aligned properly.

P Alclad Grey primer revealed several areas that needed further attention, as shown in these photographs.

orsche’s 911 is one of the most iconic sports cars ever built. Having been in production, in one form or another, for more than 50 years it is arguably the most successful car in the genre. That the 911 should spawn a racing car was pretty much inevitable. Beginning with the RS and RSR versions of the late 1960s and early 1970s, the march of the 911 as a racewinner was unrelenting. The

fuel crisis of the early 1970s led the FIA to a radical rethink of the criteria and class details for premier endurance races. This prompted the creation of the Group 5 and 6 cars based on production vehicles, with lower homologation limits to enable quicker development and lower production costs. Porsche’s reaction to these changes was the 935 Racing developed from 1973’s 911 Turbo road car. The 935s were almost

 Zero Paints produces the correct Vaillant Green shade in its base coat range. This was applied in two or three light layers over the grey primer.

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INTERMEDIATE BUILD

PORSCHE 934 RSR

 Tamiya’s PE fret required various areas to be painted in different colours. Masking tape helped to achieve this before the parts were removed.

 With the chassis floor painted in the body colour, and given a light clear coat, the engine could be defined in the appropriate metallic shades.  The interior was predominately satin and matt black; Alclad Black primer provided a base colour, and the detailed areas were picked out in various satin shades via Gunze Mr. Color H92, Revell Aquacolor and Tamiya X18.

MODEL SPEC

The rear suspension set-up was a clever re-creation of the trailing arm system utilised by the real car.

Porsche 934 Turbo RSR Vaillant By:

Tamiya

Stock Code: 24334 Scale:

1/24

Price:

£31.99

Available from: The Hobby Company, www.hobbyco.net

immediately made available to customer teams across all types of endurance racing. Kremer Racing acquired its 935 Racing in the latter half of 1975 and began using it in competition in 1976. The Cobalt Green, Vaillant-sponsored machine ran mainly in the German Racing Championship (DRM) where it proved highly successful. It won three rounds of the championship; Mainz, Norisring and Hockenheim, and provided

driver Bob Wolleck with the platform to win the Drivers’ Championship.

Wow that’s green! The second version of the Tamiya RSR has been produced in the iconic livery of the Kremer Vaillant car. Moulded in typical Tamiya fashion, and in green plastic, this kit was far from understated. The majority of the chassis parts were provided in black styrene for ease of

assembly, while two chrome runners and one clear wrapped up the package’s main elements. A neatly engineered photoetched (PE) metal fret was also provided, along with a truly epic decal sheet. In fact the decals were the real high point of the kit; printed by Cartograf, the colours were strong and opaque, with superb register and minimal carrier film. In the standard fashion, for curbside kits such as this one,

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INTERMEDIATE BUILD PORSCHE 934 RSR

Seatbelts came in decal form and were a reasonable representation, and would eventually look effective through the model’s glazing.

 The instrument faces were removed from their surrounding decal carrier sheet with a home-made punch, fashioned from metal tube.  The instrument section was well detailed; this, combined with a clearly printed decal, ensured it all looked busy enough.

With the wheels in place and the suspension assembled in its entirety, the various pre-painted and built exhaust and turbocharger parts could be added.

the lower half of the engine was moulded into the chassis, and the floor was produced integrally with the chassis, much like the prototype vehicle. As a result, a little preparatory paintwork was required before assembly could proceed. First, the main floor was primed with Alclad Grey before Zero Paints’ Vaillant green basecoat was applied. Once dry, the green was sealed with a light coat of Zero’s pre-mixed clear. Exhaust and turbocharger sub-assemblies were then mated without fixing them to the floor, to allow them to be neatened and painted separately at a later

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stage. The powerplant and front radiator boxes were then masked and painted with Gaia Dark Stainless as a base coat. Then, pre-painted driveshafts and the PE radiator faces were added with just a few dabs of PVA to hold them in place.

In suspense The front suspension, despite having a fairly standard assembly order, did require a little care in the painting sequence. A combination of matt and satin black, aluminium, gunmetal and chrome silver ensured it was pretty to look at. Once pinned to

the front of the chassis plate it did look good. The rear trailingarm suspension was similarly simple, bar the paint and much of the same was required here as for the front element. The singlepiece trailing-arm benefited from patience with its clean-up and painting, while Alclad Black was used as a base for the same firm’s Aluminium employed for the detail work. The exhaust assembly had, by this point, been painted and detailed according to reference photographs and Alclad steel and washes of dark brown metal provided the required patina. The

rear shock absorbers fitted to the floor in moulded depressions, and then hooked over small lugs moulded to the trailing arm. Do take the time to ensure these are located properly at this point, as would be challenging to align everything later if not right. Tamiya provided the wheels in a bright chrome finish, so work was required before their use. The real wheels had a gold finish to the centre mesh, and the masking of this for spraying was probably the best route forward; however, the editor’s deadline did not allow for this so the gold was hand-brushed. Tamiya X-12

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INTERMEDIATE BUILD

PORSCHE 934 RSR

“A neatly engineered photo-etched metal fret was also provided, along with a truly epic decal sheet” Gold Leaf was used, and two light coats provided a decent finish. The centre nuts were picked out with Gaia Light Stainless and a pin wash with black oil paint, and the tyres were washed before they were added to the painted wheels. Once in place the tyre decals were applied; typically these are not usually the ideal solution, but a suitable PE mask could not be located in time. Once the decals were in place, DACO Strong decal setting fluid was utilised to lock them down. A short burst with a hairdryer was all that remained to make them look, sort of, painted on.

Looking within The interior of the real car was furnished mainly in black, and

with black highlights...not the easiest of things to portray realistically on a model. To add variety, the usual collection of different black paints was utilised, and the differing patinas and shading went some way towards the required effect. Decal seatbelts were used, but the tiny amount of glazing in this car meant little of the interior could be seen, so they were more than sufficient unless the modeller plans on opening a door or two. The roll cage was built while jigged in the floor, and the join lines needed very little attention such was the fit of parts. Once again the instrument panel was black, although the dial decal did impart a little colour despite being predominantly black!

 The radiator blocks had already been painted in Stainless, and once this was dry the PE faces were added.  Two polished coats of Zero Paints’ pre-mixed base coat were applied and left to cure in a warm, dust-free environment for a week or so.

 Once on its wheels, the basic chassis actually looked very effective and the gold wheels offered great contrast.

The pre-painted grille meshes were added with two-part epoxy adhesive. This gave better ‘wiggle’ time and ensured the parts could be aligned properly.

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INTERMEDIATE BUILD PORSCHE 934 RSR

With the first of the stripes in place, the alignment of the rear arch pieces was achieved easily. The sections around the rear window edges were a doddle, as they were sized and shaped perfectly.  The short sections along the lower edge of the window opening took a little effort to ensure they aligned correctly.

 The front splitter was lined in orange decals; after some consideration of the correct application sequence for the large array of decals that comprised this trim, the undersurface items were applied first.

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The body would be where all of the real action took place. Tamiya’s basic shell was produced very neatly, with just a minimum of mould lines and gate points, and the instructions provided a few pointers to where the biggest issues with the kit were. Painting and decaling the body took up far more of the total project than any other elements of the build process. Choosing a construction and painting sequence was, indeed, half the job. For AMW’s model it was decided to paint the shell, gloss coat, decal and then mask for the detail painting. In retrospect it might have been better to paint the trim before decaling the model, but sealing the decals after application would prove difficult if this method were selected. So here, the body was assembled, and the PE bonnet cover was added instead of the fuel filler as it matched photographs in this reviewer’s collection. Two inserts on the back deck of the spoiler needed to be blended into the surround...tricky without damaging the surrounding areas. The body was primed with the usual Alclad Grey, and then buffed to highlight any areas that needed further attention. And two seams that ran the length of the front wings were easy to eliminate, but the two under the rear wing less so! Two coats of Zero’s Vaillant Green were applied over the polished primer and left to cure over night. The PE grille had been given a coat of Gunze Mr. Metal primer from a rattle can, while the parts to remain natural metal were masked and the front grille sprayed at the same time as the bodywork. Zero Paints’ pre-mixed clear sealed the

paintwork, and this was polished once dry with G12 compound to impart a decent shine.

Rainbow hues With the bodywork painted it was time to begin decaling, but where to start? After careful consideration it was decided to begin with one of the horizontal stripes that ran along the lower

Materials at a glance Alclad www.alclad2.com Grey, Black and White Primers Various metallic shades Gunze MDC (www.modeldesign construction.co.uk) Mr. Hobby various colours Mr. Cement S Mr. Cement Deluxe Mr. Colour H92 Satin Black Mr. Color Levelling Thinner Revell www.revell.de/en Aqua Colour pots, various colours. Tamiya www.tamiya.com Masking tape, various widths Zero Paints www.hiroboy.com Vaillant Green ZP-1276 Pre-Mixed Clear Coat Gaia Colour www.hobbyeasy.com Dark and Light Stainless Steel (1001 & 1002) Games Workshop www.games-workshop.com Citadel Washes, various colours

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INTERMEDIATE BUILD

PORSCHE 934 RSR With all decals in place, two sealing coats of Zero’s pre-mixed clear were laid over them.

The lower lip was decaled completely before the two larger vents were worked on.  With the clear coat fully dry and polished, the process of careful masking for all of the satin black trims could begin.

 Once all of the masking was in place, the trim sections were sprayed with Tamiya X-18 Semi-Gloss Black.

sill line below the doors. After all...if it went a bit wonky there would be ample room to correct it later. In the end the fears were ill-placed as the decals performed flawlessly. The trick was to apply the decals one by one, making sure that each was positioned properly and settled down before moving to the next.

trim had already been set aside for later; the decals were now allowed several days in a warm, dry environment to cure properly before two further coats of clear were applied. The art of applying clear over decals can be a challenge; two misted coats is usually sufficient to allow the top coat to be applied without

No decal solvents were used in this process, as this reviewer preferred to use a combination of a hot towel, hairdryer and flat brush. The rate of application was rapid with this method and, after no more than two hours, the whole job was completed. The two or three decals that needed to be applied over black

damaging them. However, on this occasion the clear coat trapped in the acute angle between the front wings and the bonnet did a little damage to the edges of the bonnet stripes. Careful touching-up of the stripes was required later.

Tricky! There remained only one major task, all that black trim! The cured and polished bodyshell was masked attentively with Tamiya tape and especially fiddly trimming. This process took more time than the decaling...a total

“The multi-layering of the paint and decals will test even the most experienced auto modeller” Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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INTERMEDIATE BUILD PORSCHE 934 RSR

Various pre-painted grilles and bumper pieces were fitted next. Of note is the bleed of satin black on the edges of the rear bumper guards.

“Tamiya’s 934 kits offer the usual combination of superlative engineering and sublime fit”

of four nights’ modelling time. Once the masking was done, the edges were burnished and Tamiya X-18 Satin Black was used to pick out all of the trim. With the masking removed, it was found that the black had crept under the edges of the tape here and there around the back bumper. Unfortunately, the luxury of a strip and repaint was not available and so the damage was repaired with hand-mixed paint and a coat of Johnson’s Klear to seal it in. Not particularly tidy, but needs must. All that really remained was to apply the last few decals and add all of the little pre-painted detail parts. The rear light panel required careful painting and masking to get the correct effect, but it looked super once finished. And of course there

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was a sting in the tail...always read the instructions properly. Everyone knows that the backs of 911 headlight covers are chromed don’t they? After a lot of careful masking and painting, though, it was observed that Kremer Porsche didn’t agree with that statement; they were bodycoloured so it was back to the drawing board. Paint stripped, masking repeated, body colour applied, much cursing. Still, it looks cool in the display cabinet! Tamiya’s 934 kits offer the usual combination of superlative engineering and sublime fit. But this does mask a tricky little kit with which to achieve a quality model. The multi-layering of the paint and decals will test even the most experienced auto modeller. Get it right and the result will be ❚ stunning, but get it wrong...

 The front indicator lamp covers and main light reflectors were fixed in place with PVA adhesive.

Fiddly masking of the rear light bar was required before it could be detailed with satin black.

With the light bar in place the rear end looked a lot tidier. Careful touching-up of the black and green was required to make it all look better.

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MILITARY SCI-FI & MODEL CARS MODELLING FANTASY MODEL BOATS MODEL WAR GAMING BUY AND SELL ENGINEERING TRAIN LAYOUTS STAND

ALL TYPES OF MODELS ON DISPLAY NOT JUST MILITARY

sunday 22nd feb 10am - 5pm

Enter our Famous OPEN COMPETITION

south cheshire military modelling club

oakley centre west street

crewe cw1 2pz (opposite asda) adults child/oap £3.50 £1.50

www.scmmc.co.uk

ADVANCED BUILD

MEDEVAC BLACKHAWK

‘GOLDEN-HOUR’

BL CKH WK

Garry Tobiss converts a helicopter gunship to a ‘dust-off’ bird, with Werner’s Wings resin and decals

T

he Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk has been described as the ‘workhorse of the US Army’ and its record is impressive. Since it entered service in June 1973, the helicopter has been used in numerous combat situations, which have included Grenada, Panama, the Middle East, the

Balkans, Somalia and latterly Afghanistan. Originally specified as a transport vehicle, the Blackhawk has proved its capability in numerous roles, from medical evacuation (medevac), command and control, and even VIP transport. More than 20 countries currently operate the Blackhawk

 One frustrating issue with the Academy kit was the large number of prominent ejector pin marks, which all had to be made good with putty.

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in various configurations and at least two airframes were modified extensively by the US Army to create a stealthier helicopter, which enabled covert missions to be carried out. The medevac version, which provides casualty extraction, was the subject of this build. Service accounts described how crews, on 24-hour call, had to transition from sleep to flying

a complex aircraft in around eight minutes. Speed was of the essence during the mission, to get any casualty into the second-line care system within the ‘golden hour’, so crucial to an optimum medical outcome. Armed escorts, in the form of two AH-1W Marine Cobras or an AH-64 Apache (or sometimes another Blackhawk) were usually provided.

 The instrumentation and console comprised several parts with excellent moulded detail, although it was disappointing that no decals were included for this area.

Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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21/01/2015 12:56

ADVANCED BUILD

MEDEVAC BLACKHAWK The subject kit depicted a Direct Action Penetrator Blackhawk – a heavily armed ‘loaded for bear’ close-support machine that could

Pieces galore

MODEL SPEC

In 1/35 scale the Blackhawk is a huge model, with a fuselage that measures almost 17in (43cm) in length; this kit included one clear and six light grey styrene runners plus a decal sheet. Academy has released several versions of this helicopter with the same basic moulds, which resulted in numerous parts that were surplus to requirements.

be fitted with an array of stores, such as tanks, M2 machine guns, M134 miniguns, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and M261 rocket pods. Building a medevac conversion therefore, meant that the spares box profited greatly from this build. Moulding quality was generally good and occasionally excellent, but the potential detail that one would expect on a large-scale kit was often absent. A statement on the instructions, that the kit was 1/48 scale, reinforced the impression that this was a scaledup version of a smaller model. One of the great advantages of building a Blackhawk was the extensive amount of information available. The internet offered multiple images of just about every nook and cranny of the aircraft, and included configurations, colour schemes and the effects of weathering. All of the information, plus the large scale of the model, meant that there was ample opportunity to add any missing detail. Additional photographs were kindly provided by Floyd S Werner Jr. (also used in the creation of his resin accessory

Seat cushions made from epoxy putty created a better representation and covered the ejector pins. One of the gunner’s seats is also shown, along with additional seat straps.

 Reference photographs of the actual aircraft showed that the instrument panel was the older analogue version, rather than the ‘glass’ cockpit...luckily the kit supplied both.

set) and Erik Swanberg, who flew a Blackhawk medevac for the US Army in Afghanistan during 20045. Erik also provided very useful information on how the helicopters were used operationally.

Detail distraction The reference photographs prompted much extra work to superdetail the build. In fact the process became a little obsessive, as every

AH-60L DAP Blackhawk By:

Academy MRC

Stock Code: 12115 Scale:

1/35

Price:

£39.99

Available from: Pocketbond, www.pocketbond.co.uk

Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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{31} 21/01/2015 12:56

ADVANCED BUILD

MEDEVAC BLACKHAWK

Seat detail was highlighted through the careful painting of the epoxy cushions, with different shades of the basic tan/khaki colour; lead foil straps improved the kit parts.  Additions to the resin included straps and holes for the head block, locking levers and belt points on the litters, extra handles and straps for the litter support and corrections to the carousel top plate.  The roof section was improved by the inclusion of a modified resin plate, painted ‘canvas’, lead strips and extra cables...the latter were formed with 30-amp fuse wire painted with clear orange acrylic.

review of the photos revealed yet more straps, handles or cables. These were then scratch-built with lead foil, wire and spare pieces of photo-etched metal. A razor saw was used to separate the resin pieces from their casting blocks, and then all resin debris was tidied away as quickly as possible. The main adjustments were made to the carousel top plate, which had six raised circular features, but the photos showed five recessed covers with grab handles. Each of the features was drilled out and

{32}

the part backed with thin plastic card. Epoxy putty was then used to fill one of the holes and add small depressions to the remaining five... tiny pieces of wire were used to represent the handles. There was also a wire feature moulded on the part, but this was scraped off and replaced with three pieces of lead wire to match the photos. Attention then turned to the cockpit, where the seats were improved by rolling out two-part epoxy putty with a small glass jar; this was cut and sculpted into lumbar supports

"ONE OF THE GREAT ADVANTAGES OF BUILDING A BLACKHAWK WAS THE EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION AVAILABLE"

Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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ADVANCED BUILD

MEDEVAC BLACKHAWK

WERNER’S WINGS BLACKHAWK MEDEVAC INTERIOR

 The carousel wall and two of the litters; each of these was base-coated with olive green before the grey was added. The latter was sanded gently to represent wear marks.

All of the components were very well cast in grey resin and came with simple instructions on how to add them to the Academy kit. A vertical stretcher holder, or carousel, was supplied complete with cabin roof plate and circular stand for the floor. The carousel was designed to accept the four litters. These could be placed in the stowed or deployed state, but casting marks on the trays meant they needed the most work to get the parts clean. Photographs indicated that the litters were often used to stow equipment, and the set included a spinal board, fabric stretchers, head/neck supports, defibrillator, first-aid bag and fire gel blanket holder. A fire extinguisher and oxygen cylinder were also included; the former was fitted onto one of the replacement bulkheads, while the latter could be placed in a hole drilled in the carousel wall or left as is.

A selection of the medical equipment, painted and ready for installation. Highlights were achieved with variations in each of the base colours.

and cushions, before lead foil seat straps were added. Holes were then drilled into the kit tail rotor pedals, to match the detail shown in the photos. Further research showed that much of the cargo area was covered in canvas...this was replicated with single-ply tissue, which was applied with watered-down PVA glue, and all of the wrinkles and air bubbles carefully teased out. Thin strips of lead foil, with regular indentations formed with a cocktail stick, were added to break up the area and provide boundaries between the pieces of canvas. One of the two General Electric T700-GE701C engines was supplied in the

kit and although many photos show medevac Blackhawks being serviced, with at least one of the engine covers open, in this build the engine was constructed straight from the box as the compartment would be closed. However, for those who wish to, there are plenty of opportunities for adding detail to the engine as part of a diorama.

Out comes the airbrush All of the parts that formed the cabin assembly were coated with white primer, and then Lifecolor paints were used to finish the interior, with UA033 Dark Gull Grey applied to most of the resin, the cabin walls and floor, while UA203 Grunbraun was employed on the

Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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{33} 21/01/2015 12:56

ADVANCED BUILD

MEDEVAC BLACKHAWK

 The engine was hidden after the build, so a basic finish with various metallic and black colours was applied. The interior walls were painted with Zinc Chromate Yellow.

"IT IS NOT OFTEN THAT A BUILDER HAS THE PRIVILEGE OF GETTING INFORMATION FROM THE PILOT OF THE ACTUAL AIRCRAFT" canvas. The cockpit was finished with various mixes of UA207 Schwartzgrau and LC02 Black. Surprisingly, there were no decals for the instrument panel and consoles...experiments to make

tiny indents in the instrument dials, and then run in a white oil wash to enhance the detail, were only partially successful. In the end, the features were highlighted as much as possible by shading and painting

 Chaff dispensers were fitted in Iraq and Afghanistan, but the lack of a radar threat meant that they were usually filled with flares instead.

{34}

 The top section of the Blackhawk was complex, with multiple parts. Unfortunately, the fit was poor and required considerable filler and sanding to rectify.

various knobs and switches, with reference photographs used as a guide. All dials and screens were then finished with gloss varnish. Pictures showed that the cargo bay floor had anti-slip stripes, so these were formed by applying strips of masking tape, and stippling Gunze Mr. Surfacer 500 to provide texture, before the strips were painted black. After what seemed like an eternity, all components for the resin upgrade, plus the engine, cockpit and cabin were finally assembled to complete the interior. The module was then sandwiched between the fuselage halves and undercarriage assemblies, for the main and rear wheels to be added. Reference photos showed that medevac variants used different configurations for the external fittings, such as the stubs above

Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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21/01/2015 12:56

ADVANCED BUILD

MEDEVAC BLACKHAWK

WERNER’S AFTER-MARKET DECALS Here is the completed fuselage ready for priming and painting; note the area in white behind the engine where plastic card was used to fair-in the parts.

and next to the main wheels; luckily these were in the kit, as they were provided for other versions of the helicopter. All parts for the top of the machine were then added, however, an extensive amount of putty was required to deal with the joins, which were poor, and plastic

card was required to either help fill gaps or fair-in particular areas. The seams were then removed with Wet and Dry paper, followed by re-scribing any affected panel lines. Rivets were added with a small drill bit and pin-vice to finish off the fuselage; note to self, buy a riveting tool for the next build!

Dusty medic The original idea was to use the scheme for Erick Swanberg’s aircraft, but the altitudes in Afghanistan, plus the weight of the Blackhawk, meant that the carousel and trays represented by the Werner’s Wings kit were not employed in that theatre. Litters were usually strapped to the cargo floor as a substitute, so the decision to include the carousel meant that another scheme had to be selected. Blackhawks are generally monotone in colour, but heavy operational use causes subtle weathering, so 87-24618 (C Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division) as seen in Iraq in 2008 was chosen, and the photograph

Both sets were printed by Cartograf; the stencils contained more than 150 individual decals, most common to all versions. The markings provided a comprehensive resumé of the Blackhawk’s career, with 18 schemes, the majority in FS 34031 Olive Drab, which covered operations from Bosnia to Afghanistan, examples of which were: • UH-60A, 82-23699, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Desert Storm 1991 (FS 33722 Tan upper surfaces) • UH-60A 87-24618, C Company 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division medevac, Iraq 2008 • UH-60A 87-24644, 68th Medevac Company, Afghanistan 2004-5, Pilot: CW3 Erick Swanberg • UH-60A 84-23952, 377th Medical Company (Air Ambulance), South Korea, April 2007 (three yellow stripes around the fuselage) • UH-60L 95-26672, 3rd Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division medevac, Tuzla, Bosnia-Herzegovina 2000

from Afghanistan served as a weathering guide. Considering that US helicopters are such popular subjects, there were few suppliers that offered a specific US helicopter FS 34031 Olive Drab shade. Xtracolor X153 was taken as a close approximation, but it was a long time since enamel paints had graced the airbrush of this modeller, and instead a mix

of Lifecolor UA051 Black Green, UA412 Extra Dark Brown and LC02 Matt Black was used to match the X153. This was then applied over the airframe, followed by two coats of Johnson’s Klear/Future floor polish, which ensured that the surface was smooth for the many decals and stencils.

Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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{35} 21/01/2015 12:57

ADVANCED BUILD

MEDEVAC BLACKHAWK

 The carousel, once installed, brought the interior to life; here the litters were used to stow equipment as on the real helicopter.

Once these were applied, it was time to begin the weathering, which was achieved with combinations of MIG Productions’ pigments, principally P048 Faded Green, P037 Gulf War Sand, P035 Panzer Grey Fading and P023 Black Smoke. Exhaust stains were created with a mix of the grey and sand, with black highlights; the remaining colours then accentuated the detail on the airframe.

Successful extraction It is not often that a builder has the privilege of getting information from the supplier and the pilot of the actual aircraft being modelled. All of the correspondence was interesting and invaluable, and ensured that the build was as accurate as possible. Lack of detail in 1/35 scale meant that the original intention was to improve the inside of the doors, collective controls, cockpit cabling, detail on the canvas and many more items. These ambitions were put aside in

 Once completed, the rotor head was added to the fuselage. Fuse wire was used to create extra detail, and the colour flashes were cut from spare decals.

the interests of getting the build completed within the deadline. The size of the finished model made this a very impressive build, but a lot of work was required to sort out the poorly engineered parts and prolific ejector pin marks, together with the questionable fit between some main assemblies. Werner’s resin medevac conversion was easy to build and install, and resulted in a visually arresting and unusual model. ❚

MATERIALS AT A GLANCE Werner’s Wings 35-08 1/35 Blackhawk Medevac Interior 35-01 Blackhawks – Workhorse of the Army 35-02 Blackhawk Stencils (www.wernerswings.com) Lifecolor LC02 Black UA033 Dark Gull Grey UA051 Black Green UA134 Zinc Chromate Yellow UA203 Grunbraun UA207 Schwartzgrau UA412 Extra Dark Brown (www.airbrushes.com) MDC Gunze Mr. Metal 211 Chrome Silver 213 Stainless 214 Dark Iron Gunze Mr. Surfacer 500 (www.modeldesignconstruction. co.uk)

"THE MEDEVAC CONVERSION WAS EASY TO BUILD AND INSTALL, AND RESULTED IN A VISUALLY ARRESTING AND UNUSUAL MODEL" {36}

Xtracolor X153 Olive Drab (www.hannants.co.uk)

Vallejo 26.518 Matt Varnish 74.600 White Surface Primer (www.creativemodels.co.uk) MIG Productions pigments P023 Black Smoke P035 Panzer Grey Fading P037 Gulf War Sand P048 Faded Green www.creativemodels.co.uk

Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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21/01/2015 12:57

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YOUR AIRFIX F-86D

YOUR

AIRFIX

John Swarbrick shows an old dog some new tricks…with Airfix’s venerable 1/72 F-86D

A

irfix’s F-86D Sabre Dog dates from the 1970s and features period raised panel line detail and a spartan cockpit, and so I began improvements in these areas. One of the benefits of the silver plastic Airfix used here is that a ‘shadow’ of the panel lines remained visible after they were sanded off, which helped with re-scribing. Dymo Tape steadied the scriber, and I elected to cut the flaps and ailerons at the same time for positioning later. The cockpit was improved by adding sidewalls from plastic card and ejection seat firing handles from fine wire. During assembly, much attention was paid to neatening the seams and Superglue was used as filler, and sanded, to ensure a smooth surface ahead of the natural metal finish. The whole airframe received a coat of well-thinned Mr. Surfacer 1000 as primer, and that was then polished to a shine with increasingly fine grades of Micromesh before Humbrol 11 Silver enamel was airbrushed.

{38}

This was left to harden fully for several days, before selected panels were picked out in Humbol 11 tinted with a few drops of white. The original Kit decals worked well but I elected to replace the national insignia with alternatives from Xtradecal, because the kit items were slightly out of register. After decaling, final assembly followed and I used an Eduard photo-etched (PE) metal FOD guard on the air intake, along with a few PE Remove Before Flight tags from Master Model. Final weathering was kept to a minimum and, all in all, this was a really enjoyable build. John Swarbrick, New Zealand Are you proud of a particular Airfix build? Then let AMW know by providing us with 200-250 words on the project and what was involved, along with 6-8 good quality photos against a clean white background. Photo file sizes should be 1Mb or larger. Please e-mail your submissions to the editor: [email protected]

Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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20/01/2015 14:55

battle f SUPPLEMENT britain

HISTORY

39_BoB Cover.CC.indd 39

EXCLUSIVE BUILDS

PROFILE ARTWORK

20/01/2015 15:09

AMMO_MIG JIMENEZ F_P.indd 1

08/01/2015 11:44

BATTLE

F BRITAIN 3

22

34

20

30

04

04 SPITFIRE Mk.I BUILD

Get the low-down on this great early-war adaptation of Airfix's Spitfire Mk.Vb from last year. New components turn it into a proper Battle of Britain Mk.I

22 HURRICANE Mk.I BUILD

The newly tooled 1/48 metal-wing Hurricane Mk.I from Airfix is appraised in full.

29 HURRICANE Mk.I PROFILES

11 SPITFIRE Mk.I PROFILES

Useful David Howley artwork will get you thinking about Hurricane colour schemes.

12 BATTLE OF BRITAIN HISTORY

Airfix's new Bedford truck is the perfect support vehicle for Battle of Britain dioramas.

Battle of Britain-era colour scheme inspiration comes via profiles by David Howley. Malcolm V. Lowe offers an overview of 'The Few', along with splendid period imagery...great for modelling reference and getting those little details just right.

20 FIGURES

Airfix's new 1/48 air and groundcrew, with airfield equipment, are showcased here. They are a splendid addition the firm's new 1/48 Spitfire and Hurricane.

41_BoB Contents.CC.indd 41

30 BEDFORD MWD BUILD

34 ALBION 3-POINT FUELLER BUILD

Deliver three helpings of 'motion lotion' with Airfix's cool new Albion 3-Point Fueller.

38 DIORAMA BUILD

Learn how to display Airfix's new Hurricane in a revetment setting.

21/01/2015 16:16

4 BATTLE

F BRITAIN

Airfix’s Spitfire Mk.I from 2007 can make way for a new rendition, based on its recent Mk.Vb. Here, Steve Budd builds an exclusive test-shot

Crisp panel lines and overall sharp quality were delights that would inevitably raise pleasant expectations of a fine result. The two-bladed Watts propeller was a welcome inclusion, together with the selection of associated early Spitfire parts.

in the instructions. The most visible change applied to the 1938 Duxford aircraft, and here Airfix directed omission of the head and back armour behind the seat, and the inclusion of part G42, which was an earlier type of

MODEL SPEC

O

scar Wilde once quipped “The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it”… and so it was when the Editor parked Airfix’s new Mk.I on this modeller’s bench. What emerged was a mix of Mk.Vb plastic and fresh grey runners, which carried various parts for the first main production variant of the Spitfire; included were wings, armoured fuel tank covers, Browning machine guns, ammo boxes, oil cooler, early mast and propellers (among other things) for the three marking options that would be duly provided in the production kit.

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.I By:

Airfix

Stock Code:

A05126

Scale:

1/48

Price:

£16.99

Available from: Airfix, www.airfix.com

Into production

The cockpit of the Mk.I to Mk.V was essentially the same and differed in just a few respects, most of which were catered for

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SPITFIRE Mk.I 5

Kit colour schemes

The first scheme for Airfix's new Mk.I is a 602 Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force aircraft; X4382/LO-G flown by Pilot Officer Osgood Villers Hanbury, from RAF Westhampnett, Sussex, in August 1940. Scheme two offered a colourful yellow-nosed 57 Operational Training Unit machine, AR212/LV-N, based at RAF Hawarden, Flintshire, Wales in mid1941 and flown by the well-known pilot Flying Officer James Storrar (who notched-up 15 kills while flying the Hawker Hurricane during the Battle of Britain). The third example presented an un-armoured windscreen and two-bladed ‘Watts’ propeller on a 19(F) Squadron pre-war airframe,WZ-H, based at RAF Duxford in August 1938. Of note is the split black and white underside, applied to aid Allied anti-aircraft gunners in identification.

undercarriage selector. Ever helpful modeller Edgar Brooks kindly confirmed that there was a rush to fit armour from early June 1940, to Spitfires at airfields deemed most at risk of attack - initially Manston, Kenley, Biggin Hill and Hornchurch. This

work was likely completed by September 1940. Having no kit decals available at the time of build, after-market markings came into play and the choice fell on Xtradecal sheet X48086 Battle of Britain 70th Anniversary 2010; specifically

R6800/LZ-N of 66 Squadron, RAF Kenley, (a few miles from this modeller’s home) and Gravesend. The markings guide was careful to emphasise the red spinner and degree of probability that this aircraft had its undersides repainted in a ‘locally mixed

colour’, as stocks of Sky were, at that time, insufficient to meet demand. With serials in grey and the excuse to go ‘off-piste’ with the lower colour, Squadron Leader Rupert ‘Lucky’ Leigh’s aircraft won the toss.

Sticking to the script

Familiarity with the Vb kit the author reviewed in Issue 45 (August 2014) was of benefit in forewarning that certain measures were necessary with the very complete cockpit, to circumvent the otherwise inevitable fit issues. The first principle was to leave the finished tub ‘floating’ and not to apply any adhesive. This would allow the armoured fuel tank cover to contact the bulkhead B12 and instrument panel (IP) B10 and push them downwards, to negate the gaps that otherwise occurred with the cover and fuselage joins.

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6 BATTLE

F BRITAIN

“The bulk of the current production was indeed lovely”

The other hazard was connected to F13, a clear recognition light, with a raised housing, meant to locate through a hole in the base of the cockpit tub. In practice, F13 sat aft of the aperture, and so was discarded in favour of a disc of clear styrene that sealed the hole in the full-span lower wing. Left untreated, F13 would later prevent the gull wing section from closing fully. With the Mk.I voltage regulator fitted, the tub painted and finished, including pre-painted belts from Eduard set 48 006 (and the IP treated to Mike Grant decals from his sheets CKP072 and CKP048), it was soon time to install it uncemented into the starboard fuselage half. The pilot’s oxygen bottle was drilled to accept a piece of plastic rod,

and a corresponding hole, into which the rod could insert, was also made through the fuselage. This was essential to guarantee a secure fit after the tub was placed in situ as unmodified, there was only an imprecise dimple to guide location.

The test-shot fuel tank cover G2, was slightly narrow for the production Vb fuselage and this was also reflected in the front windscreen not ‘flowing’ into the cover as it should, but instead carried a perceptible lip that was later reduced with filler.

Providing lift

The three-piece wings were designed to allow fitment of a three-quarter complement of six machine guns, together with access and reloading covers above and below removed, and hinged down as appropriate. The

The ammo boxes were moulded integrally with their feed chutes and although diminutive, were essential gun bay additions. An early style of undercarriage selector and mast were produced with very neat moulding, and were welcome parts.

The six Brownings provided in the kit were delightfully moulded, but lacked the identical twins that Airfix had chosen to leave out. This kit’s fuel tank cover was affected by the same (resolvable) fit issue as on the Mk.Vb that preceded it.

42-48_Spitfire.CC.indd 44

The cockpit access door was modified to eliminate the crowbar that was absent until the introduction of the Mk.V.

20/01/2015 15:51

SPITFIRE Mk.I 7 outermost gun in each wing was not included, presumably due to limitations in wing moulding thicknesses. On balance, it was felt that the missing guns should have been included for those modellers prepared to do some thinning and other remedial work. Although this diorama feature was otherwise warmly welcomed, it was circumvented in favour of a ‘clean’ build and the time exigencies of magazine deadlines. The round wheel well walls were intended to be deep enough to touch the underside of the upper wing halves, but in practice gapped a little. Rings of 0.5mm plastic card were added roof side and sanded strategically until the parts were successfully in contact with the upper wing halves. The Mk.I wings also received the same prototypical undercarriage arrangement that had attracted praise and criticism in broadly equal measure around the Internet. Those who had expressed dislike had cited the stepped ‘butt’ join of the legs to the pintle hinge portion installed into the wing, and the correspondingly small surface area. Personally, this modeller was fine with it and eased the process by first seeing that the main gear legs were joined to their door covers as sub-assemblies. With that sorted, it was easy to dab a little Gunze Sangyo ‘de-lux’ cement (liquid glue with delayed setting time) on each pintle hinge stub, and align and square the sub-units one at a time. This was especially true of

42-48_Spitfire.CC.indd 45

the required 77-degree rake angle fore and aft - the gear doors fitted in advance made this easy to achieve by simply aligning the top edge with the lower wing surface. Simples! The fuselage wing root fillets were, in comparison, gently mocking as they sat a little higher than the wing top surface, and the join at each leading edge to the ‘elbow’ gapped visibly. Mating surfaces were therefore reduced until their intransigence was overcome and Epoxy Sculpt was massaged into the forward areas.

A slot for the Sutton harness to pass through the head armour was created by drilling and tidying with a scalpel blade.

The addition of thin plastic card to the wheel well liners was required, to ensure they closed fully.

Refining moments

One of the defining characteristics of the 2007 Mk.I was generally accurate outlines, married to the presence of ‘clunky’ details here and there - the door hinge and rudder trim tab in particular. While the bulk of the current production was indeed lovely, a little housekeeping was in order and this started with the Dzus fasteners on the engine cowlings, which were raised, over-scale and a little uneven in treatment. They had been left ‘as is’ on the Vb build in August 2014’s issue, but this time the front end was subjected to minor surgery. A beading set punch of equivalent size to the Dzus fasteners (normally the province of armour modellers, for the creation of domed rivets) that had been removed was used to re-create the feature as a flush fitting. Each was finished with an engineer’s scribe to create a

Drilling out the lightening holes in the two rearmost bulkheads was a quick and easy step to implement, and ensured extra authenticity. The cockpit tub halves needed all their locating slots and holes to be enlarged to ease the fit.

20/01/2015 15:51

8 BATTLE

F BRITAIN

“The finished result was much closer to photographs of real aircraft” It was decided to fit the front windscreen and gunsight to the armoured fuel tank cover, ahead of placing it on the fuselage.

The instrument panel sub-assembly was brought to a point where all it needed was a finishing coat of matt varnish to be applied.

Aftermarket items Airscale's excellent cockpit placard decals were used in a number of locations to provide extra detail. A representation of the anchor point and mast for the Sutton harness was created from box section plastic on the rear bulkhead.

• Airscale Allied Placards AS48PLA www.airscale.co.uk • Eduard 49 006 Seat belts RAF WWII 1/48 www.eduard.com • Mike Grant Decals CKP072 Cockpit Details 1/72 • Mike Grant Decals CKP048 Cockpit Details 1/48 www.mikegrantdecals.com • Uschi van der Rosten No.2014 Wheels Hatches Small www.albionalloys.co.uk • Xtradecal X48086 Battle of Britain 70th Anniversary www.hannants.co.uk

42-48_Spitfire.CC.indd 46

shallow depression in the centre, to suggest the quick-release screw. The finished result was much closer to photographs of real aircraft and represented a useful boost in appearance. Beyond that, the solidly moulded rudder actuator ‘rod’ was carved off, together with the attachment point on the rudder itself. A hole was drilled in the remaining fuselage fairing, and a stretched styrene rod and scrap of plastic card was the garnish for neater and more faithful detail. The third and final target comprised the raised hinges on the port side radio access door, and that on the starboard side a little ahead of the tail. These were reduced in height by 75 per cent and were then more commensurate with the surrounding features.

Painting by numbers

With the ‘locally mixed colour’ hat on and tilted at a jaunty angle, acrylic Gunze RLM 76 served as a base for a muted, slightly greyishblue on the underside. With a solid base colour rendered and cured, Humbrol 67 Grey enamel was ‘dry-sponged’ onto the lowers and concentrated over the forward and centre section of the fuselage, wing leading edges (diminishing towards the tips) and under the tailplanes. Dry-sponging was simply the brushed application of paint onto the 3/4in-square piece of sponge that was, in turn, dabbed on kitchen paper until 85-90 per cent of the paint was removed, before attacking the model. This allowed hundreds of variations of marks and blemishes to be worked over the base colour. A thin mix of the base shade that

20/01/2015 15:51

SPITFIRE Mk.I 9

The base coat of Gunze Dark Earth dried to a hard finish courtesy of anti-bloom cellulose thinner.

Patience in masking the underside was worthwhile to protect the weathered paint underneath.

was around 85 per cent thinner was misted over the top, until the enamel marks were ‘knocked back’ by around 85 per cent. This ‘pre-marking’ blended together and provided a suitable base for further weathering, with a selection of AK Interactive Streaking Grime mixes. Reference photographs often showed that Spitfire bellies were a ruthless repository for dirt, muck and engine fluids, and no mercy was shown to the test shot in exploring weathering techniques.. Winsor & Newton Galeria matt varnish was then hosed over the Spitfire’s nether regions and, once cured, they were taped heavily in anticipation of the topside paint. Although billed as an acrylic, Gunze H72 Dark Earth was perfectly comfortable in the guiding presence of anti-bloom cellulose thinner, and took on a hardness and durability not apparent in the presence of other solvents. The author had been found guilty of 'scribbling’ on previous models and this one was no exception, so a 10 per cent mix of Gunze H85 Sail

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Colour was traced randomly and rapidly over the base paint until suitably marked. Scribbling, however, was like an oriental meal; once was never enough, so Gunze H79 Sandy Yellow was given complementary access to the paint party and the frenetic moves were repeated with the airbrush. As sure as night followed day, a combined 10 per cent blend of Tamiya XF-69 NATO Black and Tamiya XF-64 Red Brown was also scribbled, and nestled pleasantly among the lighter streaks, marks and swirls. The guiding principle with scribbling was to avoid following, or being guided by, panel lines in a manner that is so often mechanical, contrived and forced. The essence of scribbling was loose and organic, without conscious effort or orchestration. The Dark Earth was preserved under White-Tack and Tamiya tape, and gave the Gunze H73 Dark Green the suggestion of the RAF’s requirement of a 1in (25mm) maximum feather demarcation between colours. The same scribble sequence was

The ancillary components were mostly completed prior to the main painting of the model.

applied and used the same colours as the Dark Earth, and once localised shading and chipping was completed, the mandatory gloss cover of Johnson’s Klear floor treatment was applied and left to cure overnight.

Marking time

This pivotal stage was soaked in the fatal assumption that the words ‘Xtradecal’ and ‘Microscale’ were an automatic passport to

decal Nirvana. That they had been before was the tar pit into which this modelling mammoth would blunder and nearly drown. This modeller had long since adopted the safeguard of starting with the underwing roundels, to assess how the others would behave...and to confirm which brand of decal fluid would soften and settle them suitably.

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‘Scribbling’ with Gunze paint was the preferred method of breaking up the basic Dark Earth colour.

After the camouflage had been applied, Tamiya XF-69 NATO Black was used to spray the walkway lines (with help from masking tape).

The weathered undersides were immediately in line for a thorough pre-decal dousing of Johnson’s Klear.

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With the decals added it was eventually time to finish with the ancillaries, before the curtain was brought down with a matt varnish coat.

The first took a gently concerning time to free itself from the backing paper and was happy to go on the model, but sadly declined to do other than lay stiffly over the raised blister fairings like a semi-rigid blanket. Gently pressing it was rewarded by the portions over the blisters fracturing, as though made from glass. If decals were capable of death and rigor mortis then both were ‘purple +’ and emphatically dead on arrival. Micro Sol was unable to revive them, and so the metaphoric paddles were charged and the decals were treated with Gunze Softer and DACO Strong. These ‘big guns’ were able to induce wrinkling, which regrettably led to them drying in that state. With a new scalpel blade they were cut and fed more Gunze until the law of diminishing returns hammered on the door, and the completion timescale was three days over schedule. The remaining decals varied in their responses, and it simply must have been a rogue sheet in terms of quality.

Rounding-up

There was no de Havilland prop ready with the test shot, so Canadian firm Ultracast kindly donated item no.48112, which was duly assembled and hung at the pointy end. No IFF aerials were fitted from the tailplanes, as this depiction of R6800 pre-dated their introduction. What emerged from this highly enjoyable project was clearly the hobby’s premier 1/48 scale Mk.I, and surely what will be every discerning modeller’s default choice for an early Spitfire in this scale.

References Spitfire The History, by Eric B Morgan and Edward Shacklady (Key Books), ISBN: 0-946219-10-9 The Supermarine Spitfire Part 1 Merlin Powered, by Robert Humphreys (SAM Publications), ISBN: 0-9533465-2-8

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IN PROFILE: SPITFIRE Mk.I 11 Mk.Ia L1043/DW-O, 610 (County of Chester) Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force, June 1940. Besides the 49in (124cm) diameter ‘oversized’ fuselage roundels, it sported approximately 35in (89cm) high code letters and 5in (12.7cm) wide fin stripes, around 23in (58.4cm) high. Which exact underside shade was used on this aircraft is uncertain.

Mk.I K9959/RN-J, Fg Off Des Keen, 72 Squadron, June/July 1940. Keen’s Australian ancestry was represented by the boomerang artwork under the canopy.

Mk.I K9867/ZP-J, 74 Squadron, Rochford. The aircraft features a 30in (76cm) fuselage roundel with ‘thin’ yellow outer, and smaller (approx) 22in (55.8cm) high codes. Under wing roundels were applied, but the yellow outline was not added to the starboard wing. This Spitfire force-landed at Calais-Marck on May 23, 1940, and was captured three days later. Mk.Ia X4474/QV-I, Sgt Jennings, 19 Squadron, Fowlmere, October 1940. Curiously, the under wing roundels were 25in (63.5cm) diameter, which suggests they were applied at unit level, not at the factory. All David Howley 2015

©

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A maintenance scene typical of the rapid turn-around for the RAF's Battle of Britain fighters. Probably from 19 Squadron, the torn patches over this Spitfire Mk.I’s gun ports show that its machine guns have been fired. (Malcolm Lowe Collection)

Malcolm V. Lowe examines the vital role played in the Battle of Britain by RAF Spitfire and Hurricane squadrons... and their courageous pilots

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T

he Battle of Britain is rightly regarded as one of the pivotal events of World War Two. In terms of aerial warfare, it was one of the most significant confrontations to have taken

place in the century or so that aircraft have been employed as weapons of war. On its outcome depended the fate of Britain, which by July 1940 was alone in Europe (except for several neutral states) in being free from rule by Nazi Germany. The Battle of Britain was the first major campaign in warfare ever to be fought entirely by air forces, and it grew into the largest and most sustained aerial bombing campaign (performed by Germany’s Luftwaffe) up to that time. Prior to the opening of the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940, Germany’s aerial forces had been triumphant in all the major actions that had taken place up to that time during World War Two, starting with the campaign against Poland that opened the conflict on September 1, 1939.

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German successes culminated in the defeat of France during June 1940, after just several weeks of fighting that had started on May 10, 1940. France’s defence had been bolstered at that time by substantial British ground and aerial forces, as the RAF had deployed several squadrons of Hawker Hurricane fighters to French airfields. They had become important participants in what became known at the time as the Battle of France, alongside French aircraft and, despite severe losses, the RAF’s Hurricane squadrons were subsequently to play a central role in what became the Battle of Britain.

Excellent assets

Thus when the Battle of Britain opened in July 1940, the Hawker Hurricane was a significant part of Britain’s aerial defences.

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F BRITAIN 13

Reputed to belong to 602 Squadron, this Spitfire is marked aft of its exhaust pipes for 100 octane aviation fuel; a photographer waits to photograph the three Spitfires flying past. (via John Batchelor) One of the most famous images from the Battle of Britain shows these pilots of 601 Squadron on a ‘scramble’ for a rapid take-off in their ‘UF’-coded Hurricanes, to intercept incoming German aircraft. (via John Batchelor)

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An Albion three-point fueller with the Zwicky refuelling system is seen here replenishing several Spitfires, just prior to the commencement of the Battle of Britain. (Malcolm Lowe Collection)

Alongside it, and set to gain legendary status that has rather unfairly eclipsed the Hurricane, was the superlative Supermarine Spitfire. Both types were products of Britain’s far-sighted and successful aircraft industry, which

embodied cutting-edge advances in design layout, equipment and firepower that made them among the best fighter aircraft in service anywhere in the world in the later 1930s and into the 1940s – at just the right time to provide Britain

with the best possible fighter cover. Both were powered by the equally legendary Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. The Hurricane had first flown in prototype form in November 1935, and the initial production

With the gun ports for its four wing-mounted .303in machine guns prominent, this Spitfire probably belonged to 611 Squadron and was photographed before the summer air battles of 1940. (via Malcolm V. Lowe)

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machine took to the air during October 1937. The first RAF unit to receive operational-standard Hurricanes, 111 Squadron, obtained its first examples in December of that year. The Hurricane thus became a highly important part of the rapid expansion of the RAF that was taking place at that time, in the face of the growing military threat from Nazi Germany. At the outbreak of war in September 1939, the RAF had at least 16 squadrons operational on the Hurricane, with others in the process of working-up or transitioning. An often-quoted figure of 280 operational Hurricanes related to that time, although some of these were early examples with partial fabric covering on their wings. Later production machines had all-metal stressed-skin wings, but throughout the Hurricane retained fabric covering on part of its fuselage. Rugged, comparatively easy to repair and able to sustain considerable battle damage, the Hurricane was a true workhorse. The thoroughbred Spitfire had originally flown in March

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Auxiliary Air Force in the Battle of Britain

The RAF’s 19 Squadron was involved heavily in the Battle of Britain. This Spitfire Mk.I wears the ‘QV’ fuselage codes of this famous fighter unit, and has new patches over its wing gun ports. (via Malcolm Lowe)

1936, and the first production example flew during May 1938. The initial operational RAF unit was 19 Squadron in the summer of 1938, with nine squadrons being operational on Spitfires at the commencement of war in September 1939. It was subsequently the case that Hurricane squadrons outnumbered those of Spitfires during the Battle of Britain. These two excellent warplanes were at the sharp end of an infrastructure that ensured that they, and their courageous pilots, were able to function to the best of their undoubted abilities. Britain was fortunate in having several other key ingredients for the nation’s defence, chief among these being the development of radar. In this technology Britain led the field, and it was fortunate that far-sighted personnel in Britain’s military had understood the importance and potential of radar, and a network of radar stations known as Chain Home and Chain Home Low had been (and was still being) constructed, which was available just in time to make an absolutely vital contribution to the outcome of the Battle of Britain. By 1940

the radar stations stretched from northern England to Dorset on the south coast, thus providing radar coverage for the entire Europeanfacing coastline of Britain. This network of radar sites was integrated, and was able to detect German aircraft over France. When linked fully with the so-called Dowding System of simplified communications between all sources of information such as radar sites, and Royal Observer Corps sightings linked to the fighter airfields, it allowed Spitfires and Hurricanes to often be well-placed to intercept incoming German air raids... and thus to counter them as effectively as possible. Such a system had not been available in France during the Battle of France, and this placed British Hurricanes and French air assets at a disadvantage in trying to counter incoming air raids, through a lack of adequate and accurate information as to the enemy’s movements. Britain also possessed several other advantages, such as excellent information-gathering intelligence services which, although in their relative infancy early in the war, were

A Spitfire of 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron. (Malcolm Lowe Collection) Alongside regular RAF squadrons, units of the Auxiliary Air Force fought in the Battle of Britain. These AAF units were staffed (at least in peace-time) with ‘part-time’ but nonetheless very proficient and often highly experienced and well-trained aircrew. In November 1960 Britain’s Air Ministry released Air Ministry Order N850 which defined in official terms the qualifications for the classification of Battle of Britain Aircrew, and also stated the squadrons which were officially considered to have fought in the battle under the control of the RAF’s Fighter Command between 0001 hours on July 10 and 2359 hours on October 31, 1940, these dates then being accepted as the official beginning and end of the battle. The list included the following AAF squadrons that flew the Hurricane or Spitfire: • 501 (County of Gloucester) Squadron (Hurricane, coded SD) • 504 (City of Nottingham) Squadron (Hurricane, coded TM) • 601 (County of London) Squadron (Hurricane, coded UF) • 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron (Spitfire, coded LO) • 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron (Spitfire, coded XT) • 605 (County of Warwick) Squadron (Hurricane, coded UP) • 607 (County of Durham) Squadron (Hurricane, coded AF) • 609 (West Riding) Squadron (Spitfire, coded PR) • 610 (County of Chester) Squadron (Spitfire, coded DW) • 611 (West Lancashire) Squadron (Spitfire, coded FY) • 615 (County of Surrey) Squadron (Hurricane, coded KW) • 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron (Spitfire, coded QJ) Two other auxiliary squadrons, 600 and 604, also took part in the Battle of Britain, but were equipped with the twin-engined Bristol Blenheim Mk.I fighter (and, later, early examples of the Bristol Beaufighter). The Auxiliary Air Force was officially re-named as the Royal Auxiliary Air Force in 1947, although the term ‘Royal Auxiliary Air Force’ had been in widespread popular use (and some official use) prior to that time, and nowadays ‘Royal Auxiliary Air Force’ is often used to describe the entire existence of that organisation. Just after the start of the Battle of Britain, this line-up of Spitfires from 65 Squadron was photographed at RAF Hornchurch in unseasonable weather; the wartime censor has deleted the fuselage serial number of the nearest aircraft. (via John Batchelor)

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Hurricanes achieved many more aerial victories than Spitfires during the Battle of Britain. This Hurricane Mk.I, N2359, served with 17 Squadron at RAF Debden during the battle. (via John Batchelor)

Battle of Britain 'Aces'

nonetheless important even during the Battle of Britain. British fighters also had the great advantage of operating in the defence of Britain over ‘home’ soil, and this allowed some units to fly several missions each day from their airfields, while downed airmen were able to parachute over ‘friendly’ territory and sometimes return to their units on the same day as being brought down.

Many aviation facts and figures are open to debate, reinterpretation and alteration. One of the main subject areas that frequently courts controversy and revision is that of aerial victories; just how many aircraft were shot down and by which pilots. Often victory claims turn out to be exaggerated, particularly when losses of the opposing side are examined as a direct comparison. This is as true for the Battle of Britain as for any other aerial combat, but what is certain is that a number of pilots on both sides scored a significant number of aerial victories One of the ‘Aces’ of the Battle of during the several weeks of the battle. Britain period was Pilot Officer Tom This included a handful of high-scoring Neil, RAF Volunteer Reserve, of 249 aces – an ‘ace’ to the RAF being a pilot Squadron. (Malcolm Lowe Collection) achieving five or more confirmed aerial victories. The following list is the currently generally accepted tally for the top-scoring six most successful Battle of Britain pilots on the Allied side:

Summer conflict

The Battle of Britain lasted from July to October 1940, and included several important phases, as well as a number of significant individual actions. There has been some historical debate as to the exact timing of the battle, which was initially regarded as being from August 8 to October 31, 1940. An ‘official’ historical review of the battle resulted in the acceptance by the Air Ministry in 1960 of dates which now appear to have become

standardised for the Battle of Britain, these being between 0001 hours on July 10 and 2359 hours on October 31, 1940. The Germans planned to invade Britain with the objective of landing considerably more than 100,000 troops along approximately 40 miles of coastline in south-east England. This objective was codenamed Operation Sea Lion (in German, Unternehmen Seelöwe). Hitler’s generals were rightly worried about the damage that the RAF could inflict on the German armed forces during the invasion, while also providing air cover for British naval assets opposed to the landings, and so Hitler therefore agreed that the invasion should be on hold until the RAF had been either destroyed − or at least severely reduced in strength. Accordingly the campaign’s objectives included gaining air superiority over the RAF. At the start of July 1940, Britain’s aerial defence rested

A 32 Squadron ‘GZ’-coded Hurricane Mk.I, P3522, photographed at RAF Hawkinge in late July 1940 during the early stages of the Battle of Britain. (via John Batchelor)

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• Pilot Officer Eric Lock (British) 41 Squadron (Spitfire): 21 victories (of 26 total) • Flight Lieutenant Archibald ‘Archie’ McKellar (British) 605 Squadron (Hurricane): 19 victories (of at least 21 total) • Sergeant James ‘Ginger’ Lacey (British) 501 Squadron (Hurricane): 18 victories (of 28 total) • Sergeant Josef František (Czechoslovakia) 303 Squadron (Hurricane): 17 victories (of 17 total) • Flying Officer Brian Carbury (New Zealand) 603 Squadron (Spitfire): 15 and 1/3 victories (of 15 and 1/3 total) • Flying Officer Witold Urbanowicz (Poland) 145 and 303 Squadrons (Hurricane): 15 victories (of at least 18 total) Even this brief list illustrates the international line-up of the pilots who flew with the RAF during the Battle of Britain. Although Eric Lock is currently regarded as the top-scoring pilot among the Allies during the battle, Czechoslovak pilot Josef František (who flew with Polish-manned 303 Squadron) was the highest-scoring among those who only achieved victories in the battle itself, and was also the top-scorer amid the many foreign nationals who served in the RAF during the battle. By currently accepted accounts, three pilots became an ‘ace in a day’ during the Battle of Britain, these being Archibald McKellar and Brian Carbury (both of whom are in the list above), and Antoni Głowacki, a Polish pilot with 501 Squadron.

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BATTLE almost entirely on Hurricane and Spitfire squadrons spread between three main sectors. These were No.11 Group, with headquarters at Uxbridge, Middlesex, covering the south-east and ‘home counties’ which was to be the main arena of conflict during the battle. It was led by the very capable but often overshadowed Air Vice-Marshal Keith Park, a New Zealander. This area contained famous fighter airfields such as RAF Biggin Hill, Tangmere and North Weald. Based further north, No.12 Group was led by Air Vice-Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory, who was later to become embroiled with Keith Park over several strategy issues including the role of the so-called ‘Big Wing’ of the famed fighter pilot Douglas Bader; this led to

Hurricanes of 56 Squadron become airborne while another of the unit’s ‘US’-coded aircraft awaits its turn. (via John Batchelor)

A belly-landed Battle of Britain Hurricane Mk.I, of the Czech-manned 310 Squadron, wears that unit’s famous ‘NN’ code letters. (Malcolm Lowe Collection)

Park’s dismissal after the battle despite the latter’s undoubted success. Among No.12 Group’s assets was the famous fighter airfield of RAF Duxford in Cambridgeshire. Air defence of the east coast and north-east of Britain rested with No.13 Group, led by the capable but again largely forgotten Air Vice-

F BRITAIN 17

Marshal Richard Saul. Apart from comparatively small numbers of Boulton Paul Defiants and twin-engined Bristol Blenheims, all the squadrons in these three key areas were equipped with Hurricanes or Spitfires. By August 1940 a fourth area of operations had been added to the RAF’s order of battle, this

being No.10 Group in the southwest which included the fighter airfields of RAF Middle Wallop and Filton. Led by Air Vice-Marshal Sir Christopher Brand, this part of Britain was also to become crucial to the country’s aerial defence as the battle wore on – again, Spitfires and Hurricanes were important in this area too. In overall control of the RAF’s assets during the battle was Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding (known as ‘Stuffy’) who was Air Officer Commanding RAF Fighter Command at that time, and is generally credited with playing a crucial role in Britain’s defence during the summer of 1940. Sadly, he had to unwillingly relinquish command in November 1940 and was replaced by the Big Wing advocate, William Sholto Douglas, who argued for a more aggressive engagement with his Big Wing

of using massed fighters to defend against enemy bombers, rather than the more measured vectored approach of targeting certain squadrons against specific targets, as used so effectively by Keith Park’s No.11 Group.

Channel attacks

The Battle of Britain opened with German attacks on coastal shipping convoys along the south coast and the Strait of Dover. The Germans were aware of Britain’s increasingly important radar infrastructure, yet underestimated its significance, but nevertheless launched a number of raids against prominent radar sites. A concerted campaign against RAF airfields and aircraft production centres then followed, and the latter led to the greater dispersal of aircraft manufacturing facilities – a process that had started

Albion fuel trucks with the three-point refuelling system were much used by the RAF in the early war years. This scene just prior to the Battle of Britain shows a single Hurricane being refuelled by steel helmet-wearing ground personnel. (via John Batchelor)

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F BRITAIN A Hurricane Mk.I of 32 Squadron being refuelled by a ground crewman, who wisely wears a steel helmet in case of air raid. (Malcolm Lowe Collection)

before the battle commenced – which nonetheless did not adversely affect the construction of new Spitfires and Hurricanes. The majority of Luftwaffe attacks were launched from captured airfields in France, the main bombers concerned being the Heinkel He 111, Junkers Ju 88, and Dornier Do 17, usually escorted by the excellent but comparatively short-ranged Messerschmitt Bf 109. Also much to the fore in the early days was the Junkers Ju 87 ‘Stuka’ divebomber. This was the first real occasion that the Luftwaffe had

faced genuine modern and wellorganised aerial opposition, flown by well-trained and competent pilots. The result was a series of major aerial actions with considerable losses on both sides. It has often been said that the Hurricanes were tasked with attacking the German bombers, while the Spitfires dealt with the Messerschmitts. Certainly the Spitfire could take on all of the German warplanes, while the Hurricane was considerably slower than the Bf 109 and much better suited to tackling bombers. But in reality aerial combat

is never that straightforward, and combat ensued on many occasions with all types involved; the RAF fighters were very often outnumbered. Fortunately for the British, throughout the battle the Germans underestimated greatly the size of the RAF and the scale of British aircraft production. It must have been particularly depressing for German aircrews to find British fighters intercepting raids long after they had been told the RAF had been defeated; bombastic statements from Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring,

One of the most famous fighter pilots who flew in the Battle of Britain was Robert ‘Bob’ Stanford Tuck of Hurricaneequipped 257 Squadron, seen here in his ‘Burma’-named Hurricane just after the battle ended. (John Batchelor Collection)

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the head of Germany’s Luftwaffe, being particularly inaccurate. One of the greatest threats to the RAF, in fact, came from the potential destruction of airfields, with several being bombed heavily, which caused considerable loss of life among those on the ground in addition to parked aircraft destroyed. Some of the largest dogfights ever seen in aerial warfare to that time took place during the hot summer of 1940, over Kent and other parts of southern England. There were several key days during the battle that produced important victories for the RAF, or days when the Luftwaffe failed completely to provide the hammer blow that Göring craved. These included August 13 (named Adlertag by the Germans), August 18 (now often called ‘The Hardest Day’ due to the major attrition on both sides) and September 15 (subsequently regarded in Britain as Battle of Britain Day). In particular, August 18 was a triumph in one very important respect for the British fighters; post-war assessments allocated no less than 16 victories over Ju 87 dive-bombers, which brought about the demise in the West

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The 'Few'

Significant numbers of Czechoslovak and Polish personnel served with the RAF in World War Two. This Battle of Britain Hurricane Mk.I of Czech-manned 310 (Czechoslovak) Squadron is in the gun butts. (via Malcolm Lowe)

of the hated ‘Stuka’...a type which hitherto had caused so much destruction across Western Europe, although it did rise again in the German campaign against the Soviet Union during 1941. A major change in emphasis came during early September, when the Luftwaffe began to bomb British cities; before this Hitler had forbidden such actions, but several raids on Berlin and other German targets by aircraft of the RAF’s Bomber Command – which was waging its own war against Germany quite distinctly from Fighter Command – caused a major shift in targets by the Luftwaffe. The famously destructive night raids on London began on September 7, and the subsequent ‘Blitz’ against British cities took pressure off Fighter Command’s Spitfire and Hurricane squadrons, and their airfields, although daytime aerial fighting continued for several more weeks.

A famous victory

The Battle of Britain marked the first major defeat of Hitler’s military forces. German losses were substantial, as indeed were those of the RAF, but the fact that the latter was undefeated and still able to muster new aircraft to replace attrition losses marked the end of Germany’s efforts to gain air superiority over the British Isles. There have been many assessments of losses on both sides. Totals recently accepted include German losses of some 1,652 aircraft, including 533 single-engined fighters (Messerschmitt Bf 109) and 229 twin-engined fighters (Messerschmitt Bf 110). Fighter Command aircraft losses are now thought to have totalled 1,087 during the period that is accepted as the Battle of Britain, although this total included 53 twinengined fighters.

A classic image of just some of ‘The Few’, in this case pilots of 601 Squadron. (via Malcolm Lowe) It is a sad fact about the ‘popularisation’ of history that all too often nowadays, the RAF during the Battle of Britain is portrayed as being manned solely by British personnel. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. The RAF of 1940 was a truly international organisation, with aircrew (and ground personnel) drawn from a wide variety of countries. Some of these all-too-often overlooked foreign nationals originated from British Commonwealth and British Empire countries (notably, but not exclusively, Canada and Australia), and from countries then recently occupied by Nazi Germany across Europe (principally, but again not exclusively, from Czechoslovakia and Poland). The term ‘The Few’ originates from the famous August 1940 speech made by Winston Churchill, at the height of the Battle of Britain: “Never, in the field of human conflict, was so much owed by so many to so few.” This itself drew on William Shakespeare’s well-known words in his play, Henry V: “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...” All aircrew, regardless of nationality, that flew with British units during the battle are known collectively as ‘The Few’. This classification originated from the release in 1960 by Britain’s Air Ministry of Air Ministry Order N850, which defined in official terms the qualifications for the classification of Battle of Britain Aircrew. In subsequent years, however, there has been debate as to whether this compilation is too narrow and should include some personnel not at that time named as participants. The 1960 classification has resulted in 2,927 aircrew being listed, comprising those who survived the battle as well as those deceased at the time. Stationed at Exeter during September 1940, 601 Squadron was one of the Auxiliary units that played a major role in the Battle of Britain. Hurricane Mk.I P3886 is seen here undergoing maintenance at that time. (via Malcolm Lowe)

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Steve Budd tours the new quarter-scale ‘pilots and erks’ from Airfix

T

he vital role played by groundcrew during the Battle of Britain has never been in question and their expertise, dedication and bravery was one of the pivotal factors in the eventual outcome. Airfix’s new set was replete with armourers, fuellers, mechanics and pilots; these were augmented by a trolley-accumulator starter, oil bowser, equipment trolley and, in a wonderful move, a squadron

mascot in the form of an English Springer Spaniel! The contents were optimised for Airfix’s Hurricane and of the two pilots present, one was posed in a particularly dramatic sprint. The choice of heads for the eight groundcrew was also welcome...‘tin hat’ or forage cap. Airfix’s website was a useful reference stop for the product’s box art, and this was used to partly decipher which

specific tasks certain figures were intended to fulfil. It was felt, however, that some sort of supplemental information that expanded on this would likely help purchasers and increase enjoyment. Construction was straightforward and great fun, and the fit was generally positive, although the only weak aspect was where the trolley wheels fitted to their stub axles. Now that a great selection of newly tooled RAF hardware and personnel will be available, there’s no better time to brushup on diorama techniques!

MODEL SPEC

Re-arm, re-fuel and fly! WWII RAF Ground Crew By:

Airfix

Stock Code:

A04702

Scale:

1/48

Price:

£14.99

Available from: Airfix, www.airfix.com

The clever parts arrangement for both armourers, which linked both arms, ensured a good fit with the torso; small adjustments were made by bending the ammo belt.

Four separate wheel chocks were accompanied by this linked set and all were easy to finish in a wood effect of Gunze H79 Sandy Yellow and Raw Umber oil paint.

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22 B A T T L E

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A

Steve Budd revels in Airfix’s new metal-wing Hurricane Mk.I, with this test-shot build

pleasurable tour of the test-shot runners revealed this fresh incarnation of the metal-wing, late-production Hurricane Mk.I was clearly designed to eclipse the more elderly Hasegawa product, Italeri’s interpretation from 2011 and Airfix’s previous kit from some four decades ago…and it did so in fine style and great measure. The ambitious methodology of last year’s 1/24 scale Typhoon was very apparent in the way the core basis of the new Hurricane’s structure was established, and featured two main wing spars with the ‘floor-less’ cockpit sat atop them. Airfix’s build guide was insistent that this vital stage of proceedings was not physically married to the lower wing until Stage 1, but this campaigner was careful in using it as an alignment jig from the

The subtle and thoroughly authentic fabric rendition contrasted with the raised Dzus fasteners, which were later eliminated and replaced.

The lower fuselage insert piece, clearly intended for a future Sea Hurricane release, was a welcome surprise.

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outset. To that end, A2, B1, B3, C12, C13, D4, D20, D21, D62 (D61 was left until immediately before later fitment of the fuselage) were all built with liquid cement on the lower wing. This approach was in direct conflict with Stage 13, which inferred that the addition of B6, the rear well wall (along with D72 and D73) was only possible before the spars and cockpit were dropped over them. Such was not the case and the three parts were manoeuvred into place easily, which allowed that vital ‘on-wing’ alignment assembly previously mentioned. The seat and rear armour subassembly had also been completed but was not fitted as Airfix

22/01/2015 10:37

H U R R I C A N E M k . I 23

Kit colour schemes

Cartridge ejection ports were recessed but moulded shut, and were later lined with matt black as an alternative to being drilled out.

Airfix will provide two markings options with its forthcoming Hurricane Mk.I. They are: • V6799/SD-X, P/O KW Mackenzie, 501 Sqn, RAF Kenley, October 7, 1940. This aircraft was used to destroy a Messerschmitt Bf 109 by aerial ramming! • R4118/UP-W, 605 (County of Warwick) Sqn, RAF Croydon, September 1940. This aircraft has been restored and is now flown by Peter Vacher, as the only Battle of Britain Hurricane still flying. The full story is told in ‘Hurricane R4118’, by Peter Vacher, published by Grub Street (www.grubstreet.co.uk)

recommended. The location pins of the armour were, instead, removed fully and it was glued into the fuselage later, so that it could slide between the tubular framework when this sub-unit was dropped over the top. The rationale behind the change was

60-66_Hurricane.CC.indd 61

designed to afford the armour a guaranteed tight fit to the upper fuselage, and ensure glue access from the fuselage interior, which was otherwise denied by the instructed sequence. With that completed, the constructed cockpit

Simmonds nuts, sharp panel lines and the correct placement of the machine gun exit tubes above the wing centreline were part of the quality package.

was undoubtedly the most comprehensive and highly prototypical to be rendered from a standard kit, and was dressed with Eduard fabric seat belts from set 49-062. The only shortfalls in this part of the build were the seat’s integrally moulded adjustment lever, which prevented easy fitting of the right-hand lap strap, and the missing oval hole in the seat back, through which part of the Sutton QK harness was otherwise meant to be routed. Pre-painting prior to assembly

was avoided and the completed cockpit and wheel wells were instead sprayed with Tamiya XF-69 NATO Black, before they were drybrushed with Gunze MC214 Dark Iron and then coated with Winsor & Newton Galeria Matt Varnish.

Guns, guns, guns!

Stage 19 was the point at which the modeller was invited to select one, both or neither weapons bays open. The choice here was confined to the port wing only and thankfully Airfix had moulded the

22/01/2015 10:37

24 B A T T L E

F BRITAIN

The principal cockpit framing was provided as two mouldings, which included bracket detail and solid location tabs.

Sturdy wing spars were as much a feature of Airfix’s quarter-scale Hurricane as they were in the same firm’s big Typhoon kit.

MODEL SPEC

covers shut and provided separate panels for the open configuration, which ensured a neat appearance for re-arming. Detail across the floor of the bays, the walls, cross members, ammo boxes and guns

was a delight and each component fitted perfectly in situ. Panel line quality had been a principal recurring criticism of Airfix kits in the past, but not so here; the lines, engraved over and

Thoughtfully, de Havilland metal blade and Rotol round-tip ‘Jablo’ composite blade propellers were included.

under the wing (and throughout the other kit parts) were sharp, petite and crisp and demonstrated a further advance in finesse. A test-fit of the upper wing halves reminded this builder that, to avoid discrepancies between the alignment pins and spars, it was an exercise in precision that was not without error potential. The port wing was almost perfect but the starboard side was left with a forced ‘lip’ overhang along the leading edge, and an underhand at the trailing side. Alignment pins were removed, which was enough to perfect the port side and improved the starboard issue by 50 per cent.

The remainder of the loss of flush alignment was clearly down to subtle misplacement of the wing internals, perhaps exacerbated by marginal differences in the recesses in the inner face of the upper wing. This was enough to persuade this reviewer to only glue the spars to the width of A2 on the next kit and no further outboard (with D23, D24, D63 and D64 only tacked to the spars and not the wing), which would in turn, allow the outer portions to ‘float’ and self-align.

Stepping ahead

Once again, the stipulated assembly was rearranged to suit neater sub-assembly of the beautiful fuselage, so Stages 34 and 35 were completed first and the lower forward cowl panel and lower rear fuselage were then joined to the same, which permitted glue to be applied from inside the joins. With the fuselage set, and the innards painted Interior Grey Green and aluminium, the finished instrument panel was treated to Airscale and Mike Grant Decals, then clicked in place and

Hawker Hurricane Mk.I By:

Airfix

Stock Code:

A05127

Scale:

1/48

Price:

£16.99

Available from: Airfix, www.airfix.com

60-66_Hurricane.CC.indd 62

22/01/2015 10:37

H U R R I C A N E M k . I 25

“Panel lines were sharp, petite and crisp” secured, along with the forward firewall. The seat and armour subassembly was then installed and glued along its aft-facing side; test-fitting into the cockpit and wing assembly confirmed that there were no issues with this as a viable build option. A little Dzus fastener obsession then intervened and prompted removal of the slightly ‘clunky’ items that sat proud of the surface. These were reinstated with two sizes of beading tool that replicated the disc and release screw head in a flush configuration. The pay-off was an appearance that was commensurate with the sharp

panel lines and subtle fabric so carefully tooled by Airfix. Trimming and thinning, in and around the aft join between the wing and fuselage, was essential to seat the join closely and with the two protagonists firmly taped together, the fabric rendition on the rear fuselage was again admired for its outstanding subtlety and accuracy. It completely lacked the usual industry error of ‘starving cow’ syndrome and instead rendered the fabric as taught material, drawn tightly across the framing. This was perhaps the hardest facet of the Hurricane’s appearance for Airfix to pin

No pre-painting was carried out during the preparation and construction of the cockpit or wheel wells on the lower wing section. Alignment tabs were removed, and the upper wing halves were taped in place to test the fit of the fuselage and seat armour.

Crisp details in the radiator faces and instrument panel were placed alongside a two-piece Vokes filter for a future early tropical release.

60-66_Hurricane.CC.indd 63

22/01/2015 10:38

26 B A T T L E

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“By far the best quarter-scale Hurricane was ready for the flight line”

down, but the evidence that they had clearly succeeded in capturing it with aplomb was in plain sight.

Behind and beneath

The finished instrument panel and seat were installed immediately before the fuselage was dropped over the wing. Gun bay covers in the upper wing were easy to drill out and tidy, and the resulting aperture was a corresponding near-perfect fit with the structures below it.

Tailplane engineering was already familiar from the last two Spitfire releases, and again comprised a separate, multi-position, onepiece elevator moulding with accompanying rudder insert. As was this kit basher’s preference - the elevators were sawn apart and placed individually, as it was felt this gave a little extra control over placement. The hefty radiator bath located under the wing centre section was built from seven individual parts, which included support arms, but not actuator rods that opened and closed the pivoting rear door. The intake scoop at the front exhibited a fair fit until it had been fettled with a file and scalpel and, with the one-piece ailerons attached to their hinges, it was airbrushing time.

Painting up a storm

A smooth application of Gunze H74 Sky was sprayed over the lower wing and fuselage, and was followed by NATO Black in a preshade pattern − usually avoided by this builder but adopted on this occasion for a cleaner result. The time-honoured thin overspray

60-66_Hurricane.CC.indd 64

of the base colour was layered in, until contrast was at a subtle minimum and once suitably cured, was made to disappear under a patchwork of Tamiya tape. A Type ’B’ camouflage pattern was the order of the day, and with AML’s mask set (AMLM 49 019) waiting, this aspect promised to be straightforward (no mind was paid to the set declaration that it was for fabricwing Hurricanes). First out of the blocks was Gunze H72 Dark Earth, thinned (as all Gunze and Tamiya paint here) with anti-bloom cellulose. Disruption of the base was usually tasked to a highly thinned mix of Gunze H79 Sandy Yellow, Tamiya X19 Smoke, XF-64 Red Brown and XF-69 NATO Black ‘scribbled’ over the surface (see the Spitfire build in this issue) but this time the process was deferred until the camouflage masks had been removed and Gunze H73 Dark Green was in situ. The tape that masked the lowers was carefully consigned to the bin, from which point the factory-fresh uppers had mileage added in another enjoyable scribble-fest and with that ‘to do’ point scored through, Winsor & Newton Galeria gloss varnish was slathered over the necessary sections and left to cure for two days.

22/01/2015 10:38

H U R R I C A N E M k . I 27 GN-A

It had long been a deep-seated ambition of this student of the Battle of Britain to build P3576 of 249 Squadron, which James Nicholson had flown from Boscombe Down on August 16, 1940, before he arrived over Southampton and joined the melee. Injured significantly by two of the four cannon strikes that had struck his Hurricane, and with the aircraft and cockpit burning with increasing vigour,

Reference & after-market The Hawker Hurricane, Modeller’s Datafile, by Richard A Franks (SAM Publications) 0-9533465-1-X Walk Around 14 Hurricane, by Ron McKay (Squadron/ signal), ISBN: 0-89747-388-4 Airscale (www.airscale.co.uk) AS48 RAF WW2 Instrument Dial Decals AS48 PLA WW2 Allied Cockpit Placards AML (http://www.eshop.aml.cz/ lang-en/) AMLM 49 019 Hurricane camouflage masks Aviaeology (www.aviaeology.com) AOD48007.2 Vital Storm pt.2 Eduard (www.eduard.com) 49 062 Seat belts RAF WWII Fabric 1/48 Microscale (www.microscale.com) TF-38 Flat Black Trim Film Mike Grant Decals (www.mikegrantdecals.com) CKP072 Cockpit Details 1/72 CKP048 Cockpit Details 1/48

60-66_Hurricane.CC.indd 65

he was moved to take to his parachute. Half-way out of the inferno he noticed an enemy aircraft slip in front of him, so postponed his exit and sat back in the burning cockpit and dispatched the raider before he finally tumbled out of the doomed Hurricane. Very badly burned, Nicholson was barely able to pull the ring on his ‘chute and was mistaken in believing that his ordeal was over; members of the Home Guard, who mistook him for a German airman, were ordered to shoot at him from the ground and peppered his legs with shotgun pellets...before he convinced them otherwise! He was just 23 years old. As no Airfix decals were available at time of building, Aviaeology’s sheet AOD48007.2 Vital Storm pt.2 was a great stand-in and contained the necessary markings for GN-A, and so was duly acquired for this project. The decal notes were certainly helpful in their advice that there were no known photographs of Nicholson’s GN-A, which could give definitive proof of the fuselage roundel size, or exact placement of the codes. The two likely possibilities were shown on the black and white art work. Application of the decals

The line of the fuselage top edge, which ran from directly behind the armour, echoed the flat horizontal of the original very well.

Gunze H74 Sky was used over pre-shading to give a gentle suggestion of tone.

was achieved with Micro Sol and Humbrol Decal Fix.

A lovely pair of pins

The undercarriage assembly arrangement in the new Airfix Spitfire Mk.Vb had attracted some criticism for its lack of surface joining area and tricky alignment, but no such drama was in store in the lovely new Hurricane. It was as sturdy and straightforward as the real thing, but gave nothing away in detail or fidelity and was a self-aligning joy. The box options for propellers were de Havilland and Rotol, and it was the latter that

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28 B A T T L E

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In Memorium

With the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain in mind, I regularly navigate the Purley Way near my home, either by car or motorcycle. Heading south, the road ascends through playing fields, past an area that once was Croydon Aerodrome, the busiest international airport in Europe in the 1920s and 30s, and later a frontline fighter station when the Germans stood on the French coast in that hot summer of 1940. A large RAF Battle of Britain memorial now stands by the road in commemoration of the sacrifices connected with the area. I often wonder, being one of the hundreds of thousands who motor past every year, just how many are consciously aware of what the memorial and others like it actually stand for. How many hear the sound of Merlins in their mind, imagine Hurricanes bumping across the grass at full throttle and their twisting pursuits of an enemy bent on our wholesale destruction, punctuated by the rattle of .303 machine guns?      With that thought in mind, I’d like to dedicate my Hurricane to the memory of all those RAF pilots, wherever they hailed from, who fought and died selflessly in the skies above my home. This modeller will never forget them. Steve Budd

AML’s vinyl mask set truncated the usual time otherwise spent tracing the outlines of standard RAF camouflage. Masking was removed to reveal a ‘factory fresh’ finish, which was soon disrupted with quantities of ‘scribbling’ with light colour.

The addition of Gunze H72 Dark Earth gave pleasant emphasis to the beautiful surface detail rendered by Airfix.

was married to the test shot here. Exhausts were drilled and hollowed and given something of a burnt iron look via a base coat of Gunze H77 Tyre Black, lightly over-sprayed with red-brown and sand yellow, and dulled with Winsor & Newton Galeria matt varnish. A random wash of Michael Harding’s Raw Umber oil paint was followed by a

60-66_Hurricane.CC.indd 66

further sealing coat of Galeria matt varnish, before the handed units were secured in place with liquid cement. The sometimes thorny issue of masking clear parts was tackled with Bare Metal Foil, which was a pleasure to use and certainly eased the process of cutting out the panels with a new blade. What was deeply unwelcome, however, was the adhesive

residue on removal, which was removed carefully with Isopropyl Alcohol on a damp brush. Finally, the wingtip clear housings were erroneously coated in Tamiya X27 Clear Red and Tamiya X25 Clear Green, after the colour profiles in Richard Caruana’s Hawker Hurricane Modeller’s Datafile were examined and reflected the same. These were actually clear on the real

aircraft (as the same Datafile later pointed out!) and so were instead fitted with coloured bulbs; an approach that would certainly be exercised on this builder’s subsequent Hurricanes. With Reflo 0.05mm fishing line to replicate the radio aerial, by far the best quarter-scale Hurricane was ready for the flight line. It surely deserves to be a best seller.

22/01/2015 10:38

IN PROFILE: HURRICANE Mk.I 29 Mk.I P2923/VY-R of 85 Squadron, Debden, flown by Plt Off AG Lewis, July 25, 1940. The original 35in (89cm) diameter fuselage roundel shows the ‘thin’ option.

Mk.I P3522/GZ-V of 32 Squadron, Hawkinge July 31, 1940. In this aircraft, Irishman Fg Off Rupert Smythe shot down two Messerschmitt Bf 109s off Deal on July 4. Roundels modified to 49in (124.4cm); the 48in (122cm) high codes were applied over the roundel.

Mk.I P3059/SD-N of 501 Squadron, Gravesend, flown by Plt Off KNT Lee, was one of four from the unit shot down over Canterbury on August 18, 1940. ‘N-for-Nuts’ was a Gloster-built aircraft, with 35in (89cm) fuselage roundels and 9in (22.8cm) wide stripes on the fin flash, with the red extending to the fin leading edge.

Mk.I P3675/UF-S of 601 Squadron, Tangmere, circa September 1940. Unusual features on this aircraft are the white outlined (possibly) red ‘lightning’ flash running from the spinner to the roundel, and a three-colour spinner, interpreted as red-white-blue.

Mk.I P3707/NN-A of 310 (Czechoslovakia) Squadron, Duxford, October 29, 1940, flown by Flt Lt Josef Maly. Markings are ‘late standard’ with the Czech national badge on the nose on both sides. All

© David Howley 2015

67_Hurricane Profiles.CC.indd 67

20/01/2015 14:46

30 B A T T L E

F BRITAIN

Airfield Taxi

Steve Budd takes an armour modelling approach to the finishing of Airfix’s nifty new Bedford MWD

The depiction of early- and late-production MWDs were possible from the kit, and the parts choices were capable of turning out an example fitted with a fully covered rear section, if so desired.

Detail points included a closed and hinged bonnet option, should the modeller wish to display the engine bay. Refinement levels elsewhere were high and a real inducement to deploying glue!

68-70_Bedford.CC.indd 68

T

he RAF was quick to recognise the potential of Bedford’s light utility truck, in providing reliable transport in in and around air bases for groundcrew and pilots alike. These hardworking vehicles were acquired in increasing numbers from the summer of 1940 onwards, and were later blessed with more weather protection, which was welcomed warmly by drivers and passengers alike. The crisply engraved lines in the floor of the rear cargo bay were beautifully rendered, and the overall fit of this key component to the chassis below was snug and accurate when tested in position.

Construction began on the topside of the vehicle, with the installation of the two-part engine and gearbox; these fitted positively and securely into the testshot chassis.

20/01/2015 15:04

B E D F O R D M W D 31

Care was taken to ensure that the forward leaf springs were fitted the right way round, so the axle A05 was square and not tilted. All four springs were adjusted to hang vertically.

The driveshaft, front axle and rear differential were all secured in their respective resting places, and the exhaust system was entirely synchronous with its moulded routing in the lower chassis.

Once the rear cargo floor was added, the assembly was immediately easier to handle. The central ‘door’ in the decking (C06) suffered from slight gaps when closed, and so was blended in with Gunze Mr. Dissolved Putty.

MODEL SPEC

The pre-assembled wheels were an assured fit on the rear of the MWD, but the front items were less so. The weighted tyres were not keyed to the hubs which were, in turn, keyed to the axles.

Bedford MWD By:

Airfix

Stock Code:

A03313

Scale:

1/48

Price:

£10.99

Available from: Airfix, www.airfix.com

68-70_Bedford.CC.indd 69

20/01/2015 15:04

32 B A T T L E

F BRITAIN As the placement of the radiator, engine covers and bonnet depended on the final position of the console, the latter was left ‘floating’ until the former received any adhesive.

The driver’s floor was married with its rifle holder, gearstick, storage box and handbrake, before it was tested in situ. Alignment was accurate and confidence grew that this would continue into the build.

Bonzer Bedford

This was a brisk, fun build and the kit leant itself perfectly to the armour modeller’s tactic of adding paint only after final assembly. Purchasers are, therefore, invited to do the same while enjoying this compact and beautiful addition to Airfix’s range of 1/48 vehicles. The gaps were filled with plastic strip, but images of restored vehicles later suggested that the side panels should instead have been placed ‘proud’ of the mudguards, to eliminate the mismatch. The engine side covers were fitted flush with the mudguards, but this was responsible for the gaps with the bonnet A43 that were then created...despite adherence to the build guide.

With the parts covering the engine finally in situ, the console unit finally received glue; a precaution that was of real value, as it would have been too far aft had the instructions been adhered to.

68-70_Bedford.CC.indd 70

Substantial vertical panels that completed the rear cargo section benefitted from sharp detail, were well engraved and accurate in how they fitted together. The model looked great and it's pleasing to have this subject in 1/48 scale.

20/01/2015 15:04

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO MODELLING THE F-4 PHANTOM

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34 B A T T L E

F BRITAIN

Crisp moulding and finely detailed parts were evident throughout the runners, and were a strong encouragement to break out the glue!

W

hile Airfix has offered World War Two RAF aviation tankers of several kinds in 1/72 and 1/76 scales, such indispensable airfield hardware has been high on the wish list of those who favour 1/48 scale. Albion’s 'ugly duckling' will, therefore, be most welcome in helping to fill this significant gap in the otherwise buoyant quarter-scale market.

Getting underway

The basic chassis was rendered neatly but required quite extensive clean-up to eliminate seams and gentle misalignment.

72-75_Albion.CC.indd 72

Although the new kit’s build guide centred from the outset on the addition of the leaf spring suspension, cross members and gearbox/flywheel combination, close examination of the chassis main spars on C01 was followed by neatening of seams and unevenness in the test shot. Once the four main surfaces were filed and sanded flat, the core frame was supplemented with all components from Stage 1 to Stage 18, identified as light olive on the painting guide. With this busy sub-assembly together, a thorough de-grease with Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) was followed by a base coat of Gunze H304 Olive Drab. Stages 1 to 18 were then

Steve Budd has a tank-full of fun with Airfix’s new 1/48 Albion 3-Point Fueller re-visited and everything for the engine, gearbox and drive chain destined to be black was culled from the runners and cleaned with IPA. Gunze H77 Tyre Black was diluted and airbrushed over the previously completed engine, gearbox and supporting sundries before they were set aside to cure.

Ordering a cab

The build was orchestrated logically by Airfix into three easy sub-units; chassis and running gear, fuel cell and the cab, and it was the last of these that was tackled next. Clear parts, seat cushions, steering wheel and tiny dashboard were kept separate, while all the remaining bits and pieces that required Olive Drab were segregated from Stages 20 to 30, cleaned-up and assembled. The option of an open left-hand passenger door was not taken on this occasion, and the fit of A08 (deferred in the instructions until Stage 49) was too tight for the frame and needed trimming and sanding. Gunze H304 Olive Drab from the preceding paint session was brought into play once all the cemented items, bar the roof piece A06, were set and a test-fit to the chassis confirmed all would be

20/01/2015 15:02

A L B I O N 3 - P O I N T F U E L L E R 35 Airfix provides a fitting 1940 colour scheme, so the vehicle will be perfect to display with the firm’s new 1/48 Battle of Britain Spitfire and Hurricane.

The selection of parts due to receive Olive Drab were added to the chassis in advance of painting, to ease assembly and encourage neatness.

The base coat of Gunze Olive Drab was left to cure for a day before further parts were added to the core of the model.

well at the end of construction. The seat and back cushions were base-coated with Tamiya XF-51 Khaki Drab, and then over-sprayed thinly with Tamiya XF-49 Khaki. Each was finished with light drybrushing via two pale Humbrol shades plucked out at random.

Getting ‘tyred’

MODEL SPEC

As the steering wheel, dash and hose (D09) were earmarked previously for Gunze H77 Tyre Black, another backtrack to Stage 19 was made to retrieve the five tyres included in the kit. The ‘saw-tooth’ tread was shallow but discernible and with little leeway

available, the mould separation lines were very carefully scraped (‘adzed’) away before everything was cleaned with IPA. Gunze's Tyre Black was preferred over Tamiya’s for its finish by this builder, as it was ultra-smooth and airbrushed with exceptional ease.

Highly flammable cargo

Despite the real Albion’s compact dimensions, it was still equipped to slake the thirst of three aircraft simultaneously from its triple booms, and their associated individual

feed controls. Grouped in the box housing over the rear axle, Airfix had certainly engineered a busy appearance within the control unit, but had employed a minimum number of parts in doing so...and use was made of the open access doors (D06 and D07), which would allow it all to be seen. The fuel cell itself was concocted from four parts and regrettably, B24 and B25 fitted

somewhat haphazardly with B02 and the lateral seams were gapped correspondingly. Despite the anomalies, the end cap D17 was a perfect circumferential match and it was realised that the way forward was therefore confined to cyanoacrylate filler. With that little hiccup eliminated, the cell was centred over the guide ridges on the control housing and, with the mould lines adzed from the flanking ladders and cemented

Albion 3-Point Fueller By:

Airfix

Stock Code:

A03312

Scale:

1/48

Price:

£10.99

Available from: Airfix, www.airfix.com

72-75_Albion.CC.indd 73

20/01/2015 15:03

36 B A T T L E

F BRITAIN The driver and passenger cab was assembled unpainted, with the exception of the roof piece, seats and steering wheel, which were added later.

The fuel cell was marred by longitudinal gaps on both sides, but these were eliminated with cyanoacrylate glue and sanding.

In common with the approach used on the cab, the fuel delivery control box was glued unpainted, with the exception of the roof piece. The modular approach of grouping all components to be finished in a single colour was extended to the engine and drive chain.

to the cell, the whole unit was parked to one side.

Boom, boom, boom!

The fuel transfer delivery system was captured beautifully in the moulded booms and flexible

hoses, which were illustrated in the build guide in stowed, partially and fully deployed positions. While the hoses were in need of careful mould seam removal, this was not unexpected and as much care as

possible was used in minimising loss of the round cross-section. Substitution with wire would certainly be a viable alternative, and one that other modellers may perhaps adopt with their own builds. The preference

exercised at this stage, though, was to assemble the boom and hose together, and so each was given an overall coat of Olive Drab before the hoses were then brush-painted with Humbrol 33 Matt Black.

“Numerous dioramas featuring said vehicle will appear in homes and at shows everywhere ” The wheel deal

An earlier test-fit of the wheels had not invoked confidence in the shallow contact areas, especially prevalent at the front of the fueller. Much support and adjustment was necessary for extended periods before each hoop was eventually secured. Each wheel was assembled beforehand, as the hub fit was so tight within its tyre that fitment after the latter were attached to the chassis was untenable. With the whole exterior covered

72-75_Albion.CC.indd 74

20/01/2015 15:03

A L B I O N 3 - P O I N T F U E L L E R 37

Materials Mike Grant Decals CKP072 Cockpit Details 1/72 Mike Grant Decals CKP048 Cockpit Details 1/48 Gunze Sangyo H73 Dark Green, H77 Tyre Black, H304 Olive Drab Humbrol 11 Silver, 33 Matt Black Michael Harding’s Artists Oil Colours 126 Burnt Umber Tamiya XF-49 Khaki, XF-51 Khaki Drab Winsor and Newton Galeria Matt Varnish

with Olive Drab, it was time to place the cab on the chassis. The unit was rested atop the chassis rails and butted against the two tiny pips that were necessary to fix its position. Lateral movement of the cab was intended to be prevented by small tabs dropped over the outside of the chassis rails, but these displayed slight gaps and so accurate placement

was assisted by the addition of the fuel cell and footboards A05 and B01. The engine side panel covers, bonnet and radiator positions were critically dependent on the cab being square on the chassis and fully in contact with the aforementioned tabs, to ensure their angles were correct and fitted flush. Period photography of Albions in service confirmed that they were routinely dowdy, dusty and dirty in appearance; certainly desirable if one was a fuel-laden potential target for a marauding Bf 109 in 1940! The Olive Drab was therefore supplemented by a freehand overspray of Gunze H73 Dark Green that conformed loosely to the pattern shown in the instructions. Winsor & Newton Galeria matt varnish dulled the finish, and a wash of Michael Harding’s 126 Burnt Umber was applied and set with a hair dryer

With the subtly weathered engine and drive train installed, the build was well underway. A test-fit of the cab and fuel tank looked promising as the wheels were prepared into finished units, to be added at the close of the build.

72-75_Albion.CC.indd 75

before a further overcoat of Galeria sealed the finish.

Albion aftermath

There was no question that this tireless airfield workhorse was represented in fine form by Airfix’s newly tooled kit. Aspects of the

build needed care and adjustment here and there, but the overall presentation was excellent and it is expected that once the kit is available, numerous dioramas featuring said vehicle will appear in homes and at shows everywhere...well done Airfix!

The cab, engine covers and foot boards were fixed permanently in advance of the camouflage and weathering that was separate to the fuel tank. A deployed boom configuration was settled on as the build was brought to a close; but the boom units were left separate until the end to prevent damage.

20/01/2015 15:49

38 B A T T L E

F BRITAIN

Steve Budd provides an RAF Kenley setting for Airfix’s new Hurricane and ground-support items

T

he RAF pre-war habit of lining-up squadrons in neat rows was rapidly abandoned, once hard lessons were learnt from German low-level strafing. Aircraft soon became widely dispersed to various points around airfield perimeters, to make more difficult targets for Luftwaffe attackers. A measure of concealment and bomb protection was also afforded

by the construction of simple earthworks, raised over a concrete base and low retaining walls (sometimes of brick). With Kenley Aerodrome (the best preserved Battle of Britain airfield in the south) just a few miles up the road, a visit was made to take photographs and key measurements and, with these to hand, a recessed MDF base was sourced from Just Bases. This was skinned with

Once the MDF was sealed thoroughly with clear weatherproof varnish, the first step was to prepare the base with thin sheets of plastic card, fixed in place securely with wood glue.

76-77_Diorama.CC.indd 76

plastic card and attached with wood glue, while the outline of the concrete retaining walls was pencilled-in as a ground plan. The staggered emergency exit at the right rear was then drawn, and with that it was time to build the retaining walls. Strips of 0.2mm-thick plastic card, 12mm high, were cut and numerous box-section plastic was cut to the same height, as a supplemental means of

attachment for the strips. With the outlines laid in, the same 12mm strips were attached horizontally all round, to complete the ‘walls’. Additional 12mm strip was angled against the vertical walls, approximately 6mm up, and mitred joints were set at 50 degrees with an anglefinder tool. A selection of custom-cut plastic card pieces were used to build the staggered exit, with frequent

The staggered exit at the rear of the revetment gave protection from bomb blast, and was also the entrance to a bunker (built into the right corner of the structure), as well as an escape corridor.

22/01/2015 10:10

BATTLE

The styrofoam used to fill in the bulk of the earthworks was cut to shape easily, and was fixed in place with double-sided carpet tape. This allowed immediate progress with no attached ‘cure’ time. With the ‘dry’ process stages completed, it was time to apply the ‘wet’ materials of Polyfilla and wood glue, along with Sculptamold, which usefully combined clay, paper mache and plaster in one.

study of reference photographs being key for accuracy. Then, 25mm Styrofoam sheet was cut into rectangles to fit within the plastic walls; a process that was doubled-up to give a height of 50mm, before coverage with Sculptamold. The ‘concrete’ was skimmed over all necessary surfaces, via a mix of Polyfilla and wood glue, and both coverings were left to dry thoroughly. A sprayed coat of Gunze Sangyo H304 Olive Drab was applied to the earthworks, and the concrete was rendered with a patchy airbrushed coat of Tamiya XF-55 Deck Tan. Running repairs in the concrete were portrayed by irregular, gently raised patches of Scenic Glue PVA, over which fine textured material was sprinkled and over-sprayed with Deck Tan. With that completed, Woodland Scenics’ Blended Turf, Clump Foliage and Lichen were added to the top surfaces and, after overnight drying, the editor’s brief to produce "a simple base" was considered complete. All told this was a fun project, which was responsible for whetting this modeller’s appetite for more of the same!

F B R I T A I N 39

Materials Amaco www.amaco.com Sculptamold Hindleys www.hindleys.com 25mm Styrofoam sheet Just Bases www.just-bases.co.uk 18mm recessed MDF 630mm x 600mm Polyfilla - Wall filler Woodland Scenics www.woodlandscenics.com Scenic Glue S190 Scenic Cement S191 Scenic Sprayer S192 Clump Foliage Light Green FC682 Lichen Medium Green L163 Blended Turf Green Blend T49 Gunze Sangyo www.modeldesignconstruction. co.uk H304 Olive Drab Tamiya www.tamiya.com XF-55 Deck Tan

“All told this was a fun project”

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BOULTON PAUL DEFIANT

BOULTON PAUL DEFIANT

Kit colour schemes Airfix’s new Defiant Mk.I has two liveries provided in its classic release, and they are: L7013/PS-U, 264 Squadron, Martlesham Heath, Suffolk, July 1940 (Dark Earth and Dark Green over Sky) N3328/DZ-Z, 151 Squadron, RAF Wittering, Cambridgeshire, February, 1941 (see the colour profiles on p.62 to learn the fate of this particular aircraft)

 A separately moulded part for the undercarriage bay allowed it to be realistically deep, and well detailed.

Jen Wright explores the latest newly tooled Battle of Britain combatant from Airfix, with an exclusive test-shot  Filler was required in the wing-to-fuselage join. Since the area was somewhat tricky to access, Tamiya putty was used due to its easy-to-sand nature.

oulton Paul’s Defiant was the last of three brand new monoplane fighters introduced to the RAF between 1938 and 1939... the other two being the Spitfire and Hurricane. The Defiant was fated to be a somewhat less successful day fighter than its peers; after initial success it was quickly relegated to night-fighting duties, where it was considerably less vulnerable. A single surviving Defiant is currently on display in the RAF museum, Hendon.

Gaining closure

Long overdue Few modellers would disagree that Airfix’s original 1960 kit was ripe for replacement, and with this release their prayers have been answered. This new offering came on two light grey runners and with comprehensive clear parts. The components were clean and crisply

 The cockpit detail was realised in pleasing fashion, and was treated to a wash to help accentuate the moulded features.

{52}

moulded, with quite deep, but very fine panel line representation. Smaller details were worthy for the scale, and options for two aircraft were included on the decal sheet. Interior parts were tackled first, and these slotted together so positively that glue was virtually unnecessary. A fuselage half

in black. A finishing touch in the form of Eduard ‘fabric’ seatbelts was chosen for the pilot’s seat; these were not actually fabric but a very flexible, almost rubbery material. After they were peeled from the backing sheet, very little glue was needed to fix them in

With the finished cockpit parts installed, the fuselage was glued together. The fit was very positive, with no filler required at all. After the necessary sanding to remove all traces of the join, small amounts of lost detail were duly re-scribed.

Moving to the flying surfaces, the separate undercarriage bay part was attached and then the upper halves were cemented to the fullspan lower wing. Although the wings fitted brilliantly, the trailing edge was rather thick, and was not easily thinned after gluing. Modellers who wish to remedy this are advised to do so before

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 Seatbelts were added from an Eduard ‘Real Fabric’ set, but Airfix’s instrument panel decal was a welcome inclusion to the kit sheet.

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Read on your

padded backrest or leave the seat green. Everything was painted Interior Green via Tamiya XF-71, and then washed with a neutral brown mix from the Ammo panel line wash range. When dry, the detail was dry-brushed lightly with Sky, before details were picked out

was employed as a jig to ensure everything was glued squarely, and then all was removed for painting. The pilot’s seat was shown as having a brown backrest in the instructions, but no leather padding detail was moulded integrally. This being so, the modeller should either make a

MODEL SPEC

place, as they were naturally very flexible and quite convincing in this small scale.

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21/01/2015 14:38

ADVANCED BUILD

C-133 CARGOMASTER

Keith Peckover makes structural corrections to Anigrand’s huge C-133 Cargomaster

Unsung

Giant T

 Removal of the fuselage alignment lugs allowed the mating surface of the halves to be sanded flat, which maximised the surface area for adhesive.

With the four-part fuselage assembled, a dry-fit of the flight deck glazing revealed a very poor fit.

{80}

he label of ‘giant’ has often been applied to the Lockheed C-130 Hercules; however, a more deserving recipient of this sobriquet was the little known C-133 Cargomaster. First flown on April 23, 1956, it had a 179ft (54.5m) wingspan, was 157ft (47.85m) long and was designed as a heavy logistics transport capable of carrying 96 per cent of US Army vehicles of the day. Among other cargo, it hauled bullet-ridden helicopters, replacement aircraft carrier propellers, intercontinental ballistic missiles, ammunition and even conducted test-drops of Apollo spacecraft Command Modules. But, due to the hazardous noise levels in the hold, the one thing it did not transport was personnel. Deliveries began in 1957, but the C-133 was replaced by the C-5A just 14 years later, as the lightly constructed

airframes reached the end of their fatigue life.

Initial confusion Anigrand packed the parts well and the casting was excellent, with minimal air bubbles in the resin. Panel lines were not overly deep or wide; the undercarriage legs were made of nylon and the transparencies of

clear resin. As ever with Anigrand, the instructions were basic and comprised a single sheet, with the parts breakdown on one side and a diagram, which featured the airframe 0-62011, for painting and decal suggestions. Confusion was caused by the presence of Military Airlift Command and

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ADVANCED BUILD

C-133 CARGOMASTER Military Air Transport Service organisations on the diagram... as the former superseded the latter this was somewhat anomalous. Comparison between the diagram and kit parts raised further issues, as both contained a mixture of early and late airframe characteristics. On the diagram, the correct fuselage-to-wing fairing and tapered tail cone was shown, yet it had incorrect clamshell cargo doors and lacked the fuselage reinforcement strips. The kit parts displayed the strips and correct cargo doors, but had a steeper fairing at the wing and squared tail cone. These and other aspects presented a major challenge; given the number of corrections, this review would concentrate solely on these aspects.

MODEL SPEC

A giant tackled

Douglas C-133A Cargomaster By:

Anigrand Craftswork

Stock Code: AA-2104 Scale:

1/72

Price:

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Available from: www.hannants.co.uk

The fuselage was segmented into four parts, with each side split into fore and aft sections. Alignment lugs that projected from the starboard components were removed so the mating faces could be sanded flat to ensure maximum contact area for the adhesive. Once aligned, the parts were attached with cynanoacrylate (CA), which was also used to fill a prominent groove along the upper fuselage. On other Anigrand kits, the fore/ aft fuselage join, located part way along the wing root, has caused problems but alignment on the C-133 was arguably the best to date. The fit of the flight deck glazing component, though, was poor and so the part reshaped by repeated immersions in hot water, but even after this, it was realised that the length and height were 0.1in (2.5mm) short. To remedy this, plastic card was fixed to the fuselage. On the real aircraft, reinforcement strips

Resin reworked The first significant corrective work tackled the forward fuselage-to-wing fairing; this began with construction of a template for the replacement fairing, and the shape was scribed onto the resin. Material was then scraped away so that plastic card, which formed the central part of the new fairing, could be attached with CA. Due to the extent of the work, modelling clay was used to practice the re-shaping, before Milliput was used to finish the fairing. A similar process was used for the trailing edge of the fairing to correct the wing root shape.

 As featured on the kit, the short, steep fuselage-to-wing root fairing was applicable to just the first C-133, and so required correction for this build.

 Resin was removed to decrease the angle of the fairing, before plastic card could be attached. The outline of the new fairing was marked in pencil.

 Before the Milliput was used to re-profile the fairing, a practice was conducted with modelling clay. Plastic strips were attached temporarily along the pencil line to provide a defined boundary for the Milliput. The corrected fairing, once the boundary strips had been removed.

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ADVANCED BUILD

C-133 CARGOMASTER The aft end of the wing root fairing was too short and sharp edged, but Milliput was again used to correct the trailing edge.

 The fillet was removed and the resultant gap in the fuselage filled with plastic card, and sanded to shape.

The grossly incorrect leading edge of the fin and fillet required considerable trimming to correct the width and chord.

were added to the exterior to counter the effects of the high vibration levels caused by the engines. Anigrand replicated these as grooves in the fuselage, but as these were not present on the build subject, they were duly filled with CA. As construction progressed, another

weakness of the kit became apparent: the obvious lack of depth in the fuselage and wing intakes and vents. These were drilled out and, where necessary, lengths of styrene tube added. Brass bladeshaped posts were then set into slots for the wire aerials fitted atop the wing, which provided a robust, damage-resistant attachment point.

With the replacement fillet's core fitted and fin leading edge corrected, the latter was attached with a template as a guide to align it correctly, which left gaps at the base...these were subsequently filled.

Empennage errors It became clear rapidly that the fin and tailplane chord was too great, and their cross-section was nothing like the real thing. The fin was particular poor, with just a simple taper from its trailing edge to a ludicrously blunt 0.25in (6mm) radius leading edge; furthermore, the fin was positioned at the wrong angle. Correction began with the

removal of the fin fillet, which was replaced with another, built around a core of plastic card cut to the correct angle. To improve the fin, the forward 40 per cent was scraped and sanded to produce a thinner leading edge; in a couple of places, so much resin was removed that it was sanded through and subsequently had to be filled. The fin was then fixed to the fuselage

"ANIGRAND PACKED THE PARTS WELL AND THE CASTING WAS EXCELLENT"

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ADVANCED BUILD

C-133 CARGOMASTER

at the correct angle and additional plastic card secured at an angle on either side of the fillet’s core. Milliput was used to fill any gaps and blend the fin and fillet into the fuselage. Finally, the fin cap was reshaped and a missing antenna fairing added. Attention then turned to the tailplanes, which were similarly sanded and scraped to achieve a more realistic shape, before the leading edge of the tailplane root was corrected with Milliput. On the first C-133, the tail cone did not extend beyond the rudder’s trailing edge and was modified into a ‘beaver tail.’ The kit had a parallel-sided square-end-shaped configuration, which matched reference photographs, and these were reshaped by eye. This final portion was not the only area of concern, though, because the fuselage cross-section adjacent to the tailplanes was also suspect. Fortunately the wings were considerably better as the castings had minimal distortion (all the

more surprising given their length) but the wingtips needed to be reshaped. The lower wing inserts were also slightly too short, which resulted in a considerable gap at the wing root and had to be filled.

No way in...or out Although it may be a statement of the obvious, a gas turbine engine has an air intake and jet pipe; unfortunately Anigrand did not reproduce these details accurately. The C-133 had an annular intake that surrounded the propeller spinner and exhaust pipe, at the lower end of the nacelle; these were represented by a flat surface and depression in the resin respectively. A hole in the nacelle front provided the mount for the propeller, so forming an intake meant incorporating an alternative arrangement. The hub mounting boss was extended with a length of 7/32in (5.5mm) diameter Albion Alloys aluminium tube, and a collar composed of three radial spacers fitted, to give the spinner the required fore-aft position and to centralise position. Sanding and scraping widened the hole at the front of the nacelle to represent the annular intake, at the same time the nacelle edges were correctly shaped, before internal bulkheads were fitted to support the aluminium tube. The moulded depression at the rear of the nacelle was used as a guide to cut an aperture, with a short

 Examination of references revealed that the fin shape was wrong, so the top was removed and a replacement fin cap fashioned from plastic card.

 The tail cone was reshaped to match reference photographs; these also indicated that the vent should be placed on the port side, not starboard. Furthermore, the shape of the fuselage adjacent to the tailplanes was also suspect.  Anigrand provided only basic detail for the various vents and fairings on the fuselage, and these were all drilled to provide sufficient depth, and plastic tube was used where necessary.

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ADVANCED BUILD

C-133 CARGOMASTER

"THE HUGE COMPLETED MODEL BASICALLY CAPTURED THE APPEARANCE OF THE REAL AIRCRAFT"

 The lower wing section was too short, which resulted in a gap at the wing root that needed to be filled.

 Although the wings had a much better shape than the tailplanes and fin, the wingtips required re-shaping; the revised tip is on the left.

length of plastic tube then fitted and capped. This approach was not perfect, because the visible portion of the real jet pipe was curved and led to a horizontal section; however, it did produce a more accurate three-dimensional appearance. As supplied, the propeller blades had parallel leading and trailing edges, whereas the real blades narrowed in chord towards a very distinctive cuff. The kit parts were reshaped by scraping down the trailing edge to replicate the change in chord, but they remained less than ideal.

Wheel woes All of the wheels were far too narrow, with the main units about half of the required 0.27in (7mm) width, which required the addition of plastic card shims to widen them. On the real aircraft, the undercarriage comprised lever suspension units, but Anigrand,

{84}

perhaps mindful of the weight of the kit, used a side-braced vertical strut instead. A test fit revealed that the strut was not actually vertical, but tilted inboard, although this became irrelevant when it was realised that, without modification, the ground clearance would be too high. The C-133 had just 25in (63.5cm) clearance beneath the

fuselage and a mere 16in (40cm) below the sponsons; the latter was used as the guide to correct the kit. Pieces of plastic card were fitted temporarily in the main gear bays to set the clearance required. The side yoke was cut off and styrene built in the wheel bay roof...this provided support and a generous contact area for adhesive. A further complication emerged, though, whereby it was realised that the inboard side of

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ADVANCED BUILD

C-133 CARGOMASTER

Materials

The engine exhaust was represented by just a depression and looked very unrealistic.

Humbrol (www.humbrol.com) 27001 Metalcote Aluminium 27002 Metalcote Polished Aluminium Gunze Mr.Metal (www. modeldesignconstruction.co.uk) 218 Aluminium Alclad2 (www.alclad2.com) ALC-101 Aluminium ALC-106 White Aluminium ALC-117 Dull Aluminium ALC-119 Airframe Aluminium Testors (www.testors.com) 1418 Non-buffing Metalizer Aluminium

 One of the four nacelles after all modifications had been completed, which improved the look of the engines greatly.

 To correct the misrepresented exhaust, the recessed area was removed and plastic tube provided three-dimensional results.

 The kit wheels were grossly narrow (right) and required a plastic card shim to produce the correct width (left).

forward and aft sections at their midpoint but, in the interests of a tidier final appearance, this was not pursued. The three-section nosewheel bay door was also supplied as a single piece; the forward pair opened externally, but the aft unit retracted into the wheel bay and was not visible when the undercarriage was extended. Given the size and weight of the model, it was decided not to fit any ballast in the nose. Originally it had been intended to use a transparent tail support, but on realising that tip-over struts were fitted to real aircraft, a representative pair were constructed from wire and plastic card. Also omitted from the kit was

a retractable bumper wheel unit and, again, this was scratch-built.

with high-visibility bands on the nose, rear fuselage and wings. The airframe was sanded prior to painting, which revealed one area where marks could not be eliminated, until it was realised that there was just a thin skin of resin over a trough. This was removed and the resultant gap filled and sanded smooth. Humbrol H1 primer was then sprayed onto the airframe, followed by a coat of Johnson’s Klear/Future, also airbrushed, to act as a base for

Fantasy Printshop (www.fantasyprintshop.co.uk) FP602 Red stripe decals Superscale decals (www.squadron.com) 72-232 USAF lettering, black 72-233 US AIR FORCE lettering, black Xtradecal (www.hannants.co.uk) XPS1 Parallel stripes black Albion Alloys (www.albionalloys.co.uk) AT6 7/32” x 0.014” x 5/16” round aluminium tube

the wheel bay sloped in towards the top, which required the upper part of the wheels to be trimmed. Additionally, the mounting hole for the nose wheel leg was too far aft; this was filled and a replacement drilled 0.25in (6.5mm) forward. Each main undercarriage bay door was supplied incorrectly as a single piece, but no guidance was provided as to how they should fit. Correction began by cutting each door in two along its length, although strictly speaking, they should also have been further divided into

Pick ‘n mix decals Anigrand’s decals were a true mix; the two larger duplicate sheets were from another kit but provided most of the markings, while the smaller sheets ‘toppedup’ the remainder. Two reference photographs of 56-62011 provided striking liveries compared to the natural metal kit scheme. The more attractive ‘uniform’ featured a white upper fuselage with a black cheat line that really suited the aircraft, but time pressures prevented this being reproduced; the chosen scheme was from May 1962 and was overall natural metal

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ADVANCED BUILD

C-133 CARGOMASTER

"THE ANIGRAND RELEASE HAS FILLED A NOTABLE GAP IN THE LINE-UP OF 1/72 USAF TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT KITS"  There was a considerable height difference between the mainwheels as built from the box (left), and adjusted to provide correct ground clearance (right). Scrap plastic was fitted in the wheel bays temporarily to achieve the proper height.

the various forthcoming metal shades. Detail painting began with the yellow tail fin bands, which were masked and sprayed, rather than using the kit-supplied decals...a lesson learnt from building another Anigrand kit, the C-124. For greater realism, a less-than-convincing coat of white was applied for the serial number background, before Xtracolor X253 Leuchtorange was placed over matt white undercoat for the high visibility markings. The C-133 had a black panel with white stripes located to the rear of the wing root fairing, and the size of these had to be estimated given the lack of any reference

material. Decal stripes were used for the flight deck glazing frames, and the width of those on the kit part were ignored because they were oversized. Superscale decals were employed for the US AIR FORCE and USAF markings as the kit offerings were inaccurate, but a compromise had to be accepted because although of the correct size, the replacement decal font was too bold. Red propeller warning stripes and upper wing black walkway lines were obtained from Fantasy Printshop and Xtradecal sheets respectively. Unfortunately, the red stripes on the fuselage lacked the correct ‘warning propeller’ lettering

 The kit lacked the tip-over struts and bumper-wheel unit found on the real aircraft, and so these were built from plastic card and wire.  As supplied, the main gear bay doors were incorrect and should be divided equally in two horizontally; the panel line should then be filled.

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ADVANCED BUILD

C-133 CARGOMASTER that should have been present, although they were still used as replacements could be obtained. However, when the kit decals were employed, they were sufficiently opaque that even the white MATS decals, which were applied over black, showed no hint of colour bleed-through. When the decals had been applied, all that was left was to attach windscreen wipers (made from plastic-coated wire), fit two lenses to the nose gear leg and rig the wire aerials, which brought work to a close.

What a journey! Despite its failings, the Anigrand release has filled a notable gap in the line-up of 1/72 USAF transport aircraft kits. A check of dimensions against reputable scale drawings confirmed that the wing span was spot on, but the length was 0.5in (12.7mm) too long. Given the adjustments to undercarriage and fin top, it was a surprise that the height was also correct. After much work, the huge completed model basically captured the appearance of the real aircraft, and provided plenty of discussion ❚ material for this review.

 Disappointingly, Anigrand used a mixture of decals (which included some from another kit) to provide the markings. Most were inaccurate and had to be replaced by after-market items.

references Remembering an Unsung Giant – The Douglas C-133 Cargomaster and Its People, by Cal Taylor (First Fleet), ISBN: 978-0977676200 Aircraft of the United States’ Military Air Transport Service 1948 to 1966, by Nicholas M. Williams (Midland), ISBN: 9781857800876

 Masking over many metal finishes can be a problem; here Parafilm was used, as it was easy to conform to the fuselage curves and presented little risk of damaging the finish when removed.

McDonnell Douglas Aircraft since 1920,by Rene J. Francillon, (Putnam), ISBN: 978-0370000503

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ON THE SHELF BOOKS

CAPITAL ASSETS

Having spent most of his life in the German Navy, including during World War Two, the author is ideally placed to introduce these subjects. After a short history of the development of the Scharnhorst

Britain’s nose. Luck is a constant feature in wartime, and Gneisenau faired far worse than her sister ship in terms of damage suffered and eventual fate. For it was Gneisenau’s lot to be hit multiple times by air attacks, one of which crippled her when in dry dock and led to her ignominious end; the main armament was cannibalised for shore batteries and the hull itself used for storage. In contrast, although Scharnhorst also suffered air attacks, it was to a lesser degree and she ended her service in battle with the Royal Navy. Launched on a sortie against one convoy, she found herself engaged by escorts from two; her luck ran out early on December 26, 1943, when an initial clash with British cruisers damaged

War One tanks, before exploring briefly the Sherman’s immediate progenitors, the M1 to M3, wrapping-up with an introduction to the M4 sub-types, from A1 to A6. The subject is then broken into sections, and begins by analysing vehicle production, the crew and combat, and provides a detailed description of the variants. These early examinations bring to light the disparities between the propaganda, which claimed the Sherman was well protected, and the reality of fighting against late-war German tanks such as the Tiger and Panther. On several occasions there are sobering descriptions of the destruction a

direct hit could cause, even if it did not penetrate. Furthermore, the dangers of operations in Western Europe are contrasted against those in the Pacific, where the M4 was superior to anything the Japanese possessed and relatively well-armoured. The final sections are perhaps of most interest for modellers who wish to build something a little less ordinary, as they examine engineering, artillery/ motor-gun carriage and rocketequipped sub-types as well as post-war modifications. The text is complemented throughout by a series of excellent profiles by Brian Delf, and numerous (mostly national archive) photographs,

her radar, effectively blinding her to the converging forces, and after a protracted battle, she was sunk later that day. This is an engrossing and informative read for anyone with an interest in the Kriegsmarine or German battleships. SF

BOOK SPEC

class, each vessel is examined throughout its construction, followed by an in-depth career history. Design tables, tactical and technical data, historical photographs of the ships at port and on operations are augmented by Klaus-Peter Schmolke’s excellent scale plans and colour schemes. Originally conceived as the fourth and fifth in the Deutschland class of Panzerschiff, Gneisenau and Scharnhorst ended up with twice the displacement, and an increased main armament of nine 11in (280mm) guns. The operational histories of both vessels are embellished with extracts from the ships’ own war diaries, particularly the daring ‘Channel Dash’ in 1942, right under

Warships of the Kriegsmarine: Battleships of the Scharnhorst Class By:

Gerhard Koop and Klaus-Peter Schmolke

ISBN:

978-1-84832-192-2

Price:

£16.99

Format:

242mm x 190mm

Available from: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk

AMERICAN ICON

BOOK SPEC

The M4 Sherman needs little, if any introduction, and is probably one of the best-known tank types; the recent ‘Sherman-centric’ film Fury will undoubtedly add to its popularity. The author charts the development of this ubiquitous vehicle from the British World Images of War Special: M4 Sherman By:

Pat Ware

ISBN:

978-1-78159029-4

Price:

£16.99

Format:

190mm x 245mm

Available from: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk

the majority of which have been published before. Detailed appendices complete the story, and provide technical data for each variant, which will enable any modeller to build an accurate replica of their favourite tank. SF

THOSE WHO ALSO FLY

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aircrew, even by experimenting with the temporary assignment of ground tradesmen as air gunners, before finally re-establishing permanent roles in the late 1930s. However, this was from a low baseline – just 12 observers existed

in the RAF in 1934, yet effectively their role became that of the navigator, and numbers increased massively during World War Two. Similarly, other roles proliferated during the war, such as Flight/Air Engineer and Radio Operator. Many of these roles were eventually subsumed into that of the navigator, as technology removed the need for gunners and separate radio and bomb-aiming roles, yet even the navigator is in decline; the last of those graduated in 2011. Despite the increasing singleseat nature of the RAF’s frontline combat assets and the ‘dual pilot’ complement of heavy transports, non-pilot roles remain in the helicopter, transport, refuelling and

surveillance sectors. The latter may represent an opportunity for future expansion, especially with the rise of unmanned aerial vehicles and potential re-establishment of the RAF’s currently missing maritime patrol capability. SF

BOOK SPEC

Occasionally a reviewer finds the words ‘exhaustive’ and ‘research’ don’t do justice to the level of detail...and such is the case here. The author, previously an RAF navigator, has provided a thorough examination of non-pilot aircrew, and how the sometimes labyrinthine politics of the armed forces have shaped their roles. Air gunners and observers of World War One open the book, followed by how all three UK air arms managed their personnel, with contrasting rank structures, roles and training across the forces. This extensively updated volume further details how, during the inter-war years, the RAF struggled with how to best utilise non-pilot

Observers and Navigators and other non-pilot aircrew in the RFC, RNAS and RAF By:

Wg Cdr C G Jefford MBE BA RAF Retd

ISBN:

978-1-909808-02-7

Price:

£40

Format:

A4 hardback

Available from: www.grubstreet.co.uk

Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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SEND IN YOUR PRODUCTS FOR US TO REVIEW AT: Airfix Model World, Key Publishing Ltd, Units 1-4 Gwash Way Industrial Estate, Ryhall Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1XP, UK

EARLY-WAR STALWART as the various turret/armament styles. Photo-recce, bomber, fighter and night fighter drawings reveal the nuances of said types, and even floatplane and Bolingbroke variants are described, along with rarities such as the Blenheim Mk.IV with Nakajima engines, as used by Indonesia. The camouflage and markings section is seemingly exhaustive, and offers tables of wartime RAF codes/squadrons, colour plan views that portray ‘A’ and ‘B’ paint scheme patterns for the Mk.I and Mk.IV, and the early-war black and white underside variations. A total of 35 colour profiles which, besides RAF/FAA, examples, depict export aircraft flown by Finland,

Greece, Croatia, Yugoslavia, Portugal, Turkey, Indonesia and the Free French Air Force. With the growing number of aftermarket decals and airframe details becoming available, one should also obtain this fine book to spearhead a series of builds...and ensure much modelling fun (and accuracy) in the process. CC

BOOK SPEC

Richard Franks’ Airframe Albums have become prized reference works, and this fifth in the series explores the RAF’s first modern monoplane bomber... timed perfectly to coincide with

the release of Airfix’s 1/72 scale Blenheims. Those who have bought other titles from this range will know they offer valuable information, matched with a host of photographs, isometric drawings to explain sub-type differences, and notes on camouflage and markings; in short, a one-stop shop for modellers. This volume includes colour shots of the Blenheim restored by The Aviation Restoration Company at Duxford (it's just had its first test flight), along with the usual interesting array of period imagery. Manufacturer drawings lend further detail, while the new illustrations educate the modeller on such idiosyncrasies

The Bristol Blenheim By:

Richard A Franks

ISBN:

978-0-9575866-5-9

Price:

£16.95

Format:

A4

Available from: Valiant Wings

EASTERN EUROPEAN FIGHTER

BOOK SPEC

Romania’s only indigenous fighter aircraft to serve in World War Two, the I.A.R.80/81 series flew throughout the war, first on the side of the Axis, then the Allies, and beyond into the 1950s. Although largely Vânator – Romanian Hunter – The I.A.R.80 and I.A.R.81 in ultimate detai By:

Radu Brînzan

ISBN:

978-83-6367840-1

Price:

£60

Format:

A4

Available from: mmp.books.biz

outclassed by newer designs by 1943, it still managed to hold its own against superior enemies and long odds. This new title from Mushroom Modelling must surely be the definitive reference for the I.A.R.80/81. Author and type expert Radu Brînzan has expanded on his SAM Publications Aviation Guide title from 2011, and more than tripled its length. Two major sections comprise the bulk of the book; the first describes each production batch and includes 1/48 scale drawings, descriptions and individual aircraft histories. Differences in length, wingspan and weaponry are clearly

shown. The second section comprises detailed information on seemingly every piece of the aircraft, with illustrations taken from original manuals, as well as new artwork. Want to know which sub-types had which shape headrest? Which German and US bombs were hung from the racks? How the pilot donned his seat pack parachute? It’s all here in this wonderful cornucopia of detail, facts and trivia. But wait... there’s more! The last portion has camouflage and markings details, notes about how to tell colour from black and white photos, period images, 16 pages of colour profiles, and several

appendices and tables. If one has a hankering for the I.A.R.80/81, and especially the 1/32 Azur/ FRRoM kit, this impressive hardback is not to be missed as it covers the subject expertly. PJ

THE MIGHTY JUG The softback book offers much in terms of detail, but also scores highly with coverage of colour schemes. While Squadron’s format remains unchanged, the content here is of good quality, with black and white, and colour period

photos. There are just six full colour profiles, and a part profile, and this slightly meagre serving seems ungenerous at first, but it does mean that each is used at a larger size than when the old In Action books used to offer many more on the centre spreads. The schemes depicted are attractive, though, as they include 56th FG P-47Ms in the pretty pale and dark blue livery (Darling Dottie/Shoot You’re Faded), a Razorback ‘D’ named Dove of Peace from the 353rd FG at Raydon, and 8 Ball, a P-47N from the 318th FG at Le Shima in the Pacific. Line

drawings that show wing/tail/ rear fuselage evolution, underwing weapons, canopy types, fuel tanks and oil cooler/cowl flap changes are all useful, no matter which kit one chooses to build. CC

BOOK SPEC

Surely one of the most characterful US aircraft of World War Two, the Thunderbolt seemed like a giant in comparison with the Spitfire, Mustang and other smaller fighters. It ran the gauntlet of flak and Luftwaffe opposition during European Theatre bomber protection flights, and excelled at ground attack later in the war; it also proved to be a stalwart in the Pacific. As such, one should definitely consider Squadron’s work on the subject, particularly as the ‘Jug’ is such a colourful and interesting modelling subject.

P-47 Thunderbolt By:

David Doyle

ISBN:

978-0-89747-748-2

Price:

US $18.95

Format:

210mm x 280mm

Available from: Squadron Products, www.squadron.com Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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ON THE SHELF BOOKS

SIR RICHARD’S ‘STRINGBAG’ small weapons carriers, cockpit features, undercarriage and much more. The type’s Bristol Pegasus engine is also afforded a full 12 pages. To support the coverage of the restored example, the book offers a decent history section, which presents text on the type’s design by Sir Richard Fairey and, as expected, actual combat with the aforementioned actions and others, such as the Swordfish’s role in attempts to sink the famous Bismarck. The period imagery has been selected thoughtfully, and notable shots include a study of an Operation Torch aircraft of 833 NAS, several photos of aircraft with

wings folded and another that shows an 815 NAS machine in North Africa, armed with flares and depth charges. A pleasing book, especially if one has Airfix, Tamiya, Trumpeter, Ark Models or Smer kits on the build list. CC

BOOK SPEC

While it may have looked ungainly and far from glamorous, the Fairey Swordfish was invaluable as a maritime strike aircraft. It took part in some of the most famous attacks of

World War Two, such as those on the Italian fleet at Taranto and French Navy assets in North Africa; raids that have become the stuff of legend. One supposes that it was just a matter of time before Haynes tackled the subject, and here we have the publisher’s attempt...and it’s good. The bulk of the content comprises walk-round detail photography of the Swordfish operated by the Royal Navy Historic Flight, and the coverage deals with the real nitty-gritty of the airframe, with useful shots of minute details such as the flap control wheel (above the pilot’s head), wing fold handle,

Fairey Swordfish By:

Jim Humberstone

ISBN:

978-0-85733362-9

Price:

£21.99

Format:

278mm x 214mm

Available from: Haynes Publishing, www.haynes.co.uk

STUTTGART SPEEDSTER

BOOK SPEC

Porsche fans shouldn’t miss this new book that focuses on air-cooled examples of the marque. The Carrera series has been well represented in several scales, and there are a multitude of after-market Porsche Carrera The AirCooled Era, 1953-1998 By:

Johnny Tipler

ISBN:

978-1-84797699-4

Price:

£35

Format:

286mm x 222mm

Available from: Crowood Press, www.crowood.com

decals available for race options. But a good reference work is always handy, and this weighty hardback is certainly worth investigating. If one seeks really in-depth, closeup detail photography then perhaps this isn’t the book to choose, but where it does excel is through a great many photos of whole cars, from various angles, and this is particularly useful for devotees of Porsche racers. The author is also well placed to describe the subject, being an experienced motoring journalist who specialises in the marque. Early content explores the 1953 debut of the Carrera, in races such as

Le Mans and La Carrera Panamericana (which inspired the car’s famous name after a class win). Porsche 356s, and the sleek 904 are well represented in photographic terms, and then there’s the glorious 550 Spyder and Coupé; as well as period shots, more modern images from classic races at Goodwood fill the pages. Of course, the star for many will be the 911 and a large section deals with this legend, and the RSR subtype is included (anyone with Tamiya’s 1/24 kits of the latter, take note!). Personal accounts from Porsche luminaries, such as Derek Bell, Gérard Larrousse, George Follmer, John Surtees,

followed immediately by a brief history of the Vosper firm, and notes on torpedoes and boats, engines, depth charges and armament. What follows is the remaining artwork, and information/small illustrations on MTB colour schemes. In some cases transom drawings

are also provided, and many period photos have been studied in the production of this softback title. Experienced naval modellers and those new to the subject will be pleased to know that all the craft featured beyond MTB 32 can actually be modelled, via kits from Coastal Craft, Airfix, Revell and Italeri...and one can have a ball in replicating the fascinating liveries displayed in the book. Standout craft include MTB 61, a stunning dark blue and whitecamouflaged 1940 Contract boat that served with the 10th MTB Flotilla in Tunisia, in 1943. Also present is the famous MTB

Murray Smith and Gijs van Lennep all add interest from a history perspective, but it’s the photos that are the winners in the end. A great book for car modellers, whether road or race machines are one’s focus. CC

COASTAL FORCES

{92}

74, converted to attack the dry dock at St Nazaire (the boat has just been released by Italeri in 1/35 scale). Paint codes are provided, along with histories of each craft. Superb. CC

BOOK SPEC

Anyone interested in torpedo boats has a splendid bundle of inspiration here, with the first of two volumes on Britain’s fast boats in World War Two...this instalment deals with Vosper craft. The content centres on excellent 1/96 scale colour profiles and plan views by Mark Smith, who has based the illustrations on the drawings of John Lambert. They are of the ‘flat’ variety, without weathering or airbrush-style features, but are useful nonetheless and show much detail in terms of colour schemes and structural features. The first subject is the Private venture 68ft MTB, which is

Vosper Motor Torpedo Boats From 68ft PV boat to MTB538 By:

Mark Smith & Neil Robinson

ISBN:

978-0-9930934-0-1

Price:

£17.99

Format:

A4 landscape

Available from: Coastal Craft, coastalcraftmodelsuk.com

Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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Scale Aircraft Conversions White Metal & Resin Aircraft Parts Since 1990

Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain

Help to support an icon. Build the classic 1/24 Airfix Hurricane Mk.I with our new set of white metal landing gear, SAC24009.

Extensive inventory of aircraft landing gear with 500 + sets and growing!

scaleaircraftconversions.com

ON THE SHELF BOOKS

CAMM’S CLASSIC FIGHTER one is treated to photos and text about bombs and cannon. There’s a full variants guide for land-based and sea-going subtypes, and 50 colour profiles (with selected plan views) serve to educate on camouflage; actually, there are some real treats among them, such as the all-silver post-war mount of AVM Sir Stanley Vincent, and a shark-mouthed Mk.IIb of the US 350th FG, in Sardinia, 1943. What then follows is a highly useful and honest guide to available Hurricane kits, from 1/144 to 1/24 scales, with photos of built examples to punctuate the box art and informative text. Sadly, Airfix’s

service personnel, Valiant Boys is hugely revealing. The authors, both V-bomber crew members in the civilian testing and RAF arenas respectively, have compiled a fascinating collection of personal accounts from Valiant air and groundcrew (as well as their own)...and many serve to confirm the usefulness of the aeroplane, until its untimely demise to due cracks in the wing spars. Indeed, this fatal problem is investigated by the book and it does appear that ‘blind eyes’ were turned during the manufacture of Valiants, but the mind-boggling fact is when it was discovered that the metal used for the spars was

inferior, not much was done to mitigate the issue (and yet the humble HP Hastings transport was re-worked after the same metal was employed initially in its airframe). Many facets of the Valiant’s operations are retold here; easily the most interesting for this reviewer are the nuclear tests in Australia and Christmas Island (Operations Buffalo and Grapple), but the fact that the Valiant was the first operational air-to-air refueller has not been lost, and there’s a full description of the pioneering sorties on that front. The type’s fleeting participation in the Suez campaign of 1956 is also covered, as is the late-service

all-new 1/48 Hurricane Mk.I isn’t included, but a full appraisal of that kit is in this month’s AMW! If one is considering a series of Hurricane builds, this book is a vital research tool and gives sage advice on where certain kits fall down (and where they excel). CC

BOOK SPEC

The third instalment of Pen and Sword’s Flight Craft imprint, this volume on the Hurricane surpasses the first two books (Soviet Spyplanes of the Cold

War and Russian Gunship Helicopters). This isn’t because the initial titles were bad (far from it), but because author O’Toole has studied the Hurricane for a very long time...and it shows. With input from Neil Robinson and Martin Derry, the type’s development, Battle of Britain service and post-BoB operations are recounted (including missions in the Middle/Far East and Mediterranean), and this content is supported by excellent period imagery. Foreign users such as Finland, Ireland and Canada are also described, before the story delves into the type’s weaponry and here,

Hawker Hurricane and Sea Hurricane By:

Tony O’Toole

ISBN:

978-1473-827257

Price:

£16.99

Format:

A4

Available from: Pen & Sword, www.pen-and-sword.co.uk

ILL-FATED BOMBER

BOOK SPEC

From the outset, in which the dramatic crash of Valiant prototype WB210 (at the hands of test pilot Jock Bryce in 1952) is described by the man himself, to the book’s dénouement whereby it explores the alleged effects of nuclear testing on Valiant Boys By:

Tony Blackman, Anthony Wright

ISBN:

978-1909-808218

Price:

£20

Format:

165mm x 242mm

Available from: Grub Street, www.grubstreet.co.uk

low-level mission profile change that helped the cracks in those wings spars to appear and reveal themselves. This is a splendid book, which supports the Valiant’s groundbreaking place in aviation history. CC

PLASTIC-FILLED MEMORY LANE

{94}

clouds? A gunner blasting away from the forecastle of the Royal Navy Vosper MTB 385, or the menacing array of Bristol Bloodhounds with an RAF Land Rover? Even sci-fi is revisited,

with artwork of the Orion III spacecraft from the film 2001: A Space Odyssey, and more eclectic still are illustrations of the Paddle Steamer Engine and Robin Hood ‘Playset’. This is a wonderful trip down memory lane, which will immediately prompt fits of nostalgia and a hankering to find long-gone kits to re-build them with better quality than that achieved in childhood. Sketches and promotional artwork also feature, along with selected pieces used in various magazines and books of the 1960s and 1970s. Whether one is a kit collector, interested

in kit history or simply wishes to revel in bygone Airfix..this is heady stuff to be savoured time and time again. Thumb through this for even just a few minutes and you'll be visiting internet auction sites in no time! CC

BOOK SPEC

For many men (and indeed some ladies) of a certain age, the sight of Roy Cross's box art invokes a glassy-eyed demeanour and fond memories of pocket money fun while building Airfix kits. Mr Cross was, and in some cases still is, responsible for being a major factor in kit-buying habits due to his evocative artwork; we all have our favourites. Here, the much-loved artist offers his second collection of box art and commentary in hardback form, and it includes some real crackers. Who could forget the super-sleek F-5 Freedom Fighter against pastel-coloured

More Vintage Years of Airfix Box Art By:

Roy Cross

ISBN:

978-1-84797-820-2

Price:

£35

Format:

288mm x 314mm

Available from: Crowood Press, www.crowood.com

Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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ON THE SHELF

AIRCRAFT KITS

TWIN REFUELLER PACKAGE

PRODUCT SPEC

Hasegawa has adapted a civilian release into a subject that will please military aviation modellers, by mixing older parts from its Boeing 767300 (wings/tailplanes, with raised panel lines), with a new fuselage and other accoutrements (engraved lines). Two kits are included, and the new runners carry neat wing refuelling pods and the tail boom, and an anti-tail-sitting device via two large bolts fixed into accommodating wells on a forward bulkhead. Detailed engine fans are provided, as are display stands. An international flavour defines the decals, which KC-767 ‘World Tanker Combo’ provide stencilling, and windscreens By: Hasegawa if one favours those over the styrene Item no: 10808 glazing. The three options are: • KC-767A, 767TT/14-01, Italian AF Scale: 1/200 • KC-767 (B767 MMTT), FAC 1202 Price: £36.99 ‘Jupiter’, Colombian AF Available from: • KC-767J, 87-3602, 404 Sqn, 1 TAG, Amerang, www.amerang.co.uk Japanese Air Self-Defense Force

{96}

Italeri’s AB205 made a welcome reappearance late last year to mark the centenary of Italy’s military police force, the Carabinieri. Despite its age, the kit has pleasing features such as fine raised and engraved detail, convincing interior quilting and well-detailed bench seats in the cabin. Cyclics, collectives and rudder pedals are present, but the seats are AB205 Arma Dei Carabinieri basic. The rescue winch is present, By: Italeri and the decal sheet with three Item no: 2739 schemes is well printed: • MM 80777/CC•33, 4° Nucleo Scale: 1/48 Carabinieri Pisa, 1973 Price: £22.50 • MM 80776/CC•32, 4° Nucleo Available from: Carabinieri Pisa, 1974 The Hobby Company, • MM 80783/CC•39, W/oct GT77, www.hobbyco.net Montegovello di Soverato (CZ)

PRODUCT SPEC

PRODUCT SPEC

Eduard has re-issued its excellent La-7 as part of its Weekend series and, while it may lack the ProfiPACK photo-etched metal extras, it does include fabric seat belts. This kit is a real gem, with finely engraved panel lines and a detailed interior, which even includes rudder pedals. Although the kit will build into an accurate two-gun variant, there are sufficient spares to build a threegun version; all that would be needed are the appropriate markings. Options include an open or closed canopy and two sets of wheels – one with the hubs La-7 Weekend Edition as separate parts to make painting By: Eduard easier. The beautifully printed decal Item no: 7425 sheet provides for two late-war Soviet aircraft, and includes cowling markings Scale: 1/72 for one: Price: €12.75 • ‘12’, Lt Col Filipp Kosolapov, 937th Available from: IAP/322nd IAD, May 1945 Eduard, www.eduard.com • ‘14’, Maj A Alelyukhin, 9.GIAP, 1945

CENTENARY BEAR IN THE AIR

GREAT WAR STALWART

Revell’s re-released Spad may be long in the tooth, and with fewer parts compared to modern offerings...but it builds well straight from the box and with extra work can look spectacular. The components may look clunky in places, but it contains a 16-part engine and there is minimal flash – not bad for a mould approaching pensionable age! A neat touch is the predrilled fuselage and wing struts for the rigging, although some may wish to replace the thread provided with a more refined product. The decals are WWI Fighter Spad XIII excellent, despite matt carrier film, By: Revell with perfect register and two schemes Item no: 04730 for US Air Service aircraft: • S.7714, Captain R Soubiran, 103rd Scale: 1/28 Aero Squadron, France, November Price: £16.99 1918 Available from: • S.7799, 1/Lt Long, 93rd Aero Revell, www.revell.de/en Squadron, France, October 1918

PRODUCT SPEC

FROM RUSSIA WITH LAV

Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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ON THE SHELF

AIRCRAFT KITS

ELEMENTARY MOSSIE

OCEANIC LOAD CARRIER

BÜCKER’S TWIN

Special Hobby has added to its range of Lodestars with this release, which covers aircraft that operated in World War Two's Pacific Theatre. The transparencies are crystal clear, which is good news as the interior has plenty of detail, even the toilet at the rear of the aircraft, albeit behind a closed door! Options include wheels up or down and the main compartment door open or closed. One thing is certain; the spares box will be fuller after building this kit, as it shares several runners with C-60 Lodestar ‘Pacific the MPM Hudson. Four schemes Transport’ are provided: By: Special Hobby • NZ3510, 41 Sqn, RNZAF, Japan, Item no: SH 72295 September 2, 1945 • VH-RAY/OM-L, 37 Sqn, RAAF, Schouten Islands, 1944 • VH-CEF ‘The Texas Wrangler’, 21st ATS, Australia, 1944 • 42-56034/LT-932, 19 Sqn, Dutch East Indies, 1944

PRODUCT SPEC

PRODUCT SPEC

Revell’s Mosquito Mk.IV has been around for years, and while the moulds are not as crisp as more modern kits, the parts are flash-free; although the raised panel lines may not be to the liking of all. This remains a useful offering (particularly for those who have not attempted a largescale project before) and represents good value for money. When originally released, the level of detail was ahead of its time, and the basic structures still hold up well even now, particularly the exposed Merlin engine. Currently this is the only 1/32 Mossie available. Basic stencilling is included on the decal sheet, which unfortunately has De Havilland Mosquito Mk.IV matt carrier film; two standard By: Revell Dark Green/Ocean Grey/Medium Item no: 04758 Sea Grey camouflage schemes are Scale: 1/32 supplied: • DZ353/AZ-B, 627 Squadron, Price: £29.99 Woodhall Spa, England, June 1944 Available from: • DZ380/GB-A, 105 Squadron, Revell, www.revell.de/en Marham, England, December 1942

Scale:

1/72

Price:

€30

Available from: Special Hobby, www.cmkkits.com

MUDHEN REVIVAL

Revell has dipped into the re-release pool again, this time with the Revell/ Promodeler Strike Eagle. The original 2000 release of this kit was very short on weaponry, but the successive Promodeler boxing fixed the problem and it’s the latter product that appears here. While the extra weapons (GBU-15 and data-link pod, GBU-10, AIM-120) boost the value factor, the two groundattack stores have been employed by the Strike Eagle relatively rarely; arguably Revell would have been better providing GBU-12s and a Sniper pod, but LANTIRN pods are present, as is the full array of tangential pylons. The airframe parts are good though and F-15E Strike Eagle & Bombs offer plenty of detail, despite the strange breakdown and assembly. By: Revell There’s decent engraving, a great Item no: 04891 cockpit and well-printed decals for Scale: 1/48 two colour schemes: • 87-0169/MO ‘Tiger Lead’, 391st FS, Price: £26.99 366th FW, Mountain Home AFB Available from: • 89-0474/SJ, 336th FS, 4th FW, Revell, www.revell.de/en Seymour Johnson AFB

PRODUCT SPEC

PRODUCT SPEC

Designed by AJ Andersson, who had previously worked for the Bücker aero company, the Safir served in the same trainer and liaison roles as its German Bü 181 counterparts, although some Safir’s sold to Ethiopia were subsequently armed with wing-mounted machine guns. Tarangus’ release is a first in 1/48 scale, and contains surprisingly few parts, yet features a detailed cockpit and even a basic representation of the Lycoming engine. Three versions can be built, the three-seat 91B or the four-seat 91C/D, with different props and spinners for the B/C Saab 91 Safir B/C/D and D types. The excellent decal By: Tarangus sheet is in perfect register and Item no: TA4804 offers three schemes: • Saab 91B, 50025, F5 Wing, Scale: 1/48 Ljungbyhed, Sweden Price: £34.99 • Saab 91C, 91385, Ethiopian Air Available from: Force Hannants, • Saab 91D, SF-24, Finnish Air www.hannants.co.uk Force

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ON THE SHELF

AIRCRAFT KITS

LUFTWAFFE LEGENDS

PRODUCT SPEC

Fans of German World War Two fighters can expect the company’s standard F-4 mould (it’s been around for some time); the quality is reasonable, with fine engraving, but the cockpit is a little sparse and detail-hounds will seek an after-market boost. That said, the remainder of the kit is good and it certainly looks like an ‘F’ sub-type. The defining feature, though, is the decal selection that offers markings for two of the Luftwaffe’s most mercurial aces, Gerhard Barkhorn and Gunther Rall, the second and third-highest-scoring ‘Experten’ in history respectively. Anyone wanting to build the former pilot’s machine in this boxing, should Messershmitt Bf 109F-4 buy or borrow Luftfahrtverlag‘Super Experten’ START’s new book on Barkhorn, By: Hasegawa which provides stunning colour Item no: 07379 photos of the exact aircraft. The two schemes in detail are: Scale: 1/48 • Black 1 and wavy line, Oblt Günther Price: £29.99 Rall, 8./JG 52, Russia, August 1941 Available from: • White 5, Oblt Gerhard Barkhorn, 4./ Amerang, amerang.co.uk JG 52, Russia, Spring 1942

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Esci’s old ‘Gina’ appears under Italeri branding to depict the G.91 with the Pattuglia Acrobatica Nazionale (PAN) pre-production nose profile, as used by the Italian Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team. Due to the product’s age, it’s a festival of raised lines/rivets and basic detail...but a good basis for home-spun or after-market embellishment. It offers a six-part (albeit unrefined) ejection seat, passable open gun bays/guns/ammo boxes, and the standard ‘chisel’ nose is also supplied if one wishes to G.91 PAN Frecce Tricolori portray a later Frecce or operational By: Italeri attack aircraft (with other decals). Item no: 2740 The undercarriage legs are quite refined, though, and the airbrake Scale: 1/48 and undercarriage bay doors have Price: £24.99 inner moulded features. The decals Available from: are stunning, have good register and The Hobby Company, allow the portrayal of any of the then www.hobbyco.net Frecce’s 10 PAN aircraft.

PRODUCT SPEC

PRODUCT SPEC

Another limited edition re-release of a Hasegawa classic, the P-3C...but it does demand that raised lines are sanded and re-scribed if one wants optimum results. Much of the detail is basic and some features are incorrect, and so anyone wanting a truly decent and well-detailed Orion should also purchase the CMR/Mark.1 detail set, which offers crew/cabin interiors, main and nose undercarriage bays, weapons bay and doors and wing flaps. The Hasegawa kit does have a few highlights for the less fussy, such as reasonable detail in the cockpit, a full array of stores pylons and a fully holed sonobuoy P-3C Orion JMSDF Fleet Air panel. This release is for Japanese fans Wing 5 only in terms of decals (although one By: Hasegawa can always look for after-market ‘nonItem no: 02109 Nippon’ options. The two schemes are Scale: 1/72 for Light Gull Gray and White aircraft from Naha Air Base, and both have Price: £37.99 impressive tail artwork: Available from: • 5044/44, VP-9 Fleet Air Wing 5 Amerang, amerang.co.uk • 5051/51, VP-5 Fleet Air Wing 5

STYLISH ITALIAN AEROBAT

FAR-FLUNG BULLET

Bristol’s sporty monoplane has been treated well by Special Hobby. Slightly heavy rib-tape moulding aside, the kit offers wonderful detail in places; notably the engine, which has more than 20 components and the cylinder cooling gills are very fine. The cockpit has a full internal framework as seen on the real aircraft and, to embellish the ‘office’ further, one receives photoetched (PE) metal seatbelts. But PE also enlivens other parts of the airframe, namely aileron and tailplane control horns, the machine gun and rigging anchor points. A simply exquisite wicker seat, in resin, is also provided. Three Bristol M.1C ‘Wartime Colours’ colour schemes are featured, with a By: Special Hobby mixture of PC12, Light Blue, doped linen Item no: SH 32057 and grey. The airframes are: • C4907, 150 Sqn, Macedonia, Autumn Scale: 1/32 1918 Price: €49.92 • C4918, 72 Sqn C Flight, Mesopotamia, Available from: Spring 1918 Special Hobby, cmkkits.com • C4965

PRODUCT SPEC

FAR EAST MARITIME PATROL

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ON THE SHELF

MILITARY KITS

COLD WAR GIANT

SOVIET BRUISER

Containing a whole series of interior boxes, packed with hull and turret parts, transmission and suspension components, and a set of excellent track links, this is modelling on a grand scale. The single-piece upper and lower hulls are excellent, and replicate the casting and weld marks of the real items very well. Arguably, the standout feature is the fully working tracks, complete with individual pins which, although they will take time Soviet T-34/85 to assemble, should look superb By: Hobby Boss once finished. Lacking interior detail, Item no: 82602 this will build into an impressive yet basic kit, but leaves plenty of scope for either the fitting of motors or for those who enjoy super-detailing. Two relatively anonymous Russian Green options are provided, for ‘White 215’ and ‘White 36’.

PRODUCT SPEC

PRODUCT SPEC

The M103A1 was, until the advent of the M1 Abrams, the heaviest tank in US Army and US Marine Corps service. With nine styrene runners, DS styrene tracks, photo-etched metal parts and a length of steel wire, this looks to be a busy kit, but on further inspection there is no internal detail included. There is a healthy debate raging over the kit's accuracy, however one issue is very apparent; either the engine exhaust and deck are too high or the M103A1 Heavy Tank underside of the turret is too low, as By: Dragon it snags the exhaust cover and could Item no: 3548 not face fully forward on this sample. Of the three Olive Drab options Scale: 1/35 provided, all are Germany-based, two Price: £49.99 of which are labelled as belonging to Available from: ‘unidentified units’; the final choice is The Hobby Company, from E Company, 34th Armoured, 24th www.hobbyco.net Infantry Division, 1959.

Scale:

1/16

Price:

£64.99

Available from: Creative Models, www.creativemodels.co.uk

Tamiya has re-boxed its 6x4 Krupp Protze as the Kfz.69 artillery-towing truck, complete with a 3.7cm Pak 35/36. The moulding and detail are excellent for the scale. Compared to the earlier release, the metal chassis has been replaced by a styrene item, and new necessary German 6x4 Towing Truck parts for the interior and rear cargo Kfz.69 with 3.7cm Pak area include ammunition boxes, By: Tamiya seating for the crew and four Kar 98 rifles. The highlight is the new 3.7cm Item no: 32580 Pak 35/36, with finely detailed parts. Scale: 1/48 Two grey schemes are provided: Price: £17.50 • 293rd Tank Destroyer Battalion, Available from: Belarus, Summer 1941 The Hobby Company, • 2nd Company, 44th Tank Destroyer www.hobbyco.net Battalion, Ukraine, June 1941

Dragon’s Tiger I includes five crew figures, photo-etched metal (PE) and DS Styrene tracks. Four of the styrene runners are for the tank, which features crisp Zimmerit. The single-piece upper and lower hulls are represented equally well, with the majority of tools and equipment moulded integrally; additional external detail is provided by the PE, which includes pre-shaped Tiger I Late production w/ exhaust covers. Five excellent figures Zimmerit + Tiger Aces are provided on a fifth runner, and By: Dragon these appear to be a scaled-down Item no: 7440 version of the 1/35 ‘Tiger Aces’ set, Scale: 1/72 sans weapons and equipment. Four camouflage options are provided: Price: £22.50 • 2./s.Pz.Abt.101, Normandy, 1944 Available from: • 1./s.Pz.Abt.101, Normandy, 1944 The Hobby Company, • 9./Pz.Rgt.3, ‘Totenkopf’, Poland 1944 www.hobbyco.net • 2./s.Pz.Abt.102, Normandy, 1944

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PRODUCT SPEC

BIG FELINE WITH CREW

PRODUCT SPEC

GUN-MOVING BOXER

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ON THE SHELF

MILITARY KITS

KURSK PARTICIPANT

NIPPON LIGHTWEIGHT

RIGGED FOR THE WATER

PRODUCT SPEC

New wading trunk parts make Dragon’s adapted Churchill a fascinating release. The base kit, released before, is packed with detail, and to make life easier the suspension is moulded integrally on the hull side panels. For accuracy, and to allow fitting of the wading gear, one must Churchill Mk.III ‘Fitted for remove tool mouldings from the Wading’ rear decking, but this is simple. The By: Dragon running gear is beautifully detailed, Item no: 7520 and Dragon DS Styrene tracks are supplied. Three colour schemes for B Scale: 1/72 Squadron, 14th Canadian Armoured Price: £16.99 Regiment vehicles at the ill-fated Available from: 1942 Operation Jubilee are provided, The Hobby Company, those being: 7/’Betty’, 10/’Beefy’ and www.hobbyco.net 9/’Blossom’.

PRODUCT SPEC

Dragon's delightful kit will build into an accurate replica of a lateproduction Type 95 tank, as used by the Japanese during World War Two. Containing just a single runner of grey styrene, the parts are cleanly moulded, especially the separate upper and lower hulls; the latter even features integral suspension units and detail on the undersides. There has been considerable attention to IJA Type 95 Light Tank Late detail, epitomised by the hollowed Production exhaust pipe and gun barrel, and the photo-etched metal exhaust cover. By: Dragon Tracks are Dragon’s excellent DS Item no: 7517 styrene, while the decal sheet offers Scale: 1/72 four schemes, including two vehicles from the hellish Pacific crucible of Price: £17.99 Peleliu: Available from: • 14th Tank Regt, Peleliu, 1944 The Hobby Company, • Co.3, 14th Tank Regt, Malaya, 1944 www.hobbyco.net • Co.1, 9th Tank Regt, Guam, 1944

TOWED ARMOUR-KILLER

Quite why no manufacturer has produced a new QF 6-pdr is anyone’s guess; here, Zvedza has chosen to re-release a very old product, issued previously by the likes of Italeri. That said, for its age it is respectable although one will have to clean-up the slightly heavy mould seams and fill/remove ejector pin marks. The wheels are good, though, and one British Anti-Tank Gun QF 6-pdr can pose the lower gun shield in the Mk.II towing or firing position. Integrally moulded handles appear on the trails, By: Zvezda but there are fairly fine individual Item no: 3518 parts, such as the hooks for the folding Scale: 1/35 portion of the gun shield. A total of 100 components on two light-grey Price: £2.99 styrene runners means a detailed build Available from: (especially if improvements are being The Hobby Company, considered), and the kit is a worthy www.hobbyco.net option until fresh tooling appears.

PRODUCT SPEC

PRODUCT SPEC

Never mind the light relatively armament, few tanks looked more purposeful than a Panzer III with full side skirt and turret armour. Dragon offers just that in the shape of the Ausf.M variant as seen at Kursk; the decal sheet reflects the fact, with many schemes from the battle, along with a lone Sicily vehicle. The kit has the usual Dragon abundance of styrene runners, but these are supported by DS Styrene one-piece tracks, photo-etched brass details for areas such as the idler wheels, mudguards and convoy light. The jewel Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.M w/Schürzen in the crown is scale-thickness turret By: Dragon armour and side skirts in alloy (with Item no: 6604 integral mounting holes). Tools have Scale: 1/35 moulded clamps for ease, and there’s a well-detailed air intake and exhaust. Price: £49.99 The decals offer various turret number Available from: options for Pz.Rgt.3 at Kursk in 1943, The Hobby Company, along with choices for ‘Totenkopf’ and www.hobbyco.net ‘Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler’.

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ON THE SHELF AUTO KITS

LUXURY HYUNDAI

PRINCIPALITY RACER

KENNY’S BIKES

COMMEMORATIVE CAR

Perhaps one of the more unusual ways of celebrating the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall (Mauerfall) was the decoration of a Trabant by the Leipzig Graffiti Organisation; the vehicle was subsequently auctioned for charity. Revell has re-issued its great little ‘Trabbi’ as a limited edition, with markings for the anniversary vehicle, complete with graffiti. The moulds are unchanged, and provide nine Trabant 601S Universal ‘25 styrene runners, five vinyl tyres and a single-piece body. By comparison the Jahre Mauerfall’ decal sheet is amazing, and faithfully By: Revell reproduces the graffiti right down Item no: 02014 to each artist’s signature. Given the Scale: 1/24 size of most of these decals, fitting is likely to be a challenge, especially on Price: £24.99 the compound curves of the roof and Available from: bonnet, although the completed model Revell, www.revell.de/en will certainly be eye-catching.

PRODUCT SPEC

PRODUCT SPEC

Hasegawa’s re-issue of its YZR500 contains markings for both bikes operated by the Kenny Roberts Lucky Strike team in 1989. With ten styrene runners, vinyl tyres, cables, screws and a metal spring, the complex shape of the YZR500 has been captured accurately. The bike is packed with detail, particularly the engine and gearbox, although these will largely be hidden once the fairing is added. Notably absent from the kit are chrome parts, which tend to be like Marmite for modellers (love Yamaha YZR500 ‘Team Lucky it or hate it)...any bright metallic Strike Roberts 1989’ finishes will need painting with By: Hasegawa the requisite colours. Two options Item no: 21710 are provided on the decal sheet, although ‘Lucky Strike’ sponsor and Scale: 1/12 ‘Dunlop’ tyre decals will need to be Price: £42.99 sourced from after-market products: Available from: • ‘3’ ridden by Wayne Rainey Amerang, amerang.co.uk • ‘5’ ridden by Kevin Magee

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The 1960s and 1970s have long been regarded as the ‘golden years’ of Formula 1, and Ebbro’s Tyrrell 003 exemplifies that period. Comprising seven styrene runners, pre-assembled mirror mounts, a single-piece lower body and driver-specific upper chassis parts, this is a detailed kit that replicates either Jackie Stewart’s No.11 or François Cevert’s No.12 cars from 1971's Monaco GP. Impressive features include the detailed engine, pre-painted rubber/vinyl Tyrrell 003 1971 Monaco GP tyres and metal pre-assembled rearview mirror supports. Four options By: Ebbro are offered on the Cartograf decal Item no: 20007 sheet, two each for Stewart and Scale: 1/20 Cevert. The alternative numbers (5 and 6) are incorrectly identified Price: £49.99 as being for the 1971 Spanish GP Available from: (both cars were raced with the same The Hobby Company, numbers as Monaco)...instead these www.hobbyco.net are applicable to 1971's Dutch GP.

PRODUCT SPEC

PRODUCT SPEC

Labelled as an ‘intuitive build’, this release is better described as a ‘snaptogether’ kit, as it can be assembled without either glue or paint. To cater for the latter, the parts are produced in different styrene colours, chrome, and offer a clear or black sunroof. Given its easy-build status, there is not a great deal of detail, with the suspension moulded integrally to the one-piece Premium-Tech Sporty Sedan underside, yet all parts are crisply Azera moulded and devoid of flash. Rubber By: Academy tyres are provided, which, with the Item no: 15121 chrome wheel hubs, will provide a point of interest on the monotone exterior. Scale: 1/24 This is a great beginner kit, but could Price: £16.99 be turned into a show-stopper with Available from: careful detail painting, particularly of Pocketbond, pocketbond.co.uk the interior features.

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ON THE SHELF SCI-FI KITS

Straight from the world of Marvel, and courtesy of Dragon, comes a 1/9 figure of Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord... the half-human hero from last year’s cinematic smash Guardians of the Galaxy. With just 22 components, moulded in soft styrene, this kit has been designed for easy assembly, with the company claiming that it could be built in under an hour. Despite the low parts count there are a number of options, which include various handguns and whether the face mask is on/ off – regardless of the latter, the character is provided

To say this latest sci-fi offering from Hasegawa is packed with styrene is something of an understatement, as it contains a bumper 24 grey and tan runners. That said, this does provide sufficient parts for two complete battle suits, which include pilot figures and a choice of smart gun or fixed arm weaponry. A huge amount of detail is crammed into this kit, from the cockpit interior (which can be posed open) to the fully articulated joints. Although there are sufficient symbols and numerals to make whatever scheme one would want, the colourful kit options, printed in a reference/

Guardians of the Galaxy – Star-Lord By:

Dragon

Item no:

38339

Scale:

1/9

Price:

£49.99

Available from: Amerang, www.amerang.co.uk

with a full head of hair, faithfully reproduced in miniature! The moulding is excellent, with just the merest hint of a seam on the larger parts, such as the coat-tails. Unsurprisingly, there is just a single ‘scheme’, with a full painting guide and Gunze Aqueous/Mr. Hobby and Model Master paint references.

PRODUCT SPEC

HEAVY BATTLE ARMOUR

PRODUCT SPEC

RELUCTANT SAVIOUR

PRECIOUS METAL HERO

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Iron Man 3 Mark XXXIII – Silver Centurion Armor By:

Dragon

Item no: 38333 Scale:

1/9

Price:

£49.99

Available from: Amerang, www.amerang.co.uk

By:

Hasegawa

Item no:

64107

Scale:

1/20

Price:

£79.99

Available from: Amerang, www.amerang.co.uk

BY YOUR COMMAND The re-imagined Battlestar Galactica series brought a more realistic approach to the classic sci-fi series, and this was epitomised by the look of its Cylon Centurions, which lost their ‘walking toaster’ resemblance and were sleeker, more menacing and almost organic in design. Revell’s new release is a re-boxing of the excellent Moebius kit, right down to the brownish-grey hue of the 15 styrene runners and base, and the large stylised ‘M’ on the underside of the latter. The Centurion depicted has a more humanoid ‘hand’ than other designs, which had four longer claw-like fingers... the consequence is that the hand into halves. Built in five main sub-assemblies, this will be an easy build and offers two options; a ‘standard’ figure with hand-mounted repulsors, or with a large metallic blade projecting from each forearm. The inclusion of a base is a neat addition, and allows the model to be displayed appropriately.

PRODUCT SPEC

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A product of Tony Stark’s inventive mind, the Iron Man armour has undergone a host of alterations and improvements since the original Mark I, and this latest offering from Dragon represents one of the later models. Comprising five dark grey styrene runners, this kit features one of the best examples of figure moulding to date, with complex parts such as the forearms and feet reproduced as singlepiece hollow structures, rather than being split

Maschinen Krieger 44 Type Mk 44 Ammoknights

operations manual format, are: • 3rd Company ‘Devil Octopus’, 3rd AT Regiment, Sgt Lloyd Allenby • 5th MK Company, 2nd Armed Regiment, Captain Helmut Grabbe • The Six of Hearts, 3rd MK Company ‘Card Soldiers’, 2nd Armed Regiment • The Ace of Spades, 3rd MK Company ‘Card Soldiers’, 2nd Armed Regiment

Battlestar Galactica – Cylon Centurion By:

Revell

Item no:

04990

Scale:

1/6

Price:

£29.99

Available from: Revell, www.revell.de/en

only partially retracts when the weapons are employed. One drawback to this kit is that, despite a high parts count, there is only a single, slightly awkward pose; despite this it will build into an impressive model.

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ON THE SHELF

MARITIME KITS

WE’VE FOUND HER!

NARVIK’S DEMISE

REVOLUTIONARY WARSHIP

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1/350

Price:

£47.50

Available from: The Hobby Company, www.hobbyco.net

Scale:

1/700

Price:

£29.99

Available from: Pocketbond, www.pocketbond.co.uk

Designed to carry troops and armour onto enemy beaches, Landing Ship Medium (LSM) vessels operated in the Pacific theatre during World War Two. Revell’s release of the early variant of LSM comprises 16 styrene runners, separate hull and deck parts. Intended as a full-hull kit, for which a sturdy stand is provided, there is an engraved line on the hull interior which enables a waterline option to be built, although this will also require modifications to the interior bulkheads. With plenty of detail throughout, including 20mm cannon and associated gun tubs, and a full load of M4 Shermans, M8 Greyhounds and 2 ½ ton trucks, there is huge scope for US Navy Landing Ship Medium a port or beach landing diorama. Four options, two all-over grey and (early) two camouflaged, are offered on By: Revell the comprehensive decal sheet, Item no: 05123 which also includes national Scale: 1/144 markings for the vehicles: • LSM-14, Pacific, 1944 Price: £36.99 • LSM-133, Pacific, 1944 Available from: • LSM-201, Pacific, 1945 Revell, www.revell.de/en • LSM-210, Pacific, 1945

PRODUCT SPEC

PRODUCT SPEC

Scale:

PACIFIC ASSAULT SHIP

Trumpeter’s latest small-scale naval offering is the first all-biggun warship, HMS Dreadnought... a design so revolutionary that all subsequent battleships were given the label ‘dreadnought’. Packed with seven light grey styrene runners, two photo-etched metal frames and separately moulded deck, with options for full and waterline hulls, the level of detail is outstanding. Care will be needed to avoid damaging the incredibly thin deck sidewalls, and although there is no representation of the anti-torpedo nets, all 26 support arms are included. For those building the full-hull version, a small stand and nameplate is included. Of note, as configured HMS Dreadnought 1907 in 1907, Dreadnought would By: Trumpeter have featured 27 12-pdr guns, Item no: 06704 however, Trumpeter directs the fitting of 29...the solution is to omit the two guns from the port forecastle. Just a single all-over dark grey scheme is offered, with White Ensigns reproduced on the tiny decal sheet.

also present for very fine details such as railings, radar and mine fuses, and a single colour scheme of light and dark grey is provided, but there is no date information.

PRODUCT SPEC

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RV Le Suroît was one of two vessels that found the ill-fated Titanic in 1985 and here, Revell offers a re-mould of Heller’s kit of the high-tech research craft. For the product’s age it’s actually not too bad, and comes via five styrene runners and one in clear for the bridge windows. It’s full-hull only, but does offer details such as the large cranes on the rear deck, ship’s boats and a submersible. A rear winch unit is also offered, but is a little clunky in its replication. Titanic Searcher ‘Le Suroît’ Any experience maritime modeller, though, will be able to make subtle By: Revell improvements to the kit in general Item no: 05131 to produce a great replica. The decal Scale: 1/200 sheet is well printed and provides the black hull trim line in sections, Price: £17.99 French flag and branding for IFREMER, Available from: the French oceanographic institute. Revell, www.revell.de/en There’s also a display stand.

Dragon’s delightful kit depicts Z26, the 1936A-Class vessel sunk by the Royal Navy’s HMS Trinidad and HMS Eclipse, while in the Barents Sea in March 1942. One is treated to optional full-hull and waterline formats here, on a kit which is excellent throughout and based on Dragon’s previous mouldings of the 1936A (Mob) (Dragon’s Z38 was built in October 2012’s issue). Highlights include faithfully reproduced torpedo tubes, bilge keel and antennas. Even a full array of mines on rails is included, and the moulding of the anti-aircraft and main armament scores highly. A styrene display stand features finial-style supports, which could always German Z26 Destroyer be sprayed with brass paint and By: Dragon added to a replacement wooden Item no: 1064 plinth. Photo-etched brass is

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ON THE SHELF

DECAL SHEETS

404 Squadron Beaufighters By:

Aviaeology

Item no:

AOD32010

Scale:

1/32

Price:

Can $20.39

Available from: Aviaeology, www.aviaeology.com

be employed if one buys part two of the collection, which is considerably cheaper (reviewed next issue). Choices include: • NE686/EO-T • NE825/EO-G • NV291/EO-H • NV416/EO-J

ORANGE TRIANGLE BIRDS

PRODUCT SPEC

National insignia doesn’t come more noticeable than the earlier orange markings of the Netherlands. But when coupled with truly interesting types such as Fokker fighters and the Dornier Do 215 (let’s face it, it’s weird not seeing these with German crosses!), one has a great theme on which to build, courtesy of Dutch Decal’s sheet. The markings are well printed, with a real richness to the orange, while the white numbers should offer respectable opacity. With a generous nine liveries in total, one has plenty of choice if ICM Dorniers, or Special Hobby/ Classic Airframe/RS Models Fokkers are in the stash.

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Dornier Do 215B-2, Fokker D.XXIII/D.XXI LVA By:

Dutch Decal

Item no: 48055 Scale:

1/48

Price:

€14.95

Available from: Dutch Decal, www.dutchdecal.nl

The arrival of the 1/72 Minicraft Mariner brought with it a debate among modellers over the colour scheme provided. The all too familiar overall blue is not that inspiring and the choice of decal options in the kit were okay, but more interesting liveries could have been researched. Caracal has come to the rescue, though, with two sheets for the Mariner, which will please World War Two fans and those seeking post-war options. Note before choosing one’s favoured scheme, one should research the correct radar fit as the kit includes both sets. No nose-art features on either sheet, so PBM-5/PBM-5A Mariner Part 1 By:

Caracal Models

Item no:

CD72015

Scale:

1/72

Price:

£7.99

Available from: Caracal Models, www.caracalmodels.com

let’s hope a follow-up might provide this: • PBM-5A BuNo: 122603, Naval Air Test Center, NAS Patuxent River, 1949 • PBM-5S, BuNo: 84767/XA/32, VX-1, NAS Key West, 1949 • PBM-5S, BuNo: 45428/C428, VPB-26, Saipan, 1945 • PBM-5, BuNo: 45416/6 ‘Umbriago III’, VPB-21, 1945 • PBM-5A, BuNo: 12208/081, VR-21, Yokosuka, Japan, 1950

EARLY JET TRIO

Federal Standard and RLM paint codes are provided, and the choices include: • Fokker D.XXI, 213, Netherlands, 1938 • Fokker D.XXI, FD-322, Welschap AB, Eindhoven • Do 215B-2, 874, Bergen AB, 1940 • Do 215B-2, 875, Bergen AB, 1940 • Fokker D.XXIII, 998, Fokker factory, Schipol, 1940

For anyone with HK Models’ big Meteor, Kits World’s recent offering for the type offers an international flavour and a closer-to-home option... albeit in civilian garb. The latter, Gloster’s own ‘Yellow Peril’ flown by chief test pilot Eric Greenwood, is resplendent in overall yellow and with ‘Gloster Meteor IV/ Rolls-Royce Derwent Engines’ legends on the nose. The other options are from the Netherlands and Egyptian air forces, in bare metal. In detail, the choices

PRODUCT SPEC

PRODUCT SPEC

Aviaeology has already delved into the subject of Canadian Beaufighters, but has more material up its sleeve. The issue, though, is that these markings are for the TF.X sub-type, and the only easy way one can render it in 1/32 scale is to obtain the limited edition Revell/Lodella boxing, which marries the Matchbox Mk.If mould with conversion parts. But if one does have an example of this kit in the stash then these markings will be an absolute boon. They represent aircraft from Canada’s 404 Squadron, and while six options are provided, there are also six others that can

MIGHTY BOAT!

PRODUCT SPEC

CANADIAN ROCKETERS

Gloster Meteor Mk.IV - F.4 By:

Kits World

Item no:

KW132086

Scale:

1/32

Price:

£10.20

Available from: Kits World, www.kits-world.com

comprise the following: • F.IV, EE455, Gloster Aircraft Company • F.4, Y9-5, 323 Sqn, Royal Netherlands AF, Leeuwarden, 1950s • F.4, 1406, 20 Sqn, Royal Egyptian AF, Almazah, 1950

Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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ON THE SHELF

DECAL SHEETS

PRODUCT SPEC

The Mariner continued in service long after World War Two in its original sub-hunting role, and developed into a transport for a number of naval air stations in the US. Such was the type's endurance that some were repainted in the new white/blue colours of the US Navy’s emerging anti-submarine warfare fleet at the start of the Cold War. Covering the latter stages of the PBM-5’s career, the four options provided (with limited stencilling) all require careful consideration as to which parts are associated with each option, but fortunately everything one needs is provided in Minicraft’s kit. The standout option has to be the black and white example based PBM-5/PBM-5A Mariner Part 2 By:

Caracal Models

Item no:

CD72016

Scale:

1/72

Price:

US $9.99

Available from: Caracal Models, www.caracalmodels.com

at NAS Corpus Christi. Note the different radar fits and ensure that reference material is at hand. The four choices comprise: • PBM-5T, 84780/108/3C, ATU-501, NAS Corpus Christi, 1955 • PBM-5A, 122079, US Naval Academy, Annapolis, 1953 • PBM-5, 84682/BA, VP-47, 1951 • PBM-5A, 122602/602, VR-21, NAF Oppama, 1950

NOCTURNAL PREDATORS

Luftwaffe fans now have these very useful code letters/ numbers for versatility in producing nightfighter schemes not offered in kits or on the after-market. The items come in the following sizes: 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5 and 7mm, and should be more than enough to cater for multiple models of subjects such as the Ju 88, Do 215/217, Bf 110, He 219 and more. The codes are very thin, and with a satin finish, and almost no carrier

film is visible so application over gloss varnish should yield excellent results.

PRODUCT SPEC

FLYING BOAT TWILIGHT

German Luftwaffe Night Fighter Grey Codes By:

Fantasy Printshop

Item no:

FP907

Scale:

1/72

Price:

£6.95

Available from: Fantasy Printshop, www.fantasyprintshop.co.uk

CAMM’S CLASSIC

Hawker Hunter in RAF Service By:

Fantasy Printshop

Item no: FPAF 48-001 Scale:

1/48

Price:

£23.95

Available from: Fantasy Printshop, www.fantasyprintshop.co.uk

SMART BIPLANE SCHEMES

content, while another two offer serials and codes; roundels also feature. Options include: • F.1, WT692/S, 54 Sqn, RAF Odiham, 1956 • F.4, WV275/D, S/L R Chapman, OC IV(AC) Sqn, RAF Jever, West Germany, 1956 • F.5, WP119/T, 1(F) Sqn, RAF Tangmere, 1955 • F.6, XF383, 12 Sqn, RAF Honington, 1984 • FGA.9, XF421/C, 8 Sqn, Khormaksar, Aden, 1962

Eduard’s recently released SSW D.III surely prompted excitement with Great War modellers, but it never hurts to have alternative markings. Pheon’s selection offers ten markings sets, with real variety in the colours and unit/pilot artwork. The instructions provide the usual well-researched history and information on each choice, airframe feature notes and high-quality colour profiles on thick, glossy paper...frameworthy for sure! Some of the options include: • 8356/17, Fritz Beckhardt, Kest 5, Lahr, Germany, November 1918 • 1618/18, Oblt Heinrich

PRODUCT SPEC

PRODUCT SPEC

Having already released a dazzling array of 1/72 RAF Hunter markings to complement the recent AIRfile book on the type, Fantasy Printshop has now turned its attention to 1/48 scale, so those with Academy/ Italeri kits (and conversions) can replicate Camm’s gorgeous creation. As with the smallerscale examples, the choice is bewildering (34) and one will want to build Hunters until the cows come home! And due to the long service period represented, one receives beautiful examples of colourful squadron artwork, including the lovely 34 Squadron F.4 with large nose motif and invasion stripes, as used in Suez. Two sheets carry the colourful

Siemens-Schuckert D.III By:

Pheon Decals

Item no:

48037

Scale:

1/48

Price:

£11.75

Available from: Pheon Decals, www.pheondecals.com

Dembrowski, Kest 5, Lahr, November 1918 • 8346/17, Jasta 19, Balâtre, April 1918 • Ltn Joachim von Ziegesar, jasta 15, May 1918 • 8349/18, Kest 4b, September 1918 • 606 (ex 8356/17), Swiss Air Force, Dubendorf, 1920 Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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ON THE SHELF

DECAL SHEETS

Lovers of the mighty ‘Iron Tadpole’ have a stunning, 13-strong selection of US Marine Corps markings here. While all wear the standard Light Gull Gray over White garb, most are decorated with colourful unit artwork on the tails and/or rudders. The earliest jet is an A-6A from Vietnam in 1966, but the career span runs to the ‘Echo’ model as late as 1983. Federal Standard paint codes, and a full stores carriage diagram, are also offered and the overall black markings, such as codes, come on a separate sheet. Highlights include: • A-6E, 159314/1/VK, VMA (AW) 121,

Here’s another offering from Xtradecal to support its first batch of recent 1/48 RAF Tornado liveries (reviewed in Issue 50, Jan 2015). Due to the designations, the camouflage still remains squarely in the wrap-around green-grey from the 1980s/90s, along with larger and more colourful squadron badges on nose and tail. The colours on the decals themselves are rich in tone and have good register. There are five options, which are:

By:

Furball Aero-Design

Item no:

48-037

Scale:

1/48

Price:

US $19.99

Available from: Furball Aero-design, www.furballaero-design.com

SKYHAWK SEXTUPLETS

PRODUCT SPEC

BAE Systems has, for some time, operated A-4 Skyhawks in Germany to provide banner towing, Ground Control Intercept and Close Air Support Training services for NATO. Ex-Israeli airframes, four of the six ‘Scooters’ wear smart white/ blue liveries, while the other two sport three-tone Israeli shades over grey, and overall grey. Two Bobs’ markings are designed to fit Hasegawa’s A-4N Skyhawks, but the firm’s A-4E/F can also be used with a Quickboost tail nozzle extension. The instructions are comprehensive, with

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A-4Ns Wings of Wittmund By:

Two Bobs

Item no: 48-243 Scale:

1/48

Price:

US $14

Available from: Two Bobs, www.twobobs.net

FS codes and brand equivalents, along with advice on under-wing fits. The six options, all from March 2009, comprise: • N431FS • N432FS • N434FS • N437FS • N262WL • N268WL

Panavia Tornado GR.1/ GR.1A Pt 2 By:

Xtradecal

Item no:

X48-135

Scale:

1/48

Price:

£7.99

Available from: Hannants, www.hannants.co.uk

• ZD890/AE, 9 Sqn, RAF Bruggen, 1990 • ZA575/FF, 12 Sqn, RAF Lossiemouth, 1994 • ZG707/B, 13 Sqn, RAF Honington, 1990 • ZA613/04, 27 Sqn, RAF Marham, 1983 • ZD740/DA, 31 Sqn, RAF Bruggen, 1985

VOUGHT'S CLASSIC FIGHTER Whether one has Revell’s new F4U-1A or older offerings such as those from Hasegawa or Academy, this collection of Corsairs really will get the creative juices flowing for fans of the type...and even those who hadn’t previously considered it. Fifteen aircraft in total represented, and with regard to camouflage there’s an interesting mix of standard US Pacific three-tone Sea Blue/Intermediate Blue/White, Gloss Sea Blue, painted silver and Fleet Air Arm Extra Dark Sea Grey and Slate Grey. Even a small scattering of nose-art features. Options include: • Mk.II, JT260/P54, 757 NAS, HMS Unicorn, July 1944 • F4U-1A, NZ5272-

PRODUCT SPEC

USMC Intruders

MCAS Cherry Point, 1977 • A-6A, 155700/0/CE, VMA (AW) 225, Da Nang AB, RVN, 1969 • A-6E, 159316/08/EA, VMA (AW) 332, 1978 • A-6A, 155687/3/ED, VMA (AW) 533, Nam Phong RTAB, Thailand, 1972 • A-6A, 152835/3/ED, VMA (AW) 533, Da Nang AB, 1966 • A-6E, 155707/10/ED, VM (AW) 533, 1978

PRODUCT SPEC

MORE OF BLIGHTY’S ‘SWINGERS’

PRODUCT SPEC

LEATHERNECK BOMBERS

USMC/FAA/RNZAF Corsairs By:

Xtradecal

Item no:

X72209

Scale:

1/72

Price:

£7.99

Available from: Hannants, www.hannants.co.uk

5307/307, 1 Servicing Unit, RNZAF, Guadalcanal, October 1944 • Goodyear FG-1D, 14 Sqn, RNZAF, Iwakuni, Japan, 1946 • F4U-1A, 17965/8, 1st Lt Stout, VMF 422, USMC, 1944 • Brewster F3A, JS479/BH2/Q, 718 NAS, RNAS Ballhalbert, mid-1945 • FG-1, 17656/2, MABG 2, USMC ‘Project Joe’, March 22, 1945

Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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MODEL MART

CLASSIFIEDS

Tel: 01530 231407 www.aviationbookcentre.com Unmade or already built, any quantity, especially large collections, Will collect nationwide and pay best cash price.

Please call 01202-976974. or 07901-890461. Thank you.

Email: [email protected]

PRODUCTS Stands to reason

www.sphereproducts roducts.co.uk .co.uk

BESPOKE BE SPOKE STORAGE SY SYSTEMS STEMS TRANSIT TRANSI T CASE CASES, S, TOOLS AND WOR WORKSTATI KSTATIONS ONS  + 4 4 (0) 0)14 1473 7363 6367 6787 87 e: sphere spherepr produ oducts cts@bt @btinternet internet.com .com 19 Anson Anson Road, Road, Martlesham Ma rtlesham Heath, Ipswich Ipsw ich,, IP5 3RG

Fast and friendly service Easy to navigate webshop

You can also view and buy from our huge selection of Eduard kits, etch and Brassin, as well as our massive range of kits from Valom, A-model, Pavla, Sword and many other hard to find brands.

www.oxoniansplasticfantastic.co.uk [email protected]

Large range of over 3500 models, figures, tools and accessories from Revell, Airfix, Italeri, Tamiya and many more, ready for immediate despatch Based in the Midlands since 2001 with worldwide shipping available

Web: www.models2u.co.uk Email: [email protected]

Phone: 01543 433999

To advertise here T please call Tom Lee on 01780 755131 or email [email protected]

FOR ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES CALL TOM LEE ON: +44 01780 755131

Freightdog Models

Home of Blue Max and Pegasus Models Online shop for kits, decals ands accessories www.freightdogmodels.co.uk +44 (0) 1342 716004 Fairlight, Sandy Lane, Crawley Down, Crawley, RH10 4HX

Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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ON THE SHELF ACCESSORIES

7301

Spitfire Mk.Vb interior

Scale:

1/72

Price:

€7.80

Available from: www.cmkkits.com

WEASEL WEAPONS

PRODUCT SPEC

The AGM-78 was a hefty anti-radar missile carried by the F-105G and F-4G ‘Wild Weasel’ aircraft, and A-6B. If one plans to portray any of these in 1/48 scale, look no further than Eduard’s version, two of which are supplied along with the appropriate decals. The stores come with separate rear fins and rocket exhausts, and are rendered beautifully.

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AGM-78 Standard ARM By:

Eduard

Item no:

648 167

Scale:

1/48

Price:

€9.95

Available from: www.eduard.com

By:

Eduard

Item no:

49695

Scale:

1/48

Price:

€18.95

Available from: www.eduard.com

Airbrush Camo-mask for German King Tiger Scheme 1 By:

J’s Work

Item no:

5007

Scale:

1/35

Price:

US $6.99

Available from: www.luckymodel.com

ARROW SENSORS

PROPAGANDA TOOL A great piece to go with a single figure, or to enliven a vignette or larger diorama, Plus Model’s splendid cine camera could inspire many scenes. How about a war correspondent/film-maker, or official military propaganda specialist on assignment...the choice is myriad as to what might be being filmed. The nine-part resin camera features great detail throughout. Camera By:

Plus Model

Item no:

EL063

Scale:

1/35

Price:

€3.30

Available from: www.plusmodel.cz

The larger the scale, the greater the chance that poor detail will detract from the completed model. With this in mind, for a finishing touch to HK Models’ Do 335 modellers need look no further than Profimodeller’s turned brass pitot tubes. Produced as direct replacements for the kit parts, these beautifully replicated additions truly capture the shape of the real item, right down to the hollowed tips. Do-335 Pitot Tubes By:

Profimodeller

Item no: 32210 Scale:

1/32

Price:

€4.31

Available from: www.profimodeller.com

Paul Wade’s Red Zebra range continues to offer highly useful and convincing items for military modellers who favour 1/48 scale. This cool drop-fit arrangement of sandbags and spare wheel, in resin, is for Tamiya’s M10 tank destroyer, and benefits from excellent sculpting and casting. A support plank is also supplied, and the package really will inject extra life and authenticity to an already interesting vehicle.

PRODUCT SPEC

Item no:

The German ‘Ambush’ scheme can be tricky to apply convincingly, but this comprehensive set of kabuki tape masks will ease the task considerably for anyone completing a Henschel-turret King Tiger. One simply airbrushes the first colour, and then adds the correct following mask sections in between spraying to complete the job. Even a separate template for airbrushing the camouflage spots on each field is supplied. The masks are great value and the result should be a fablooking tank.

EXTRA PROTECTION

M10 Sandbagged Hull By:

Red Zebra

Item no:

N/A

Scale:

1/48

Price:

£6

Available from: www.redzebramodels.co.uk

TANK-KILLERS Master already stunned us with its exquisite rockets created with Airfix’s 1/24 Typhoon in mind (see Accessories, Jan 2015). Here, the firm offers alternative warheads in fragmentation, armourpiercing and semi-armour-piercing formats. Eight of each, in turned aluminium, are provided with fusing caps for the frag’ versions and decals designed by Poland’s AMDG. The heads must be used in conjunction with Master’s existing rocket bodies in sets 24-011/012.

PRODUCT SPEC

CMK

RecceLite Reconnaissance Pod

PRODUCT SPEC

By:

Airfix’s new Spitfire Mk.Vb is a great kit. But any styrene offering can stand extra detail, so if one wishes to enliven the cockpit then this photo-etched metal set is a must. It offers plain and pre-coloured (self-adhesive) parts, such as the throttle, seat straps, head armour, rudder pedals, seat lever and canopy locking mechanism. Also present are brake lines, access door crowbar and lock, and grilles for the radiator and oil cooler.

PRODUCT SPEC

PRODUCT SPEC

For an up-to-date jet build, CMK’s Rafael RecceLite pod is just the ticket. It comes in two resin parts and has the correct air intake and outlet shutters, and also provided are 18 photo-etched metal Remove Before Flight streamers, and a decal sheet. This electro-optical store equips aircraft flown by Chile, Italy, the Netherlands, Singapore and Spain, among others, on aircraft such as the Tornado and F-16.

REGAL CAMO

PRODUCT SPEC

LEGEND’S OFFICE

PRODUCT SPEC

EYE IN THE SKY

British RP-3 Rocket additional warheads By:

Master Model

Item no:

AM-24-013

Scale:

1/24

Price:

£12.80

Available from: www.master-model.pl

Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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ON THE SHELF

RECENTLY RELEASED DRAGON

 6133 U.S. Infantry (winter uniform)

 324 Lockheed VC-140B JetStar

 2015 Mark.IV Tadpole WWI Heavy

Tank

www.hobbyco.net 1/72  7323 Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.M w/Schürzen

7514 Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.F1/F2 1/56 (28mm)

1/72  729 Vomag Omnibus 7 OR 660

WWII German Staff Bus

 Sd.Kfz.234/2 Puma

ZVEZDA

1/35

www.hobbyco.net

 6535 Sd.Kfz.165 Hummel-Wespe

1/350  6509 Golden Hind Sir Francis

Drake’s Flagship

 6711 Sd.Kfz.10/4 fur 2cm Flak 30

1/48

TAKOM

 2736 Harvard Mk.IIa

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1940 Production w/Ammo Trailer

2008x Mk.IV Workable Tracks  2010 Mark.IV ‘Hermopohrodite’

WWI Heavy Battle Tank

1/144  6185 Soviet High-Speed Bomber

SB-2

 2744 Wessex HAS.1

EBBRO www.hobbyco.net  2011 Skoda 30.5cm M1916

1/24

Siege Howitzer Sevastopol 1942

25003-4800 Renault 4 Fourgonnette

 6218 British Light Bomber Fairey

1/20 20007 Tyrell 003 1971 Monaco GP ITALERI

Battle 1/35  5619 Vosper MTB 74 St. Nazaire

raid

www.hobbyco.net 1/72  2013 Bundeswehr T3

 1222 MC.202 Folgore

Transporter Bus 1/24

7013 Il-62M Civil Airliner

3895 MAN TGX XLX

1/72  5026 ISU-152 Soviet Tank Destroyer

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6802 French Line Infantry 18121815 6121 German Motorcycles World War II

6808 Russian Line Infantry 18121814 Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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KIT COURT

OUTSIDE F1

Trevor Pask makes a case for re-releasing and issuing all-new race car kits from outside the F1 circus

EXHIBIT 1

 Italy's Protar teamed-up with Japanese boutique kit maker Modellers in the 1980s to produce this now very rare Lola F3000 racer.

F

ormula One is often the only form of singleseat motor racing that gets substantial media coverage...and the output of injection-moulded kits reflects this bias. The majority have been produced by Revell in 1/24 scale and Tamiya in 1/20. More recently, Fujimi and Ebro moved into the latter scale – often with historic kits that are easier to licence. Hasegawa has also tentatively dipped its toe back into the 1/20 historic market. However, there is a thriving world of single-seat racing outside Formula One, but no one would know if they just read the sports pages and examined the kit releases. There have been brief modelling

glimpses of this other world, though. In the late 1980s Hasegawa produced a series of 1/24 kits of F3000 cars, and Italian manufacturer Protar aligned itself with the small Japanese firm of Modellers to explore the same subject. F3000 was the then name of the Formula One ‘feeder’ series, and as the teams used two standard chassis, Hasegawa maximised its tooling to model almost a full grid of cars. These and the Protar/ Modellers kit were, and are, stunning and are long overdue a reappearance. In 1993, Tamiya also ventured away from Formula One when Nigel Mansell sensationally defected from F1 to Indy Car. A kit of his machine soon appeared in the 1/20 series, which was

also issued in modified form as the striking Duracell Batterysponsored car. Both kits certainly merit being re-released. While the wider availability of these older products would be welcome, there is still the current world outside Formula One. F3000 is now called GP2; the racing is spectacular and first-time visitors to Grand Prix often mistake GP2 cars for their Formula One big brethren. Nigel Mansell moved back to Formula One but Indy Car is still there, and arguably has a deeper driver talent pool than its counterpart. The cars are attractive and being standard chassis, one or two sets of tooling would enable virtually an entire grid to be modelled. With Formula One going through a popularity crisis, and with a single-seat Formula E electric

series coming to city centre circuits in 2015, perhaps the time might be right for an enterprising kit manufacturer to recognise ❚ this modelling potential.

HEARINGS If there’s a kit you’d love to see re-released or produced then state your case to the world via AMW. What you need to supply is 300350 words for a ‘reasonable’ case, a good quality photo and two to three high-resolution box-top scans to help illustrate the subject. AMW can’t promise a new kit by the end of the year, but the industry will definitely get to hear a ‘modeller’s case!’ email: chris.clifford@ keypublishing.com

EXHIBIT 2

 Eddie Jordan owned an F1 team, but before that he ran an F3000 outfit. Hasegawa produced the kit and the livery was identical to that of the Lotus F1 car of the same year.

THE NEXT ISSUE IS ON SALE MARCH 5* *UK scheduled on sale date. Please note that overseas deliveries are likely to occur after this date.

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Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com

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Hobby Link 2015.indd 1

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Lucky Models F_P.indd 1

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