ISSUE 53
+WS NUREMBERG SHOW THE NEW KITS FOR 2015... 0 IE V 5RE
CZECH SPEEDSTER 1/72 Avia B.534 test-shot build
CIVIL CLASSIC
APR 2015 £4.30
VINTAGE BUILD! We showcase Airfix’s re-released Vickers Vanguard
SWEDISH THUNDER
WINTER WARRIOR
SILVER PERIOD FIGHTER
1/48 SAAB JA 37 Viggen
1/35 KV-5 Super Heavy Tank
1/72 Bristol Bulldog Mk.II
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EDITOR'S DESK
WELCOME
Editorial
Editor: Assistant Editor: Editor's Secretary:
Chris Clifford Stu Fone Vanessa Smith
Contributors
Andy Moore, Chris Jones, Craig West, Mike Grant, Sonia Maes, Andy Davies, Jan P. Forsgren
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. 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.
The average sale for the period Jan – Dec 2013 was 11,488 print and digital copies monthly.
L
WELCOME
ike a Tornado GR.4 through the Cumbrian hills, Nuremberg whizzed by in a flash. This week-long extravaganza of promotion for the year’s forthcoming toy and hobby products always bombards the senses...but it also never fails to impress with regard to exactly how much comes into the marketplace. Here at AMW, we could turn out page after page of new item listings, there’s that much out there. It was particularly pleasing to see MiniArt back on its feet after a period of turmoil, due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and some of its military subjects will undoubtedly form the basis of stunning dioramas. Nuremberg also hits home in terms of diversity; splendid for AMW as the magazine has never shirked from non-aircraft subjects, and whether one loves cars, bikes, ships, tanks or sci-fi, there is plenty to get excited about besides the usual array of ‘things with wings’. Even the prehistoric world was represented by beautifully detailed kits of Tyrannosaurus Rex, Triceratops and Spinosaurus by Pegasus (on the Pocketbond stand)...and who doesn’t love dinosaurs? Expect to see builds of these in AMW soon, as we’ve coaxed contributor Steve Budd out of his Battle of Britain mood to tackle these wonderful subjects from millions of years ago. I’ve seen another dinosaur kit built previously by Steve, and the darned thing looked so real I thought it might take a chunk out of me! Hasegawa also has some fascinating releases from the sci-fi/Anime arenas this year, and the fact that one can buy all-new kits of subjects such as these bodes well for the hobby. The cliché ‘variety is the spice of life’ really does ring true; if that series of ten Fw 190s to portray Defence of the Reich schemes starts to get a little ‘ho-hum’, why not pick up something completely different, such as a dino or spacecraft to reinvigorate one’s mojo? There will always be a cross-section of modellers who will still be left disappointed that the ‘missing’ kit they crave still hasn’t been released (I’m still desperate for an all-new 1/72 Viggen), but on the whole, there is a huge amount to celebrate. A particular new release from Hasegawa, of the ‘steampunk’ genre, has got me excited and it absolutely screams out for antique metal finishing...Alclad lacquer sales will go through the roof.
FREE MODEL! CLAIM YOUR FREE AIRFIX SPITFIRE PR.XIX OR GLADIATOR MMk.I WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE TO AMW. SEE PAGE 56.
Chris Clifford, Editor
[email protected] Follow us at www.facebook.com/airfixmodelworld Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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CONTENTS INSIDE
14
REGULARS 06 News The latest happenings in the world of plastic modelling.
INTERMEDIATE BUILD KV-5 HEAVY TANK
CZECH SPEEDSTER Test-shot build Avia B.534
10 Show Scene At-a-glance model show calendar.
24 Your Airfix Readers get the chance to showcase their own Airfix builds.
56 FREE MODEL! Claim your free Airfix Supermarine Spitfire PR.XIX or Gloster Gladiator Mk.I when you subscribe to AMW.
78 On the shelf Twelve pages of reviews bring you the latest modelling products.
98 Kit Court Put forward your case to AMW, as to why a particular ‘missing’ kit subject should be made available.
26
30
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OUT AND ABOUT NUREMBERG 2015
INTERMEDIATE BUILD BRISTOL BULLDOG Mk.II Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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CONTENTS
INSIDE
44
INTERMEDIATE BUILD VICKERS VANGUARD
FEATURES 14 Intermediate Build – Winter Warrior Andy Moore makes his AMW debut with a stunning rendition of Takom’s 1/35 KV-5 heavy tank.
26 Out and About – 66th Nuremberg Spielwarenmesse Chris Clifford reports from the Nuremberg Toy and Hobby fair, where amazing new releases were on show. VIEW MORE ONLINE airfixmodelworld.com
30 Intermediate Build – Bader’s Bulldog The mount of legendary RAF flyer Douglas Bader is re-created by Chris Jones in his first build for AMW. He worked wonders with Airfix’s vintage kit.
38 Test-Shot Build – Czech Speedster Chris Jones assesses a test-shot of Eduard’s forthcoming 1/72 scale Avia B.534 biplane.
40 In Focus – Faster, Higher, Further Craig West from Airliner World showcases the Vickers Vanguard, with supporting period images to help with your Airfix build.
44 Intermediate Build – BEAutiful Vanguard Mike Grant works his magic with Airfix’s vintage 1/144 Vickers Vanguard re-release. The results are stunning!
52 Intermediate Build – Black Sea Predator A Soviet naval asset from World War Two is explored by Mike Grant, who builds Brengun’s exquisite 1/144 Tupolev G-5 XIII torpedo boat.
58 Intermediate Build – The Horned God One of 2000 AD’s most popular characters – the Celtic warrior Sláine – is built and painted beautifully by Sonia Maes. Dark World Creations makes the figure.
62 Intermediate Build – Swedish Thunder Andy Davies offers his first AMW build in the shape of Tarangus’s new 1/48 SAAB Viggen...and provides improvement tips.
70 In Focus – Sweden’s System 37 Fascinating history and splendid reference photos to help with your Viggen build are laid out, courtesy of Jan P. Forsgren.
62
INTERMEDIATE BUILD SAAB JA 37 VIGGEN
VIEW MORE ONLINE airfixmodelworld.com
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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NEWS BULLETIN
LATEST UPDATES
VINTAGE AND MODERN! Driffield, August 1944, and NZ426/ EY-G ‘Munga Taipo’, 78 Sqn, RAF Breighton, 1944. Airfix’s vintage 707, meanwhile, offers two very attractive liveries, and a glossier-than-usual decal THE LATEST re-releases from Airfix delve into the past, and extend the life of a more up-todate product. ‘Old school’ items to find their way back to the 2015 catalogue are the venerable 1/72 Handley Page Halifax B.III (A06008A), and Boeing 707-436 (A05171). The former comes with decals for MZ296/Z5-L ‘Lily of the Lamplight’, 462 Sqn RAAF, RAF
sheet. The schemes are: G-APFO of the British Overseas Airways Corporation, in 1970, and Air India’s VT-DJK ’Everest’, also from 1970. Last year’s C-47 was always going to reappear with different markings, and this new boxing as a Dakota Mk.IV(A08015) provides real variety, with a splendid Dan Air Services Ltd scheme of red, white and bare metal. The aircraft in question is G-AMSU at Blackbushe Airport, Hampshire, in 1955. The other option explores BOAC’s covert nature during World War Two, with the Dark Green, Dark Earth and Night-camouflaged G-AGKN from 1942.
FIRST OF THE V-FORCE UNDER-SEA HERALDRY
RUSSIAN KIT maker Micro-Mir has released a splendid 1/144 scale Vickers Valiant B.1...ideal for modellers who love bombers but are short on display space. It’s a strictly limited-run product, but the engraved panel lines are finely rendered and some of the details are impressive; there’s intake trunking and engine faces, a basic cockpit, great wheels with separate hubs and intricate undercarriage units. A quick fit of the fuselage halves revealed them to be straight and true, although our sample was marred just slightly by small blemishes between the underside engine fairings (easily
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sanded). Wing pylons and fuel tanks are provided, as is a fret of photoetched brass parts such as wing fences and a generous antenna collection. The decals display good printing and are commendably thin, and three colour schemes are on offer – two being in Anti-Flash White, and the other in High-Speed Silver with kangaroo roundel ‘zaps’: • WP206, received at RAAF Edinburgh Field, 1961 • WZ378, 7 Sqn, RAF Honington, 1961 • WP223, 90 Sqn, RAF Honington, 1960 The kit is available from Hannants in the UK (www.hannants.co.uk).
U-BOAT DECALS in any scale are a rare commodity, so the two new sheets from Luftfahrtverlag-START will be welcomed warmly by naval modellers. The markings are inspired by historical coverage and artwork in the publisher’s excellent U-Boot im Focus periodicals. START’s 1/72 sheet for Revell’s Type VIIC has fascinating and colourful artwork for Us -93, -96, -257, -258, -403, -454, -575, -581, -588, -595, -653,
-702 and- 929. Also included is a bonus U-4709 ‘hear no, speak no, see no’ artwork option for Bronco’s 1/35 Type XXIII. The second package is designed for 1/144 Type IIB and VIIC craft and regarding the latter type, decals are given for Us -93, -96, -257, -403, -454, -581,- 588, -595, -653 and -702. The Type IIBs are U-10 and U-24. Revell has re-released ICM's Type IIB kit, while the Type VII is Revell's own. To order the decals, visit: www.luftfahrtverlag-start.de
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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NEWS BULLETIN
LATEST UPDATES
SWEDISH TIGER
MORE THAN a decade has passed since the last newtool Gripen, so Revell’s latest release (04999), which is also the first 1/72 JAS-39C, has been eagerly awaited. It is clear that additional boxings, including a two-seater JAS-39D, are planned. Although the components breakdown has enabled Revell to capture the graceful lines, it has resulted in a complex ten-part fuselage. The four light grey and single clear styrene runners all appear to exhibit a slightly rough surface,
although this should disappear after painting and/or polishing respectively. Revell scores highly with the amount of detail, but care will be needed when removing some of the smaller parts, as the mould gates are rather thick. An impressive weapons load is included, with pairs of AIM-9 Sidewinder, IRIS-T, AIM-120 AMRAAM, RBS15, accurate underwing fuel tanks (at last!) and a single SPK-39 recce pod. However, it is unfortunate that Revell didn’t provide a targeting pod or
sufficient missiles for a full airto-air load, and omitted AGM-65 Maverick from the anti-shipping configuration. For modellers who wish to depict an aircraft on operations, after-market BOL chaff/flare dispensers will be required as they are missing from the kit missile rails. The splendid decal sheet, designed by Syhart, features two options: a 2014 NATO Tiger Meet airframe complete with glorious tiger/skull artwork, and a Red Flag 2013 participant. Full stencil data for aircraft, pylons and weapons is included. For further details visit: www.revell.de/en
TREATS FROM TURKEY
WE ARE delighted to bring news of a new company, Tanmodel, based in Turkey. Its first kit has just been released, in the form of the 1/72 Hürkuş-A (kit no.2904). This is the civilian version of a trainer and ground-attack aircraft being developed for the Turkish Air Force. Offering two white styrene runners and one clear, the parts feature engraved panel lines and raised detail in the cockpit, with options for raised/ lowered undercarriage and flaps. Just a single scheme
is provided on the worthy decal sheet, with markings for the prototype airframe complete with smart red trim. Tanmodel’s intent is to
eventually deliver 1/32-style detail in 1/48 kits, and the initial CAD images of the firm’s next release, a quarter-scale RF-84F Thunderstreak (which includes detailed cockpit and camera bay) look amazing. The good news continues with the announcement that there will be a 1/72 Buccaneer (1101) released later this year, along with a 1/32 F-5A; other planned subjects include a 1/48 SR-71 Blackbird, Blenheim and CASA CN-235/295, 1/32 F-5B and T-38, and an F-111 Aardvark in this larger scale. For further details visit: www.tanmodel.com
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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NEWS BULLETIN
LATEST UPDATES
{in brief}
QUARTER-SCALE RESIN
NAZI FLYING DISC...1945!
ROTARY BACKDATE Italeri has backdated its splendid 1/48 Westland Wessex to HAS.1 configuration. The move means a new nose unit and other parts, and a fresh decal sheet that provides for four Royal Navy schemes, which all feature very different colours. They comprise: • XS869/266/H, HMS Hermes SAR, 1970 • XS154/B, 845 NAS, HMS Bulwark, Borneo, 1962 • XP117/273/V, 814 NAS, HMS Victorious, 1961 • XP104/B/A, 845 NAS, Asia, 1962 Photo-etched metal parts, flattened styrene tyres, drooped rotor blades and vinyl mesh are all detail highlights. For further details visit: www.hobbyco.net and www.italeri.com
CANADIAN WINGS Thunderbird Models has released a superb set of markings for Twin Otters operated by Vancouver, Canada-based Air BC. The waterslide decals will give a new identity to Revell’s recent re-release of Matchbox’s DHC-6 kit, which also includes floats so any of Thunderbird’s three options can be employed. Air BC’s aircraft portrayed by the decals are C-FGQE/601, C-FIOH and C-GIAW...all in the carrier’s smart white, red and blue livery. The instructions also offer structural detail advice. To order, visit: www.thunderbirdmodels.co.uk
AIRFIX WINNERS The lucky trio who won prizes in AMW’s Airfix competition, in last December’s issue, are: (first) Trevor Piper, Norfolk, (second) Gary Radford, Leics, (third) Chris Evans, London.
DODGY MEXAS INFO We must apologise for providing an incorrect web link in the ‘References’ section of the Leopard C2 MEXAS build feature, in January 2015’s issue of AMW. The correct link is http://leopardclub.ca
Search: 'Airfix Model World'
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ROYALE RESIN has three new and useful sets of replacement parts for 1/48 scale subjects. Item R098 offers refined Westland Wessex mainwheels and a tailwheel (with separate flotation gear fairings for the former), while R099 provides a sharply cast pair of exhausts for said helicopter; both are designed
to fit Italeri’s kits. Moving to decidedly heavier metal, set R102 gives corrected exhausts for Revell’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet kits. This package has two detailed afterburner parts and two exhaust petal units in their closed state. For further details on these and other items in the range, visit www.royaleresin.net
FIRM FOUNDATIONS
ALTHOUGH NOT a household name, some readers will be familiar with Amera Plastic’s products, as its vacuum-formed bases are included in Airfix’s diorama packages. Not only are these now available as separate items, but Amera has also begun to market additional bases, all in white styrene, which can be used either as stand-alone dioramas or to augment existing products. While the majority are in
1/72 and 1/76 scales, complementing Airfix’s range of styrene and resin buildings and dioramas, there are 1/32 scale items to accompany the Bamboo House, Desert Outpost and Strong Point kits. A recent release is the 1/72 / 1/76 Coastal machine gun bunker and trench diorama (A121), which offers a single-sheet vac-formed diorama base, and features a trench network leading to a machine gun position. The simple design allows for plenty of scope in terms of detailing the diorama, which can either be added to Amera’s D-Day Assault base (A122) or Airfix’s D-Day Sea Assault set (A50156) to produce a larger scene, depicting both sides of these historic landings. For further details visit: www.amera.co.uk
WHILE IT is well known that German scientists led the field in aeronautical technology throughout World War Two, allegedly documentation exists to indicate they may have been much further ahead than the Allies realised. Were they flying armed UFOs by 1945, and would these have gone into combat if underground production facilities had not been destroyed? As the debate continues as to whether this was fact or fiction, at least one Japanese model company, Wave Corporation, has taken the bold step of producing a stunning 1/72 example – the Reichsflugscheibe Hanuebu. Moulded to Hasegawa standards, with finely engraved panel lines and plenty of ‘flight deck’ detail, the model measures just under 10in (25cm) across when completed. On its underside are three turrets, which allow the saucer to swoop down on Allied bomber formations from above. Landing gear is included and one can only guess at the dioramas that may be on show at a competition sometime this year. Two decal options are provided: • E40306 I./NJG 4 Florennes, Belgium, 1943 • E40823, III.Gruppe, 15./JG 400, Udetfeld, Poland, 1944 This can only be described as a ‘Marmite kit’...one will either love this sort of conjecture or loathe it! The only gripe is that an English translation is not included on the instructions. Available from Hobbylink Japan: www.hlj.com Glenn Sands
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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NEWS BULLETIN
LATEST UPDATES
COMBAT COLOURS
TWO USEFUL acrylic paint packages have been released by AK Interactive. Set 2050 offers eight newformula shades in 17ml bottles, suitable for a wealth of modern US Navy/Marines aircraft such as the F-4, A-6, F-14, F/A-18 and AH-1; certain colours, though, are applicable for USAF subjects too. The Federal Standard numbers are: 16440 Light Gull Gray, 17875 White, 33613 Radome Tan, 35164 Intermediate Blue,
36307 Light Sea Gray, 35237 Medium Gray, 36375 Light Ghost Gray and 36320 Dark Ghost Grey. World War Two Luftwaffe fans are not left wanting either, as AK’s set 2001 provides eight of the most used RLM shades (02, 65, 66, 70, 71, 74, 75, 76). For airbrush use these paints need to be diluted with AK’s 712 Thinner, and each colour comes in a slightly lighter tone for scale effect. For further details visit: www.ak-interactive.com
NEWS BULLETIN
LATEST UPDATES
JUNKERS RESIN
CZECH FIRM Master-X has released three conversions for Revell’s 1/72 Junkers F 13. Each provides crisp new upper fuselage decking, tailfins, ailerons, an exhaust and under-nose panel, along with relevant markings: • D-OBAZ/Wk.Nr.738 ‘Kronenreicher’ (floatplane), Lufthansa, 1935 • TV+00/Wk.Nr.531, Flugzeugführerschule A/B 1, Gorlitz, June 1940 • D-OMUH/Wk.Nr.764 ‘Tauchente’, Lufthansa, 1938 Revell’s F 13 is not currently in production but does appear at shows and on auction sites. Further details are on the website: www.master-x.wz.cz
CHINESE CHOPPERS IN THE UK
A RARE visit to the UK was made recently by a task group of three Chinese Navy warships, two of which carried People’s Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF) helicopters. The vessels arrived in Portsmouth Dockyard, Hampshire on January 12, and left on the morning tide
on January 16. Heading the task group was the Type 071 Yuzhao Class amphibious transport dock ship CNS Chang Bai Shan (989). Aboard the assault vessel were two Changhe Z8Js: 9571 (c/n Z8J-002) and 9557 (c/n Z8J-006). Both helicopters were from the South Sea Fleet’s 9th Division/26th Air
Regiment, shore-based at Sanya/Yaxian. For those with a Super Frelon kit who fancy a conversion, or if one is waiting for Trumpeter to produce a Z8J in 1/48, this was a very rare opportunity to see the real machines operated by the Chinese military. Glenn Sands Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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SHOW SCENE
DIARY DATES
SHOW SCENE 21-22 MAR, 2015 HORNCHURCH SPORTS CENTRE
At-a-glance model and airshow calendar
Southern Expo 2015 Hosts:
Peter Bagshaw, Robin Bellamy
Address: Hornchurch Sports Centre, Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch Road, Hornchurch, Essex, RM11 1JU Times:
Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm
Prices:
Adults £3, senior citizens £2, children £1
Tel:
01708 726102
Email:
[email protected]
Web:
www.southernexpo.co.uk
(Key - Glenn Sands) MAR 29
EAST MIDLANDS MODEL SHOW
APR 12
SHROPSHIRE SCALE MODEL SHOW
APR 25-26
9TH CAMOUFLAGE AIR CLUB EXHIBITION
APR 26
MODELKRAFT 2015
Hosts:
East Midlands Model Club
Hosts:
Shropshire Scale Modellers
Hosts:
Camouflage Air Club
Hosts:
Milton Keynes Scale Model Club
Address: The Leisure Centre, Coventry Road, Hinckley, LE10 0JR
Address: RAF Museum Cosford, Shifnal, Shropshire, TF11 8UP
Times:
10am-4.30pm
Prices:
Adults £4, concessions £2, family ticket £9
Times:
10am-4pm
Prices:
Free
Tel:
N/A
Tel:
N/A
Email:
N/A
Email:
[email protected]
Web:
www.eastmidsmodelclub. co.uk
Web:
www.shropmodels.org.uk
APR 11
SWORD & LANCE 2015
APR 18
POOLE VIKINGS/IPMS DORSET MODEL SHOW
Hosts:
Darlington Military Modelling Society
Hosts:
Poole Vikings Model Club
Address: Darlington College, Haughton Road, Darlington DL1 1DR
Address: Parkstone Grammar School, Sopers Lane, Poole, BH17 7EP
Times:
10am-4pm
Free
Prices:
Tel:
N/A
Adults £5, senior citizens £3, children free
Email:
camouflageairclub@ gmail.com
Tel:
N/A
Email:
[email protected]
Web:
www.cac-marseille. blogspot.fr
Web:
www.mksmc.co.uk
MAY 2
CARMARTHEN MODELLERS’ CLUB MODEL EXHIBITION
Hosts:
Carmarthen Modellers’ Club
APR 26
12TH MODELLBAU AUSSTELLUNG
Hosts:
Modellbaufreunde Siegen
Address: Festhalle Wilnsdorf, Rathausstrasse 9, 57234 Wilnsdorf, Germany
Adults £3, children and senior citizens £1.50, family £7
Times:
10am-5pm
Prices:
Entry €2, under-12s free
Tel:
N/A
Email:
[email protected]
Web:
www.modellbaufreundesiegen.de
Adults £3.50, concessions £1.50
Tel:
01202 743494
Tel:
01325 489801
Email:
[email protected]
Email:
[email protected]
Web:
Web:
www.dmms.moonfruit.com
www.winkton.net/ poolevikings.htm
KEY
10am-6pm
Prices:
10am-4pm
Prices:
m AIRCRAFT DISPLAY
Times:
Prices:
9.30am-4.30pm
) MODEL COMPETITION
Address: Stantonbury Leisure Centre, Milton Keynes, MK14 6BN
Times:
Times:
E MODEL DISPLAY
Address: Gymnase Michel Hidalgo, boulevard Général De Gaulle, 13730 Saint Victoret, France
Address: Carmarthen Town Library, King Street, Carmarthen, SA31 1LN Times:
10.30am-3.30pm
Prices:
Adults £1.50, children 5-16 50p, under-5s free
Tel:
N/A
Email:
carmarthenmodellers
[email protected]
Web:
www.carmarthern modellersclub.clubbz.com
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
KV-5 SUPER HEAVY TANK
WINTER WARRIOR Andy Moore builds Takom’s latest paper project, the Russian KV-5 super-heavy tank
The hull was placed on a support and then the suspension arm was added and adjusted to sit squarely on the ground.
A
s a relatively new manufacturer, Takom has made a mark for itself with a series of unusual armour releases...and its latest is certainly no exception. The KV-5 was developed initially in 1941 as a super-heavy update to the successful KV series of heavy tanks. Further development was put on hold when the production facilities at the Kirov plant fell victim to the siege of Leningrad, and later in the war the project was abandoned altogether as more advanced designs appeared. Featuring an unusual layout, and with a large primary turret reminiscent of the earlier KV-2
and a secondary turret alongside an armoured driver’s observation dome on the forward hull, the tank would have weighed in the region of 100 tons and featured armour up to 180mm thick. A 107mm ZiS-6 main gun, combined with a machine gun-equipped secondary turret would have given this monster formidable firepower. With no prototypes constructed the design may well have been forgotten but in recent years, renewed interest in these ‘paper projects’, largely as a result of the online game World of Tanks, has led kit manufacturers to release more of these lesserknown subjects.
Cemented track runs were draped around the wheels and sags formed on the upper run.
Spacers were cut from styrene tube and added to the axles, to help align the road wheels.
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Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
KV-5 SUPER HEAVY TANK
Gunze Mr. Surfacer 500 was stippled onto the parts that required a castsurface texture.
Size matters
MODEL SPEC
The first apparent feature once the box was opened was the sheer size of the tank; at 11in (27.9cm) in length, this would build into an impressive model. Although not overly complex, the kit still offered around 500 parts, almost half of which were for the independent track links. The parts were moulded in very dark grey plastic, which made construction a little harder and on this example at KV-5 Soviet Super Heavy Tank By:
Takom
Stock Code: 2006 Scale:
1/35
Price:
£49.99
Available from: Pocketbond, pocketbond.co.uk
least, were coated in a considerable amount of mould release agent, and so thorough cleaning was essential. Surface detail was quite sparse, with no texture on cast components. Also included was a small photo-etched (PE) metal fret for the engine grilles, a turned aluminium barrel and finally a well-moulded but slightly incongruous figure armed with a flame thrower. The instruction sheet was very well presented, with a brown card cover and clear, easyto-follow diagrams although, as pointed out later, there were a few small numbering errors. A small decal sheet offered two markings options, one Soviet example of the 2nd Tank Army, Kursk, 1943 in standard 4BO green, complete with patriotic slogan on the turret side, while the other scheme portrayed a captured tank in Finnish Army tri-colour camouflage. Both, of course, were purely fictional. Construction began conventionally with suspension and running gear. The instructions would have the modeller glue the wheels to the suspension arms, and then attach the complete units to the lower hull, but for this build the wheels were left separate to ease painting. The suspension arms were keyed to fit hexagonal holes in the hull sides but due to the tight tolerance of the parts the arms
A dental burr was bounced lightly over the turret sides to impart texture to the armour. The small handles on the access hatches were sliced off and replaced with loops made from fuse wire, twisted round a drill bit.
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
KV-5 SUPER HEAVY TANK Modifications were made to the fenders by carefully removing sections along the bracket line with a sharp scalpel.
A replacement figure was sourced from a MiniArt set and combined with a resin head from Hornet. Together, they made a suitable representation of a Finnish tanker.
Original turret grab handles were replaced with thin wire, and were less likely to be broken during painting and could be bent slightly to enhance realism.
Edges of armour panels were given a torch-cut effect by scoring the surface with the back of a knife blade, after the plastic was softened with liquid cement.
didn’t sit level. To remedy this, the mounting lugs on the arms were sanded to a rounder profile, to allow a degree of rotation when attached to the hull. The hull was then rested on a stack of plastic card and weighted to keep it stable; the arms were then attached and adjusted until all rested on the ground and were allowed to dry overnight. Four well-detailed drive
sprockets comprised four parts each, but unfortunately these did not fit to the tracks and required the drive teeth to be filed to a thinner profile. Next to be tackled were the bump stops, which were made up of two parts that were then attached to the hull. This stage in the instructions had a numbering error as it showed part A24 being attached
to part A10 – this should instead be part A7 attached to part A10. The main hull itself was moulded as an upper deck with a separate plain base panel, but on AMW’s example the hull was warped slightly. The sides were also quite thin and flexible, so re-enforcing strips made from 1mm plastic card were added on the inside. The rest of the lower hull went together without issue, although the mud scrapers (part A16) were left off until final assembly to allow the drive sprockets to be added after painting. One small refinement was made to the engine deck, in that the moulded pull rings on the access hatches were removed carefully and replaced with fuse wire
rings, made by wrapping the wire around a 1mm drill bit. Next to be approached were the secondary turret and driver’s observation dome. Both received a cast texture via Gunze Mr. Surfacer 500, which was stippled with a stiff brush and, once dry, sanded gently to remove any disproportionate peaks. The secondary turret had a machine gun trapped between the upper and lower halves of the turret, which allowed the gun to pivot. While this worked well, it would make detail painting harder and leave the gun prone to damage during final assembly and painting. It was therefore decided to modify the pivot mount inside the turret, by cutting away the back portion of the mount to allow the gun to be inserted from inside after final painting.
“THE FIRST APPARENT FEATURE ONCE THE BOX WAS OPENED WAS THE SHEER SIZE OF THE TANK” {16}
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
KV-5 SUPER HEAVY TANK Brackets were made to hold an unditching beam; these were from styrene strip and weld beads added from putty.
The driver dome, which sat next to the secondary turret, had three viewing slits cut into it. No inserts were provided for these, so to represent the glazing that would have filled these slits, small squares of film negative were cut and glued on the inside of the slits with white glue, once the painting was done.
Track tensions Assembly of the track runs proved to be one of the more problematic aspects. The track links themselves were well moulded and free of ejector pin marks, but required considerable clean-up due to
be needed for each side, and these were cemented together and left for a few minutes to allow the glue to set only partially. However, despite thorough cleaning of the runners before assembly, the tracks did not respond well to plastic cement and broke apart many times as they were formed around the wheels. Eventually the runs were coaxed around the temporarily attached wheels, but found to be slightly too long. Two links were removed from each run, to leave 101 per side. The upper run was then manipulated to represent sag between the return rollers, and the ends of the runs were held together with masking tape and the whole assembly was allowed to dry overnight. Once the tracks had set, an issue with the road wheels became apparent. When slid onto the axles, the wheels sat too close to the hull and were out of alignment with the drive sprocket, which meant the guide horns on the tracks wouldn’t sit correctly under the wheels. To remedy this, a 1mm spacer was cut from styrene tube and slid onto each axle. The wheels could then be slid onto the axles up to the spacer, which bought them back in line with the drive sprockets.
After priming, the whole model was base-coated in Gunze Field Grey. This acted as a pre-shade for the following coats.
The main green colour was mixed from Tamiya NATO Green and Dark Yellow. More of the latter was added to highlight the upper surfaces.
Big top the heavy mould line that ran around the edge of the links. Unfortunately, the instructions made no mention of the number of links required for each run. Going by the line artwork in the instruction sheet, 103 links would
The large faceted turret was built from four main pieces. No internal detail featured, although nothing much would be seen through the small hatches if left open. Takom supplied two polycaps for the main gun pivot, which helped
Highlights were sprayed in loose cloud patterns over the hull, and then Tamiya IJN Grey Green was added to the green mix for final highlights. Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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A Russian slogan and star were copied from the decal sheet and painted roughly on the turret, where the Finnish crew would have over-painted the old markings.
Finnish camouflage colours were sprayed freehand. Only one side was shown on the colour guide, so reference shots were used to build the pattern on the remaining sides.
“AT 11 in (27.9cm) IN LENGTH, THIS WOULD BUILD INTO AN IMPRESSIVE MODEL”
counteract the additional weight of the metal barrel. At this point, handrails on either side of the turret were replaced with thin wire for added strength. The mantlet had a cast texture added and the turret sides were given a light texture by bouncing around a dental burr over the surface at low speed. Said mantlet required five bolt heads to be added to each side. These were supplied as moulded pips on one of the runners, and had to be sliced off carefully and glued to the mantlet. Moulding on these bolts was a little soft, so for this build they were
substituted with bolts from a Meng Model set. The exposed edges of the massive armour plates were then given a torch-cut effect by brushing Liquid Poly cement to soften the plastic, and scoring the surface with the back of a knife blade. As this model was to represent a captured vehicle, it was decided to add a little battle damage and customisation. Firstly the fenders were modified by
The rims of the road wheels were painted with AK Interactive’s True Metal Iron. Once dry this was polished to produce a realistic metal sheen.
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removing the front section of one and the rear of the other, to represent parts removed due to damage. To achieve this, the parts were scored repeatedly along the line of the bracket with a sharp knife until the plastic was cut
Small squares of film negative were inserted behind the vision slits in the driver’s observation dome, and secured with white glue.
through, and the resulting edge was neatened with a sanding stick. Next, two simple brackets were made to mount an un-ditching beam on the rear of the hull. These were constructed from square section styrene with weld beads added from putty. Once glued on, additional welds were added around the join. As the kit included ample spare track links, three were cemented together to be mounted to the hull as spares. Two small retaining plates were added from plastic card and a couple of Grandt Line bolts. These were attached to the centre link, while the outer two links had the track pin holes drilled out. Lastly a figure was sourced from MiniArt. The subject in this case was a British tanker, although the moulded winter gear matched well to that worn by the Finnish Army in World War 2. The head was replaced with a resin alternative from Hornet and the
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figure was painted while referring to period photos.
Finnish colours Although the tank was to feature the Finnish three-colour camouflage, the plan here was to show a vehicle that had served operationally with the Russian army before being captured by the
Finns. To this end, the tank was rendered in faded Russian 4BO green, and then overpainted with Finnish camouflage colours. The first job, however, was to prime the plastic and grey automotive primer from Halfords was used to give a resilient base for the subsequent paint layers. There are various incarnations of 4BO
green available from several paint manufactures, some more accurate than others, but here a different route was taken. The whole model was sprayed with Gunze H48 Field Grey 2 to provide a dark preshade foundation for subsequent fading layers. A little Tamiya X-22 Clear was added to this to create smooth, strong base layer. The first
fading coat was mixed from Tamiya XF-67 NATO Green and XF-60 Dark Yellow in a roughly 70-30 ratio. This mix was sprayed in mottled cloud patterns over the upper hull and turret, in a random manner, while the lower hull and running gear was left in the base Field Grey. A further fading layer was added from the aforementioned
WICKED WELD BEADS
One area that can often benefit from enhancement on an armour model is the weld beads, which are often absent or only partially represented due to moulding limitations. There are several methods that can be employed to represent welds, but for this build two different approaches were taken. The first technique works well in angles and against panels, whereas the second method is better suited to flat panels and convex areas. For the second method, masking tape was applied either side of the intended weld line. Holts knifing putty was then spread along the weld line with a cocktail stick and allowed to set for a few minutes. Again, a drill bit was used to impart the bead texture on the weld line. A small ball of Squadron Green putty was rolled out into a thin ‘worm’ and allowed to harden for a few minutes. The putty was then placed in position along the intended weld line.
Liquid cement was brushed liberally along the putty. The cement would partially melt the putty, and bond it to the surface. At this stage it is very soft and must be left for a few minutes before working on it.
Once the putty had set in part, the weld texture could be applied with the blunt end of a small drill bit held in a pin vice.
While the putty was still soft, the masking tape was peeled away and any rough edges cleaned-up. Once fully dry, the weld line was over-painted with Mr. Surfacer to blend it into the surrounding surface.
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“TO REPRESENT A CAPTURED VEHICLE, IT WAS DECIDED TO ADD A LITTLE BATTLE DAMAGE”
mix, but with a hint of XF-76 IJN Grey Green. This was airbrushed over the uppermost surfaces in the same mottled cloud patterns as before. More XF-76 was added and sprayed around the edges of the hull and turret, and on select
panels, to help define the form of the vehicle. To help reinforce the tank’s Soviet origins, it was decided to show the original Russian markings overpainted before subsequent camouflage was applied. Initially the intention was
A mud mixture was made from plaster, garden soil and enamel paint to form a stiff paste. The mud mix was applied liberally on the lower hull and running gear and, before drying, any hard edges were blended with a soft brush.
A second paler mud mix was used to add splatter effects to the hull. This mix was wetter than the first and was blown onto the model with an airbrush.
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to apply the decals for the Russian scheme and then paint over them with a suitable green, but due to concerns over carrier film showing through, it was decided to simply trace the markings and transfer them to the turret sides. These were then used as guides to hand-paint the markings in dark green; this was done quite loosely to show a hasty ‘patch job’ by the Finnish crew. Subtle chipping was applied around edges and exposed corners, first with a pale green mix, and then Vallejo 822 German Black Brown was painted over this to leave a little of the pale green showing. Camouflage came next and a decision had to be made as to the colours. The box art showed a vehicle with pale blue and red brown over the base green, but the colour guide in the instructions listed the colours as pale grey and
tan. An online search found photos of vehicles at the Finnish Parola tank museum, and these featured both versions of the camouflage. For this build it was decided to go with the tan shade, and Tamiya XF-55 Deck Tan was sprayed freehand followed by XF-23 Light Blue. The colour guide only showed one side of the tank so a five-view line illustration was found online and a pattern for the remaining sides created in Photoshop. This was then used as a guide while spraying. Once this was all dry, further paint chipping was applied over the new camouflage and the model received a coat of Humbrol Clear ready for the decals. Initially they seemed a little thick, but with an application of Micro Sol they bedded down very well; the excess
Earth-coloured pigments were brushed liberally into the track treads, and were then secured with a mix of AK Fresh Mud and white spirit.
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
KV-5 SUPER HEAVY TANK A tow cable was sourced from Eureka and painted with various rust washes for realism.
Neat oil paint was applied to the upper hull in corners and around raised details. After a few minutes, the oil paint was blended into the surrounding surface with a soft, dry brush. Rust streaks were added to the turret sides with oil paints...painted on and allowed to dry before being blended with a soft brush dampened with white spirit.
carrier film disappeared to leave a convincing painted-on look. The decals were then sealed with a further coat of Clear in preparation for weathering. Wheel rims were painted with AK Interactive’s True Metal Iron, a wax-based paint which, after being buffed, left a very convincing metallic sheen. The unditching beam brackets on the rear were painted with Vallejo 982 Cavalry Brown, which is a good match for red primer, while the tracks got a coat of dark brown
mixed from Tamiya XF-69 NATO Black and XF-9 Hull Red.
Wear and tear Weathering began with the lower hull, which would otherwise be inaccessible once the wheels and tracks were fitted. The first step was to dampen the surface with white
spirit and then, with a large soft brush, AK Track Wash was applied liberally over the wet surface and allowed to spread naturally. This would provide tonal variation under the mud stages to follow. The mud was mixed from Plaster of Paris,
garden soil, AK Interactive Fresh Mud and Humbrol 10 Service Brown. These ingredients were mixed into a stiff paste, which was stippled onto the hull and running gear and allowed to set in part, and then the edges were blended gently to avoid a hard edge to the mud. This same mix was also applied to the wheels, and then immediately wiped off, which allowed the mud to remain in the recesses. A second, wetter mix was made with Humbrol 29 Dark
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
KV-5 SUPER HEAVY TANK
“THE SUBJECT’S PROTOTYPE NATURE ALLOWED A DEGREE OF FREE REIN WHEN CHOOSING A COLOUR SCHEME”
A set of PE skis from Hauler received grain effect via oils, then given a gloss coat to simulate varnished wood.
A thick twig was added to the brackets on the rear of the hull. Fine chain was then wound round it and secured with white glue.
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Earth, AK Dark Wash and plaster, which was loaded onto a brush and blown onto the hull with an airbrush. When these mud layers had dried, a wash of AK Dark Streaking Grime was added around surface details. Neat oil paints were used to weather the hull and turret; the oil paint was painted roughly in corners and recesses and then blended into the surrounding surface with a soft flat brush. Once this was dry, weld beads and other details received a dark pin wash. Further localised washes of rust-coloured enamels were added to areas where water would likely settle, and streaking was added with Burnt Sienna oil paint. The tracks were treated to a generous application of pigments which were then fixed in place with the application of a diluted wash made from equal parts AK Fresh Mud and white spirit. More pigments were worked onto the horizontal surfaces of the hull, after which AK Wet Effects was streaked onto the surface with a fine brush to represent water runs. As the weathering stage neared the end, final details were added to personalise the model. A twig cut from a tree was stripped of its bark, mounted on the unditching
AFTER– MARKET Eureka Soviet Tow Cable (ER-3541) www.eurekaxxl.com Grandt Line Hex Nut (127) www.grandtline.com Hauler Skis (HLU35014) www.hauler.cz Hornet German Cold Weather Heads (HGH12) www.historexagents.com Meng Nuts and Bolts (SPS-009) www.creativemodels.co.uk MiniArt British Tank Crew Winter Uniform (35121) www.miniart-models.com
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
KV-5 SUPER HEAVY TANK
The flag was cut from a rectangle of lead foil and formed over the rear hull, and then sprayed white. Its blue cross was marked in pencil and hand painted.
AK Wet Effects was brushed in fine lines to show water runs from melted snow.
beam brackets and secured with fine chain. A Finnish flag was fashioned from lead foil and sprayed white, after which its blue cross was hand painted. This was hung over the unditching beam and weathered lightly. No tow cable was supplied with the kit,
wood. With the build almost completed, one final step was to add remnants of partially melted snow to enhance the wintry feel. This was mixed from Wet Effects and bicarbonate of soda, to form a thick paste, which was applied sparingly in corners and on the track treads.
and so a spare was sourced from Eureka. This was painted dark silver and given a series of washes via rust-coloured acrylics. The final addition was a set of PE skis from Hauler, which were painted in a simulated wood grain and given a gloss coat to represent varnished
There’s no denying this was a basic kit and, as such, arguably a little over-priced...but the pay-off was a large and impressive model. The subject’s prototype nature allowed a degree of free rein when choosing a colour scheme, and numerous ‘what if’ options would be possible with lateral thinking. There were negative points, such as the quality of the plastic and poor fit in places, particularly around the running gear. However, with patience and basic modelling skills these issues were overcome; definitely a case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. ❚
Size matters
A mix of Wet Effects and bicarbonate of soda was applied in selected spots over the hull and tracks to simulate snow remnants. Once dry, the snow exuded a realistic frosty look. More Wet Effects was applied around the edges to show meltwater.
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YOUR AIRFIX
NORMANDY 1944
YOUR
AIRFIX
Simon Ward employs Airfix’s 1/76 and 1/72 scale products to portray an atmospheric Allied invasion scene
T
his diorama features three recent Airfix kits, the King Tiger, Cromwell and Hawker Typhoon. The trio seemed ideally suited to use in a diorama setting based on a ‘Normandy 1944’ theme, but the main issue was the method of integrating a flying aircraft and arranging things in such a way that a ‘story’ was told by the grouping of the vehicles Scenario: The King Tiger, having just knocked out the Cromwell, cruises by and looks for its next ‘kill’...meanwhile an infantry team breaks cover with a PIAT antitank weapon to take a shot at the steel leviathan. Further help is at hand as a ‘cab-rank’ Typhoon overflies the scene, and the pilot considers his options for a firing pass. The diorama was completed with the use of washes and pigments to blend things in, and provide a realistic amount of dust and grime. Photos were taken outside in natural light, with the support pylon for the ‘Tiffie’ airbrushed out for greater effect.
To depict a King Tiger as used in Normandy, it was necessary to add a representation of Zimeritt paste to the exterior of the hull and turret. This was achieved by removing certain moulded details, attaching plastic card and then softening it with liquid glue. A screwdriver was then used to make the required indented pattern. The Cromwell was built more-or-less straight from the box, but with just minor additions and alterations, while the Typhoon was completed with markings supplied in the box, but ‘invasion stripes’ were masked and airbrushed. Another Airfix product – one of its recent cast resin buildings – was used as a central feature. The building had some elements removed and replaced, garden walls were made from plastic card, and rubble and wreckage was either scratch-built or applied via loose bricks and blocks fixed in place individually. Simon Ward, Cambridgeshire
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]
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eduard
Scale Aircraft Conversions White Metal & Resin Aircraft Parts Since 1990
24009 Hawker Hurricane Mk.I Landing Gear (Ax) (for 1/24 Airfix) MSRP $19.95
48280 Westland Whirlwind Landing Gear (Trum)
(for 1/48 Trumpeter) (main gear detail has been improved) MSRP $17.95
32093 OV-10 Bronco Landing Gear (KH)
48279 P-40 Warhawk Landing Gear (Has)
72102 Vautour Landing Gear (Sh/Az)
14418 R.A.F. Victor Landing Gear (GWH)
(for 1/32 Kitty Hawk) MSRP $18.95
(for 1/72 Special Hobby/Azur) MSRP $17.95
(for 1/48 Hasegawa) MSRP $13.95
(for 1/72 Great Wall Hobby) MSRP $12.95
Extensive inventory of aircraft landing gear with 500 + sets and growing!
scaleaircraftconversions.com
OUT AND ABOUT
NUREMBERG TOY AND HOBBY FAIR
BAVARIAN BLISS
Academy's 1/35 Blackhawk mould has been updated to provide an all-new US Navy MH-60S in HSC-9 'Tridents' markings. The kit will feature M261 rocket launchers and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles.
Airfix's new toolings caused a stir, and the detail on its forthcoming 1/72 Sea King was impressive indeed. Total accuracy has been ensured by Light-Radar (LIDAR) scanning.
I
t’s ironic that a city with a certain dark history eventually became the cradle of German toy production; kids have always learned through play, and Nuremberg grew on the fact. In recent years, though, the presence of plastic modelling at the city’s huge Spielwarenmesse event has blossomed, due in part to the rise of Czech and Polish firms. Of course, ‘heritage’ brands such as Airfix and Revell also account for much
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excitement, and this year was certainly no exception. Having already announced its 2015 schedule before the show, Airfix displayed pre-production examples of forthcoming gems such as the AW Whitley, Nakajima ‘Kate’, Sea King and Shackleton. Italeri was promoting an interesting array of new kits and re-releases with new markings; above all, the firm’s all-new 1/32 Mirage IIIC set this editor’s pulse racing, but other treats included the 1/48 H-21 ‘Flying Banana’
Tamiya's forthcoming new-tool Mercedes 300 SL Gull Wing, in 1/24 scale, should delight legions of car modellers. (All Key - Chris Clifford unless stated)
helicopter, 1/35 Iveco LMV Lince military vehicle and 1/12 Fiat 806 Grand Prix car. This year will also bring a special ‘Fury’ kit of the M4A3E8 Sherman as part of Italeri’s ‘Road to Berlin’ range, which also comprises a 1/72 Berlin apartment block and associated vehicles from German and Soviet sides. Italeri also marketed its new MagicBox mobile phone App at Nuremberg...and it’s clever! For Android, Apple and Windows devices, one simply selects the
App on the mobile, focuses on an Italeri kit box front and is treated to a cool and very professional video about said product.
The home team A few surprises were also apparent in the Revell enclosure, and across various genres. Who would have expected an all-new 1/72 C-54 Skymaster in USAF colours? But as the firm’s current BAE Hawk T.1 in the same scale is an old Italeri product, it has decided to tool a fresh kit of
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OUT AND ABOUT
NUREMBERG TOY AND HOBBY FAIR
Check out the wing-fold detail on Airfix's new Nakajima B5N2 'Kate' naval bomber! It's in good company with the firm's forthcoming F4F-4 Wildcat. Zoukei-Mura's detail-packed Dornier Do 335 Pfeil appeared in pre-production form, but the other good news is that the company is to release various Focke-Wulf Fw 190s.
As part of Italeri's new 'Road to Berlin' range for this year, the firm will release this splendid 1/72 scale Berlin House, supported by various figure and vehicle products. Among some of Italeri's new items this year, surely one of the most exciting is the newly tooled 1/32 Mirage IIIC, in French Air Force EC 3/10 'Vexin' colours. If one can't quite stretch to £80,000 for the real thing, why not plump for Revell's gorgeous all-new 1/24 BMW i8? It features superb detail and, as shown, doors that can be posed open. (Revell)
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its own in Red Arrows livery. Vying for attention with Airfix’s Shackleton MR.2 is Revell’s AEW.2 due this year, along with a 1/144 Embraer ERJ 195 airliner and 1/32 Fw 190F-5 ground-attack variant...judging by the parts breakdown, further ‘Butcher Birds’ will be released. And naval modellers will be delighted to know that a more manageable Flower Class Corvette is due to keep company with the huge 1/72 Matchbox/Revell item; this time it’s all new and in 1/144 scale.
Revolutionary move Czech-based kit and after-market wizard Eduard has taken the bold step of focussing on newly tooled 1/72 aircraft, with a downsizing of its revered Spitfire Mk.IX, Fw 190A-5 and A-8 ‘Sturmbock’ releases and a two-seat UTI variant to boost its MiG-15 stable. Unsurprisingly, the ‘190 will eventually reach the market in Royal Class form which, besides the usual huge array of decals and detail extras, will also offer a small chunk of real Fw 190
airframe metal (similarly to last year’s 1/48 Bf 109G offering). These will follow the soon-to-be released Avia B.534 biplane (see p.38-39 this issue), which will also benefit from Royal Class format...but all the 1/72 kits will appear first as value Weekend editions. For quarter-scale fans there are five major items, the first being a Spitfire Mk.VIII with supporting Brassin resin details. The Royal Class version will offer a plethora of schemes and one of Eduard’s notable reference
books, and the coverage will lean heavily towards the Australian. Fans of Mitchell’s legend can also look forward to a lowback Mk.XVI. And in reply to its detractors concerning last year’s controversial Bf-109G, which was slammed in some quarters over its accuracy, Eduard has gone back to the drawing board, taken more measurements of existing airframes and in the process its research has uncovered detail gems seemingly missed previously by all Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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OUT AND ABOUT
NUREMBERG TOY AND HOBBY FAIR
Vying for attention with Airfix's 1/72 Shackleton MR.2 will be this AEW.2 variant. At last we have quality toolings to usurp the ancient FROG kit!
Resplendent in its moulded Zimmerit anti-mine coating, Dragon's 1/35 Jagdpanzer IV L/48 should delight military modellers. It was great to see new MiniArt products on display, and this 1/35 US Army Tractor with Angle Dozer Blade is just one of many exciting releases.
Ever the competition car specialist, Tamiya is soon to release this Gazoo Racing TRD 86 from the 2013. Eduard has stunning new items for this year, and among them is a retooling of its coveted 1/48 Spitfire Mk.IX, to Mk.VIII standard, and there will also be a Royal Class boxing of the kit, which will have its main focus on Australian airframes.
French stalwart Heller will launch a newly-tooled 1/72 Alpha Jet, shown here in Patrouille de France livery.
manufacturers of Bf 109G kits! The just-launched re-box of Hasegawa’s 1/48 F-104 will be joined by a special Japanesecentric boxing of the Starfighter, and Phantom supporters will rejoice at the news of a ‘Good Evening Da Nang’ release of Academy’s F-4C, with a raft of Furball-designed USAF Vietnam War decals.
Another ‘Spook’ Academy’s stand featured parts and a built example of its new
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1/72 F-4J in ‘Showtime 100’ markings (the US Navy Vietnam ace Randall ‘Duke’ Cunningham). The firm is also retooling its popular 1/35 Tiger I tank as a ‘late’ example, with newly moulded asymmetric turret, 88mm gun, mantlet, engine deck, photo-etched metal engine grille and a Zimmerit tool. A new-mould 1/35 Merkava Mk.IID is also on the cards, as is a reworking of the company’s 1/35 Blackhawk helicopter...but this time as a US Navy MH-60S of
HSC-9 ‘Tridents’, and with M261 rocket launchers and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. Military modellers who devote their time to Dragon armour kits also have three major 1/35 releases to savour; a Jagdpanzer IV L/48 July 1944 production with Zimmerit, Tauchpanzer III Ausf.H and Panzer IV Ausf.D with 5cm KwK L/60 armament. Meanwhile, Japanese stalwart Tamiya also has interesting armour options, such as a 1/35 Somua S35, a re-issue of Italeri’s
Sd.Kfz.234/2 Puma but with new parts and decals and, in 1/48 scale, an all-new Panzer IV Ausf.H late production kit. Ever the innovator with auto kits, Tamiya will also release a true classic... the Mercedes 300SL Gull Wing, and a Gazoo Racing TRD 86 rally car; both kits are in 1/24 scale.
Fighting spirit The troubling crisis in Ukraine prompted military and figure specialist MiniArt to flee from its original home last year and
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OUT AND ABOUT
NUREMBERG TOY AND HOBBY FAIR
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
With expected accuracy in 1/48 scale, the Junkers Ju 88A-5 will be available courtesy of Ukraine's ICM. This should give Dragon's quarter-scale '88s a run for their money. (ICM)
There are too many new kits revealed at Nuremberg to mention here, but other highlights include: • AFV Club will issue several all-new 1/35 Churchill ‘Funnies’ to support its existing Mk.IV Carpet Layer Type A; expect a Mk.III Carpet Layer Type D and a Mk.IV AVRE with fascine carrier Frame (the actual Fascine bundle is available as a separate resin item, via co-brand Hobby Fan). A 1/35 British Rota Trailer with 2-pdr ammunition set, M8 75mm Self-Propelled Howitzer, 75mm M1A1 pack Howitzer and gun/TOW versions of the German Wiesel APC are also due. • Accurate Miniatures’ B-25B in 1/48 scale will be re-boxed by Academy, and in 1/72 scale there will be a newly tooled ROKAF T-50 trainer and US Army AH-64D Block II Apache. The firm will also launch a new 1/35 T-34-85 and ROK Army K9 SP Howitzer. Among various aircraft releases, Hasegawa is making the most of its 1/72 MV-22 moulds...this year the type will be boxed as a Japanese military version, with the relevant 'meatball' markings.
• Hasegawa is to release a new ‘Super detail’ version of its Shinkai 6500 submersible, with bonus giant squid and isopod, and there’s a new 1/200 Boeing 787-9 in ANA livery. Ship modellers have much to celebrate, with a 1/350 special edition IJN battleship Mikasa, and newly tooled 1/700 JMSDF DDH Izumo, IJN Tenryu and Tatsuta light cruisers. The company’s 1/72 MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor will also reappear in Japanese colours. • HobbyBoss has a new 1/72 Z-10 Thunderbolt helicopter, French Jaguar E, A-4E/F/M Skyhawks, while in 1/48 scale, there are F4U-1/-1A and F4U-5/-5Ns, three different BAE Hawks, an Embraer AMX, J 29F, J 32B/E Lansen and MiG31/-31B/BM Foxhounds. • Fw 190s in 1/32 scale are on their way from Zoukei-Mura!
This year Ark Model will please World War Two aircraft fans with its 1/48 I-16 fighter, which is supported by quality resin parts for the cockpit, undercarriage and tails.
relocate to Kiev. Now, though, the move seems to have re-invigorated the firm’s efforts, and the result is superb new 1/35 products. These include a GAZ-05-194 Ambulance, separate Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.C and D kits, US Army Tractor D7 with towing winch D7N, and another tractor with angled dozer blade. And the US Army dispatch rider asleep on his motorcycle is inspired! Not to be outdone, ICM has 35 releases planned for 2015, 26 of which are completely new items.
Aircraft modellers can look forward to a 1/48 Ju 88A-5... the first time this sub-type has been available in the scale, while in the military arena new 1/35 items include a Horch 108 Typ 40 soft top, Typ 320 (W142) saloon WWII German Staff car, two T-34-76s (early and late 1943), German KHD S3000 truck and a Panhard 178 AMD-35 French armoured car. An off-thewall inclusion is a 1/24 Model T Ford from 1911, with associated figures available separately.
• A civilian VC-10 in 1/144 scale is due from Roden. With Airfix’s kit still unavailable and fetching crazy prices on auction sites, we’ll be amazed if some industrious after-market firm fails to release an RAF conversion with decals!
Identity crisis A surprising announcement from MPM was that it is going to drop its long-standing company name and settle with Special Hobby instead. The act has been prompted by another concern in the Czech Republic also using the MPM name to churn out substandard kits. The Planet, CMK and Special Armour/Navy brands will continue. Product-wise, we should see the new 1/32 Tempest and 1/72 Mirage F.1s and Gnat derivatives within the next few
months, but the other exciting news is that Special Hobby will release its own 1/48 strike, recce and two-seater Viggen kits to complement the original Tarangus boxing (MPM helped to produce this kit). There will also be resin and metal detail sets for these releases. Rest assured, AMW will bring you review coverage and in-depth builds of many of these products as and when they’re released! Chris Clifford Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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❚
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
BRISTOL BULLDOG Mk.II
Bader’s
Chris Jones replicates Douglas Bader’s mount with Airfix’s vintage Bristol Bulldog, and adds scratch-built detail and rigging
R Ragged trailing edges, lumps, bumps, ejector pin marks and even slices in the plastic... a major clean-up was required!
With plastic card, square rod and tube, detail was added to the otherwise barren cockpit; most of which can barely be seen on the finished model, however.
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esplendent in aluminium dope and magnificent squadron heraldry, the Bristol Bulldog was arguably the iconic RAF fighter of the interwar period. It served from 1929 to 1937, had a top speed of 178mph (286km/h), service ceiling of 29,300ft (8,930 m), good aerobatic qualities and was armed with twin Vickers .303 machine guns. In its heyday, the Bulldog equipped ten of the RAF’s 13 home defence squadrons and thrilled crowds at Hendon displays with formation aerobatics, sometimes while trailing smoke and, on occasion, while actually tied together! The Bulldog was also to become well known as the aircraft in which Douglas Bader suffered his infamous crash, which deprived him of his legs - but ultimately led him down a path to legendary
status. Sadly, no airworthy Bulldogs exist, but one can be found appropriately enough at the RAF Museum in London, on the site of the old Hendon Aerodrome...a fitting tribute to a wonderfully colourful and romantic period in British aviation history.
Vintage tooling Airfix’s Bristol Bulldog first emerged in 1969 (this boxing was from 1979) and has since been re-released at various stages with occasional changes in decals and box art. It remains the only option if one wants to build a mainstream injection-moulded kit of this pugnacious fighter in 1/72 scale. The kit itself actually represents the initial production Mk.II Bulldog, powered by the Jupiter VII engine, and equipped with fabric-covered wheels, a tail skid and early-style
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
BRISTOL BULLDOG Mk.II tail fin. Later Bulldogs featured a number of changes, namely the Jupiter VIIF engine, a revised tail fin, new wheels, wider track undercarriage and a tailwheel. The detail on the kit was rather good, even considering its age, with worthy fabric effects, subtle raised lines and details around the engine cowling. However, a substantial amount of part clean-up was required. Lumps, ejector pin marks and mould seam lines needed to be dealt with. Bizarrely, this boxing had a couple of areas marred by curved slices in the plastic, which were 'fun' to deal with.
Strut snapping
MODEL SPEC
Neatening of the interplane and cabane struts opened the construction. Snapping a cabane strut is optional, but not recommended! The interplane Bristol Bulldog Mk.II By:
Airfix
Stock Code: 61055-5 Scale:
1/72
Price:
Around £5
Available from: Second-hand market
struts featured a locating plate that slotted into the underside of each upper wing, but it sat proud of the surface. A generous amount of filling, sanding and scraping was required to thin the locating plate and deepen the slot on the wing. One strut was thinned too much and produced another snap incident, which made alignment awkward later when committing the struts to glue. Once attached, filler and careful sanding were required to cover the evidence. The cockpit featured prominent ejector pin marks and raised part numbers, which had to be sanded away before scratch-building could begin to add detail via plastic card. It was decided to make the seat more accurate and add Tamiya tape belts, an instrument panel, rear bulkhead, gun breech blocks, rudder pedals, control column and cockpit floor detail. For parts such as instrument panels, a good approach is to sketch out a rough shape on plastic card, cut it out and refine it via sanding and careful scalpel slicing, while test-fitting continually. Working slowly and carefully eventually yields results and if it doesn’t, one can always start again. White glue or BluTack are invaluable, as they allow parts to be held in place during dry-fitting. Once completed, the cockpit was primed with Tamiya X-1 Gloss Black and, after drying, Alclad II Polished Aluminium was sprayed over the top. The latter left behind loose particles, which
After being primed with Tamiya X-1 Gloss Black, the cockpit sidewalls were sprayed with Alclad Polished Aluminium. Seatbelts were made from Tamiya tape and detailed with a sharp pencil.
The fuselage and wing went together fairly well, and Milliput Superfine White epoxy putty was used along all seams to fill any gaps. With the main construction completed, several rounds of sanding, filling and priming ensued.
“Snapping a cabane strut is optional, but not recommended!” Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
BRISTOL BULLDOG Mk.II
Once the fuselage and wing looked neater, the primer was stripped and Gunze Mr. Surfacer 1000, via aerosol, was applied to the airframe and upper wing.
Mr. Surfacer provided a good base for the Alclad, without any tedious polishing required. Here, Alclad White Aluminium has been applied to simulate aluminium doped fabric.
All the fabric areas were then duly masked with tape in preparation for the next stage of painting.
‘Metal’ sections were primed with Tamiya Gloss Black before they were sprayed with Alclad Polished Aluminium. The tail received Tamiya Gloss White to begin with.
disappeared when rubbed away gently with a cotton bud. The other features were painted Tamiya X-18 Semi-Gloss Black.
the amount of neatening required made it necessary to prime and check for surface flaws before assembly. Sprayed Tamiya XF-53 Neutral Grey revealed several areas that required sanding, filling and re-priming. This process was repeated several times until a reasonable surface was achieved. A smooth base layer was required
Carry on cleaning Part clean-up continued apace, and one area that needed special attention was the propeller hub, which featured raised steps that
ran around the outside. Careful cutting and sanding was the order of the day here. Some engine parts were very delicate and a scalpel blade heated over a candle was the safest method of removal from the runner. It mustn’t be too close, though, to avoid melting the part itself. With large areas such as the wings and fuselage,
for Alclad metallic lacquer later on, so the rough primer was stripped with 99 per cent pure Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to leave a smooth surface. Don’t let the parts soak for too long, though, as IPA can attack filler...including Miliput.
Construction commencement Fuselage fit was good although the rectangular block on the lower wing required filing to avoid it snagging the cockpit flooring. Work was also needed to modify the tailplane receiving holes to get them aligned. After leaving
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
BRISTOL BULLDOG Mk.II
“The detail on the kit was rather good, even considering its age”
Colour Controversy the glue to set, the sand-fill-sand process commenced for all the seams. Miliput Superfine White was great for this because it is workable with water. Where appropriate, the filler can simply be removed by rubbing with damp cotton buds. At this stage the interplane struts were glued to the upper wing and it was vital they aligned correctly, so Revell Contacta cement was used. Its slow-drying properties allowed enough working time to try and The fuel tanks were protected by kitchen roll stuck down with Tamiya tape, before the black areas were then sprayed Tamiya Semi-Gloss Black.
get everything sitting reasonably. However, thanks to the earlier snapped strut base, it was difficult to make everything sit perfectly. At the time it seemed as though the locating pins on the bottom of the struts were part of the problem, and so they were trimmed. Unfortunately they were cut rather too short, so modification of the strut bases was required later in the build. All small parts were test-fitted and certain locating
Interestingly, the book ‘Wings of Silver’ by The Aviation Workshop (which accompanies the decals used in this build) states that its profile of Bader’s aircraft is an “artist’s impression based on other 23 Squadron aircraft”. It has yellow flight colours on the wheels and propeller hub. However, Warpaint 66 Bristol Bulldog by Richard Caruana, also has a profile of K-1676, this time with a red hub and wheels. The author has been unable to find any definitive evidence about the exact scheme, but did find one interesting image of a 23 Squadron Bulldog. In ‘On Silver Wings’ by Lumsden and Thetford is the caption to a photo on p.130 that states “A No 23 Sqn pilot leaps into a Bulldog... at RAF Kenley on 21-22 July 1931”. The same image was found online in an aviation blog where the caption claimed it was Bader’s Bulldog, in which he crashed. The colours are hard to determine, but seem to be red on the hubs and the elevators. However, the serial is obscured partially and is visible only as K-167*. It is impossible to verify the exact identity of the aircraft. Without being able to see the last digit of the serial, this author decided to go with accepted orthodoxy for Bader’s Bulldog scheme. (Malcolm Lowe Collection)
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
BRISTOL BULLDOG Mk.II
“Plenty of time and effort was needed to complete this kit” holes needed to be widened with a pin-vice to get components such as the cabane struts and gear legs to position properly. At this time, all holes were drilled for the rigging with a tiny drill bit in a pin-vice.
Prime time
After careful masking, the tail received a sprayed coat of Humbrol Gloss Red and Xtracolor RAF Roundel Blue for the fin flash. After the masks were removed, the model finally started to exude Silver Period class.
Painting the propeller involved intricate masking in several stages, and very thin strips of Tamiya tape and Humbrol Maskol helped cope with the complex curves. Here, the leading edge is masked in preparation For Alclad Polished Brass.
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The finished prop...it was first undercoated with Mr. Surfacer, before it received coats of Alclad Aluminium, a home-made Tamiya Yellow mix, Tamiya X-9 Brown, Semi-Gloss Black and finally Alclad Brass.
Next, the airframe seams were airbrushed with Humbrol 1 Matt Grey Primer to check for flaws. It was decided not to use acrylic for this task, to avoid even the slightest risk of IPA stripping affecting the Miliput, so white spirit provided a less risky option. The primer was removed with a cotton bud and thinner before a little remedial filling took place. As the kit was destined for Alclad, and this author never has any joy with polishing primed surfaces (especially one so full of nooks and crannies as a Bulldog), it was decided to use Gunze Mr. Surfacer 1000 aerosol spray. This delivers a smooth coat suitable for the application of regular Alclad finishes. There is a knack to using it, so after a good shake for two minutes, do practice on an old model ahead of the proper recipient. It can appear speckled
at first, but don’t get too close. Instead, mist it on gradually and carefully. The coat may appear a little heavy, but as it cures it will shrink and dry to leave a quality surface. However, on no account should it be so heavy that it runs. If this happens, it has to be stripped off with IPA on a cotton bud which can eat away at the filler, requiring extra work. This happened the first time and was a major headache to resolve! It is worth leaving it for 24 or preferably 48 hours to be completely sure it has cured.
Silver wings Alclad White Aluminium, muted with matt varnish, is this modeller’s favourite way to represent RAF interwar aluminium dope. This was sprayed over the entire fuselage and wing and, once dry, the loose or rough particles left over were tackled by careful rubbing with a damp cotton bud. Next, the doped fabric areas of the fuselage and upper wing were masked to leave just the metal cowling, fuselage panels and underwing fuel tanks showing. They received a coat of Tamiya Gloss Black, before being treated to Alclad Polished
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
BRISTOL BULLDOG Mk.II
The NIVO Spine was painted with Tamiya Dark Green. Masking was necessary to avoid ruinous overspray at this crucial stage.
Aluminium. Hi-shine Alclads are fussier than the regular finishes and look better over the smoothest of surfaces, which the gloss black helped provide. The fin flash was masked and sprayed first with Tamiya X-2 Gloss White, before it was masked and sprayed with Humbrol 19 Gloss Red and Xtracolor X30 RAF Roundel Blue. The gloss enamels were diluted with cellulose thinner, which made them behave better, but they also took about five days to dry. Hi-shine Alclad dislikes masking and mustn’t be taped over, so the fuel tanks were masked carefully with kitchen roll and Tamiya tape, before the struts and square mount points on the underside of the upper wing were sprayed with Semi Gloss Black.
Glossing and matting
After the NIVO came a gloss coat of Johnson’s Klear before decaling took place. Interwar biplanes look fantastic when they get their colours!
glare strip was masked and sprayed along the top of the fuselage with Tamiya XF-61 Dark Green. It was then time for decals, with interwar roundels from Xtradecal sheet X72111; 72.5in (184cm) roundels were used for the upper wing, 50in (127cm) for the lower wing and 25in (63.5cm) on the fuselage. The squadron markings were sourced from Model Alliance’s Wings of Silver Part One for Douglas Bader’s 23 Squadron Bulldog (K-1676) on the day he crashed. After the decals were sealed with Klear, the metal areas were masked, ensuring to de-tack the tape adequately where it overlapped the fuselage bar decals. The NIVO and fabric areas were then treated to a matt coat courtesy of Xtracolor XDFF Matt Varnish. It was thinned approximately 70/30 white
After the masks were removed, the fuselage and upper wing were glossed with Johnson’s Klear. Although it takes away some lustre from hi-shine Alclad, it really is the only way to protect areas such as the cowling from masking. Next, the NIVO anti-
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
BRISTOL BULLDOG Mk.II spirit to varnish and sprayed carefully in very light coats, with blow-drying between each. Once dry, just the leading edges of the wings should be handled, because it was incredibly easy to put finger prints into matt coats!
Revenge of the strut
Finished wheels and a prop added more wonderful colour to the build. The white band on the wheels was very thin Tamiya tape, painted with several coats of Citadel White. These were sealed by airbrushed Klear before the wheels were matted.
Oil wash accentuated control surface lines and the cowling. Getting the colour correct was important, or the effect would be too stark. Here, Lamp Black has been toned-down with titanium white to create a suitable grey shade. The metal areas were masked to protect their shine, before the aluminium doped fabric sections were muted with Xtracolor Matt Varnish.
After the gunsight and windscreen were attached it was time for upper wing installation. Owing to one interplane strut base getting snapped, and some unnecessary trimming of strut locating pins early in the build, things didn’t sit as well as hoped. After much thought, the bottom of each strut was modified to create new locating pin areas. Contacta cement was (carefully) placed in the holes via a cocktail stick and on went the wings. Great care was needed to avoid struts pinging out of place and ruining the surrounding paint. Test-fit multiple times, and be prepared to hold components in place for a while if needed... and only commit glue when sure. After leaving the kit overnight, the cabane struts were added. Frustratingly, Murphy’s Law struck and the snapped strut broke again, and one locating pin was either short-shot or accidentally taken off. The one good strut was glued in place, followed by the broken one in two pieces, which was mended in situ and aided by a small piece of plastic rod, which fitted where the errant locating pin should have been.
The final stretch After careful paint touch-ups with a brush it was time for rigging and final assembly. The
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Reference On Silver Wings, by Alec Lumsden and Owen Thetford (Osprey), ISBN: 9 781855 323742 Wings of Silver, On Target Special, by Mike Starmer and Peter Freeman (Aviation Workshop), ISBN: 978 1904 643340 Warpaint 66 Bristol Bulldog, by Richard J Caruana (Warpaint Books) Data Plan No.2 The Bristol Bulldog, by Alfred Granger (Taurus Press), ISBN: 0 903456 02 X
rigging and aerial wires were created with E-Z Line smokecoloured elastic thread. This is incredibly stretchy and responds wonderfully to cyanoacrylate, such as Superglue. The latter was applied to one end and thin tweezers were used to hold the line in the hole for 10-20 seconds. It should then be left for a short while to cure fully. Make sure the length is slightly shorter than the distance to be covered, then apply glue to the other end and repeat the process. The result should be a lovely, tight piece of rigging. Some smaller parts, such as the starter dog on the propeller spinner and the aerial masts, were scratch-
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
BRISTOL BULLDOG Mk.II
built and others such as the generators were out of the box. These various bits and pieces were applied with a mixture of Superglue, Micro Kristal Klear (PVA glue) and GS Hypo Cement. The latter is a ‘stringy’ watchmaker’s cement that forms a strong but flexible bond when cured, that has ‘memory’, and will tend to return to its original location. This is great for small parts or spindly items that might
need a degree of flex to avoid the risk of shearing; the drying time also helps with alignment. Aerial wires were attached in exactly the same way as the rigging and that was that!
Vintage fun Plenty of time and effort was needed to complete this kit and the modeller needs to be prepared for a large amount of work cleaning parts, test-fitting
After final varnishing, the upper wing was applied after a fair bit of effort! Once the rigging was completed, fiddly work with small parts awaited.
“It was a very impressive model when finished despite its vintage”
and making alterations where required. It was, however, a very impressive model when finished despite its vintage. Whether one chooses to build straight from the box or rely on scratchbuilding, with sufficient hard work and TLC, either will result in a superb miniature representation of a handsome and colourful aeroplane. Having built two, there are certainly no doubts about ❚ completing another.
Once the cabane struts were in place, rigging could begin. E-Z line, Superglue and thin tweezers provided a winning combination.
It was important to add the gear legs and rigging before the exhausts. White glue provided sufficient working time as the alignment was tricky. Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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TEST-SHOT REVIEW AVIA B.534
Czech Speedster
E
ver the innovator in terms of marketing, Eduard recently sent out test-shots of its all-new Avia B.534 to be built in double-quick time...and for the builders to provide video clips of their comments. Speed of building prevented a blow-by-blow photographic account, but the runners for this example, coloured in glaring orange and black, carried detail that was truly excellent, with fine recessed panel lines, subtle fabric texture and raised rib tapes on
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the flying surfaces. Delicate hollow exhaust stubs peeped out from the cowling area, along with amazingly intricate machine gun cooling holes. The cockpit was also very good indeed, and sported neat machine gun blocks behind quality tubular sidewall structures. It also featured a wellrendered control column, throttle quadrant and choice of head cushion. Mainwheels were crisply moulded and even had ‘Dunlop’ lettering, while the propeller benefited from subtle but lovely metal leading-edge covers.
Actual fit was good as the detail; everything went together without fuss or trimming. In fact, the mating of parts was so good there is very little to say, other than enjoy it! The only cautionary note is to not rush the struts as this modeller did; the locating stubs and receiving holes were minute... smaller than anything this modeller had seen before on a biplane kit. They fitted beautifully, but a high degree of care was required! It seemed a shame to have a bare orange and grey model lying
MODEL SPEC
Chris Jones gets his hands on a test-shot of Eduard’s forthcoming Avia B.534 Avia B.534 By:
Eduard
Stock Code: 70101 Scale:
1/72
Price:
£TBA
Available from: Eduard, www.eduard.com
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TEST-SHOT REVIEW AVIA B.534
Royal Class Schemes
Eduard's Avia will also come in Weekend III. and IV. serie versions, and in Royal Class form. Four of the latter's many schemes are shown here.
No kit decals came with Eduard’s test-shot, and so alternatives from HAD Models, Via Hannants, were used instead.
around, so after the incredible feat of masking a fully assembled biplane, paint was duly applied. No decals were provided with the test-shot, so Hungarian alternatives from HAD Models were pressed into service, but sadly they disintegrated on contact with water! Microscale Liquid Decal Film rescued the squadron markings, but ultimately the Hungarian
‘wedges’ had to be masked and sprayed. Eduard’s Avia really is a most impressive kit, though, with excellent detail and superb fit. This is but one airframe option: the Royal Class boxing will include multiple options for fuselages, wheels and more. It certainly deserves to do very well...just take care with those struts!
❚
Eduard's Avia really is a most impressive kit Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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IN PROFILE
VICKERS VANGUARD
FASTER, HIGHER, FURTHER
Airliner World’s Craig West chronicles the career of Vickers’ secondgeneration turboprop Vanguard… with reference photos to help get that Airfix build looking just right
A
product of Britain’s Brabazon Committee, the Vickers Viscount was one of the most successful and profitable transport aircraft of its time. The type, which first flew in July 1948, replaced the industry-
The Merchantman proved extremely popular on the secondhand market. The last remaining examples were flown by East Midlands-based AirBridge Carriers (later Hunting Air Cargo) until their retirement in 1996. (All Key Collection)
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standard piston engine with a new and more efficient form of propulsion – the turboprop – while pressurisation, lower levels of vibration and noise in the cabin, and large panoramic windows, made the Viscount popular among operators and passengers alike. It was a difficult act to follow, so it was perhaps inevitable that Vickers’ replacement, the Vanguard, enjoyed just a fraction of the commercial success of its smaller sibling. Sadly this was more to do with an evolving market than the aircraft itself; the Vanguard could carry almost twice as many passengers as the Viscount, as well as being able to fly faster, higher and further. However, by the time the prototype made its maiden flight on January 20, 1959, airlines were already looking beyond second-generation turboprops in favour of the new all-jet types under development on both sides of the Atlantic.
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IN PROFILE
VICKERS VANGUARD Vanguard G-APEB (c/n 705) is pictured wearing BEA’s distinctive ‘Red Square’ livery. This example was delivered in March 1961 and remained with the carrier for its entire career before eventually being broken up at London/Heathrow in 1973.
Like many BEA Vanguards, G-APES (c/n 721) was eventually converted from passenger to freighter configuration and re-designated as a V.953C Merchantman.
Market driven The Vanguard programme started in April 1955 after British European Airways’ (BEA) then CEO Peter Masefield wrote to
This BEA-liveried example, G-APEA (c/n 704) was the second Vanguard off the production line and the first destined for a British carrier. This aircraft is yet to acquire the dorsal fin that was fitted to later examples.
Vickers, to outline the stateowned carrier’s requirement for a Viscount replacement that could carry 100 passengers more than 1,000 miles (1,600km) at a cruising speed of 375kt (694km/h). Coincidentally, Air Canada’s predecessor Trans-Canada Air Lines (TCA) had also identified similar requirements, and it was on the back of this interest that the British manufacturer mooted the stretched Viscount Major. However, it was quickly apparent that the type was not feasible technically and Vickers’ Chief Designer George Edwards instead proposed an entirely new design. Dubbed the Type 780, the aircraft would be equipped with four RollsRoyce RB109 Tyne turboprops (deemed more economical than the pure jet Conway) and would feature a ‘double-bubble’ fuselage cross-section – similar to the Boeing 377 Stratocruiser – to enable the simultaneous carriage of passengers and freight. One point of contention was the
aircraft’s layout; BEA requested a high-wing design based on its positive experience of operating the similarly-configured Airspeed Ambassador. Meanwhile, TCA preferred the low-wing format which, it said, was more practical and made for easier servicing. The manufacturer agreed with the Canadian carrier, and noted that as the main undercarriage was to be housed within the inner engine nacelles, a high wing would require substantially larger and heavier landing gear. The British carrier finally conceded and construction of the sole prototype, now known as the Type 950, commenced in 1956. Within months, BEA and TCA had placed firm orders for 20 aircraft each (the latter also took three additional purchase options, which it later converted, to make the Vanguard the UK’s largest dollar export earner of the period). The aircraft differed slightly in specification – British examples (known as V.951s) would be powered by the 4,985hp Tyne 506
while the Canada-bound aircraft would have the uprated Tyne 512s, a strengthened fuselage and a higher maximum all-up weight of 141,000lb (64,090kg). A change in heart by BEA led the airline to modify later its order to the higher specification model but, with its first six examples too far down the production line to incorporate changes, they were delivered in the original V.951 configuration. The remaining 14 Vanguards were upgraded to V.953 standard, and featured the same Tyne 506 engines but with the higher all-up weight of the V.952.
Teething troubles The Vanguard prototype, G-AOYW (c/n 703), made its first flight on January 20, 1959 under the command of Vickers' Chief Test Pilot Captain G R ‘Jock’ Bryce and co-pilot Brian Trubshaw from the manufacturer’s production facility at Weybridge, Surrey to nearby Wisley, from where testing would take place.
“ THOUGH BRIEF, THE MAIDEN
SORTIE DID NOT GO QUITE ACCORDING TO PLAN ”
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IN PROFILE
VICKERS VANGUARD
After flying the prototype Vanguard for the first time, Vickers' Chief Test Pilot Captain G R ‘Jock’ Bryce said it was “a better machine to fly” than the Viscount.
Though brief, the maiden sortie did not go quite according to plan. The intention had been simply to fly the 3-mile (5km) hop between airfields, but as the aircraft was performing and handling well, the crew elected to extend the flight and Bryce positioned ‘YW for a low pass along the Weybridge runway before landing in a strong crosswind at Wisley. During the 18-minute flight the aircraft was flown no higher than 1,500ft and didn’t exceeded 150kt (278km/h). Even so, Bryce was able to describe the Vanguard as “quite sprightly”. It was, he reported, “straightforward, pleasant enough to fly, not as big and heavy as some of those devices scratching around, but the aircraft does have manual controls and at either end of the speed range one has got to pay attention to one’s work”. Overall, he felt it was a “better machine to fly” than the Viscount. Indeed, the
SPECIFICATIONS Type 951
Type 952
Type 953
Rolls-Royce Tyne
RTy1 Mk 506 - 4,985shp
RTy1 Mk 512 - 5,545shp
RTy1 Mk 506 - 4,985shp
Wing Span
118ft (36.3m)
118ft (36.3m)
118ft (36.3m)
Length
122.9ft (37.8m)
122.9ft (37.8m)
122.9ft (37.8m)
Empty Weight
84,000lb (38,181kg)
85,000lb (38,636kg)
85,000lb (38,636kg)
Gross Weight
135,000lb (61.363kg)
141,000lb (64,090kg)
141,000lb (64,090kg)
Max Payload
21,000lb (9,545kg)
24,000lb (10,910kg)
29,000lb (13,182kg)
Max Speed
400mph (645km/h)
400mph (645km/h)
425mph (685km/h)
Max Range
2,600 miles (4,194km)
3,130 miles (5,048km)
3,015 miles (4,863km)
Seating
126
139
135
only design change that followed was the addition of a dorsal fin to improve airflow across the rudder. The first BEA-destined Vanguard, G-APEA (c/n 704), took to the air for the first time several months later, on April 22, and was initially painted in the carrier’s largely white and grey livery for trials and demonstration work. It was the only BEA example to wear those colours, as the rest of the fleet was adorned with the carrier’s then new ‘red square’ scheme. With the type planned to enter commercial service on July 1,
1960, Vickers stepped-up the flight test programme and employed another BEA aircraft, G-APED (c/n 707), on route-proving flights to cities such as Paris and Brussels, and it clocked up more than 200 flying hours in the process. However, the certification programme suffered a major setback after a compressor blade fracture on a Tyne engine, during bench testing with Rolls-Royce, led the manufacturer to ground the entire Tyne-powered fleet until the fault could be rectified. Test flying eventually resumed
Indonesia’s Merpati Nusantara Airlines operated the type in both Vanguard and Merchantman configuration.
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the following October and, after a further 75-hour flying programme, the Vanguard received its Certificate of Airworthiness on December 2, 1960. Though the aircraft had excellent operating economics on shorthaul routes, Vickers was unable to attract any further orders for the type and production was terminated in 1962 after completion of just 44 airframes.
Into service London-based BEA was the first airline to introduce the Vanguard into service, by using V.951 G-APEF (c/n 709) in place of the regular Viscount on its Paris link on December 17, 1960. The type continued to augment the airline’s domestic and European routes on an ad hoc basis before it finally entered regular scheduled service on March 1, 1961. Barely 12 months after the type’s introduction the carrier had employed 80 Vanguard captains and 133 first officers, while each of BEA’s aircraft was achieving an average utilisation of around 80 hours per week. In Canada, TCA’s first V.952, CF-TKD (c/n 727), was handed over on December 7, 1960 after being
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IN PROFILE
VICKERS VANGUARD ferried to Montreal via Keflavik in Iceland and Goose Bay. Several months of crew training followed before the carrier introduced the Vanguards on its Montreal and Toronto-to-Vancouver services (with intermediate stops at Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, Calgary and Edmonton) from February 1. Internationally, the type was used to good effect on TCA’s links to New York and the Bahamas but it was a subsequent move into the air freight sector where the aircraft came into its own. In late 1966, the airline – since renamed Air Canada – experimented with Vanguard CF-TKK (c/n 734), by stripping the cabin of seats and fittings and flying the aircraft in an all-cargo role. Known as the Cargoliner, the type could carry up to 42,000lb (19,050kg) of freight and, while Air Canada only converted one such example, it was an important milestone for the Vanguard programme. The airline started phasing out the remaining fleet from 1969, with the final examples being sold to Lockheed in October 1971 as a part-exchange against widebody TriStars.
A new lease of life On the other side of the Atlantic, BEA’s examples had served with distinction on the main domestic and European trunk routes but, by the late 1960s, were increasingly sidelined in favour of the new The last airworthy Vanguard, G-APEP (c/n 719), pictured seconds before its final landing on October 17, 1996. The aircraft was donated to Brooklands Museum where it remains on display.
Europe Aéro Service acquired an eventual fleet of eleven Vanguards including F-BTYB (c/n 734), which retained the basic livery of former owner Air Canada.
Hawker Siddeley HS.121 Tridents. However, rather than withdraw the type, BEA instead followed the lead of its Canadian counterpart and converted some of its aircraft into freighters. The first two examples were completed by Aviation Traders Engineering (ATEL) at Southend, Essex while the others were converted by BEA’s own engineering division with ATEL-supplied kits. Work entailed installing a large, upwardopening freight door on the forward fuselage, while the cabin floor was also strengthened, an internal roller conveyor system was fitted and the cabin windows were blanked out. It was a worthy investment...once completed, the Vanguard freighter (renamed V.953C Merchantman) offered
twice the cargo capacity of the Armstrong Whitworth Argosy flown by BEA at the time. But it was also an expensive and lengthy process – each conversion cost around £130,000 while those undertaken by BEA took some 60,000 man-hours and ninemonths to complete. The carrier eventually converted nine airframes to Merchantman standard and the first, G-APEM (c/n 716), re-entered service on October 10, 1969. The airline’s last passenger-configured Vanguard, G-APEU (c/n 723), completed its final flight – from London to Jersey and back – on July 16, 1974, though the freighter variant remained in service with the company (later renamed British Airways) until December 1979.
The Vanguard proved particularly popular on the second-hand market, whereby French cargo carrier Europe Aéro Service acquired an eventual fleet of 11 former Air Canada and BEA examples. Other operators included Air Traders of Sweden, British firm Invicta Air Transport and Indonesian carriers Merpati Nusantara Airlines and Angkasa Civil Air Transport. The last remaining examples were flown by East Midlands-based AirBridge Carriers (later Hunting Air Cargo) until their retirement in 1996. Of the 44 airframes completed by Vickers, just one complete Vanguard remains in existence – Merchantman G-APEP (c/n 719), which is displayed at Brooklands ❚ Museum in the UK.
“ THE VANGUARD PROVED
PARTICULARLY POPULAR ON THE SECONDHAND MARKET ”
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
VICKERS VANGUARD
Airfix’s kit captured the double-bulged fuselage shape well, although the nose contours were slightly suspect.
Basic interior detail was added from styrene sheet; the open doorway into the passenger area was blanked-off with a curtain fashioned from tin foil.
Mike Grant chooses black and white and red all over with Airfix’s re-released classic propliner
BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL VANGUARD
S
pend enough time on internet modelling forums and sooner or later, the thorny topic of ‘old kits in new boxes’ is raised. Those in favour regard the now common practice as a welcome means of acquiring previously out-of-production subjects; its opponents often claim it’s overcapitalism by manufacturers
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trying to squeeze yet more cash from long-outdated tooling. Originally released in 1962, Airfix’s Vickers Vanguard certainly falls squarely into the ‘old kits’ category. The latest issue has a brand new box and decal sheet but the styrene remains much the same as it did more than 50 years ago. So, is this a classic airliner kit that should be welcomed back
bulkheads for structural strength, the fuselage was devoid of any interior, even though the kit offered the option of the boarding doors being posed open. The windscreen was thick, while the fuselage windows were moulded in strips; again, they were over scale in thickness and suffered from sink marks. The most telling sign of the product’s vintage was probably
warmly by modellers, or does its age render it redundant among modern, state-of-the-art tooling?
The kit If one has built any Airfix airliner, the Vanguard will present no surprises. Moulded in the customary slightly soft grey plastic, panel lines were raised and detail was basic. Apart from two
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
VICKERS VANGUARD
KIT LIVERIES
Airfix supplies two colour schemes in its vanguard re-release: • G-APEL, British European Airways, London Heathrow Airport, England, 1963 • G-AZRE, Invicta International Airlines, Manston Airport, Kent, England, 1974
Strips of styrene were attached along the fuselage length to add gluing surface, and strength along the seams. Kit-supplied boarding ladders were spoiled by heavy railings, and so replacements were made from hypodermic tubing.
edges. Because the author wanted to model the cabin doors in an open position, some suggestion of an interior would also be very desirable.
Check-in time
the undercarriage, which was over simplified and suffered from heavy mould seams. Obviously the kit would require some work, though how extensive is, of course, an entirely personal matter. To bring the model to a modern standard, the most obvious areas that needed attention were the clear parts, surface detail and the thick trailing
Work started by taping together the fuselage halves, ready for re-scribing. This is one of the most effective techniques for dragging an old kit into the current century, and fortunately airliners tend to be among the easiest subjects. Fuselages are largely of consistent diameter, wings are usually straight, and in 1/144 scale there’s no necessity to replicate every single line. Just the engines and tight contours around the nose presented any kind of challenge on the Vanguard. Flexible 3M vinyl tape was used as a guide on these areas, rather than the more rigid DYMO labelling tape used elsewhere on the model. Although out of sequence from the kit instructions, the wing halves and elevators were glued together at this stage too, so the trailing edges could be thinned before re-scribing. The wings in particular suffered from grossly over scale trailing edges, which required
Two nuts were glued beneath the cockpit floor, one filled with Deluxe Materials’ Liquid Gravity. Unfortunately this proved to be insufficient nose weight, and the kit remained a stubborn tail-sitter!
energetic work with coarse sanding sticks. Once all the surface detail was recessed and had been polished, focus switched to the Vanguard’s interior. A rudimentary flight deck was created, which incorporated a floor, rear
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
VICKERS VANGUARD Curved lines demanded a more flexible tape, while the needle in a pin-vice offered better control on tight curvatures.
Straight panel lines were engraved with a scribing tool, and DYMO tape as a guide.
bulkhead, four scratch-built seats and an instrument panel – a fruitless exercise since nothing of them could be seen on the finished model! Floors and bulkheads were also installed in the entry ways, while Curtains made of wine bottle foil were used to cover the doorways, to disguise the total lack of passenger seating. The engine nacelles were improved by sanding the flared rear edges, hollowing out the intakes and re-scribing the panel lines.
a snug connection with the fuselage, but again the general fit was far more straightforward than anticipated. One wing root was, however, slightly deeper than the thickness of the wing and required judicious
Have a good flight! It seemed to have taken many hours to reach this stage, but finally the fuselage halves could be glued together, not forgetting to first install the nose weight as Airfix suggested. Considering the age of the moulds, the fit of the fuselage was a pleasant surprise, and just the lightest smear of Cyanoacrylate (CA) glue was needed to fill two tiny seams. The tabs on the wings needed to be trimmed a little to achieve
sanding and filling. Close comparison with photographs was needed to determine the correct dihedral of the horizontal stabilisers. The fit was very tight, which resulted in an extreme ‘V’ configuration... remedied by more careful sanding and carving of the location tabs.
Subtle bulges on the nacelle undersides represented air intakes, but after sanding these away, more convincing versions were fashioned from styrene rod.
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
VICKERS VANGUARD
“ CONSIDERING THE AGE OF THE MOULDS, THE FIT OF THE FUSELAGE WAS A PLEASANT SURPRISE”
and some panel lines added. The rear edges also flared outwards to create an uncharacteristic bell shape, so these were sanded. Certainly more could be done to the nacelles, including the addition of exhaust stacks behind the intakes. There was considerable flash on the propellers, which had to be neatened, and comparison of the spinners with reference photos showed the kit parts should be straighter and more pointed, although these were left unmodified here. There was also scope to enhance the undercarriage, one of the most obvious being to thin the wheel well doors. The forward gear doors and smaller main gear doors were replaced with styrene sheet items, while the curved main doors were simply thinned by sanding. While trying to force the part into the aperture, it plunged into the cockpit with some force, and took out two of the seats in the process! The only option was to saw off the roof above the cockpit, retrieve the windscreen and repair the damage. Once this was done, the window and roof section were glued back in place, and the resultant seams filled and sanded. Each engine nacelle was a singlepiece moulding, which benefitted from having the intakes drilled out,
MODEL SPEC
Stage 3 of the instructions suggested the installation of the windscreen, although this proved to be more difficult than illustrated. An earlier dry-run had determined that although it fitted tightly, the clear part could be manoeuvred into position, but for some reason this proved impossible once the fuselage was glued together.
Vickers Vanguard By:
Airfix
Stock Code: A03171 Scale:
1/144
Price:
£10.99
Framing on the windscreen was barely visible, so the frames were added temporarily from fine strips of masking tape.
The tape strips served as a guide for cutting Parafilm masks. Note the blisters on the nose, added from a CMK landing light set.
Available from: Airfix, www.airfix.com
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
VICKERS VANGUARD
A CLEAR IMPROVEMENT One of the most obvious areas for upgrade was the Vanguard’s passenger windows. Casting them in resin would result in the panes being perfectly flush with the fuselage sides, while being much clearer than the kit-supplied styrene.
Inner frames were created from styrene strip around groups of several windows… these would contain the resin when poured. The area between the apertures was scored with a knife to improve the resin’s adhesion.
The resin mixture was poured slowly into the framed sections inside the fuselage halves, and any air bubbles were burst immediately or coaxed away from the apertures with a cocktail stick. After 48 hours the resin was cured, and so the tape was removed from the outer surfaces and, after a polish with Micromesh cloths, the windows were coated with Johnson’s Pledge.
The window apertures were enlarged with a scalpel and a grinding bit; slightly bigger windows meant the paint masks did not have to align with exact precision, as any excess clear material around the masks would be painted over.
With no cabin detail to view through the windows, it was decided to spray the fuselage interior black. In retrospect, neutral grey would probably have worked better, as the black inners resulted in the windows mostly disappearing against the black cheatline.
Flying colours Both of the schemes offered in the latest boxing were attractive, but it was the iconic ‘red square’ BEA scheme that really appealed to the author. After all, how often does one get the chance to make an airliner with red wings? Before painting could begin the windows had to be masked. A set of masks was drawn on a computer (this file is downloadable from mikegrantdecals.com/vanguard. pdf), and a call put out on internet modelling forums for someone
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who could produce custom masks. Within minutes a kind gentleman from Germany offered his services (thanks Richi), and a set of selfadhesive masks duly arrived in the writer’s mailbox. Incidentally, these cutters are the kind used by many scrap-bookers, so it’s worth talking to crafting clubs as they may also be able to help. With the masks in place, the cheatline was sprayed satin black, so there was at least some contrast between the high-gloss windows and the paintwork. The black areas
Scotch Magic Tape was then applied firmly over the windows on the outer fuselage halves.
After experimenting with several products, Envirotex Jewelry Resin was chosen. Available here in Canada from craft stores, it dries clear and ultra-hard. The two liquids – clear resin and hardener – were mixed with care to avoid air bubbles. It proved impossible to prevent them completely, but sitting the mixture in a saucer of hot water for ten minutes helped disperse some.
were then masked and the model primed with Tamiya Fine Surface Primer (White). Airfix provided Humbrol colour references but the author prefers acrylics over enamels, so suitable equivalents were substituted. Xtracrylix XA1140 Light Grey was chosen for the undersides, but the red was more problematic as it had to match the colour of the logos on the decal sheet. These were printed in an orange-red, so Tamiya X-8 Lemon Yellow was added to X-7 Red until a close match was
achieved. Natural metal engine nacelles and leading edges were primed with gloss black, and then airbrushed with Alclad Polished Aluminium. Although the painting instructions specified the tailplane leading edges should be painted silver, most photographs showed them to be entirely white. The decals, although beautifully printed, were slightly disappointing as they were thicker than in most recent Airfix releases and stubbornly refused to stick, but
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
VICKERS VANGUARD
“ FOR THE TIME BEING AIRFIX’S KIT REMAINS THE ONLY INJECTION-MOULDED VANGUARD”
applying them on a patch of wet Pledge eventually overcame this. Although the kit provided the option of opening the cabin doors, the decals didn’t reflect this and surrounded each logo with a slightly undersized black door outline. Furthermore the wing logos (decal 3) – white BEA lettering bordered by a white outline square – were printed with a solid red square, which made it critical that the paint match the decal colour exactly. Fortunately, unlike most modern airliners, the BEA scheme was stylishly minimal in its markings, so there were only a few decals to apply. However, photos showed a myriad of intakes and grilles on the engine nacelles, so a few of these were cut from black lettering on old decal sheets, in the form of random squares and triangles. Once in place the model was sprayed with a sealant coat of satin varnish.
Final steps included the addition of several aerials on the airframe, and attaching the boarding ladders. Two of these were supplied in the kit but the railings looked much too heavy, so were replaced with fine hypodermic tubing. The resulting ladders weren’t completely accurate but looked more to scale.
Tamiya X-2 Gloss White sprayed beautifully when thinned with Gunze Mr. Color Levelling Thinner 400, and dried quickly too.
Prepare for landing! There was a time, not so long ago, when any old model of an obscure subject could be excused by the fact that it would be the only kit of its kind ever released, but these days that can’t be said with any certainty. Nevertheless, for the time being Airfix’s kit remains the only injection-moulded Vanguard, and for that alone many modellers will be happy to see it re-released. But although in a new box and despite the plastic being surprisingly blemish free, this 50-year-old tooling is a long way from Airfix’s newly engineered kits, and will require a fair amount of work to modernise. There results here, though, speak ❚ for themselves.
Airfix supplied decals for the black cheatline, but they were masked and painted on the model. Door openings were masked from the inside before the fuselage halves were joined.
Tamiya acrylics were also used for the red wings, but paints had to be mixed to match the BEA red of the decal sheet.
The BEA logos were cut out closely and applied to the red-painted areas. Airfix’s decals were uncharacteristically thick and did not conform well. Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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Adam Tooby's artwork has Vanguard G-APEL, of British European Airways, looking resplendent against the clouds during 1963. Airfix's kit might be old, but the build in this issue shows that superb results can be achieved.
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD TUPOLEV G-5 XIII
Black Sea
Predator T Mike Grant gets his feet wet with Czech firm Brengun’s 1/144 mixed-media Tupolev Torpedo Boat
A fine razor saw was used to cut away the casting stubs from the hull. Despite the size of the part there were just a few tiny pin holes to fill. Unfortunately there was no stand included in the kit, and so a simple support was constructed from a block of ABS plastic and two lengths of carbon fibre rod.
he Russian G-5 was produced in large numbers before and during World War Two. One of the smallest torpedo boats in service anywhere at the time, its light weight was achieved by the extensive use of duralumin in its construction. However this led to corrosion issues, which demanded that the boats be removed from the water and treated on a frequent basis. Two torpedoes could be launched from the stern; these were attached to the G-5 by wires, which activated the torpedoes when snapped. The boat would then veer away from its target and the torpedoes would continue their run.
it was necessary to create one’s own on which to support the model while it was being assembled. A simple rectangle of ABS plastic with two supporting rods of carbon-fibre, which fitted into holes drilled in the keel, did the trick. It was later sprayed matt black. Following the sequence in the instructions, the torpedoes were assembled first, these being single-piece resin bodies with PE fins. No painting instructions were provided for any of the detail parts, and an internet search provided various possibilities for the torpedoes. Light grey was chosen for the main colour, with dark grey fins and deep red warheads,
Eastern promise Brengun’s resin kit came packed in a sturdy box, which contained several small bags of resin parts, a small photo-etched (PE) metal fret, decal sheet and instructions. Cast in light grey, the resin parts were of the highest quality. The one-piece hull was beautiful aesthetically, with its whale-like curves, and quality-wise with sharp detail and just a smattering of tiny pin holes...easily treated with a smear of filler. Since no stand was supplied,
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
TUPOLEV G-5 XIII Thin-viscosity CA glue was the adhesive of choice for most of the resin and PE parts. Disposable eyeliner make-up brushes were invaluable for precision application of the glue.
In 1/144 scale, the photo-etched brass parts provided an authentic scale appearance to items such as the torpedo fins and gun mounts.
Cast in light grey, the resin parts were of the highest quality
components first, to minimise damage while handling the fragile smaller parts. The bridge component fitted very tightly in the hull and required a little sanding, bearing
MODEL SPEC
although the front-ends were hidden completely once installed in the torpedo bays. The two resin DShK machine guns were well detailed, with separate magazines and even microscopic PE gunsights. Guesswork was involved in folding and assembling the rotating gun mounts as the instructions were a little ambiguous, but the results seemed to match the diagrams. These fragile subassemblies were set aside to be painted and attached at the end of the project, as was the boat’s prominent exhaust – cast in three parts which all fitted together perfectly. Similarly, although Brengun suggested the addition of the prop shafts and various fine details to the bridge at this stage, it was decided to play safe and assemble the main
Tupolev G-5 XIII Torpedo Boat By:
Brengun
Stock Code:
BRS 144020
Scale:
1/144
Price:
€27.45
in mind that resin is much softer than styrene and it would be easy to remove too much. Once attached with thin cyanoacrylate (CA) glue, some of the smaller resin and PE components could
be added. These included a window surround that required careful bending to fit around the resin part, various railings and the boat’s rudders. Three extension parts had The PE parts integrated perfectly with the resin components, but railings on top of the bridge had to be bent carefully to follow its curvature.
Available from: Brengun, www.brengun.cz
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD TUPOLEV G-5 XIII
After a light spray of lacquer-based primer, an overall coat of dark grey acrylic paint was airbrushed.
Even with primer, paint doesn’t tend to adhere to resin and PE as well as it does to styrene. Thus, paper was used to mask large areas, to minimise the contact between masking tape and the model’s surface.
Painting and finishing
The slightly soft edge between the upper camouflage colours was achieved with thin rolls of Blu Tack, the areas between them being blanked-off with Parafilm.
to be attached to the stern of the boat, for which resin support struts were supplied. These struts (R3 and R12) appeared to be bent when compared with the drawings on the instruction sheet, and were difficult to separate from the casting blocks without snapping them, so they were replaced with
lengths of stretched styrene. Although not shown in the instructions, a PE flagstaff (part 3) should be fitted to the central extension (R14). With a fairly low parts count and overall excellent fit of components, Brengun’s G-5 build arrived quickly at the painting stage.
Being predominantly an aircraft modeller and unfamiliar with naval subjects, the author found Brengun’s painting instructions less than helpful. The only colour specifications for the main paint scheme were ‘Light Green Grey’ and ‘Dark Grey’, with no actual paint numbers supplied. There didn’t appear to be any more detailed information online either, however several colour profiles were found and illustrated alternative schemes. One of these showed two tones of grey on the upper hull with dark grey below and this was
chosen for AMW’s model, though clearly some guesswork would be required as again, no colour references accompanied the Internet profiles. The first step was to wash the boat thoroughly with warm soapy water to remove any grease or mould release agent. Next, a light coat of Tamiya Fine Surface primer was airbrushed to provide a key for the ensuing acrylics. Tamiya XF-63 German Grey, cut with Tamiya Lacquer Thinner, was then airbrushed over the whole model. The lower hull was masked and a light green-grey (mixed from XF-14
Brengun ; s Tupolev G-5 was an absolute pleasure to build
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
TUPOLEV G-5 XIII
Ja. Grey and XF-20 Medium Grey) sprayed overall. This was diluted heavily and airbrushed in vertical streaks, which allowed the dark grey base to show through randomly. Parafilm was applied next to mask the camouflage pattern, and then long, thin rolls of Blu-Tack were pressed along the edges of the masks to create a slightly soft edge once sprayed. The second, slightly darker grey was mixed from the XF-20 and XF-63 and applied, again with the density heightened via vertical streaks. Having removed all masking, two sealing coats of Johnson’s Pledge were sprayed and the model was set aside to dry for 24 hours. It’s a testament to the high quality of Brengun’s kit that the only problem encountered was with the decals, and there were only two of these to be applied. The white numbers refused to separate from the backing sheet, even after a ten-minute soak in warm water, but were eventually loosened by repeatedly pushing with a paintbrush. At least they adhered well once on the model, and settled without silvering. Additional weathering was duly carried out with oil paints to create further streaking. Random, tiny spots of dark blue, pale yellow and mid-grey were daubed over the model’s surface, and then a paintbrush dampened with thinner was dragged vertically from each spot to leave a subtle trail. A pin-wash of dark grey and rust brown was applied with a fine brush and allowed to flow freely around raised and recessed
detail. Oils take a while to dry, so the model was given 48 hours for the paints to cure completely before matt varnish was applied. Dry-brushing seems to be a technique that has gone out of fashion in some quarters, but used sparingly it’s still an excellent method of highlighting detail in a subtle manner. Lighter shades of the two upper camouflage greys were mixed and dry-brushed on selected edges and raised details. A few minor scuffs and scratches were also painted with acrylic and a 00 brush. Final detailing could then be carried out. Windows were painted black, as were the insides of the circular gun positions to simulate extra depth. The previously painted masts were attached, and the last step was to attach a pair of rigging wires from thinly stretched styrene.
Fine pigment oil colours, thinned with white spirit, were used for staining, streaking and rust spots.
Small-scale delight Despite being a short-run resin and PE kit, the quality of the whole production was such that Brengun’s Tupolev G-5 was an absolute pleasure to build, and more straightforward than many styrene offerings. The minor issue with the decals was the only real shortcoming, and even this wasn’t insurmountable. However additional painting and colour reference would have been appreciated. But despite knowing very little (okay, nothing really!) about maritime subjects the author enjoyed this refreshing change from aircraft, and would happily tackle another ❚ such kit from Brengun.
The long exposed exhaust would almost certainly have oxidised quickly. Various shades of brown and orange acrylics replicated this. In 1/144 scale, Brengun’s G-5 was a compact model...as evidenced by comparison with the ubiquitous Humbrol enamel tinlet.
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD SLÁINE MACROTH
THE
HORNED GOD Sonia Maes re-creates a comic Celt legend with 2000 AD’s barbarian warrior, courtesy of Dark World Creations
S
láine was a hero figure from the weekly British science fiction-orientated comic 2000 AD. His adventures were based on Celtic myths and stories and began with Sláine being a wanderer, banished from his tribe. He explored the Land of
the Young (Tίr-nan-og) in the company of a dwarf named Ukko and, armed with his axe ‘Brainbiter’, he fought monsters and mercenaries. Finally he returned to his tribe and after becoming King, led them against a race of sea demons. As the series progressed, Sláine united
DWC offered 11 high-quality resin castings, which were devoid of pinholes or blemishes and featured excellent muscle definition and detail. Although there were no instructions, building was straightforward, as it was clear where all the parts would fit eventually. All parts were cleaned with washing-up liquid and a toothbrush to remove any mould release agent, and after drying they were attached to toothpicks to aid handling. The components were then airbrushed with Vallejo Grey Acrylic primer, which dried to a hard satin finish.
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Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
MODEL SPEC
SLÁINE MACROTH
Sláine - 2000 AD By:
Dark Word Creations
Stock Code: DWC2AD004 Scale:
70mm
Price:
£34.80
Available from: Dark World Creations, www.darkworldcreations.com
the tribes of the Earth Goddess while his personal devotion to this deity led him to become a new incarnation of the Horned God Carnum. Later in the stories, he became the first high king of Ireland. Dark World Creations has sought inspiration in the graphic novel Demon Killer by Pat Mills, and the art of Glen Fabry for its incarnation of this classic comic hero.
A small paint pallet was a handy tool for figure painting, and allowed multiple colours to be prepared at the same time. Here, three colours (Andrea Color 2nd Shadow, 2nd Base and 2nd Light) were mixed in different ratios to create the four light and four dark skin tones.
The torso was masked before the trousers received Vallejo Flat Yellow mixed with a hint of Light Orange. Tonal variation was created by adding Andrea Color 2nd Shadow to the base colour for darker areas, then highlights of Flat Yellow, Light Orange and Lemon Yellow.
Painting the chequered pattern on the trousers was going to be a challenge. Instead of an attempt to achieve this freehand, 1mm masking tape was used to define the pattern, which tapered towards the bottom as the trousers were tucked into the boots.
Great care was taken to ensure the tape was burnished well, before multiple thin layers of matt black were airbrushed, with each allowed to dry before the next coat to avoid colour bleed under the masking. The whole process was then repeated for the ‘odd’ squares and, once dry, any necessary corrections were painted by hand.
The trousers were masked before the upper body received a base coat of Andrea Color 2nd Base mixed with 2nd Light. Tonal variation was applied in the same manner as on the trousers, but here the dark colours were blended to towards the middle of each muscle for greater definition, before lighter tones were added to the middle and then worked outwards.
Work on the belts began with a base colour of Citadel Colour Tin Bitz, followed by highlights of Vallejo Brass and Gold, and was finalised with an oil wash of Sepia to create depth. Vallejo Red Leather was used as the foundation for the leather belt, while the ornaments were painted in Black Grey.
The loincloth was first painted with a mixture of Vallejo's acrylic Reflective Green and USA Uniform. After the various shades were added, Winsor & Newton (W&N) Naples Yellow Hue oil paint was used to create a worn/bleached look on the garment. Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD SLÁINE MACROTH
To retain a gloss finish, the leather belts were painted with oils. First, a coat of W&N Burnt Sienna was added, and then removed immediately to just leave a blending layer. Highlights were then applied towards the edges with W&N Naples Yellow Hue.
Random patches of W&N Burnt Umber were gently blended in to increase the tonal variety of the leather; cracks were painted along the edges of the belts, and a wash of Sepia added depth. The belt ornaments were then dry-brushed with a mix of Vallejo Oily Steel and Silver to portray wear and tear. Vallejo Dark Grey was applied to the axe blade and other metallic objects, prior to it being drybrushed with Oily Steel, and the edges were highlighted with Vallejo Silver...lastly, black paint was added to any engraved areas to create the illusion of depth. Highlights were added with the same technique as the lowlights; here Andrea Color 1st Shadow was mixed with different amounts of Vallejo Beige. A faded and worn look was then created with W&N Naples Yellow Hue, diluted slightly with Zest It (a white spirit-based liquid), followed by the addition of cracks along the edges of the cloak to create more texture.
Several thin coats of Andrea Color 1st Shadow were airbrushed onto the cloak as a base layer, before tonal variation was created with Vallejo Leather Brown and Flat Brown. This paint was diluted considerably and added in layers until the desired effect was obtained.
The fur received a wash of Vallejo German Cam Black Brown...later, this area was dry-brushed randomly with Andrea Color 1st Shadow, Vallejo Cork Brown, Vallejo Pale Sand and a little Vallejo Grey Blue to create a ruffled effect.
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‘Brainbiter’s’ handle received Lifecolor UA729 Dark Wooden Stock, before texture was added with W&N Burnt Sienna, applied with a sponge. A combination of Raw Sienna, Naples Yellow Hue and Sepia, blended gently, was used to create a pattern on the wood. Finally, the axe straps were painted Vallejo Cork Brown, followed by a wash of USA Olive Drab to create depth; dry-brushed Pale Sand created the highlights.
Sláine’s face was completed in the same way as the torso, before his hair was tackled. Here a base of Vallejo Burnt Umber was used, followed by a wash of W&N Sepia and finally, highlights were added with Cork Brown and Grey Blue.
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD SLÁINE MACROTH
The arms were painted as per the torso, before attention turned to the bracelets and ornaments. These received a base colour of Vallejo Brass, followed by a wash of Citadel Tin Bitz; as a final touch, the edges were dry-brushed with Vallejo Gold.
After a base colour of Vallejo Cork Brown was applied, the skull was drybrushed with a mix of US Field Drab and Pale Sand, followed by just the latter shade. Darker tones were hand painted with German Cam Black Brown.
Milliput was used to create the basic shape of the groundwork for the base. While still soft, little stones were pushed into the material. Cat litter did the trick here, but any type of small rubble could be used. The base was painted with several earth and grey tones, before a series of oil washes were applied to create varying effects. When dry, the edges of the stones were dry-brushed lightly, which caused the texture to ‘pop out’...a final touch was to add grass and leaves, ready for Sláine to strike a pose.
“ THE QUALITY OF THE CASTING W AS EXCELLENT, WITH A GREAT FIT FOR ALL COMPONENTS”.
Sláine’s sword sheath was painted Vallejo Leather Brown, before W&N Burnt Umber was applied, then removed immediately, which left a pleasing texture. Shades of W&N Sepia, Cadmium Orange Hue, and a mix of Raw Sienna and Cadmium Orange Hue were added to create a worn appearance, while the sheath was completed by painting the handle in brass, gold and Citadel Tin Bitz.
Final note Many modellers may recognise the subject and therefore Dark World Creations’ reproduction of Sláine should appeal to figure fans of all ages. The quality of the casting was excellent, with a great fit for all components. ❚ Recommended to all! Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
SAAB JA-37 VIGGEN
Andy Davies tackles Tarangus’s new 1/48 rendering of SAAB’s fabulous Viggen fighter
SWEDISH
THUNDER S The cockpit tub needed extra detail, and so the instrument panel was sanded smooth and then after-market bezels and instrument decals from Airscale were added (PE48 BEZ and AS48 Ajet). Filling and sanding of the intake tunnels was necessary to remove prominent seams, but it was worth the effort. The centre piece is the extension ring needed for the JA 37.
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ometimes described as the world’s fastest biplane, the mighty J 37 Viggen was built in the 1960s as a single-seat aircraft designed to replace the Lansen and Draken. Until now, and surprisingly, modellers have been poorly served with regard to quality Viggen kits and in 1/48 scale, just the Esci/ Airfix kit has gone before; we still await a modern 1/72 product. Eight runners (including one clear) held the injection-moulded parts, but there was some duplication, such as two styles of vertical stabiliser, two ejection seats and two cockpit tubs...all indications of further versions including the SK trainer (see Nuremberg report, this issue). The instructions were well planned and included a numbered parts layout, as well as generic colour parts callouts. Surface and detail quality was high for a limited-run kit and this was arguably reflected in the price. The kit was very easy to build straight out of the box but certain items such as the cockpit, seat and undercarriage bays could do with after-market help and selective scratch-building. Swedish firm Maestro Model specialises in upgrades for kits of
its own country’s aircraft and the Viggen is no exception. However, be warned that most of the resin parts available were designed for the ESCI/Airfix kit and are of incorrect dimensions to fit Tarangus’s kit without surgery. Adhesives used throughout this build comprised EMA Plastic Weld and Revell styrene cement, Zap-AGap cyanoacrylate (CA) and Gator PVA glue.
Into the tub Tarangus provided a fairly basic cockpit tub which needed upgrading, and so it was decided to scratch-build as much as possible. The ejection seat was unrefined and sidelined in favour of a beautifully detailed resin NeOmega item which, while being a big improvement, needed to be cut back and shortened because it was designed for use with the ESCI/Airfix kit. A new instrument panel was scratchbuilt with a mixture of plastic card, and dials and bezels from the excellent Airscale range... all of which added greatly to the realism. Knobs and switches were added from stretched styrene before they received Neutral Grey paint (Gunze), and dry-brushing
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
SAAB JA-37 VIGGEN
KIT COLOUR SCHEMES
• JA 37 Viggen, splinter camouflaged ‘38’ of F4 Wing, Froson • JA 37 Viggen, two tone grey ‘49’ of F16 Wing, Uppsala • JA 37 Viggen, natural metal ‘39’, unit unknown
Alclad’s Dark Aluminium, Duralumin, Magnesium and Burnt Metal were applied to the exhaust/reheat unit and thrust reverser shroud, before weathering was carried out with Tamiya’s Burnt Metal powders.
MODEL SPEC
accentuated the detail further. A wash of Raw Umber oil paint and white spirit was applied to the whole structure and dabbed with a dry cotton bud. The rear bulkhead was then given a ‘second skin’ of thin plastic card, with cut-outs added to give the illusion of depth. Then, 0.5mm lead wire was added to replicate the air conditioning system feeds. While there were no alignment pins provided, the overall fit of the parts was commendable, particularly the wing-to-fuselage join. In fact the only part that needed extra attention was the extension plug that fitted between the forward and rear fuselage (which gave the JA variant its extra length due to the modified engine). This part, though, created a step that was easily dealt with by careful sanding SAAB JA-37 Viggen By:
Tarangus
Stock Code: TA4802 Scale:
1/48
Price:
£64.99
and the re-scribing of lost panel lines. Following painting with Alclad lacquers and Tamiya’s Metallic Staining Set (07088 - D), the beautifully detailed reheat unit was fitted into the rear fuselage and secured with CA. The engine compressor facing disc was then painted and fitted, followed by the intake trunking, which needed extra work as the seams had to be removed prior to the application of satin white. The last items to attach were the intakes themselves, and these fitted equally well. At this point the decision was made to scratchbuild the ram air turbine and its bay, so the relevant area was removed from the left fuselage side and a box was constructed from 2mm plastic card. Details were made from plastic rod, card and lead wire, with reference photographs studied as a guide, and the whole assembly fitted to the inside wall; the actual turbine and its door would be fabricated later. Once the fuselage was finished it was time to approach the flying surfaces.
Available from: www.tarangus.se
“SURFACE AND DETAIL QUALITY WAS HIGH FOR A LIMITED-RUN KIT” Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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SAAB JA-37 VIGGEN Wings and things Nearly all photographs of Viggens at rest, with the systems powered down, showed that the flying surfaces all drooped. It was decided to depict this trait, and so after consideration on how best to achieve this it was decided that the lower wing elevon surfaces would be cut through and removed, while the uppers would only be cut partially from the back and then carefully bent into shape.
This would ensure that there was no need to reattach them, and inevitable gaps and angles that would require extra work would be avoided. But this method also demanded that the eight actuator fairings also had to be cut and their faces angled to fit (the same went for the canards as these were also always drooped). The pieces were cut through, but this time they were replaced with customcut and shaped 2mm plastic card.
The canards proved to be another problem area in that the elevon sections were the wrong shape. Tarangus had them at 90 degrees to the fuselage, whereas they should have been angled back. New lines were drawn onto the parts, followed by careful cutting and repositioning, and the elevons themselves were rebuilt from 4mm plastic card as this saved time filling the details left on the kit parts. The JA variant sported
two triangular vortex generators in the centre of the upper surface of the canard, though Tarangus only provided a single item, and so these were added from plastic card. Ultimately, all 14 of the underside actuators were made from stretched styrene. Another issue with accuracy involved the anti-collision lights mounted at the wing tips. The JA 37 had a revised and strengthened wing that included an extra pair of
“TARANGUS MANAGED TO EXCEL AND IT PRODUCED A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF MODEL ENGINEERING”
A ram-air turbine bay was scratch-built...all that was needed was the turbine itself, which would be added later.
Wing flying surfaces were to be posed drooped and this required the eight actuators to be cut. The parts were angled with a sharp scalpel and then refitted...
...which resulted in gaps that needed filling. The easiest way was to place small strips of masking tape alongside them, apply the filler and wipe with a damp cotton bud.
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Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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SAAB JA-37 VIGGEN
UNDERCARRIAGE UPGRADE
One noticeable problem was with the wheels, which were far too thin and in need of widening. This was achieved by the insertion of 3mm plastic card discs between the halves, followed by sanding to shape. The tread was then re-scribed, the gear legs were painted in Gunze H332 and once dry, thin strips of Chrome Bare Metal Foil were added to the legs and oleos. Wires and hydraulic lines were fashioned from lead wire and once dry, a diluted Burnt Umber oil wash was applied to all the parts, carefully distributed with a moist cotton bud. Arguably, the nose gear was basic too, and so extra detail was added via plastic rod, spare white metal parts and a regular pin. The nose wheels were devoid of any detail, and so Maestro resin parts were used as they provided the required features. No flattening of the tyres was required, because the Viggen (like the English Electric Lightning) ran on thin tyres at very high pressure for high-speed operation. One fact to note is that the nose leg sits at a slightly forward angle, and so the kit extension jack was cut back accordingly.
Anti-collision lights had to be relocated as the JA version had them fitted to the outer ends of the wingtips, rather than next to the mid-wing fairings. This was a simple case of sanding and filling.
The canard elevons were shaped incorrectly and needed replacing. Tarangus had them at 90 degrees to the fuselage, whereas they should be angled back. New parts were made from plastic card. JA 37s had two small vortex generators fitted to the top of the foreplanes, rather than a single unit seen on the attack versions; these were constructed from 0.5mm plastic card.
flap actuators. On the model, this necessitated repositioning of the lights from the side of the bullet fairings of the outer panels, to small fairings fitted to the extreme outer wingtip. This was achieved easily by fitting the clear parts, filling and sanding to shape. Small blisters were then added to the tips.
Vertical limit The fin of the JA 37 has a unique profile and here Tarangus fell down
somewhat; the centrally mounted leading edge pitot needed to be moved further down the fin, and the chord at the top half was too narrow. The easiest way to correct this was to remove the pitot and fairing, and fill the area with Milliput. A small rectangle was cut out further down the fin and a length of scrap resin inserted, which was then shaped. Into this, a hole was drilled to accept a Master Model metal replacement part. Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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SAAB JA-37 VIGGEN
REALISTIC GRIME Weathering one’s carefully painted model can be daunting, but if done correctly and methodically doesn’t need to be painful. In this case, Flory Models’ claybased Dark and Light Dirt washes were applied to the panels and allowed to dry for approximately 20 minutes. Once dry, a slightly moist cotton bud was used to rub the wash across the panels in the direction of the airflow. For heavily stained areas, such as the panels ahead of the rear fuselage thrust reverser slots, the wash was rubbed into the paintwork by a lightly moistened piece of kitchen cloth, this time pushing the wash forward to represent staining caused by the reverser process. If one doesn’t like the result, simply use a damp tissue to remove it all and re-apply. The underside tended to be much more heavily weathered than the top, so more wash was applied to this area and rubbed into the paint more vigorously. Certain areas received an oil wash to replicate more serious leaks and stains.
Main undercarriage bays were detailed with lead wire, followed by an oil wash to highlight the detail. Viggens usually had the large main doors closed when on the ground, and so there was no need to detail the areas further. The vertical tail also needed work as the profile was incorrect and the pitot was placed wrongly, and so the pitot was moved down by 7mm, while the top part of the forward fin was extended forward so the leading edges were parallel. Re-positioning of the pitot was done by cutting out a rectangular section in the fin leading edge and then adding a piece of scrap resin which was shaped into a fairing...into which a 0.5mm hole was drilled.
Another problem, though, was that the two leading edge sections above and below the pitot should have been parallel to each other. Tarangus designed them at odd angles, this being due in part to the chord difference of the top half of the fin. Therefore, the forward section of the vertical fin was increased with plastic card, from the pitot to the top, and this brought everything into line. With the undercarriage on the Viggen being a complex and sturdy affair, Tarangus managed to excel and it produced a beautiful piece of model engineering. Unfortunately, the
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firm reproduced the main gear with the legs extended fully rather than compressed (as they would be on the real aircraft). But it was decided to leave the parts alone, as adjustment meant that all the extension and retraction jacks would have to be modified too. Everything fitted well in general...the only concern being the strength of the bogie-to-leg attachment over time, as the fit in this respect was vague to say the least and so it was decided to
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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SAAB JA-37 VIGGEN
“TARANGUS SHOULD BE CONGRATULATED ON PRODUCING THE BASIS FOR A HIGHLY ENJOYABLE BUILD” use brass pins, along with two-part epoxy, for strength.
The dangerous bits Strangely the kit didn’t come with any weapons which, for a heavily armed interceptor, seemed rather miserly. The basic weapons fit carried by the JA version comprised two RB 71 (Skyflash) missiles, carried on hard points just outside of the main undercarriage doors, and four RB 74 (AIM-9 Sidewinder)...two on the under fuselage pylons and two on the outer wing stations. As most of these were training rounds, they needed to be painted in a fairly lurid green which made a stark, yet pleasing contrast to the drab grey. The missiles came from the spares box; two AIM-9s from a Revell Tornado, and these needed
to be modified as the noses were longer and the fins had cut-outs on the outer edges. The Skyflash were from a Tornado F.3. All weapons were painted with Model Master Ogre Green, a perfect match for the shade used on these bright training rounds. The pylons came from a Bronco J-10 fighter. Another issue with the Tarangus kit, though, was that the Skyflash pylons were too shallow and needed to be modified. Parts from an old Esci/Airfix Viggen came in use here, and were adapted to fit.
What to wear?
a very useful paint chart, which described aircraft Federal Standard paint codes and their modelling equivalents. It was decided to use Gunze acrylics, Grey H307 and Light Grey (H308) as these seemed the closest match. The
model was first given a coat of Alclad’s Grey Primer before it was rubbed down and smoothed with 3,000- and 6,000-grade Micromesh cloth. Once happy with the finish, H308 was sprayed at approximately 12psi (0.82 bar),
The cockpit coaming and cover were devoid of detail, and so extra embellishment was added in the form of a new HUD made from plastic card and clear acetate sheet. A gold lens from Little Cars was then fitted into the unit.
The scheme looked simple at first...medium and light grey. But as ever with these things, it wasn’t that traightforward. IPMS Stockholm’s website provided
Another strange ‘addition’ was a square fairing with a lip on top of the thrust reverser shroud edges; this simply didn’t exist on the real aircraft, and so was sanded off before being filled and neatened.
Alclad’s Grey Primer was applied at a fairly low pressure 12psi (0.8 bar) to ensure an even but thin coverage, before the model was set aside to dry for 48 hours. Micromesh cloth was then used to ensure extra smoothness to the finish. Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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SAAB JA-37 VIGGEN
A coat of Medium Grey H308 was applied to the upper surfaces, and was sprayed thinly to avoid covering the pre-shade completely. When dry, lightened shades of the top colour were sprayed onto the inner sections of the panels to start the weathering process.
The large orange Dayglo identification markings were added to the wing upper surface, and their adherence was aided by a mixture of Micro Set and Micro Sol; this helped in particular to draw the markings into recesses.
remembering to go right up over the nose. Once dry, the Medium Grey was applied freehand, and no masks were needed as a soft demarcation finish was required. A brushed coat of Johnson’s Klear ensured a smooth surface ready for the application of the decals, and the national markings and squadron codes were applied first. Tarangus’s decals were of good quality, but some smaller stencil details were missing; also they were represented in black rather than a faded, slightly green colour, which made them too stark. A sheet from Two Bobs provided the missing decals, as well as correctly coloured main items. The options provided in the box were for two splinter-
various panels, and slightly darker to others; at least eight different tones were applied overall.
camouflaged aircraft, one twotone grey and another in natural metal. It was decided to go with the grey aircraft, mainly due to the colourful decal options. JA 37s carried two types of ID markings, one in Dayglo red and one in bright orange. The latter looked far more striking, and so it was decided to use the excellent decals provided in Airfix’s old kit. Most photographs of grey Viggens show the aircraft in a very weathered and worn finish – understandable given the often harsh conditions in which these aircraft operated. The best way to approach this was by good research. A patchy finish was achieved by applying increasingly lighter versions of the top coat to
Canard conundrum... Tarangus’s new Viggen kit provides the opportunity to build the interceptor variant of this powerful and aircraft, while parts included for yet other versions signal more enjoyment for Swedish fans. While it was a far more involved project than expected due to a few shortcomings, Tarangus should be congratulated on producing the basis for a highly enjoyable build. Despite the errors and omissions, and the short-run nature of the beast, with a little extra work the end result certainly looked like ❚ Sweden’s mighty Jaktviggen.
REFERENCE Saab 37 Viggen Walk Around, by Mikhail Putnikov (Squadron Signal), ISBN: 978-0-89747-716-1 Saab 37 Viggen The Ultimate Portfolio, by Jan Jørgensen, Anders Nylén and Peter Liander, (Nordic Airpower), ISBN: 978-87993688-4-6 ADP 015 Swedish Viggens, by Jan Jørgensen (AirDoc), ISBN: 978-3-935687-15-7
“THE END RESULT CERTAINLY LOOKED LIKE SWEDEN’S MIGHTY JAKTVIGGEN” {68}
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IN FOCUS
SAAB VIGGEN
SWEDEN'S
SYSTEM 37
Jan P. Forsgren details the service history of SAAB’s magnificent Viggen
A
fter World War Two SAAB was the only aircraft manufacturer in Sweden and so, unlike in the UK, there was no competition from rival companies. During the Cold War Sweden was squeezed between NATO and the Warsaw Pact countries; however, it has emerged that the neutrality was very superficial. In released documents it is very clear who was the enemy, as all exercise scenarios named the attacking block ‘the Reds’ and the enemy always attacked from the east. Buying fighter aircraft from the USA would have included commitments unacceptable for
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Sweden, and to maintain neutrality it was important to manufacture its own defence materiel. Apart from Hunters and Vampires/Venoms from Great Britain, purchased as stop-gaps for SAAB products, no foreign jet-powered aircraft was used. Every single type produced by SAAB was built according to the prevailing doctrine, and none was allowed to fail as there were never any optional aircraft on which to fall back. SAAB entered the jet age with the J 21 R, which in reality was a terrible design, being a propeller aircraft converted to jet propulsion and it was used for ground-attack only. The J 29 Tunnan, on the
contrary, could have given the MiG15 and Sabre a tough dogfight. It was the first European swept-wing aircraft and was employed mainly as a fighter, but also for groundattack and reconnaissance. These were the years when aircraft could be used easily as multi-role aircraft because of the simple electronics. The Lansen (see AMW Dec. 2013), was a dedicated attack aircraft and well advanced electronically for its time – and had very good strike capability. But when the Draken was conceived, the doctrine called for a Mach 2 interceptor with high climb rate to chase high-flying transonic bombers. Speed was more important than turn radius.
Policy change The KFF (Royal Ministry of Supply, later FMV) would procure the
aircraft, Fpl 37 (Flygplan = aircraft), from SAAB, while the engine would be sourced from abroad and be developed in Sweden, and SAAB had to integrate it with the aircraft. Suppliers for electronics and avionics included LM Ericsson, Honeywell, SRA, Philips and AGA. As the aircraft was to be a true multi-role performer, it was also called System 37. In the late 1950s, when the project for a new aircraft had been running for five years, the Swedish Air Force (Flygvapnet) reached its peak. It was the world’s fourth- or fifth-largest air arm by numbers (with 1,000 aircraft available) and was planned to increase to 1,200. The 1958 defence decision changed all that, though; instead it demanded a decrease of 25 per cent. The new aircraft would be
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IN FOCUS
SAAB VIGGEN An AJ 37 armed with four TV-guided RB 75 (Maverick) missiles. It also carries the external fuel tank, which was usually standard equipment for all Viggen variants. (Anders Nylén)
VIEW MORE ONLINE airfixmodelworld.com
The Swedish Air Force Historic Flight SK 37 37809 is in flying condition but currently lacks the necessary paperwork. It still wears typical Viggen camouflage, which many hope will be retained. If all goes well it will fly very soon (Jan P. Forsgren)
much more potent, and so fewer numbers would be required for the Flygvapnet; not just the aircraft, but the whole system around it including the bases and combat management system (also early warning and ground-controlled interception). The reduction in numbers for the Flygvapnet was to continue during the Viggen period and by 2000 it was down to 250 aircraft.
Birth of the Viggen Viggen (Thunderbolt) was to replace the Lansen attack aircraft, but also the Draken fighter/ interceptor. Studies began in the early 1950s, even before Tunnan deliveries were finished, and
before the Lansen was operational and the Draken flew for the first time. The first studies revealed even better performance than the Draken's, with two engines and a canard configuration. When the defence doctrine was changed to a low-level transonic aircraft due to surface-to-air missile development, the Viggen came out as a multi-role aircraft with STOL characteristics to suit the Swedish road/base system. It was to be a single-seater, where computers replaced the second crew member. Viggen does not look like any other aircraft; it was the first with canard foreplanes and a delta main wing, and it was also the first military aircraft to utilise a thrust
reverser...it also used an engine designed for an airliner. Viggen’s double-delta configuration with canard foreplanes is unique, in that the front wing is not for stability but for lift. On a conventional aircraft the tail end stabilises the aircraft but pushes the tail down, reducing lift, whereas on the Viggen the canard nose wing, with flap deployed, gives lift to the main wing...but the deflected flap disturbs the airflow over the main wing so the net effect is less. The flaps are deployed automatically when the landing gear is lowered, to decrease landing speed. Adding to the low speed, the Viggen made steep carrier deck landing approaches and used
SWAFRAP AJS 37s. The acronym stands for Swedish Air Force Rapid Reaction Unit, formed in 1999 to act when the UN needed photo reconnaissance and to be led by the NATO, but this was too late for the Jugoslav wars. The unit consisted of six AJSF 37s and the necessary equipment to keep them in the air, and was active until 2004 when it was replaced by a Gripen unit. (Anders Nylén)
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IN FOCUS
SAAB VIGGEN
Two low-vis grey JA 37 Ds from F 4 wing; 4-22 made its last flight in 2004, while 4-08’s was in 2003. Both were scrapped afterwards. (Anders Nylén)
the thrust-reverser to brake more quickly. Viggen also fielded a new instrument landing system to land on narrow road bases in bad weather. The demand from the KFF was that the Viggen should be able to take off and land in less than (1,600ft) 500m.
Powerplant Engine choice caused much debate. The KFF decided in December 1961, even before the
configuration of the aircraft was settled, that Pratt & Whitney’s JT8D should power the Fpl 37. Options had been the British Bristol Olympus 22, the type made for the TSR.2 (this was SAAB’s preference), the Rolls-Royce Medway, developed from the Avon and the P&W J75. Both the British engines were eventually abandoned and the JT8D was selected by the KFF as it was an “already developed engine” and
had more potential than the J75. The necessary work to make the JT8D a Mach 2 powerplant was underestimated though (“every single part of the engine had to be re-engineered”), as Sweden became the only user, and the cost became an issue within the project. But efforts made by Flygmotor and P&W proved fruitful, and laid the foundation for civilian cooperation between Flygmotor and foreign engine suppliers.
AJS 37 37098, with the civil registration SE-DXN, was restored to flying condition by the Swedish Air Force Historic Flight; it resides in the SwAFHF hangar at the F 7 Såtenäs wing. (Jan P. Forsgren)
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AJ 37 Viggen (strike fighter) In 1964 the government appointed a committee to review the whole project, afraid of the accelerating cost. An option for buying an existing aircraft was evaluated (the F-4 Phantom), but the actual result was an approval for Viggen development and, in 1967, an order for 100 aircraft was made (later extended to 175 and finally 180). In the first batch of Viggens ordered, 106 AJs were delivered, and during 1973-78 the pilots of the remaining strike wings, F 6, F 7 and F 15, were trained. Replacing the A 32 Lansen, the Viggen pilot needed no rear-seater and still could navigate while flying at extremely low altitude, perform radar search, and aim and fire selected weapons against land or sea targets, in all weather and during darkness. The AJ 37 was very active during the 1981 ‘Whiskey on the rocks’ incident, when a Soviet Whiskey Class submarine was grounded on a small island close to one of the Swedish naval ports. During the ten days of this international crisis, the AJ 37 Viggen flew
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IN FOCUS
SAAB VIGGEN
SPECIFICATIONS Sub-type
AJ/SH 37
SF 37
SK 37
JA 37
Number built
110
18
26
149
Powerplant
Flygmotor RM8A at 65.6 kN dry, 115.6 with afterburner (14,750 lbf/26,000 lbf)
Flygmotor RM8B at 72.1 kN dry, 125 with afterburner (16,200 lbf/28,110 lbf)
Wingspan:
34 ft 9 ¼ in (10.60 m)
Length, excl. probe
50ft 8½ in (15.45m)
51ft 4½ in (15.65m) 50ft 8½ in (15.45m)
51ft 1½ in (15.58m)
Length, incl. probe
53ft 5¾ in (16.30m)
54ft 1½ in (16.50m) 53 ft 5¾ in (16.30 m)
53ft 11in (16.43m)
Height
18ft 4½ in (5.6m)
Total wing area
560ft² (52.2m²)
19ft 4½in (5.9m)
Empty weight
26,000lb (11,800kg)
27,000lb (12,200kg)
Normal t/o weight
33,000-35,250lb (15,000-16,000kg)
37,000lb (16,800kg)
Max t/o weight:
45,000lb (20,450kg)
49,600lb (22,500kg)
Internal fuel
1,215 gal (5,525 lit)
1,290 gal (5,860 lit)
External fuel
290gal (1,325 lit)
Max speed
Mach 2
Landing speed
119kts (220km/h)
Mach 2.1
Rate of climb
fr. standstill to 36,089ft (11,000m) in 120sec
Service ceiling
59,000ft (18,000m)
Range
1,250 miles (2,000km)
armed missions with RB 04 E to prevent the Soviet rescue fleet entering the Swedish territorial waters. Sweden’s prime minister had ordered the Flygvapnet to prevent the Soviet rescue fleet “with any means” from coming
fr. standstill to 36,089ft (11,000m) in 100sec
too close to the submarine. The AJ 37 was active from 1973 to 1995, when it was replaced by the AJS 37. It could carry a pod with a 30mm cannon and AIM-9 Sidewinder for self-defence, and several strike weapons (see table).
SF 37 Viggen (Photo recce) Three squadrons were equipped with the reconnaissanceoptimised Viggen, and there were two versions; the SF 37 with cameras, including
This JA 37 D (37412) wore a stunning one-off black and gold scheme inspired by the Viggen Order badge. It flew in late 2004 to mark the retirement of the JaktViggen from Flygvapnet service. It is kept in this beautiful colour scheme at the F 4 museum. (Anders Nylén)
“VIGGEN (THUNDERBOLT) WAS TO REPLACE THE LANSEN ATTACK AIRCRAFT” Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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IN FOCUS
SAAB VIGGEN F 1 Wing at Uppsala painted JA 37 (serialled 37411) in a special scheme in 2000 for its use as the Flygvapnet Viggen display aircraft. Its last flight was made in 2003 before it was scrapped. (Anders Nylén)
VIGGEN ARMAMENT In the table below the armament for the AJ, SH and SF can be seen before and after conversion to AJS standards, note the difference between black (before conversion) and white (after conversion) symbols. The SK had no armament at all. • Rockets: Six 5 ½in (13.5cm) rockets in each pod, and all rockets were fired simultaneously • RB 05 A: A ground-attack weapon guided with a joystick. Against well-defended targets it was almost impossible to use, but it could also be employed against large and slow-moving targets such as transport aircraft and helicopters. • Bombs: 16 240lb (120kg) bombs • RB 75: TV-guided Maverick • RB 04 E: anti-ship missile • RB 15 F: anti-ship missile, with double the range and better electronic warfare resistance compared to the RB 04E • BK 90: gliding stand-off submunitions dispenser WEAPONS CAPACITY Before AJS mod After AJS mod
AJ37
AIR-TO-AIR WEAPONS Cannon pod RB 24B/24B/24J (AIM-9B/9P) RB 74 (AIM-9L) STRIKE WEAPONS Rockets Bombs RB 75 Maverick RB 05 A RB 04 E RB 15 F BK 90 Mjölner MISC. EQUIPMENT U22/kb Chaff/flare pod External tank
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SH 37
SF 37
passive infra-red, while the SH 37 sported surveillance radar and a long-distance camera for maritime reconnaissance, 26 of each were produced. The SF 37 was based on the AJ, but it had a steel radome and no radar, as the nose cone contained seven cameras. It could also carry AIM-9 Sidewinders for self-defence. Delivery to wings occurred during 1976-1980, and it was active until 1993 when it was replaced by the AJSF 37.
SH 37 Viggen (maritime surveillance) Apart from the long-distance camera, this sub-type could carry a camera pod, and another pod with illumination equipment for night missions. It was equipped to carry the RB 04E for anti-shipping sorties (see table for other armament). On recce missions, two Viggen flew together, and often it was an SF and an SH. Deliveries were made from 1975-1979 and it was replaced by the AJSH 37 in 1993.
SK Viggen (trainer) The SK 37 had no radar, as the avionics were moved to the radome, so another seat could be accommodated; it could not
“THE AJ 37 WAS VERY ACTIVE DURING THE 1981 ‘WHISKEY ON THE ROCKS’ INCIDENT”
A pair of Viggens from F 13 Norrköping Wing flying over a Swedish east coast archipelago. SH 37 F 13-01 is armed with two RB 04 Es, while SF 37 F 13-16 (37968) carries two self-defence RB 24 Js. 37901 now resides in Lelystad in the Netherlands in a spurious colour scheme, and 37968 flew for the last time in 1997 and was scrapped. (Anders Nylén)
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IN FOCUS
SAAB VIGGEN carry any armament. Eighteen were delivered from 1972-1973 and were operational until 1998. In 1998-2000 ten were converted to replace the ageing Lansen J 32 E for electronic warfare training, and became the SK 37 E.
JA 37 Viggen (fighter interceptor/strike) The fifth version of the Viggen was virtually an aircraft of an entirely new generation, and with it the idea of a multi-role aircraft was dropped. The JA’s development was ordered as late as 1971 due to Swedish politics, and being designed half a generation later the JA differed very much from other Viggen sub-types. This JA variant was fitted with a more powerful engine, which necessitated a 5in (13cm) fuselage plug, and at that previous plug-point the front fuselage was also angled downwards slightly. Avionics were completely new and the last JA type, the D4, had an avionics suite very similar to that carried by the Saab Gripen.
VIGGEN UNITS AND SUB-TYPES Wing
Location
F4
Frösön (2005)*
AJ 37
F6
Karlsborg (1994)*
1977-94
F7
Såtenäs
1974-95
F 10
Ängelholm (2002)*
F 13
Norrköping (1994)*
F 15
Söderhamn (1998)*
SF 37
SH 37
1975-76
SK 37**
JA 37
1998-03
1982-02
1972-74
AJS 37
1995-97 1993-00
1976-93
1976-93
1974-93
F 16
Uppsala (2003)* Kallinge
1978-93
1978-93
F 21
Luleå
1979-97
1979-97
1993-00
1980-93 1974-98
F 17
AJSF/H 37
1994-97 1986-03
2003-05
1981-02
1993-02
1983-01
1995-05
* Year the Flygvapnet wing was disbanded. ** SK 37 was active as a trainer until 1998 when no further training was necessary. SK 37 E was active until 2005.
The pulse-doppler radar was new, and for its time the most advanced. The JA also had a powerful 30mm Oerlikon cannon and a third hydraulic cylinder for the inner elevons. Visible differences to other Viggen versions were the SK fin and VHF antenna behind the fin. Armament comprised Skyflash,
AIM-9 J/L and later, AIM-120 AMRAAM (JA 37 D). For strike missions, four pods with six 5 ½in (13.5cm) rockets could be carried. Deliveries began in 1980 but ceased by 1990 when 149 had been produced. The JA was upgraded continually and flew until 2004 when it was replaced by the Gripen.
AJS Viggen (strike/ fighter/reconnaissance) In 1990, an upgrade programme was initiated for some of the AJ/SF/SH Viggens with the least number of hours on their airframes, to AJS/AJSF/AJSH standard; this came about due to delays with the new JAS 39 Gripen. The workshops of F 6, F
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IN FOCUS
SAAB VIGGEN 7, F 15 and F 21 rebuilt 48 AJ 37s, 13 SF 37s and 25 SH 37s to AJS 37 standard between 1992-94, to provide integrated attack, fighter and reconnaissance capabilities. Modifications comprised the major part of a new Ericsson computer processor system, MIL-STD-1553B databus and MIL-STD-1760 stores interface system to carry the RB 15F antiship missile, and BK 90 Mjölner submunitions dispenser. No airframe, but just minor cockpit modifications were made. The SF with no radar lacked the strike capability; in reality they became JSF airframes in spite of being named AJSF. The AJS Viggen version could use more modern Gripen weapons and operated until
An AJ 37 banking over a typical Swedish rural landscape close to F 7 Såtenäs wing. Around Såtenäs a number of permanent and semi-permanent bases as well as several road bases were located and formed the main Swedish strike air arm. (Anders Nylén)
VIGGEN COLOURS Early camouflage patterns used for the Lansen and Draken were considered ineffective; a new irregular scheme with four colours was tested on two J 35 B Drakens, and would be used not just for aircraft, but also vehicles, buildings and uniforms. The blue-grey underside colour was the same as used before on the Lansen and Draken. This camouflage was good for low-flying and parked aircraft, but infrared cameras made it difficult for them to hide on the ground. In 1982, when the JA had been operational for a few years, ‘air superiority’ camouflage schemes were tested, and a dark grey upper side (including the fin), and with light grey undersides was chosen. Not all Viggens were repainted, though...the SwAFHF SK 37 was one of the last two to fly for the Flygvapnet in 2007, still in the splinter camouflage, and has been restored by the Swedish Air Force Historic Flight. KFF no.
Equivalent FS 595a
Light Green
322 M
FS *4226
Dark Green
326 M
FS *4097
Brown
507 M
FS *0095
Black
093 M
Black
Blue-grey
058 M
FS *6270/*6293
Dark grey
033 M
FS *6375
Light grey
032 M
FS *6495
“THE LAST ARMED VIGGENS TO OPERATE WERE THE AJSF/Hs OF F 21 WING” the latter replaced the final Viggen aircraft in the Flygvapnet.
The end is nigh From 1995 the AJs with the most airframe hours were phased out and this coincided with the decrease of aircraft numbers in the Flygvapnet. The last armed Viggens to operate were the AJSF/Hs of F 21 wing, and the remaining Viggens to fly were the SK 37 Es, which were finally decommissioned in 2007. Total production numbers amounted to
329, but all export attempts made for this groundbreaking type failed. Museums all over Europe and in the USA have the Viggen on display, as it was cheaper to fly and donate them after only removing the necessary items, instead of scrapping them in entirety. One AJS is flying and one SK currently awaits permission to fly; to see and hear this aircraft take off with afterburner, and land with the thrust reverser activated, is a real ❚ treat for any jet fan!
The equivalent FS reference has been chosen with scale effect in mind, as the ‘raw’ paint on the chips seems darker than when painted on the real aircraft.
For the retirement of the recce Viggen at F 21, an AJSF 37 received special markings in early 2005. The livery included a blue-painted rear fuselage and tailfin with a wolf’s head and the unit’s motto...Lonesome Wolf. Here, the AJSF 37 serial 37950 is accompanied by two AJSH 37s and made its last flight in late 2005 before it was scrapped, but the vertical tail has survived and can be seen at the F 21 museum. (Anders Nylén)
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BOOKS
AVIA’S GUSTAVS AND SWALLOWS
This is a brilliant insight into how the Bf 109G (Gustav), Me262 (Schwalbe – Swallow) and their derivatives (S-199/CS-199 and S-92/CS-92 respectively) were
remnants, then how new versions, including two-seat trainers, were designed. Besides the fantastic photographs of each aircraft type, the narrative is illuminated by line drawings and colour profiles, the majority scaled usefully to 1/48. The imagery encompasses every aspect of the aircraft’s lifespan, from construction, through to training and combat operations; although the latter is confined to those aircraft sold to the embryonic Israeli Air Force in the late 1940s. There are also excellent anecdotes from Czech pilots who flew the aircraft, in particular one Schwalbe ‘jockey’, and the tale of how engineers would tip-up an aircraft after a failed engine
start, to drain any unburnt fuel and therefore prevent a fire on relight! For anyone interested in the Bf 109G, Me 262, their Czech derivatives, or the Czech Air Force, this is a treasure trove of information. SF
BOOK SPEC
operated by the Czechoslovakian Air Force in the aftermath of World War Two. It includes surprises and anecdotes galore, including how in 1945, Czechoslovakia was the largest user of German aircraft in the world and one of the few nations able to build and operate jet fighters. During World War Two, large factories were built to manufacture Bf 109s and Me 262s for the Luftwaffe, and several surviving facilities were turned over to the Czechoslovak government. These formed the basis of the Avia aircraft company. Each type is covered thematically, concentrating on service of the original type, how Avia produced aircraft from the wartime
Mezek a Turbina: Messerschmitts in Czechoslovakia By:
Bohumίr Kudlička
ISBN:
978-83-63678-08-1
Price:
£19.99
Format:
A4
Available from: Mushroom Model Publishing, www.mmpbooks.biz
HEAVY METAL HORSEMEN
BOOK SPEC
In past, the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) has operated under a veil of secrecy; as a result there have been few publications available, particularly for armoured vehicles. Thankfully, Desert Eagle has published a series Rochev and Doher: M109A1//A2 Rochev and Doher in IDF Service By:
Michael Mass, Adam O’Brien
ISBN:
978-965-91635-6-4
Price:
£24.99
Format:
215mm x 280mm
Available from: www.deserteaglepublishing.com
of volumes to fill this glaring knowledge gap. The latest is dedicated to the M109 155mm self-propelled howitzer, and is split into two sections, which deal with the standard M109A1/ A2s, nicknamed Rochev (Rider) and the locally upgraded Doher (Galloper). As usual, the subjects are introduced with an overview/ history, in this case the use of self-propelled artillery in the IDF, from the initial M4 Shermanbased vehicles, to the eventual arrival of the M109A1/A2. With an in-depth examination of the machine, and the inevitable tweaks and changes brought about due to operations in the desert environment, there is also a helpful listing of external
differences between Rochev and Doher. These include additional machine gun and stowage baskets on the Doher, along with a new auxiliary power unit and improved gun travel lock. One standout aspect of the IDF Armor Series has been that, in addition to standard barracks/ parade ground photos, it also shows the subjects during exercises or on operations, and is a gift for any modeller that prefers their armour kits to be weathered. Rest assured, the interior is not neglected, and there are more than sufficient photos to satisfy ardent detailers. Perhaps the gem in the barrel has to be the power pack, with numerous shots of fitted
and removed units, the latter being covered from all angles. If one has AFV Club or Italeri M109s ready for conversion to an IDF variant, or is waiting for Kinetic’s forthcoming 1/35 Doher/Rochev kit, then this is the perfect accompaniment. SF
THUNDERING WORKHORSE
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its use in Danish hands, one is launched into an incredible walkaround. Every nook and cranny is covered, providing modellers with all the visual information required. An added bonus is a
series of extracts from USAF/RDAF maintenance and spares manuals, which provide a fascinating look beneath the skin. Examination of the airframe stencils and markings is accompanied by a combination of schematic drawings and closeup photographs of the real aircraft. However, the highlight has to be the series of profiles of Danish F-84s in schemes which vary from natural metal, through to the eventual camouflaged grey/green/ natural metal finish worn later in its service life. This amazing level of detail continues with the section devoted to the jet’s operational service, including the inevitable
accidents; 39 Danish pilots were killed flying the F-84. The finale is a full listing of all 244 F-84E/Gs to serve with the RDAF, complete with airframe codes and eventual fate of each aircraft. SF
BOOK SPEC
Although devoted to the F-84E/G in Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) service, this will be of use to any modeller interested in the Thunderjet. An eloquent and informative history of the type in Danish service, when used in conjunction with Stoppel’s range of 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 decals for the F-84E/G, it becomes a onestop shop for RDAF F-84s. The engaging narrative comes with a lavish collection of photographs, most of which were provided by the RDAF Historical Branch. After a brief introduction to the RDAF and development of the F-84, the latter including a history of
Republic F-84E&G Thunderjet in Royal Danish Air Force Service 1951-1961 By:
Ole Rossel
ISBN:
978-87-91327-01-8
Price:
€53.12
Format:
250mm x 300mm
Available from: www.stoppel.dk
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IPMS F_P.indd 1
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ON THE SHELF
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DAZZLING LUFTWAFFE JET
Scale:
1/32
Price:
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Available from: Revell, www.revel.de/en
NIPPONESE TRAINER
Kinetic’s Alpha Jet is the latest subject to receive the limited edition Wingman Models treatment, and features a trio of colourful Luftwaffe anniversary markings. The standard kit has been embellished with a turned brass pitot and angle-of-attack probes by Master Model, canopy mask set, small photo-etched metal fret and a collection of beautifully cast resin parts to replace the cockpit interior and wheels. Helpfully, the instructions include colour photographs of real aircraft and detail shots of the undercarriage and cockpit. For any modeller seeking a bright Alpha Jet to contrast with the standard camouflage schemes, Anniversary Alpha Jet this kit is a must. The stunning decal By: Wingman Models sheet offers the following: Item no: WMK48009 • 40+44, JaboG 43, Oldenburg, November, 1984 Scale: 1/48 • 40+80, JaboG 43, Oldenburg, Price: €55 September, 1993 Available from: • 41+09, JaboG 49, www.wingmanmodels.com Fürstenfeldbruck, March, 1994
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schemes are provided on the decal sheet, which features perfect register and gloss carrier film: • D-HBYF, ‘Christoph 6’, Bremen, 2013 • D-HBYH, ‘Christoph 31’, Berlin 2013
PRODUCT SPEC
Revell’s original EC135 kit was based upon the prototype and early production models and was desperately in need of an update. Modellers can rest assured, as the new-tool EC135 is a quantum leap over its predecessor in terms of quality and accuracy. Eighteen styrene runners with crisply moulded parts, have thoughtfully been produced in yellow for exterior components (eight) and grey for interior (nine), along with a single clear runner. Revell has done its homework well, and the standard of detail in the interior is excellent, particularly for the rear cabin area, complete with interior wall linings and Eurocopter EC135 ADAC full air ambulance equipment layout. By: Revell Two overall yellow ADAC (German Item no: 04659 automobile club) rescue helicopter
HISTORIC ROUND-TRIP
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Designed as a long-range reconnaissance aircraft, the Letov Š-16 was used for a more unusual mission in 1927, to fly from Prague to Tokyo and back...a distance of approximately 14,300 miles (23,000km)! Brengun’s release provides two styrene runners, photo-etched metal parts, resin propeller and acetate windshields. The standard of moulding is excellent, in particular the single-piece upper wing, which is devoid of any marks or warping, despite Letov Š-16.1 Prague-Tokyoits 8 1/4in (20.9cm) length. Helpfully, Prague 1927 Brengun has also included a guide to By: Brengun rigging the wings to improve the look of Item no: BRP72014 the finished model. Of the two schemes offered, the first is for the prototype Scale: 1/72 aircraft, which flew on this historic trip, Price: €16.60 and the other is the first production Available from: airframe of the S-16.1, employed for Brengun, www.brengun.cz public relations afterwards.
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
Hasegawa’s T-4 trainer is reaching 'venerable' status, but has been re-released as a limited edition in a dazzling red/white scheme. Featuring 11 runners, with finely engraved panel lines throughout and packed with detail, the kit belies its age and benefits from features such as full intake trunking and a well-rendered cockpit, complete with eight-part ejection seats. Fortunately, the transparencies are crystal clear, albeit with a mould seam down the centre which will need to be removed. Surprisingly, poly-caps are used to attach several parts, but those associated with the lower fuselage seem almost redundant. Kawasaki T-4 ‘Red Dolphin’ Three schemes are provided, and By: Hasegawa the red areas are included as decals, Item no: 07380 which should ease painting: • 26-5808/808, 32nd TSQ, 1AW, Scale: 1/48 Hamamatsu Price: £32.99 • 16-5797/797, 31st TSQ, 1AW, Available from: Hamamatsu Amerang, • 76-5759/759, 13th Flying Training www.amerang.co.uk Wing, Ashiya
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ON THE SHELF
AIRCRAFT KITS
‘LEADS THE FIELD’
CAMEL AT SEA
COLOURFUL BUG
WIND IN THE PINES
The T-6 Texan, also known as the Harvard, served as an advanced trainer aircraft all over the world, and even found a role as a stand-in Japanese ‘fighter’ in several war films. Ironically, the T-6 operated with the Japanese Air and Maritime Self-Defence forces, where it was nicknamed the ‘Matsukaze’ (wind in the pines). Platz’s new release features delicate engraved panel lines and basic cockpit detail...more than adequate in this tiny scale. With two kits and stands included, this is great value for money, JASDF Trainer Aircraft T-6 Texan and each example can be built as By: Platz a T-6F, T-6G or SNJ-5 variant. The Item no: PF-20 small but beautifully printed decal Scale: 1/144 sheet gives seven options, with one in natural metal finish and the remainder Price: £11.99 in overall yellow and includes: Available from: • T-6F, 62-0011, JASDF, 2014 Platz, www.platz-hobby.com • SNJ-5, 6163, JMSDF, 1961
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
Revell’s re-release of the F/A-18C Hornet is another re-box of Italeri's 1980s-vintage product, complete with raised panel lines. Two grey styrene runners, and one in clear, feature basic detail. While some effort has been made to replicate accurately a C-variant Hornet, the kit lacks upper nose fairings, vertical stabiliser strengthening tabs and wingtip formation light mounts...however, addressing these shortcomings should be fairly simple. Modellers seeking a more accurate F/A-18 will probably prefer offerings from Hasegawa or Academy, but for those who just F/A-18C Hornet want a fun Hornet build, this is By: Revell definitely worth considering. The Item no: 04894 big change is the decal sheet, which offers just a single, albeit colourful, Scale: 1/72 Commander Air Goup scheme and Price: £13.50 includes full stencil data: 164716, Available from: 300/NE, VFA-151 Vigilantes, NAS Revell, www.revel.de/en Lemoore, 2007.
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With its release of the German Navy W.12, nicknamed the ‘Camel’, Wingnut Wings has packed ten runners of highly detailed parts, and a photo-etched metal fret into a larger than usual box. The mould quality is staggering, with delicate features perfectly reproduced in scale, right down to the individual banks of engine cylinders and choice of moulded or ‘high detail’ machine guns. A large-format instruction manual/ Hansa-Brandenburg W.12 reference document provides Early considerable insight into this By: Wingnut Wings unusual aircraft and, with minimal Item no: 32036 rigging, this would be an excellent kit Scale: 1/32 for one’s first foray into large-scale biplane modelling. Five schemes Price: US $99.99 are offered on two stunning decal Available from: sheets, and they include: Wingnut Wings, • 1401, C2MG, Sylt, mid-1918 www.wingnutwings.com • 1407, C2MG, Norderney, July, 1918
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
Hasegawa’s venerable ground-attack Tornado mould gets another airing, this time as a GR.4 in RAF 12 Squadron disbandment markings. The scheme is superb, although the shade of green on the tail (offered via a one-piece decal) is arguably a little ‘off’; no reference for this green exits as it was mixed locally at RAF Marham and no records were kept. Despite the inaccurate nose the kit is still pleasing, and this boxing provides extras in the shape of Brimstone, ALARM and Storm Shadow missiles Tornado GR.4 No.12 Squadron on top of the original GR.1 stores, such Farwell Special as Sky Shadow ECM, Sidewinders and fuel tanks. The laser ranger and By: Hasegawa marked target seeker fairing comes Item no: 02116 as a whole clear part, and the GR.4’s Scale: 1/72 infra-red fairing is also supplied. A second colour scheme is given, too: Price: £34.99 • ZA395 ‘Leads the Field 1915-2014’, Available from: 12 Sqn RAF Amerang, www.amerang.co.uk • ZG775/FB, 12 Sqn RAF, 2014
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ON THE SHELF
AIRCRAFT KITS
LATE-WAR ‘JUG’
LUFTWAFFE DESTROYER
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
This company’s 1/72 P-47 has always been a sweet kit and excellent value; it scores highly due to its fine, engraved panel lines and worthy detail. Our sample, though, was not as crisp as those that have gone before (P-47D), as this example suffered from a little flash, and imperfections on the tails, undercarriage doors and upper wings. The instrument panel and cockpit floor are superb, but while the box art shows a flat belly tank, only the larger, more P-47M Thunderbolt rounded versions are supplied. Rockets By: Revell are provided, though, as is the dorsal Item no: 03984 fin filet. Decals for two 'Wolfpack' 56th Scale: 1/72 FG schemes feature: • 421160/UN-F ‘Devastatin’ Deb’, 63rd Price: £6.50 FS, US 8th AAF, Boxted, 1945 Available from: • 421233/LM-H, 62nd FS, US 8th AAF, Revell, www.revell.de/en Boxted, 1945
It’s great to see the re-release of Eduard’s excellent Bf 110E, as it’s arguably the best in this scale and excellent value for money. In ProfiPACK form, this means a canopy mask set and an extra photoetched (PE) metal fret are added, which accompany the nine runners of highly detailed parts and exquisite decals. Standout areas here are the gun and cannon bays, with the PE-enhanced cockpit interior coming a close second. Thankfully, the transparent parts are commendably thin and crystal clear, so all of that luscious detail is visible. Four midBf 110E war options are provided and they By: Eduard include: Item no: 8203 • S9+NN, 5./ZG ‘Wespen’, Russia, Scale: 1/48 1942 • LN+LR, 1.(Z)/JG 77, Malmi, Price: €24.32 Finland, 1942 Available from: • W. Nr. 4035, Sonderkommando Eduard, www.eduard.com Junck, Mosul Air Base, May, 1941
MARITIME MAGICIAN
PRODUCT SPEC
Recently, modellers have been treated to a feast of 1/72 single-engined Cobras, including this AH-1S from Special Hobby. Compared to earlier releases, the kit contains new anti-tank missiles and launchers, fresh cockpit, sensors and tail rotors, and four highly detailed resin parts. Regardless of which option is built, there are plenty of spares, such as AH-1S Cobra ‘IDF against late-design rotor blades, instrument Terrorists’ panels, air intakes and vertical tails. By: Special Hobby Four schemes are offered, including: Item no: SH 72277 • 326, Southern Cobra Sqn, Palmachim, July, 1982 Scale: 1/72 • 315, First Attack Helicopter Sqn, Price: €16.50 Palmachim, 1982 Available from: • 318, First Attack Helicopter Sqn, www.cmkkits.com Tel Nof, 1978
It’s been a few years since there was a Merlin HMA.1 kit available, so it’s good to see this re-release from Revell. A re-box of Italeri’s 2002-vintage moulds, there are four styrene runners (three light grey and one clear). In addition to the well-appointed interior, which includes a detailed cockpit and rear sonar workstations, there is a full anti-submarine weapons load of four torpedoes, and options for fully deployed or folded rotors and tail boom. Given the size and parts count for this kit, it's great value for EH-101 Merlin HMA.1 money and would be suitable for By: Revell most modellers. Two options are Item no: 04907 provided, one of which is 814 Naval Air Squadron’s tiger-striped airframe: Scale: 1/72 • ZH860/269, 814 NAS, HMS Ark Price: £17.99 Royal, February, 2003 Available from: • ZH848/388, 824 NAS, RNAS Revell, www.revell.de/en Culdrose, January, 2003
PRODUCT SPEC
DESERT REPTILE
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ON THE SHELF AUTO KITS
TRIER RACER
GERMAN HOT HATCH
GRANDS PRIX WINNER
PRODUCT SPEC
Revell has re-entered the world of Formula 1 with the 2012 Red Bull RB8, as driven by Sebastian Vettel. With just six styrene runners, a single-piece body shell and four dry-weather tyres, this is a welldetailed kit with a full Renault RS27-2012 engine. Three choices of vehicle are possible, to portray the car at the Bahrain, German and Indian races, and care will be needed during construction to ensure that the relevant modifications are selected. Revell has also released a Red Bull Racing RB8 kit of Mark Webber’s RB8 (07075), ‘Sebastian Vettel’ with different parts and decals. By: Revell Three schemes are provided for Item no: 07074 the aforementioned heats, and markings to represent medium and Scale: 1/24 soft compounds...but only the latter Price: £22.99 are applicable to the Indian race, as Available from: the alternative tyre was the silverRevell, www.revell.de/en banded hard compound.
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PRODUCT SPEC
Readers of a certain age will remember when the Golf GTI was THE hot hatch to own. Revell’s all-new mould whisks one back to those halcyon days, with finely moulded parts on ten styrene runners, including two for transparencies, a separate upper body and four vinyl tyres. There is an option to build either left- or right-hand drive vehicles, including alternative dashboards and windscreen wipers and (remember this is the 1970s) a choice of whether or not to install seatbelt holders. The interior is well detailed, with door window handles and decals for the VW Golf 1 GTI various instruments. Just a metallic By: Revell grey-coloured vehicle is suggested, Item no: 07072 although one could choose to apply Scale: 1/24 any of the other colours in which it was produced. The excellent decal Price: £19.99 sheet features wonderful tartan Available from: seat covers and 12 options for Revell, www.revell.de/en registration plates and nationalities.
LONG-HAUL TRACTOR
Italeri has re-boxed its popular IVECO tractor with new parts and markings for the Hi-Way version. The box is packed with eight styrene runners, seven vinyl tyres and a sheet of stickers for the mirrors. With comprehensive detail, the kit includes an intricate 23-part engine that can be accessed via the hinged cab, and a magnificent chassis and transmission system...overall, more than half of the instructions are dedicated to their construction. The cab interior IVECO Stralis Hi-Way Euro 5 is well appointed and includes a By: Italeri dashboard sat-nav, and sleeper section; Item no: 3899 however, the kit lacks foot pedals and Scale: 1/24 just left-hand drive is offered. The decal sheet, printed with perfect register Price: £49.99 by Zanchetti, provides a full livery for Available from: this IVECO variant, and also offers The Hobby Company, 17 registration plate options to most www.hobbyco.net European countries.
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
Fans of World Rally Championship racing should enjoy this release from Hasegawa, which features one of the entrants in the German stage of the 2004 World Rally Championship, held at Trier. Moulded almost entirely in white styrene, there are 15 runners, including one for transparencies, a single-piece upper body shell, four vinyl tyres, a length of steel wire for the vehicle antennas and vinyl mesh for the radiator grilles. There is plenty here to appeal to modellers of all standards, including decals Ford Focus RS WRC 04 ‘2004 for the four-point harnesses, which Rally Deutschland’ will brighten up the spartan interior; By: Hasegawa notably though, this kit lacks any foot Item no: 20263 pedals. As would be expected from Scale: 1/24 Hasegawa, the decals are superb and feature excellent tone and register. Price: £39.99 Just a single set of markings are Available from: included, for car No.8, driven by Amerang, www.amerang.co.uk François Duval at the 2004 event.
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12/02/2015 09:11
ON THE SHELF
MILITARY KITS
HYBRID HOWITZER
COLD WAR HEAVY
1/35
Price:
£49.99
Available from: The Hobby Company, www.hobbyco.net
GAME OF FLAK
MILITARY PEOPLE CARRIER
PRODUCT SPEC
In re-releasing its Flak 37 Italeri has continued its recent association with the wargaming scene, this time in the popular 1/72 / 20mm arena. Comprising just a single runner, this is a basic and easy-to-assemble kit, with a 17-piece Flak 37 and eight figures. The latter appear to be Luftwaffe, rather than Wehrmacht, given the large pocket on the left8.8cm Flak 37 AA gun hand trouser leg. While the moulding with crew standard is good, the figures are By: Italeri particularly so, with crisp tunic and Item no: 7512 facial detail. No colour scheme or decals are provided for gun, although Scale: 1/72 the crew painting guide is clearly for Price: £12.99 North Africa, which would indicate Available from: Dark Yellow for the Flak 37. Kill The Hobby Company, markings would have to be painted www.hobbyco.net or sourced via after-market decals.
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PRODUCT SPEC
Scale:
When Revell released its M48A2G2, it was eagerly anticipated that a standard M48A2 would follow, and thankfully the wait has been short. As expected, changes are limited to new runners for the 90mm main gun, early running gear, domed cupola and external stowage. While exterior detail is excellent, there is still nothing for the interior, so modellers will either have to scratch-build this or source from after-market suppliers. The tracks are provided as well-moulded rubber items, which depict accurately the chevron road blocks. Four options are provided, with a M48A2/A2C real Cold War feel to the subjects, By: Revell including Korea, the forces manning Item no: 03206 the infamous Fulda Gap, and the SixDay War. Two examples are: Scale: 1/35 • M48A2, 213, Panzerlehrbrigade 9, Price: £26.99 Munster, 1959 Available from: • M48A2C, 22, 1st Cavalry Division, Revell, www.revell.de/en Korea, 1963
Until recently, there were few 1/35 civilian vehicles available, which made building dioramas of contemporary operations challenging. Fortunately several firms, including Takom, have addressed this shortcoming, and its latest release of the T3 Transporter Bus has the advantage of being employed in civilian and military guises all round the world. With four green runners, Bundeswehr T3 Transporter Bus five vinyl tyres, a single-piece upper By: Takom body and extensive clear parts, this is a Item no: 2013 neat kit with a well-appointed interior. Scale: 1/35 A Bundeswehr soldier figure (with personal weapon) is included: Price: £34.99 • Y-232 550, ISAF, Afghanistan, 2002 Available from: • Unknown, Syrian Army, 2006 Pocketbond, • Unknown, SFOR, Bosnia and www.pocketbond.co.uk Herzegovina, 1997
PRODUCT SPEC
although there are disparities, such as 15cm ammo racks for a 10.5cm gun. DS styrene tracks will ease construction, although some modellers may prefer Magic Track. Three late-war schemes are offered, all for unidentified units.
PRODUCT SPEC
It’s a positive reflection on the hobby that companies are not averse to covering obscure subjects, and here Dragon has served a real rarity. Little is known about this configuration, which mounted the 10.5cm leFH 18 howitzer on the Hummel chassis, other than it was the initial (unsuccessful) concept for the Hummel, and was possibly produced as a late-war field modification. Dragon’s ‘pick-and-mix’ approach provides 13 styrene runners from the Sd.Kfz.165 Hummel-Wespe Hummel, Pz.Kpfw.IV and leFH 18 auf By: Dragon G.W.Pz.Kpw.III/IV kits, and yields many Item no: 6535 spares. Detail is excellent throughout,
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ON THE SHELF
MILITARY KITS
UNIVERSAL CANADIAN
PRODUCT SPEC
Mirror Models has added to its range of Canadian Military Pattern (CMP) trucks with a 20mm Breda cannon-equipped version. Offering 14 beautifully moulded styrene runners, photo-etched metal, and vinyl tyres, this will be complex. The instructions are generic and would benefit from a parts layout diagram, as some runners are not labelled CMP F15 Italian Service Gun and not all parts identified in the Truck with 20mm Breda instructions are used (or included). By: Mirror Models Care will be needed when removing Item no: 35107 parts from the runners, particularly smaller items. Two desert schemes Scale: 1/35 are offered and reflect the chaotic Price: £37.99 nature of warfare...one captured Available from: by the Italians and equipped with Creative Models, a gun, and another recaptured by www.creativemodels.co.uk Commonwealth Forces!
With interest in World War One subjects at an all-time high, Takom’s ‘tadpole’ version of the Mk.IV Male tank is timed perfectly. Born out of a requirement for improved trench-crossing capability, the tadpole was a lengthened Mk.IV tank, but it proved impractical and was abandoned in favour of fascines. With 11 runners of finely moulded parts, and photoetched metal, this is a highly detailed kit that includes 6-pdr and Lewis WWI Heavy Tank Mark.IV gun mounts. Tracks are in the form Tadpole of individual links, which will require By: Takom minimal preparation before they Item no: 2015 are simply clicked together. As this Scale: 1/35 version never passed prototype status, there are no markings and Price: £57.99 the instructions suggest the vehicle Available from: be painted green, but it is probable Pocketbond, they wore the neutral brown seen on www.pocketbond.co.uk other Mk.IV tanks.
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
Artillery fans will covet Dragon’s excellent new M65. Even in 1/72 scale the weapon, with its transporters, is nearly 14in (35.5cm) long. Dragon makes good use of slide mould technology, with the gun barrel and transporter cabs being one-piece mouldings. There is plenty of crisp embellishment, including delicate side mirrors, and shell loading davit and underframe, but although the cab has seats, pedals and steering M65 Atomic Annie Gun, Heavy, wheels, instrument panels are lacking. Motorized, 280mm The gun can be posed in firing mode or connected to the transporters, and By: Dragon with plenty of reference online, superItem no: 7484 detailers can have a field day adding Scale: 1/72 cables and piping. Windows for the cabs are included, and a small decal sheet Price: £67.50 features three examples with standard Available from: US Army markings, the only relief from The Hobby Company, Olive Drab being the transporter’s www.hobbyco.net yellow-striped bumpers.
PROTOTYPE TRENCH-CROSSER
COMBAT RECOVERY
Mirror's release of the Diamond T 969 wrecker was well received, and it has now followed this with the 969A hardtop version. On offer are 11 grey-brown runners, a small decal sheet, three photo-etched metal frets and lengths of chain and thread for the crane. Rather than have multiple ejector pin marks, Mirror has chosen to use larger mould gates; although this allows for US Diamond T 969A Wrecker stunning levels of detail, more care is Hard Top Cab needed when removing parts from the By: Mirror Models runners. The engine and transmission Item no: 35802 are faithfully reproduced and the Scale: 1/35 former is almost a kit in its own right. Disappointingly, just a single Olive Drab Price: £49.99 scheme is offered, and although there Available from: is no diagram for decal placement, the Creative Models, profiles on the box sides will provide www.creativemodels.co.uk some guidance.
PRODUCT SPEC
BUCKETS OF INSTANT SUNSHINE
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ON THE SHELF FIGURES
OVER THE SANDBOX
TOP TOMMIES
Item no:
32041
Scale:
1/32
Price:
US $14.95
Available from: Master Details, www.masterdetails.com
PRODUCT SPEC
Got a quarter-scale Cobra build planned? Then why not go the whole hog and pose it on a base with these cool crew figures? Plus Model’s front- and rearseaters are cast in grey resin and are both tall, although there is a slight height difference. The only separate part is a single arm, otherwise the duo are rendered whole for speedy modelling. Painting will be a joy, too, due to the very sharp detail. Crew AH-1 Cobra By:
Plus Model
Item no:
AL4049
Scale:
1/48
Price:
€11.30
Available from: Plus Model, www.plusmodel.cz
and survival gear are thoroughly accurate. A thoughtful addition is that of 40 different unit patch decals for extra authenticity on the flight suit, and an informative painting guide is provided.
FEMALE PARAMILITARY Here’s a refreshingly different figure, which can lend itself to all manner of vignettes and dioramas...although it’s a fine subject for individual display, too. This female Finnish volunteer from the Lotta Svard organisation is suitable for Winter 1939-40, comes in ten well-cast resin parts and carries a large cast-iron teapot. Bedecked in greatcoat, shoulder satchel and rucksack, she’s a splendid item with exquisite detail and fine facial features. Armband decals are also provided, and denote service in Helsinki, Nykarleby or Tampere. Finnish voluntary organisation member By:
Toro Model
Item no:
35F62
Scale:
1/35
Price:
€12
Available from: Toro Model, www.toro-model.com.pl
WWI British Infantry Set By:
Tamiya
Item no: 35339 Scale:
1/35
Price:
£10.50
Available from: The Hobby Company, www.hobbyco.net
LUFTWAFFE RHINO JOCKEY
It’s often been the case that kit pilot figures are discarded due to poor detail. PJ’s offerings have much better features and are cast in crisp resin...this F-4 flyer is up to the usual standard and comes in five parts; legs, torso, arms and oxygen hose. The oxy’ mask is cast integrally but the helmet visor is up, so one has partial facial features on show. German F-4 Pilot seated in a/c By:
PJ Production
Item no:
481126
Scale:
1/48
Price:
€5.20
Available from: PJ Production, www.pj-production.be/en
also features, and stands for him and the officer are supplied. Five soldiers in total are offered, and there’s also a generous helping of personal equipment and rifles (with and without bayonets fitted).
TRUCK TROOPS Polish firm Toro offers a splendid release here, designed to fit IBG’s 1/35 Bedford truck. The two resin troops are in relaxed poses, with one holding a mug of tea, while the other offers a raised arm, two-finger salute. Both wear overalls and have optional cam-net-covered helmets. The casting and detail is pleasing, and the facial features are good enough to impart a fair amount of character. A decal sheet is also provided and offers corporal, lance corporal and sergeant stripes, and five pairs of different British Army regimental badges.
PRODUCT SPEC
Master Details
PRODUCT SPEC
By:
PRODUCT SPEC
US Air Force Jet Pilot Desert Wars
GUNSHIP DUO
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It was almost inevitable that this classic producer would offer a figure set to accompany its new Mk.IV Male tank kit. These troops are actually rather good for styrene items, but will need careful assembly to ensure neatness. Uniform detail is accurate and well rendered, and finer points include the officer with pistol and cane, and the prone Lewis gunner. A charging troop with Enfield rifle
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
Suitable for all main USAF fighters to have served in Desert Storm to the present day, this fighter pilot figure is rendered in resin, save for the four alternative helmeted heads. The latter items (HGU-55P helmets) are in white metal and provide different formats; with bare face and visor up, the same but with visor down, with oxygen mask and visor up, and masked with visor down. Their detail is exceptional for the medium, and the Nomex flight suit
Soldiers for Bedford QLB Tractor By:
Toro Model
Item no:
35F68
Scale:
1/35
Price:
€17
Available from: Toro Model, www.toro-model.com.pl
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Airfix Ad 2 F_P.indd 1
12/02/2015 09:12
ON THE SHELF
DECAL SHEETS
Aviaeology has now released the second part of its Canadian Beaufighter TF.X bonanza, and features the remaining six aircraft that were involved in ‘Black Friday’ on February 9, 1945. On that day, a mixed force of Beaufighters attacked a group of German ships in Førde Fjord, Norway, which resulted in the loss of six 404 Squadron aircraft and crews. Of the three sheets, one is shared with AOD3010 Pt1 and features all of the national markings and serial numbers, while the other two provide the fuselage code letters. As mentioned in March 2015's AMW, modellers will need to convert the Revell Mk.1f into a TF.X to use these decals. Choices include: • NE669/EO-A • NE825/EO-G • RD421/EO-V(3) • RD427/EO-O
Airfix’s new Defiant has sold in bucket-loads and it was a given that after-market decals would appear from Xtradecal. Here, Hannants’ own brand generously offers ten schemes and the usual concise and helpful colour instructions (with Xtracolor/ Xtracrylix paint codes). The machines featured sport a mix of standard six-stack and three-stack ‘kidney'-shaped exhausts, and there are RAF day and nightfighter liveries, as well as an anomalous ASR.Mk.I in Fleet Air Arm shades, but operated by the RAF. Choices include: • Mk.I, L7029/PS-Z, 264 Sqn, RAF Kirton-in-
PRODUCT SPEC
TURRET FIGHTER
404 Squadron Beaufighters Part 2 By:
Aviaeology
Item no:
AOD31010 Pt2
Scale:
1/32
Price:
Can $20.39
Available from: www.aviaeology.com, www.stores.ebay.ca/Aviaeology
SOVIET BLOC PEOPLE CARRIER
PRODUCT SPEC
Polish mail order firm Martola has now started its own range of decals. The good news is that they are superthin and have been printed beautifully by Techmod, and are perfect for use with ICM’s IL-62M, or the brand new tooling from Zvezda. The scheme is that of Poland’s national carrier LOT in the 1970s and 1980s and,
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Il-62M By:
Martola
Item no: 144D001 Scale:
1/144
Price:
€12.89
Available from: Martola www.martola.com.pl
Boulton Paul Defiant Mk.I/ Mk.II By:
Xtradecal
Item no:
X72217
Scale:
1/72
Price:
£7.99
Available from: www.hannants.co.uk
Lindsey, 1940 • Mk.I, N3340/YD-D, 255 Sqn, Kirton-in-Lindsey, 1941 • ASR.Mk.I, V1121/BA-O, 277 Sqn, RAF Stapleford Tawney, 1942 • NF.Mk.I, N1773/PS-H, Fred Hughes, 264 Sqn, RAF Colerne, 1941 • NF.Mk.II, AA583/ZJ-M, S/L RC Haine, 151 Sqn, RAF Wrexham, 1942
ALLIED IDENTITIES
while the instructions display the livery for the airframe SP-LBA, there are codes for nine other jets in the fleet from that period. Besides the company branding and codes, decals are also provided for the windows, door surrounds and cockpit glazing. It's a splendid option for airliner modellers.
North American firm Archer has become the go-to provider of Allied vehicle markings, and the range keeps on growing. The latest release is this very handy sheet that offers British Army unit signs for the following: 21st Army Group, VIII Corps, 2nd Army, XXX Corps, XII Corps, I Corps and V Corps. North-Western Europe, Sicily, Italy and North Africa are the theatres in which
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
BLACK FRIDAY ROCKETEERS
UK Independent Armoured Brigade Unit Signs Summer 1043 – Spring 1945 By:
AFT Decals
Item no:
AR77029
Scale:
1/35
Price:
US $10.50
Available from: Archer Fine Transfers, www.archertransfers.com
these units fought, and pivotal actions include Normandy and the Falaise Gap, Operations Torch, Jupiter, Goodwood, Market Garden, Constellation and others. Almost 150 individual decals are included and the printing and colours are superb. This is an invaluable set for anyone building Allied subjects.
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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ON THE SHELF
DECAL SHEETS
WEEKEND WARRIOR EAGLES
Air National Guard F-15C/D By:
Caracal Models
Item no:
CD72013
Scale:
1/72
Price:
US $13.99
Available from: Caracal Models, www.caracalmodels.com
EYE-CATCHING FELINES Designed for Kitty Hawk’s Cougars, Furball presents a dazzling array of nine white, white/red and white/ International Orange trainers, which represent Carrier Air Group (CAG) airframes. All of the schemes are from the 1960s, during which the designation for trainer Cougars changed from F9F-8T to TF-9J, and when US Navy aircraft were far more colourful than those in the current grey tones. Helpfully, Furball has included sufficient stencils and national markings for two full aircraft, with additional NAVY legends due to variations in
of the choices are: • F-15C, 84-0031, 142nd FW, Oregon ANG, 2012 • F-15D, 85-0130, 142nd FW, Oregon ANG, 2013 • F-15C, 78-0547, 173rd FW, Oregeon ANG, 2012 • F-15C, 80-0048, 120th FW, Montana ANG, 2010 • F-15D, 85-0133/MA, 104th FW, Massachusetts ANG, 2011
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
Fans of the air-defence F-15 and/or the US Air National Guard shouldn’t miss this bumper collection of 12 schemes for MOD Eagle camouflage. With exceptional printing by Cartograf, there are pleasing examples of state identities on the vertical tails, which lend more interest to the low-vis grey background. Oregon’s large pouncing eagle artwork (as seen on the units previous F-4Cs), is the standout inclusion, in lowvis and full-colour form. But another unit from that state features, along with jets from Montana and Massachusetts. A smaller sheet is also provided, besides the example shown here. Some
Air Wing All-Stars: Cougar Trainer CAGs By:
Furball AeroDesign
Item no:
FDS-4801
Scale:
1/48
Price:
US $19.99
Available from: Furball Aero-Design, www.furballaero-design.com
size on the airframes. Some of the highlights include: • F9F-8T, 147372/00, CVG-12, NAS Miramar, 1960 • F9F-8T, 142526/200, VT-24, NAS Chase Field, 1961 • TF-9J, 147312/00, CVW-12, NAS Miramar, 1964 • TF-9J, 147339/600, VA-45, NAS Cecil Field, 1967 • TF-9J, 147371/400, ‘Red Bear/ City of Beeville’, VT-24, NAS Chase Field, 1968
During any conflict, some aircraft invariably become better known than others and during World War One, the Nieuport and SPAD tended to hog the limelight. Salmson’s lesser-known 2A2 has thankfully been reproduced in stunning fashion by Wingnut Wings and here Pheon has produced a second decal sheet featuring nine aircraft, complete with profile art on gloss card, with which to embellish one’s Salmson. Although all examples wear standard three-tone camouflage, it is a relief that there was little, if any,
Complementing FDS-4802 by featuring regular training squadron airframes, this set from Furball offers a further 11 colourful Cougar liveries. Featuring aircraft from three decades, there are several surprises, including an example from VF-111 Sundowners and one from a US Marine Corps training squadron. As Detail & Scale assisted Furball and Kitty Hawk with information on the Cougar, one can be assured that the fit of the Cartograf-printed decals will be excellent, and with stencils for two aircraft and gloss carrier film, this sheet will brighten any US Navy fan’s day.
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Salmson 2A2 in French Service Volume 2 By:
Pheon Decals
Item no: 32049 Scale:
1/32
Price:
£12.75
Available from: www.pheondecals.com
conformity for unit or individual aircraft markings, and here there is a glorious collection of pennants, wings, wasps, birds and dragonflies, which will brighten any Wingnut airframe. Some of the options are: • 26(5)?, SAL 16, Asp. Paul Honnorat, April 1918 • 539, SAL 40, Adjutant Marius Roche, October 1918 • 504, SAL 259, 1918
PRODUCT SPEC
MORE COLOURFUL BIG CATS
PRODUCT SPEC
GALLIC BIPLANES
Air Wing All-Stars: Cougar Trainers By:
Furball Aero-Design
Item no:
FDS-4802
Scale:
1/48
Price:
US $19.99
Available from: Furball Aero-Design, www.furballaero-design.com
Examples include: • F9F-8T, 142471/199, VF-111, NAS Miramar, 1957 • F9F-8T, 147317/16, VMT-1, MCAS Cherry Point, 1962 • TF-9J, 142479/415, VT-24, NAS Chase Field, 1964 • TF-9J, 142523/143, VT-21, NAS Kingsville, 1969 • TF-9J, 147276/016, VT-10, NAS Pensacola, 1973
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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ON THE SHELF ACCESSORIES
Scale:
1/72
Price:
€8.86
Available from: Brengun, www.brengun.cz
BRISTOL DETAILS
PRODUCT SPEC
Why not make a great kit even better with Eduard’s brass exterior detail package, for Airfix’s new 1/72 Blenheim Mk.I. There’s a wealth of refinement, from wing and fuselage panels and undercarriage bay linings, to parts for the engine and wheel struts...all will help to further elevate the detail on this kit.
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Blenheim Mk.I exterior By:
Eduard
Item no:
72589
Scale:
1/72
Price:
€14.95
Available from: Eduard, www.eduard.com
AC 350 170
Scale:
1/350
Price:
€9.95
Available from: L’Arsenal, www.larsenal.com
FISHBED ESCAPE SYSTEM Trumpeter’s excellent MiG21MF can be made even more presentable with Profimodeller’s resin KM-1 seat and control column. The beautifully cast main seat is a straightforward replacement for the kit part, and features integrally moulded straps and buckles, with photo-etched metal leg restraints and firing handles. Similarly, the three-part resin control column is a straight swap, but has far better detail than the styrene component. MiG-21MF Ejection Seat and Control Stick By:
Profimodeller
Item no:
32126
Scale:
1/32
Price:
€10.83
Available from: www.profimodeller.com
Achzarit TOGA Armour By:
Eduard
Item no:
36286
Scale:
1/35
Price:
€22.95
Available from: Eduard, www.eduard.com
Ever inventive in terms of diorama accessories, Plus Model has winner with its set of 30 ‘Achtung minen’ minefield warning signs. They're rendered in very thin laser-cut wood and come with separate posts in the same material. Cyanoacrylate or PVA will get the posts stuck to the boards, and the use of real wood ensures an effective scale grain pattern.
PRODUCT SPEC
BRL 72086
L’Arsenal
Item no:
GO CAREFULLY!
Boards “Achtung minen” By:
Plus Model
Item no:
443
Scale:
1/35
Price:
€11.10
Available from: www.plusmodel.cz
TOP TRAINER ‘PIT
TURKEY FEATHERS
Eduard joins the 1/48 Spitfire detail pantheon with this worthy offering for Airfix's lovely new Mk.Vb. Every tiny detail in the wing flap structure is reproduced accurately, including the small panel on the upper wing (for which a helpful cutting template is provided) that is lifted by the actuator arm when the flaps are in the down position. Spitfire Mk.Vb Landing Flaps By:
Eduard
Item no: 48822 Scale:
1/48
Price:
€14.95
Available from: Eduard, www.eduard.com
This set for Kinetic's 1/48 Magister comprises a well-sculpted main tub with oxygen hoses and side console detail, seats and instrument panels, a clear resin bulkhead and cabling bundles for behind the instrument panels. A photo-etched brass fret offers smaller details, and there’s proper rear cockpit decking and radio gear to suit Irish Air Corps and International airframes.
PRODUCT SPEC
Brengun
Item no:
By:
Even intricate kits can benefit from a little after-market attention, and Meng’s Israeli Achzarit 'Early' APC is no exception. Here, Eduard replaces kit-supplied armour supports with items of the correct scale thickness, and provides new TOGA passive armour plates. Other details include stowage straps.
PRODUCT SPEC
By:
Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
PARTY PLATES
PRODUCT SPEC
He 280
Got a 1/350 aircraft carrier build on the cards?...Trumpeter’s USS Nimitz for example? If one needs extra aircraft to make life more interesting, then one should plump for L’Arsenal’s crisp resin and photo-etched (PE) brass A-4 Skyhawks. There are five in a pack and they depict low-back C/E variants; the shape is generally good and the undercarriage, gear doors and horizontal stabilisers come as PE items, but no decals are included.
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
Those wanting to add extra detail to RS Model’s Heinkel He 280 need look no further than this busy package from Brengun. A comprehensive set of cockpit interior details, which include printed acetate inserts for the instrument dials, are offered...along with photo-etched metal embellishments for the undercarriage doors, scissor links and wheels, and an access ladder.
TINY SCOOTERS
PRODUCT SPEC
LUFTWAFFE JET
Fouga CM.170 Magister Cockpit Upgrade By:
Wingman Models
Item no:
WMF 48024
Scale:
1/48
Price:
€16
Available from: www.wingmanmodels.com
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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ON THE SHELF ACCESSORIES
Scale:
1/35
Price:
€16.30
Available from: Aber, www.aber.net.pl
VENOMOUS METAL
PRODUCT SPEC
There’s plenty of embellishment by way of Brengun’s cool photoetched metal set for Special Hobby’s Cobra gunship kit. A single fret offers replacement/ upgrade parts such as cockpit instruments (with printed acetate dials), canopy locks and handles, seatbelts, antennas and weapons pylon details. Two resin components are also supplied for the exhaust grilles.
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AH-1G Cobra By:
Brengun
Item no:
BRL72081
Scale:
1/72
Price:
€9.64
Available from: Brengun, www.brengun.cz
Item no:
JW-PPA6004
Price:
US $10.99
Available from: Lucky Model, www.luckymodel.com
SPLENDID SPANDAUS
Designed to accompany Eduard’s stunning new-mould SSW D.III kit, this pair of Spandau IMG 08/15 7.92mm machine guns would enhance any 1/48 World War One German aircraft. Every feature of the 1/1 scale version is reproduced faithfully, either in resin or on the PE sheet, and there's a choice of full-resin or resin/PE replicas; the latter captures the apparent fragility of the real weapon brilliantly. SSW D.III Guns By:
Eduard
Item no:
648 177
Scale:
1/48
Price:
€7.45
Available from: Eduard, www.eduard.com
Tiger I engine set By:
CMK
Item no:
8043
Scale:
1/48
Price:
€22
Hypersonic has produced a clever resin and metal set, suitable for Academy/Hasegawa F-4s, which enable the slotted stabilators to be posed correctly. Clear instructions aid fitting of the resin units, and jigs ensure the tails have the correct anhedral. Early F-4s are not neglected, though, as a separate set (HMR 48013) provides un-slotted examples.
PRODUCT SPEC
35 L-155
J’s Work Model
SPOOKY TAILS
WEAR AND TEAR
This is another great little set from J’s Work, which will be welcomed especially by armour modellers. It provides six different grades of sponge to enable quick and easy chipping effects on paintwork. Helpfully, a base and handle are also provided, along with strips of adhesive tape to hold the sponge in place. A scratch/chipping effect pen is also available (JW-PPA6006); its effects would complement those produced by the sponge pads. Chipping Effect Pen Set By:
J’s Work Model
Item no: JW-PPA6003 Price:
US $11.99
Available from: Lucky Model, www.luckymodel.com
F-4 Phantom Slotted Stabilators By:
Hypersonic Models
Item no:
48012
Scale:
1/48
Price:
€10.83
Available from: hypersonicmodels.co.uk
Available from: CMK, www.cmkkits.com
WOLFPACK ARMAMENT
Revell’s 1/72 scale U-boats make fun projects. Subjects such as this can often benefit from extra detail, and this upgrade from Eduard is superb. It provides 19 resin parts for a 10.5cm gun, along with brass items such as traverse/elevation wheels and even a muzzle bung! The mount is beautifully rendered and this weapon will be a fine addition.
PRODUCT SPEC
Aber
Item no:
By:
Who says 1/48 armour builds can’t be as interesting and impressive as their 1/35 counterparts? They certainly can when superb detail sets such as this, for Tamiya’s quarter-scale Tiger I, are available. With almost 30 resin components, CMK’s detail is sharp and well executed...and this will definitely bring an extra dimension to an already well-engineered kit. The engine itself emulates the real 700hp unit well, and a full engine bay lining is also provided.
PRODUCT SPEC
By:
Acrylic Paint Palette
MAGNIFICENT MAYBACH
PRODUCT SPEC
Barrels for British WWI Tank Mk.IV Female
Better known for its paint masks and diorama goodies, J’s Work also produceds tools. Although acrylics are easy to use, they dry quickly and this neat palette provides a quick and easy solution. Simply pour water on the sponge, add a sheet of palette paper, use the two weight bars to prevent it rolling up and hey presto!...one can paint for longer periods before the paint dries. Ten paper sheets are included and refills are available separately (JW-PPA6005).
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
Anyone with Takom’s Female tank, or those wishing to update Tamiya’s Mk.IV kit, should consider Aber’s new package of turned brass/aluminium, and photo-etched (PE) brass. The set offers two incredibly neat barrels for the 6-pdr gun and three for the Lewis guns, along with PE details such as sights and sling attachments and bipods. One simply replaces the main gun barrels by drilling a 3mm hole in the breech section, but the kit Lewis guns will need their original plastic barrel sections removing.
KEEPING IT WET
PRODUCT SPEC
FEMININE WEAPONRY
German Submarine 10.5cm gun By:
Eduard
Item no:
672053
Scale:
1/72
Price:
€14.95
Available from: Eduard, www.eduard.com
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.
PRODUCTS Stands to reason
www.sphereproducts.co.uk
BESPOKE STORAGE SYSTEMS TRANSIT CASES, TOOLS AND WORKSTATIONS
Email:
[email protected] AVIATION ANTIQUES All plastic kits & Diecast models wanted. Airfix, Corgi,Tamiya, Armour, Revell. Collections Purchased/ collected 27, A, The Grove, Biggin Hill Kent TN16 3TA
07973 885754
+ 4 4 (0)1473636787 e:
[email protected] 19 Anson Road, Ma rtlesham Heath, Ipsw ich, IP5 3RG
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
Fast and friendly service Easy to navigate webshop 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 Ben Harrison on 01780 755131 or email
[email protected]
FOR ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES CALL TOM LEE ON: +44 01780 755131
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]
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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KIT COURT
LOCKHEED C-141
Donald Dickson champions the cause for a new 1/144 scale Starlifter
EXHIBIT 1
The C-141B was kitted by Dragon/CyberHobby, but not everyone favours this small scale and the detail is fair at best.
I
n 1960, President Kennedy’s first official action after his inauguration was to order the go-ahead of Lockheed’s developmental design cargo aircraft, the Lockheed 300. In 1963, the first flight of the
operational aircraft occurred... and the C-141 was born. The aircraft was successful immediately and proved its value; a total of 285 of these beautiful stalwart machines were produced. They proved to have more power than capacity,
EXHIBIT 2
For those who prefer more retro schemes, Dragon also produced the early C-141A, but there's still that diminutive size...
and were stretched by little more than 23ft (7m) and given mid-air refuelling capability. This took place between 1977 and 1982 and they became C-141Bs. It is not an exaggeration to say this aircraft was one of the primary reasons we ‘won’ the Cold War. No other western aircraft moved more people or equipment as efficiently in that time period. And with what is this grand girl represented in the modelling world? An old kit offered by CyberHobby in the undersized scale of 1/200. I found one by Dragon but it really does look like the old Testors kit and the fact that it is in 1/200 does point to that. But this subject deserves better and it should be represented by one of the mainstream companies in 1/144 scale. There is currently a beautiful C-17 kit in that same scale, and the C-130 gets plenty of treatment, too. Older types such as the C-47 have had better representation, so why ignore what was the premier cargo aircraft until its retirement in 2005? The current offering is exceedingly short on detail and just woeful. I would go so far as to suggest 1/72 scale, to really get into after-market diorama options such as cargo and loaders, but that might take-up a good part of anyone’s living room! Anigrand does actually offer a 1/72 resin kit with a 26in
EXHIBIT 3
Anigrand produced a 1/72 B-model Starlifter, but the resin format and price are negative factors for the less experienced.
(66cm) wingspan. But that very expensive lump of resin would hardly work for most modellers. I feel it’s high time a company produced an accurate, well-detailed 1/144 kit of this ❚ important transport.
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
THE NEXT ISSUE IS ON SALE APRIL 2* *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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