Edgley Optica

[JayBee]

Having posted in "My stash just grew again" that I had got the new Avis Edgley Optica kit. A certain member said a review would be nice.
However as I will not be starting building this one, for numerous reasons, for a few weeks, the best I can do right now is an in the box initial review.
So what do you get.
Two sprues in grey plastic, one in clear.
A small PE fret, and when I say small I am talking about 4 X 2.5 cm.
A small, but very nice sheet of transfers, and a sheet of masks for the cockpit glazing.
Moulding quality looks very neat and crisp.
The parts for the glazing look good, but I hope that when it comes to putting them together they will fit OK.











Having said that the PE fret is small, the parts in it are tiny.




The grey thing here is the sheet of masks, and even using a magnifying visor it is difficult to find them on the sheet but they are there. It looks like the material is Vinyl, which I detest, but one can but hope.

Two colour schemes are given, and here they are.




The red colour scheme is already giving me nightmares.
I have in my professional life as an Air Traffic Controller only once ever encountered an Optica, and that was at Edinburgh Airport (EDI/EGPH).
It is not an experience that I would like to repeat.
A demonstrator, which may or may not have been the subject of the kit markings, but it was overall red, came to Edinburgh, to do demonstration flights at the Royal Highland Show.
The RHS showground, for those who do not know, lies directly next to Edinburgh airport. It shares a common fence and is also on very short final for the short runway that was used for club aircraft.
The pilot had an exemption from Rules 5 (of the Rules of the Air and Air Traffic Control) which allows an aircraft to fly lower than normal. Kitbasher will understand.
The pilot was absolutely adamant that it meant that the airspace round about would be closed to let him do his displays. NOT A SNOWBALLS HOPE IN HELL!
That took a lot of talking to him before he got the message.
Came the day of the flights, and it turned out that the quality of the radio equipment in the aircraft was so poor that it was almost impossible to communicate with it.
Not a fun day, but that is the life of an Air Traffic Control Officer.

[JayBee]

OOPS! I forgot to resize the image of the colour schemes. Just left click on it and you will be able to see it OK.

[PR19_Kit]

Looks wonderful Jim,  and well done for such a quick response. 

I think I'll have to get me one of them, I've a Whiffing idea or two that would suit an Optica.

Good about them including the masks, that nose would be a PIG to mask up yourself.

[jcf]

Having worked with plexiglass/perspex and models with large clear parts that
build up structure, I've found that polishing the mating surfaces, taking care to
keep everything square, not only helps the glue flow thus making a stronger
bond it can also leave near invisible joins.

[Tophe]

Interesting (twin-boomer)...