Airfix 1/48th scale TSR.2

[Mossie]

There's an advert in the inside back cover of the latest SAMI, so I guess the release is imminent.  You can't miss the Limited Edition stamp, & while I don't think there will be as big a rush as the last one, I guess peeps aren't going to have to mess about if they want one.

I won't be getting one as I'm not into 1/48, in fact I'll probably be parting with that side of stash in the not too distant future.  There's not much to it, but don't worry, you guys will be the first to know when I do.  Still looking forward to seeing how the TSR.2 turns out & to see a few at shows.  Heck, it's going to take up a fair bit of room on the tables!

[John Howling Mouse]

 Pre-order sent, thanks!

[elmayerle]

FWIW, Great Models Webstore has them on Pre-Order for $43.95. 

[Howard of Effingham]

ahhhhh, but I've just seen the ad for it in this months SAMI.  Its the 2 magic words on it - "Limited Edition".  Cue the feeding frenzy

so nippy nev-ster! 'ooooooooooooooooooooooow many JASDF ones have you planned then?
trevor

[nev]

*looks innocently at Trev*

Well, my last remaining 1/72 one will get the resin recon pack and be in the original RF-4E colours of grey/white.  Then my 2 1/48 ones on order, one will be a TSR2 Kai with all kinds of lumps and bumps added, in the blue scheme with a big Samurai on the tail b)  The other will be in the old F-1 3 colour camo scheme (got some "special" decals for a fighter meet)

So, just the 3 then

[Mossie]

SAMI have a preview build of a TEST SHOT in their latest issue.  Meant to post earlier but computer problems & Christmas have prevented me.  The kit is finished in a RAAF scheme of all over grey like late F-111's, no decals or instructions included.  I've quoted the reviewer as close as possible:

Main points are:
"not a scale up of the smaller kit"
"panel lines are a bit overdone, not quite trench like but not as fine as other kits"
"well engineered....  sink and pin marks were hidden"
"cockpit... is 'quite nice' especially on the bulkheads."
"instrument Panels... there is virtually nothing"
"undercarriage bays are very well detailed"
"some (undercarriage) parts are over scale"
"main bomb bays also show a good level of detail"
"intakes, the fit of which can be improved by some careful sanding & test fitting"
"wing to fuselage join.... sat a little low"
"The construction of this kit took just over a week & was a pleasure from start to finish"

Conclusion: "basic kit is very good, with just enough detail for a nice out-of-the-box build at a reasonable price, but with plenty of areas that the aftermarket boys can step into & improve for those who really want to go to town."

Latest reports seem to suggest the Big(ger) White Pointy Thing is due out in January.

Just a reminder, this review was from a build of a TEST SHOT!

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

So, when the new kit comes out - The Return Of The TSR2 Group Build?

I'd be up for that, young Nev, but paradoxically, I'd build mine in 1:72 as I already have the resin bits I need for my particular 'export' version.

Ian

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

one will be a TSR2 Kai with all kinds of lumps and bumps added, in the blue scheme with a big Samurai on the tail b) 

Yes !

Absolutely perfect - I know exactly what you're talkin' 'bout.

Ian

[Weaver]

Hmm, so when the 1/48th one comes out, do you think there'll be a flood of the "unsatisfactory" 1/72nd ones hitting ebay? 

[PR19_Kit]

'Not a scale up of the smaller kit'.

Hm, as Airfix made the masters for the 1/72 scale in 1/48 (they bought the masters to Telford some years ago) I find that most unlikely, specially as they mention the u/c is overscale. That's just what you'd have to do with a 1/72 TSR2 to make it strong enough to withstand it's own weight. (Written with experience of trying to make a Merlin TSR2.........)

[nev]

one will be a TSR2 Kai with all kinds of lumps and bumps added, in the blue scheme with a big Samurai on the tail b) 

Yes !

Absolutely perfect - I know exactly what you're talkin' 'bout.

Ian

Well, you did supply the decals

[Mossie]

'Not a scale up of the smaller kit'.

Hm, as Airfix made the masters for the 1/72 scale in 1/48 (they bought the masters to Telford some years ago) I find that most unlikely, specially as they mention the u/c is overscale. That's just what you'd have to do with a 1/72 TSR2 to make it strong enough to withstand it's own weight. (Written with experience of trying to make a Merlin TSR2.........)

Unfortunately that quote is just about all he mentions about the difference between the two kits.  There are few in progress shots, but what there are seem to show a very similar (if not identical) parts breakdown.  The cockpit, undercarriage/weapons bay & fuselage parts all look identical to the 1/72 kit.  The only pic that seems to suggest a difference is one of the intake parts, which show two parts instead of the 1/72 kits three.  However, it's possible that the reviewer has just glued two of the parts together prior to the shot.  The weapons bay equipment is described as being the same too.

There is a difference in the level of detail though.  There is 'some' detail in the cockpit as opposed to none in the 1/72 kit, a slight irk is that the reviewer uses some PE from a Vigilante to detail it, which in my opinion defeats the object of building a test shot.  The undercarriage & weapons bay looks very nicely detailed, a shame the undercarriage will hardly show!  The nose wheel bay is barely visible in one pic, but appearsto be similar to the 1/72 kit.

[Thorvic]

Hey up mossie i forgot you didnt do SMW till the Sunday. Falcon & myself were able to have a detailed look at the 1/48th test shots by Trev on the Saturday morning.

Yes the kit is based upon the same design as the earlier example (Dont forget the 72nd one was actually a scaled down and simplified version on the original 1/48th Test shot !). For this issue they have revised the breakdown slighly, yes the cockpit does include more moulded details and the wheel wells bomb bay has been revised so that the bomb bay side walls are now seperate parts. This has allowed the bomb bay to be ribbed and the wheel bays to have more accurate details added. According to Trev the fit is better than the 72nd example due to the parts initially being designed for 1/48th where as in 1/72 some of the tolerances make the fit less than perfect.

Don't forget that the kit is still based primarily upon the Cosford example, so the decals and the fit options are orientated around representing the museum version rather than a possible in service example. We will likely have to wait at least a few weeks to see the resin and etch sets, not to mention pylons and weapon sets.

Hope this helps

Geoff

[Mossie]

Hi Geoff, forgot the original test shot was 1/48!  My lateness to SMW meant I missed out on a few things, hopefully I'll organise myself a little better next year!  In qouting the SAMI article I just wanted to provide those who don't get it with a little info, esepcially since the nay-sayers started as soon as the kit was announced.

As I mentioned before, I won't be getting one, mainly because I'm already running out of space for the handful of 1/72 kits I've built so I've no idea where I'd put a 1/48 TSR.2!

[Daryl J.]

Didn't the Canadian reconnaissance versions have winter arctic markings that consisted of an overall red with a white wrap around band on the neck of the aircraft that had thin black cheat lines?     

The ogival wing is a nod to the Suchoi T-10 prototypes of the Su-27, thus 'Sovietizing' the TSR.2.   



Daryl J.