Airfix 1/72 Stratos 4 'TSR.2MS' (manga aerospace interceptor)

[Talos]

Anybody in the know yet as to what they changed? And whether it will be possible to build a real-world TSR.2 (at least shape-wise) from the kit. I know the cockpit and canopy are different on the Stratos 4 TSR.2s, but what more and is the Airfx kit going to represent all of that?

The base of the tail is going to be different too, since there's a rocket booster there, and the nose as well with the RCS thrusters. It should be mounting rockets under the wings and the belly should have a mounting point for the ASM (for lack of a better term) it's carrying.

A few months back I finally got a copy of the Stratos 4 Visual Book and have been using it to redo and update my TSR.2MS line art. This should be very accurate as to the differences a Stratos 4 TSR.2 will have versus a regular one, minus a few odds and ends (antennas, mostly).

[Mossie]

Saw this boxart on finescale modeler, looks like it was at an exhibition or show of some kind but there's no further info:
http://cs.finescale.com/FSMCS/forums/p/130640/1326007.aspx



The up & coming Valiant may get the same treatment too as that featured also featured in Stratos 4.  If it's a sucess, maybe some of the older kits might get a run out too, like the Caravelle & Chinook?

[Deino]

Here it is ...

http://www.hobby-show.info/tokyo2010/0921.html
http://www.hobby-show.info/tokyo2010/0922.html

Deino

[TsrJoe]

the 'Stratos 4' release is the as per original kit with added 'TSR.2MS' sprue providing, boosters, missile, cockpit etc. there is an option for the standard airframe as well as the manga one on the decal sheet too 

cheers, joe

[PR19_Kit]

It's notable that the dreaded words 'Limited Edition' do not appear anywhere....

Perhaps there's been a change of heart at Hornby/Airfix and the 1/72 scale TSR2 will carry on, as it should have done in the first place!

[And perhaps the various after-market people will put their 1/72 scale stuff back into production as well!]

[PR19_Kit]

And another thought....

All those extra bits for the Stratos version make good Whiff fodder, and as the kit includes a whole new nose for it, the single-piece canopy, remoulded in clear, would make the proposed trainer version a doddle!

Has anyone out there in the after-market world taken notice?

[Army of One]

Seen the picture of this on the inside cover of SAMI....looks interesting as it says a normal TSR2 can be built from the kit as well.....no price quoted though....it does inlude a stand and 2 pilots.....wonder if they are the buxom strange coloured haired girls on the same advert.....?

If you check that ARC link from ChernayaAkula in post #81, you'll see that both those suppositions are correct. You'll have to paint the girlie pilots yourself though, but they're wearing helmets..... 

Oh......done.......not familiar with the Manga series.....are they flying it motorcycle style..

[Green Dragon]

Yep AoO, I think it was supposed to counter the g-force at launch from the back of a MAZ style Soviet missile launcher truck in the anime but I reckon it would make the blood rush to their feet and knock 'em out quicker!

Paul Harrison

[Weaver]

Wonder who's going to be the first to paint one in RAF cammo with the pilots in RAF uniform blue? 

It'd also look good as a NASA test ship using the decals from one of the what-if TSR-2 sheets (Modecal?)

[Thorvic]

http://www.airfix.com/airfix-products/new-models-for-2011/scifi/a08011-stratos-4-tsr2ms-a08011/

On the Airfix website now

[Mossie]

I work within a few miles or so from Monk Bar Models there so I might pop in during my dinner hour, although I probably won't buy it as I've got two unbuilt TSR.2's in the stash.

Sprue shots from ARC.  Lots of shots of the original & new sprue including the instructions.  Single new sprue for the parts needed to build the MS & a decal sheet for markings.  All the parts & the original decal sheet for the prototypes are there if you want to build a common or garden TSR.2.
http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=221852

[pyro-manic]

Five quid for the extra sprue seems very reasonable to me! A couple of ZELL rockets and a honking great missile should be useful for all kinds of projects. If anyone finds themselves with the MS parts sprue surplus to requirements, I will gladly take it off your hands.

[Hobbes]

Yup, looking at the sprue shots, only the front canopy is transparent. The rear is supposed to have small portholes, but it doesn't look like they're included.  



Of course, with that seating position all the rear pilot will be able to see anyway is the front pilot's butt...

[Martin H]

the "port holes" are on the decal sheet.

[Mossie]

If you're dead set on seeing in, it shouldn't be too difficult to drill out the portholes & use micro kristal klear or such.