Airfix

[Gondor]

Off the top of the my head, I think the Frdnch ones now have a sight called Viviane with IR capability, and export customers might have different ones again.

Does it have four starts in a row on the top front of it?

[NARSES2]

I had a look at the site and, regretted it instantly!   . They're still quite expensive but, I may have to treat myself regardless!

You and me both    However I quickly reminded myself that there is no way I'd be able to paint one nowadays and my heart stopped pounding 

[NARSES2]

Another one for you Vintage Classics fans.

Out at Hannants now

Belvedere

[PR19_Kit]

I want to read the reviews on the Belvedere first, let's hope they've re-done the clear bits, the old ones were DIABOLICAL!

[Weaver]

I want to read the reviews on the Belvedere first, let's hope they've re-done the clear bits, the old ones were DIABOLICAL!

For what it's worth, the second reply on their Twitter("X" ) post announcing that it's out is me making exactly that point to them.

[The Rat]

I want to read the reviews on the Belvedere first, let's hope they've re-done the clear bits, the old ones were DIABOLICAL!

I've just asked their spares department for a replacement port side canopy, my original issue one came with two starboard ones. If they supply it, I'll send the spare to them.

[Gondor]

If Airfix hasn't issued an improved set of clear parts, very likely, then perhaps some after-market company may do so. Very easy to make an accurate vac-form buck by 3D printing it.

[PR19_Kit]

Maintrack/Whirlybird did that with the original kit, but they also included a whole lot of parts to update the model to a proper RAF version, which made the whole lot pretty expensive, specially when it was in Whirlybird's hands!

I think OGL did one using that kit, and Whiffed it very nicely too into an AEW variant.

[jcf]

The Belvedere clear parts are the same old tat.
You cannot view this attachment.

Screenshot from a rather horrible unboxing video. Shot way too close and the dude seems to think that we need to see his flippin' fingers all the time.
Belvedere

[PR19_Kit]

Grooooooooooooooooooan!

[Weaver]

Couple of other things from that video:

The instructions and decals have a scheme for an aircraft from the Belvedere Trials Unit at Odiham (1960). The instructions tell you to leave off the end-plate fins and cut off the tabs on the original tailplanes. I'm not sure if this is a poor attempt to replicate the production aircraft tail planes, or if the BTU aircraft were to some intermediate standard and it's accurate.

The video maker says a company is already working on a mask set for the cockpit glazings.


It might be worth it for somebody to do a resin correction kit. It'd be fairly complicated though: you'd need hollow cockpit halves with, at least, a separate chin glazing, new intakes (brass mesh?), new tailplanes and a new door.

[Gondor]

I think a whole new kit is the real answer as the Airfix one is "not fit for purpose" shall we say?

[zenrat]

I think a whole new kit is the real answer as the Airfix one is "not fit for purpose" shall we say?

They can do that after they've done the new Rotodyne Mould I feel they owe me.

[Weaver]

Airfix have just announced a 1/48th scale Curtiss  Tomahawk Mk.II:

https://uk.airfix.com/products/curtiss-tomahawk-mkii-a05133a?



£28.99 - seems reasonable to me, but then I don't build 1/48th so I don't really know the market.

[Old Wombat]

Airfix have just announced a 1/48th scale Curtiss  Tomahawk Mk.II:

https://uk.airfix.com/products/curtiss-tomahawk-mkii-a05133a?



£28.99 - seems reasonable to me, but then I don't build 1/48th so I don't really know the market.

This is, basically, just a re-pop of their 1/48 Curtiss P-40B Warhawk which sells for about AU$55.00 (₤27.99) here, which is in the upper range for a 1/48 Kittyhawk/P-40 kit (HobbyBoss P-40M Kittyhawk = AU$21.95 (GB₤11.18) & Italeri RAAF P-40E/K Kittyhawk = AU$54.95 (GB₤27.98)) but not unreasonable.

The question is "Do I need a P-40B in the stash?" & the answer is "No", I would much rather a Merlin-powered P-40F/L.