Airfix

[The Wooksta!]

I'm planning on getting one of the Revell ones but nabbed an additional Airfix one off Hannants - £36 for the kit plus one of the two Xtradecal sheets, saving £12.  Couldn't resist at that price.

If their AEW is indeed club only, I'll dig out my radome mould and cast a few up.  Mau have to do that for mesel anyway.

[kitbasher]

Shackleton - mmm. Resisting both at the mo but must admit that, while I like the idea of getting the Airfix kit the Revell AEW2 did score on (very restrained) rivet detail.
At the mo the plan is to use the long in the stash Aeroclub conversion on a to-be-rebuilt FROG MR3, using Xtradecal markings.
Therefore I'm in the market for any unused Airfix MR2 dark grey option markings for the stencils, etc.  reluctant to pay a king's ransom for a second hand set of Aeroclub Shack decals.

Oh and in the Airfix 2016 Yearbook there's a shot of a tropical Hurricane I. Didn't spot the scale though; if 1/48 it'll be based on the current kit, but if 1/72 that means a new tin wing Hurri.

[Thorvic]

Oh and in the Airfix 2016 Yearbook there's a shot of a tropical Hurricane I. Didn't spot the scale though; if 1/48 it'll be based on the current kit, but if 1/72 that means a new tin wing Hurri.

Its 48th so based on the recent kit

[The Wooksta!]

Dave, you can have the spares from my finished one, plus a spare Revell sheet (Frog MR3!)

[kitbasher]

Top banana, Lee. May thanks - PM incoming.

[Mossie]

Another one from the show is the new Sea King HAR3 RAF Rescue kit based upon the new Commando kit.

The new Victor looked sweet even though it was just a resin prototype painted up 

Happy about the Victor, an SR.2 would be nice.  Also happy about the Yella Sea King, I've been used to seeing them for so many years that I might just do one real world of 202 Sqn 'E' Flight.

[KiwiZac]

I'm torn about the Shack, now I've had another look at the Revell sprues and seen the built-up prototype online. For some reason that one is exciting, but my heart's with the Airfix kit...especially as it already has the decals for WR963, which is the only real-world one I want to build.

Maybe that's the key to my dilemma - Airfix for RW, Revell for whif?

[jcf]

I really think having the Martlet as a "new kit" is cheating. But the Stuka and Victor more than make up for it!

Different engine (9-cylinder R-1820 vs. 14-cylinder R-1830), shorter cowling without carb scoop and single small cowl flap
each side, and Ham Standard prop for starters, along with various other small differences from the F4F-4.
So it will require a new sprue to make a proper Martlet IV.

[KiwiZac]

True, but it's a new sprue rather than a new kit like the Stuka and Victor are. I'm not upset - I'm sure there are people who care about the barrel-shaped thing - just a bit disappointed.

In case you'd like a tiny glimpse of the research process for the Victor kit, one of the team preserving XL231 "Lusty Lindy" at Elvington has broken cover and shared a bit of info and some photos at the Key Publishing Forum from Airfix's visit to their airframe...in March!!! They sure do work quickly, these Airfix folks! 

The poster acknowledges that their Victor is a K.2 but mentions there's quite a lot in common between the two variants, and expands a bit on what will be in the final kit. Well worth a look, and the rest of the thread is full of reference photos to make you jealous.

[Hobbes]

In case you'd like a tiny glimpse of the research process for the Victor kit, one of the team preserving XL231 "Lusty Lindy" at Elvington has broken cover and shared a bit of info and some photos at the Key Publishing Forum from Airfix's visit to their airframe...in March!!! They sure do work quickly, these Airfix folks! 

The Victor isn't available yet, IIRC the introduction date was set for late next year. The example on the stand was a resin kit.

[zenrat]

I really think having the Martlet as a "new kit" is cheating. But the Stuka and Victor more than make up for it!

Different engine (9-cylinder R-1820 vs. 14-cylinder R-1830), shorter cowling without carb scoop and single small cowl flap
each side, and Ham Standard prop for starters, along with various other small differences from the F4F-4.
So it will require a new sprue to make a proper Martlet IV.

Thanks Jon.

[Gondor]

True, but it's a new sprue rather than a new kit like the Stuka and Victor are. I'm not upset - I'm sure there are people who care about the barrel-shaped thing - just a bit disappointed.

In case you'd like a tiny glimpse of the research process for the Victor kit, one of the team preserving XL231 "Lusty Lindy" at Elvington has broken cover and shared a bit of info and some photos at the Key Publishing Forum from Airfix's visit to their airframe...in March!!! They sure do work quickly, these Airfix folks! 

The poster acknowledges that their Victor is a K.2 but mentions there's quite a lot in common between the two variants, and expands a bit on what will be in the final kit. Well worth a look, and the rest of the thread is full of reference photos to make you jealous.

The main differences are that the K2 has 18inch reduction from each wing-tip, no ECM bulges on the tail cone and the refuelling equipment. Nothing else obvious on the outside.

Gondor

[Captain Canada]

That Victor is gonna be sweet !

[NARSES2]

I really think having the Martlet as a "new kit" is cheating. But the Stuka and Victor more than make up for it!

Different engine (9-cylinder R-1820 vs. 14-cylinder R-1830), shorter cowling without carb scoop and single small cowl flap
each side, and Ham Standard prop for starters, along with various other small differences from the F4F-4.
So it will require a new sprue to make a proper Martlet IV.

Yup. The existing Wildcat sprue has the engine and cowling on a separate sprue so it will be a straight swap.

I had a little chat about the Wildcat construction order with a guy on the Airfix stand. He had the decency to smile when I suggested getting the cockpit/undercarriage lined up was fun.  But as he said "the real thing was complicated enough"

[KiwiZac]

Tomorrow is when Airfix said it would announce the 2016 range in full - big, bright posts have advertised this on Facebook and Twitter. This morning NZT I awake to this:

Hi everyone, We wanted to let you know that to allow us to launch our Airfix 2016 range simultaneously in all of our international markets, it has been decided to slightly delay the UK launch until 10.00am on Monday 16th November.

...because their international markets don't have Internet access? I'm very confused.