The Official Airfix Club Magazine...

Issue 3 2008

Airfix have donated a superb Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Canvas

COMPETITION TIME which will go to one outright winner in our competition this time. All we
want you to do is answer the following questions. You will find all the
answers in this edition of the magazine.
1. In which year was the Royal Horse Artillery founded?
2. Henschel, the designer of the German Hs 123 aircraft, was initially
better known as the manufacturer of what?
3. Which famous WWI flying ace first tested the Hs 123 in 1935?
Put your answers on a postcard and send with your name, address and
Club membership number to Issue 3 Airfix Competition, PO Box 25,
Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE13 1ZG, to reach us no later than
30th June 2008.

Rules of Entry.
1. The winner will be the first selected at random from the
all-correct entries received by 30th June 2008.
2. The competition is limited to one entry per current
member of the Airfix Club.
3. Duplicate entries will be disregarded.
4. The results of the competition will be announced in Issue
4 of the Airfix magazine and the winner notified by post.
5. The competition is not open to employees of Hornby
Hobbies, their agents or families.
6. No correspondence to be entered into in conjunction
with the competition.
7. No cash equivalent is available.
8. The Airfix Club accepts no responsibility for entries lost
or damaged in the post.
9. Entries defaced or altered in any way will be deemed null
and void.
10. The judges’ decision is final.

JUNIOR COMPETITION TIME
Rules of Entry.
1. The winner will be the first selected from the all-correct
entries received on the closing date of 30th June 2008.
2. The competition is limited to one per Airfix Club member,
aged 14 or under.
3. Duplicate entries will be disregarded.
4. The results of the competition will be announced in Issue
4 of the Airfix magazine and the winner notified by post.
5. The competition is not open to employees of Hornby
Hobbies Ltd, their agents or families.
6. No correspondence to be entered into in conjunction
with the competition.
7. No cash equivalent is available.
8. The Airfix Club accepts no responsibility for entries lost
or damaged in the post.
9. Entries defaced or altered in any way will be deemed null
and void.
10. The judges’ decision is final.
We are giving away a full set of fantastic 1:72 scale action figures (10
packs in all) to one lucky junior Club winner in our Issue 3 competition.
We are sure you all know of Robin Hood, not to mention the wily Sheriff
of Nottingham. You can now buy them as Airfix kits and create your own
medieval adventures. To test your knowledge of Robin Hood and therefore
have a chance to win our superb Airfix prize, we need you to answer the
following questions based on the legend of Robin Hood. The competition
is only open to junior Club members aged 14 or under.
1. Who was the King of England at the time of the Robin Hood?
2. When he died, the Robin Hood legend says he was buried under
an oak tree in which famous English forest?
3. Which of these three people was NOT a friend of Robin Hood (a)
Friar Tuck or (b) Little John or (c) Guy of Gisborne?
Put your answers on a postcard with your name, age, address and
membership number and send to Issue 3 Junior Airfix Competition, PO
Box 25, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE13 1ZG. Answers should
reach us no later than 30th June 2008.

COMPETITION RESULTS
The winner of our Issue 1 competition is Mr Gary Hill from Queensland, Australia. Congratulations, Gary. An example of the
superb A10600 Battle of Britain Memorial Flight set is on its way to you. The answers to the questions were:
1. The Eder and Mohne Dams 2. Operation Chastise 3. The Heritage Museum, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
4. 100 Squadron on the port side and 550 Squadron on the starboard side.
The Issue 1 Junior Competition has been won by Mstr Connor Harrison from Leicestershire. Well done, Connor. You have won
an example of each of the new Airfix Dr Who kits. We asked you to tell us what TARDIS stands for.
The answer is Time And Relative Dimension in Space.
The Issue 2 Competition draws resulted in the adult competition prize of an example of the A50060 HMS Belfast being won by
Mr. Donald Logan from Belfast. The answer to the competition question was: Option C – A Maritime Museum moored on
the Thames.
The Shaun the Sheep competition, open to our junior Club members promised a Shaun the Sheep and Tractor set to the winner.
And the first all-correct entry drawn was from Mstr. Ben Etheridge from Norfolk.
Congratulations! Your prize is on its way. Have fun!
And the correct answers were: 1. A Close Shave 2. Wallace and Gromit

Airfix Club Spitfire MkXVIe Offer... OFFER

The Airfix Club are offering the opportunity for all club members to purchase an additional Supermarine LIMITED TO ONE
Spitfire MkXVIe kit. You will then be able to build both the TE199 (clipped wing) and TD248. MODEL PER CLUB
UK members £13.99 (postage and packaging included). Overseas members £15.99 (postage and packaging included).
MEMBER!

To order your Airfix Club Spitfire MkXVIe please fill in your details below and return the I enclose cheque/postal order for £ Cheques should be made payable to
completed form with your selected method of payment to: Airfix Club Spitfire MkXVIe offer, Hornby Hobbies Ltd. Overseas members, please note that cheques should be either in the
PO Box 25, Melton Mowbray, Leicester LE13 1ZG. Once payment has been received please
allow 28 days for delivery in the UK.
Title Initials Surname
form of a Eurocheque, a cheque drawn on a London bank or an International Money Order.
OR
Please debit £ Sterling to my
ALSO WE FEATURE SOME OF
Address
Post code Country
Visa
Card Number
Access Mastercard Switch/Maestro
THE 1:72 ACTION FIGURES
Telephone (daytime)
Club Membership No. (if applicable)
Switch/Maestro Issue No.
Start Date Expiry date DUE FOR RELEASE DURING
Signature (of parent/guardian, if under 16 years) Signature
If you wish to order but do not want to damage your magazine, please photocopy the order form and use that to place your order.
Date
2008
www.airfix.com www.airfix.com
Contents
2008 Spring Release Programme
Members’ Mail
Pages 3, 4, 5 & 6
Page 6
Editorial
The 2008 Airfix release programme is well under way and in this
issue we review more of the superb range of new models coming
2008
Classic British Bombers Page 7
your way over the next few weeks.
With Spring in the air, the Airfix Roadshow is getting ready to take SPRING RELEASE PROGRAMME
to the road again for the summer season. Key attendances will be There is a wonderful selection of Airfix kits coming your way over the next few weeks.
Model Build Pages 8 & 9 at some of the popular Air Shows across the UK, where the Airfix
team look forward to seeing you to talk about your Airfix hobby.
Whether your interests lie in the air, at sea or on land, there is something for all of you.
BAC TSR-2 Pages 10 & 11
In addition to lots of activities on the stand, you will also be able
Competition Time Page 12 to see at first hand an exhibition of some of the new 2008 Airfix A01002 Gloster Gladiator
Issue 2 Competition Time Results Page 12 models in finished form. See our Diary Dates in this issue for One of the new Airfix models to be introduced in 2008 is the A01002 Gloster Gladiator. Modelled in 1:72 scale, with two kit variations
forthcoming Airfix appearances. Stop Press information is also and comprising 25 pieces, the finished aircraft has a length of 147 mm and a wingspan of 173 mm.
available on our website www.airfix.com This kit has two schemes which includes a Sea Gladiator ‘Faith, Hope and Charity’ which flew out of Malta in 1940-41.
The Gloster Gladiator was the last of the RAF’s bi-plane fighters and appeared at a time when the new generation of monoplane fighters
were in the advanced stages of development. The Gloster Gladiator evolved from the Gloster Gauntlet, designed by H P Folland’s team in
the mid-1930s.
It had a single seat and was the first fighter with an enclosed cockpit. Other design features included cantilever landing gear and a two-
blade propeller driven by a Bristol Mercury engine. The Gladiator’s top speed was around 257 mph (414km/hr). It first flew on 12th
September 1934 and entered service in 1937. In the early days of the Second World War, the Gladiator was used extensively in Norway
and as far north as Narvik – to give air cover to British and Norwegian ground forces, often operating from frozen lakes.
The aircraft was also modified to operate from aircraft carriers as a Sea Gladiator, used by the Fleet Air Arm, where its slower speed made it more suitable for carrier operations and less likely to
be facing more modern fighter opposition. Despite reasonable success, seeing action in almost all theatres of WWII, the Gladiator was superseded by the much faster Spitfires, Hurricanes and the
German Messerschmitt Bf 109 and withdrawn from military service.

A01031 Boulton Paul Defiant NF.1.

This new Airfix model is based on the British fighter aircraft and bomber interceptor which the RAF used extensively in the early days of WWII.
It was designed and built by Boulton Paul Aircraft as a turret fighter and served with the RAF. Unfortunately, it proved vulnerable to the new
German single seat Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters.
However, it was used to great effect as a night fighter during the German Blitz on London, with a number of successful ‘kills’. The plane,
known affectionately as ‘Daffy’ by the RAF pilots, ended its days in a training and support role.
The Airfix kit, modelled in 1:72 scale, comprises 33 pieces and comes in two variations. When built, it has a length of 149 mm and a
wingspan of 166 mm.

A02034 Douglas TBD-1 Devastator

Modelled in 1:72 scale, this new Airfix kit replicates the first all-metal carrier-based monoplane used by the US Navy, attached to its
torpedo squadrons. It was considered revolutionary and the most advanced aircraft of the US Navy when it was introduced in 1937,
although only 129 were built between then and the end of its production in 1939. A torpedo bomber, it was manufactured by the Douglas
Aircraft Company. Its design included hydraulically folding wings and a semi-retractable undercarriage to enable even a ‘no-wheels’ landing.
However, by 1942 and considered very outdated, particularly against the Japanese might, the TBD Devastator was retired from active service.
The Airfix kit comprises 75 pieces across two variants. The finished aircraft has a length of 148 mm and a wingspan of 211 mm.

A02051 Henschel Hs 123A-1.

The Henschel 123 was a single-seat biplane dive-bomber and close-support attack aircraft flown by the German Luftwaffe during the Spanish
1st June: ‘RAF Cosford Air Show’
DIARY DATES
Civil War and the early part of WWII. Although obsolete in design by this point, it was not withdrawn from frontline service until 1944. Its biplane
Cosford, Shropshire. wings were of a ‘sesquiplane’ configuration in which the lower wings were smaller than the top wings.
The aircraft took its name from a designer who had been better known for manufacturing locomotives but Henschel decided to start designing
12th - 13th July: ‘Royal International Air Tattoo’
aircraft soon after Hitler’s rise to power. The Hs 123 was designed to meet the need for a single-seat biplane dive-bomber and was first
(RIAT) tested by World War I ace General Ernst Udet in 1935.
Throughout 2008 the Airfix team will be out and about, attending various shows
RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire. The Airfix Kit, modelled in 1:72 scale, comprises 38 pieces and comes in two Luftwaffe variations one of which is from the Spanish Civil
in the UK. If we are near you we hope you will come along to the Airfix War. When built, it has a length of 116 mm and a wingspan of 146 mm.
6th - 7th September: ‘Duxford 90th Anniversary
presence at the following shows. We’ll keep you updated on further venues
via our Club website www.Airfix.com
Air Show’
Duxford, Cambridgeshire. A01058 Cessna Bird Dog
See you there!
The Cessna 0-1 Bird Dog was an American liaison and observation aircraft introduced in 1950 and served right up to 1974. Ordered
and used originally by the US Army, the Cessna Bird Dog saw notable service from 1962 in the Vietnam War where it was flown by US
Consultant Editor: Susan Pownell Design & Production: DSP Limited Membership Organiser: Sarah Woodhouse. personnel and South Vietnamese pilots. Its main role was in artillery observation, reconnaissance and forward air control.
2008 Subscription Fees: UK POSTAL Version £22.99. UK DOWNLOADABLE Version £14.99. EU DOWNLOADABLE Version £18.99. Rest of the World DOWNLOADABLE Version £20.99.
The Airfix kit has 37 pieces and three kit variations. Built in 1:72 scale, the finished length is 110 mm with a 152 mm wingspan.
Cheques made payable to: Hornby Hobbies Limited. Visa, Access, Mastercard, Maestro & Switch accepted with valid expiry date and in the case of Switch & Maestro, either an issue number or a ‘valid
from’ date. Club Address: Airfix Collectors Club. PO Box 25, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, UK. LE13 IZG. Tel: 0870 062 4001. Fax: 01664 480 257. The Airfix Club Magazine is published on behalf of
Hornby plc, Westwood, Margate, Kent CT9 4JX. The Club accepts no responsibility for errors or ommissions or for views and opinions expressed by contributors to the magazine.

2 www.airfix.com 3 www.airfix.com

This Airfix category of 1:72 scale kits enables you to bring
your models to life with a fantastic choice of figures and
dioramas ranging from Ancient Britons to WWII action
scenes. First up are four new sets of WWI Military figures.
A01726 WW1 German Infantry Set
A01726 WWI German Infantry set contains 40 pieces,
depicting the German Army at the beginning of the conflict.
Your finished diorama includes a field officer, two infantry officers and
a heavy machine gun with crew and riflemen.
1:72 ACTION MILITARY FIGURES
4 www.airfix.com
A01731 WW1 Royal Horse Artillery Set
The Royal Horse Artillery is a Regiment in the British Army but its origins
A01728 WW1 French Infantry Set go back to 1793 when troops of the RHA were raised by the 3rd Duke
A01728 adds the WWI French Infantry to your diorama. The French took of Richmond.
part in many of the largest and bloodiest battles of WWI in the effort to Today the RHA is operationally part of the Royal Regiment of Artillery
defend their country. order of battle.
The Airfix set contains a cross-section of key figures, During WWI, the RHA was responsible for light mobile guns that provided
including cyclists, a signaller with pigeons, a bugler, firepower in support of the cavalry. In 1914 the establishment provided
standard-bearer and infantrymen. There are 48 pieces one battery to each Brigade of Cavalry.
in all.
Each battery comprised six 13-pounder field guns and included five
officers and 200 men, as well as 228 horses. The presence of the Royal
A01727 WW1 British Infantry Set Horse Artillery, where all personnel were mounted, provided improved
mobility by pulling the field guns and other armaments.
A01727 replicates the WWI British Infantry wearing the uniform of the
early War period at the Western Front. The famous ‘Tommies’ in the 48- The 16 pieces in this 1:72 Airfix set include two field
piece set comprise signallers, a wiring party, a trench mortar and crew. guns, a full team of horses, gun limber and full crew.
A01729 WW1 American Infantry Set
The American Army crossed the Atlantic to France where they took part
in the last great battles of the Great War.
Known as the Doughboys, their equipment in this 48-piece set includes
light machine guns and a remote controlled rifle.
A01734 Ancient Britons Set
The ferocious warrior tribes of ancient of Britain were well known for
their aggressive high-speed tactics in battle.
This Airfix kit with 42 pieces enables you to re-enact their ferocious
activities with bloodthirsty figures, along with mobile chariots to further
terrorise their enemies.
A01730 Romans Set
The feared and well disciplined Roman Army is depicted in this brand
new set of Airfix figures.
Comprising 55 pieces, you can build your own Roman Legion with horse
drawn chariot and driver, a centurion, standard-bearer and legionaries
in various poses.
5 w w w . a i r9f i x . c o m

MILITARY VEHICLES
The Airfix range of small scale military armoured
fighting vehicles continues to be highly popular.
2008 sees a major expansion of the range, featuring not only WWII
models but well known and much asked for subjects from later eras
as well. One of the key 2008 introductions is the A02334 Sherman
Calliope Tank. Modelled in 1:76 scale, the Airfix kit includes 74 pieces.
This rocket-firing version of the Sherman tank was designed to lay
down a barrage of fire from its turret-mounted rocket tubes. The US
developed a wide array of special attachments for the basic M4
Sherman tank.
MEMBERS’ MAIL
Hi, says new Club Member
Mr Jonathan Davey from Hampshire...
I have been an avid Airfix fan since I started making models many
years ago, at the age of nine.
My main interest lies in aircraft, particularly military examples. My
favourites – all of which I have constructed – are the Hawker Typhoon
1B, Curtis P-40E Kittyhawk, Supermarine Spitfire Mk 1A and the
Westland Lysander. Thank you Airfix, for a most enjoyable hobby.
Ed: Thanks for writing, Mr Davey. We look forward to letters
from Club members on all aspects of your Airfix hobby.
Write to The Editor, Airfix Club, PO Box 25, Melton Mowbray,
Leicestershire LE13 1ZG, UK.
6 www.airfix.com
Few saw combat and most remained experimental but those that saw
action included the bulldozer blade for the Sherman Dozer tanks; Duplex
Drive for ‘swimming’ Sherman tanks; R3 flame thrower for Zippo flame
tanks; and the T34 60-tube, 4.5 inch Calliope rocket launcher for the
Sherman turret. The M4 Sherman tank was the primary tank produced
by the United States for its own use and that of its Allies, particularly
during WWII. However, many nations continued to use the tank in both
training and combat roles right up to the end of the 1990s. A remarkable
50,000 M4 medium tanks were produced and its chassis served as
the basis for numerous armoured vehicles such as tank destroyers,
tank retrievers and self-propelled artillery.
PAST & PRESENT CLASSIC BRITISH BOMBERS
CANBERRA
Jeremy Brook takes a look at the early Airfix
Instead a U.S.A.F. Martin B-57 Canberra was created. When Humbrol
Canberra and the Vickers Armstrong Wellington
bought Airfix in 1986, it was found to be impossible to convert the
The recent release of the first of the 1:48 Canberra kits and the impending mould back to a Canberra so it has only been available as a B-57 ever
release of the smaller 1:72 versions are not the first Canberra kits to be since. Until 2008, that is when Airfix are releasing a brand new 1:72
released by Airfix. Way back in September 1974, Airfix released a lovely Canberra tooling.
1:72 scale kit of a B.A.C. Canberra B(1).6. Markings and extra parts were
included to make a Canberra B.20 of the R.A.A.F. The boxtop painting
was by Roy Cross and showed an R.A.F. machine flying over the coast.
The kit was typical of Airfix jet aircraft models of that period with very
fine raised panel lines and a minimum number of rivets. There were very
few Canberra models available in the 1970’s so it was very popular.
Airfix 1:72 Martin B-57C/RB-57E (04001 released 1980’s) Airfix 1:48 English Electric Canberra PR.9 (2008)
However, it had a major error. The shape of the glazed nose was not quite
right and this upset more advanced modellers who often had to resort
to complicated ‘surgery’ to correct this fault; not an easy task as a new
glazed nose had to be moulded! Help was at hand though, but perhaps
not what Canberra fans wanted.
In 1984, Palitoy the new American owners of Airfix, completely revised
the mould so that a ‘glazed nose’ Canberra could no longer be made. Airfix 1:48 Martin B-57B Canberra (2008) Airfix 1:48 English Electric Canberra B.2/20 (2008)
WELLINGTON
Another classic British bomber, but from an earlier era, is also shortly to
be released by Airfix, the Vickers Armstrong Wellington, or ‘Wimpey’ as
it was commonly known. This release is not in fact an Airfix mould. The
Wellington was one of the first large aircraft kits made by Airfix and was
probably released in late 1958 or early 1959, 50 years ago! Airfix had
Airfix 1:72 Vickers Wellington BIII
to modify their moulding machines to cope with this much larger model.
For many years it was the only 1:72 Wellington kit available and nothing
was done to the mould for the next 40 odd years. In the 1970’s, new
decals were added and the stirring painting by Roy Cross was produced
which showed a stricken Wellington being chased by two Messerschmitts!
By 2001, the mould was becoming worn and so Airfix’s own ‘Wimpey’
was finally retired.
By Jeremy Brook – Editor of ‘Constant Scale’
To find out more about the Constant Scale and the history of Airfix visit
www.airfix.com then click on Clubs Directory and select – Airfix Airfix Autumn Brochure 1959
Collectors’ Club
7 www.airfix.com

SPITFIRE
MkXVIe
The subject of our Model Build in this issue comprises the two Supermarine Spitfire
Mk XVI models selected as part of your Airfix Club subscription package this year.
8 www.airfix.com
The Airfix Club Special 1/48 Spitfire Mk.XVIe represents the "bubble-top" variant of this famous fighter with the
"E" wing armament and pointed rudder. The Mk.XVI "bubble-top" went on to serve with the Royal Air Force and
Royal Auxiliary Air Force in the post-war period after WWII and was also operated by several other countries
including Belgium, France and Greece.
The kit includes lots of parts including spare upper wing halves, wing tips, intakes and other details that are
not applicable to the Mk.XVIe but these parts can be used on other Spitfire models so they can be saved to
1 9 the "spares box" for future projects.
1 The cockpit provides plenty of detail to work with or add to if you wish. The interior was painted Cockpit Green
(Humbrol 78) with a wash of thinned black oil paint and, when dry, dry-brushed with a mix of white and green
to highlight the raised details. Other details are picked out in black and silver with the bar on the entry door
painted red.
2 A simple detail that can be added to the seat is the pilot’s harness. This can be made from strips of masking
tape with the adjustment holes punched from a sewing needle.
2 10 3 The instrument panel is painted black and details for the instrument bezel faces can be etched in using a sewing
needle and the bezels themselves given a drop of Clearfix to represent the "glass". The reflector site (part 14)
can be painted black and added at this stage.
4 With the cockpit complete, the fuselage halves can be joined together. A test fit of the wing to fuselage join
showed some slight gaps because the thinness of the fuselage halves makes the nose bow in a little more
than it should. This can be simply solved by adding a spacer made from the kit sprue to push the fuselage
halves out a little more so that they fit snugly with the wing roots.
5 Once you are happy with the fit the wings can be added. The Spitfire had six-degree dihedral and this can be
3 11 set using masking tape to hold the wings in place while the glue dries.
6 The kit offers a choice of upper engine cowls. The Mk.XVIe used the US two-stage Packard Merlin engine assembled
at the Castle Bromwich factory, which resulted in a bulged profile to the cowl. This drops into place very neatly
and follows the natural panel lines of the real aircraft so no filler or clean up is necessary.
7 The separate lower cowl can then be added. As the Mk.XVIe had the two-stage Merlin engine it featured a
larger intake on the underside of the fuselage.
8 The tail-plane slots into place and needs just a touch of filler to blend them into the fuselage. The kit offers
two types rudders. The Mk.XVIe used the "pointed" type and for an extra touch of realism this can be angled
4 12 to one side.
9 The wheel wells and flap interior were painted Cockpit Green and given a black wash to bring out the detail.
These can be masked off ready for the final colour scheme.
10/11 With basic construction now completed the fuselage is temporarily masked and the model given a coat of grey
primer to check for any seam join lines.
A good tip for getting a smooth finish is to give the paint a rub down with a piece of plastic wool (similar to
a kitchen scourer) that can be found in DIY shops.
12 Unlike their camouflaged contemporaries the two aircraft in the kit have rather unusual, colourful schemes.
5 13 TD248 is overall silver with red markings and is a regular on the UK air show scene. This aircraft featured the
normal wing-tips. An old toothbrush makes a convenient handle when spraying the silver.
13 TE199 of No.21 Group was painted black with pale roundels (almost a precursor to the anti-flash and modern
"low viz" markings). The model was sprayed gloss black as this helps the decals adhere to the surface without
"silvering" (caused by trapped air between the surface and the varnish layer).
A few basic tools can make applying the decals an easier task - a sharp pair of scissors, tweezers, paint brush,
kitchen paper for blotting the decals and a dish of warm water with a drop of washing up liquid (this helps the
decal "slide" into place).
6 14
14 There are lots of decals that need accurate alignment so patience is needed for best results. Experienced
modellers like to use decal setting solutions which help make the decal bed down onto the surface details better.
15 With the decalling done a sealing coat of varnish can be applied - Acrylic Satin Varnish (Humbrol 135) gives a
nice sheen. The final details can be added like the undercarriage, the flaps and canopy. The exhaust stacks
were painted a mix of Gun Metal and Bronze (Humbrol 53 and 171), then given a light dry-brushing of Leather
(Humbrol 62) to give them the look of hot, oxidised metal.
16 TE199 has its spinner and wing-tips painted Gold (Humbrol 16) and a grey/brown exhaust stain was airbrushed
along the fuselage. Satin Varnish was again used to seal the decals and give the model a more "to scale" sheen.
7 15
Both models make up into colourful, unusual variants of the Spitfire and could form the basis of a collection
charting the development of the aircraft starting with the Spitfire Mk.I/IIa (A05115), Spitfire Vb/c and Seafire III
(A04100 and A05110), Spitfire Mk.IXc/XVIe (A05113) through to the Griffon-engined Spitfire F.22/24 (A06101).
Airfix Club Spitfire MkXVIe Offer... OFFER
LIMITED TO ONE
The Airfix Club are offering the opportunity for all club members to purchase an additional Supermarine
Spitfire MkXVIe kit. You will then be able to build both the TE199 (clipped wing) and TD248. MODEL PER CLUB
8 16 UK members £13.99 (postage and packaging included). Overseas members £15.99 (postage and packaging included). MEMBER!
9 www.airfix.com
TSR-2
The TSR-2 was intended to replace the very successful English Electric
Canberra in the Tactical strike Reconnaissance role. Unlike the rather
basic Canberra, the TSR-2 programme was to make
use of all the latest technology to
design an aircraft
capable of stable supersonic flight at very low
levels and in any weather to accurately strike targets deep behind
enemy lines through the toughest air defence network.
The British Aviation industry, despite strong Government controls which
greatly impeded the development process managed to design, build and
fly an aircraft capable of meeting these impossible criteria.
However, due to the ambitious nature of the requirement
and the massive bureaucracy, the
costs rocketed to such an
extent that the new Labour Government cancelled the programme and
ordered from the USA the General Dynamics F-111K as an alternative
(this too had major cost overruns and the order was later cancelled).
The strike bomber role was then passed onto the Buccaneer and later
Tornado neither of which could match the potential of the TSR-2.
What makes the TSR-2 so special?
The reason why the TSR-2 remains a popular subject for many modellers
is that it was the best British Military Aircraft we never had.
It was the ultimate in design for British Aviation Industry showing the best
they could do; only Concorde has a similar appeal and that was a joint
effort with the French. All subsequent mainstream military aircraft have
either been compromises, joint ventures or even off the shelf designs
from other countries.
Given the hype from the period when hopes rested on its success, the
motives for the Government and its method of cancellation of the project
have been the subject for much speculation ever since. Most of the
development work was in an advanced stage with the promise of great
rewards, so why did the Government go to the extreme lengths, not only
of cancelling the TRS-2 development, but also ordering all relevant
material to be destroyed?
10
TSR-2 SIG at Cosford Model Show 6th April 2008
IPMS (UK) TSR-2 Special Interest Group
The IPMS is the international plastic modeller’s society for those people
interested in the world of plastic model kits. There are many branches
locally where members meet up to chat and model, but a spin off is
the Special Interest Groups or SIGS where modellers group together to
focus on a special subject of special interest to them.
The TSR-2 SIG origins date back to 2003 when a few members of the
What-If SIG were displaying a variety of the resin TSR-2 models as part
of a British what-if theme for the year. We noticed a large number of
people were paying special interest to the TSR-2, asking questions,
discussing the fate of the aircraft and lamenting on there never being
an affordable plastic kit of the aircraft.
www.airfix.com
The BAC TSR-2 was the last solely British designed bomber aircraft of the
post war period. It was the only new manned aircraft project to come out of
the Sandy Defence review of 1957 that cancelled most of the next generation
of jet aircraft in favour of guided missile development.
Article written by: Chris Payne and Geoff Baker
of the BAC TSR-2 Special Interest Group
This led to a new SIG being created for those interested in the TSR-2 in
conjunction with the campaign to persuade Airfix there was a genuine
demand for a TSR-2 kit. Due to the interest shown from the displays at
model shows, the campaign on-line through newsgroups and forums,
Airfix actually took the bold step and announced at Scale Model World
2004 their first own new 1/72 aircraft kit in many years of the TSR-2.
After the success and great demand of the TSR-2 in 1:72 scale, Airfix,
now under the ownership of Hornby Hobbies Limited will release a 1:48
scale version of the TSR-2 as a Limited Edition. The new kit is expected
to be available later this summer.
For more information on the TSR-2 and a special feature length article
on the Airfix 1:72 scale TSR-2 kit visit www.airfix.com then open the
‘Clubs Directory’ and select ‘BAC TSR-2 Special Interest Group’.
Both photographs: TSR-2 XR220 at RAF Cosford 2008
Airfix 1:72 BAC TSR-2 07004 (released in 2006)
11 www.airfix.com