Airfix Model World | August 2021

AWM129 | August 2021

DISPLAY CASE

EXTRA IMAGES INSIDE: This month’s reader showcase features superb work on a pair of classic maritime kits joined by a simply stunning recreation of a jet that never reached operational service - plus bonus online-exclusive entries.

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CANNON-WING SPIT'

Depicted in a striking inverted position on its artwork, Airfix’s quarter-scale Spitfire Mk.Vb has been re-issued with new markings for RAF and US-operated airframes.

NEXT-GEN TRAINER

Revell’s re-boxing of Kinetic’s large-scale Hawk 100 as the RAF’s T.2 variant also serves to provide fresh markings options.

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DEVILISH GUNFIGHTER

It’s a welcome return for the Platz 1/144 F-8 Crusader – once again, it’s a two-kit product and uses the same parts as the earlier F8U-2 release (see Reviews, June 2020), which is unsurprising as they are the same airframe.

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ARMOURED DEFENDER

Comprising six styrene runners, a photo-etched (PE) steel fret, pre-cut mask set and two decal sheets, Eduard’s ProfiPACK edition Fw 190A-8/R2 is arguably the package of choice for recreating this anti-bomber variant in quarter-scale.

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UK-DEPLOYED 'FELLAS'

Boeing’s B-52 Stratofortress is a huge aircraft, so it’s no surprise Italeri’s 1/72 depiction is similarly hefty; it comprises 12 styrene runners with separate fuselage ‘quarters’ and two-piece main wings.

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OKINAWA STRAFERS

Given the dearth of 1/48 A-26 kits, it’s perhaps surprising this is the fifth iteration of ICM’s superb offering, for a gun and rocket-armed version.

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JET AMPHIBIAN

There aren’t many jet-powered amphibians, so Zvezda’s newly tooled Beriev Be-200ES is a delight.

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READY FOR NIGHT

ICM’s mixing of figures and aircraft kits is a great idea and that’s definitely the case with its CR.42, which has been augmented with the firm’s Luftwaffe Pilots set (32101) to create a convincing pre/post-flight scene.

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MINIATURE MARVEL

Eduard’s collaboration with Platz means that the latter’s delightful 1/144-scale offerings are readily available in Europe, such as the P-47D ‘bubbletop’, which matches the original parts with new markings by Eduard for five bright and colourful schemes.

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FLYING SHARK

If modellers favouring 1/72 builds felt left out when Clear Prop! released a newly tooled 1/48 XA2D-1 Skyshark, they can now rest assured as the type has just been released in 1/72 scale.

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FIRST PANZER

Takom’s splendid large-scale Panzer I returns in Ausf. B configuration, with a replacement runner for the variant’s changed engine deck and new lower hull; otherwise, the remaining 36 frames and turret top are unchanged.

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CLERICAL HOWITZER

Airfix’s M7 is a re-boxing of the Academy parts with new decals.

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DESERT DIORAMA

Italeri has combined with Master Box to provide a tank and figure set depicting a British 8th Army Crusader Mk.II and supporting five-man squad.

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QUARTER-SCALE SOVIET

Tamiya’s line of 1/48 tanks continues with this newly tooled T-34/85, which depicts the 1945 model with angular track guard fronts and a revised turret.

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DESERT GUNNERY

Always a firm to get the most from its moulds, ICM has combined its 1/35 Model T Light Car Patrol (35663) with its same-scale Vickers machine gun (35712) to form a heavily armed version of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps vehicle.

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MINIATURE ARMOUR

Modellers thinking 1/72 was small for armour may be surprised at Brengun’s exquisite 1/144 scale resin and photo-etched (PE) brass Mark IV Female tank.

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AMPHIBIOUS ATTACK

While Soviet/Russian armour is popular with modellers and manufacturers, types operated by the Naval Infantry appear less so, and Revell’s re-boxing of the Toxso 1/72 kit is just the fourth offering in this scale.

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DEATH'S HEAD ARMOUR

Dragon’s range of 1/35 Panzer III kits seemingly cover all sub-types, with this iteration depicting an Ausf.M.

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ATOMIC AIRLINER

In the Thunderbirds pilot episode, Trapped in the Sky, International Rescue’s first-ever mission involved saving the Fireflash airliner by landing the huge machine on four elevator cars.

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REUSABLE ORBITER

Revell has marked the 40th anniversary of the Space Shuttle’s first manned flight with reissues of its kit depictions of the type, including this 1/144 offering with external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters, crawler-transporter base and Spacelab unit.

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SPACE PLANE ANNIVERSARY

Its not that often a kit is arguably older than its subject, but that’s the case with Revell’s big shuttle orbiter, which was first released two years prior to Columbia’s 1981 flight.

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UNDERWATER RESCUE

Often ferried on missions in Thunderbird 2’s cargo pod, Thunderbird 4 was one of the team’s smallest rescue vehicles, yet a fan favourite with its bright yellow livery.

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COLOSSAL CLASH

Released to commemorate 80 years since the Battle of the Denmark Strait in May 1941, Revell’s limited-edition two-kit package is a slightly strange proposition due to the use of two different scales to depict HMS Hood and Bismarck.

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GADFLIES AND GRIZZLIES

Modern naval weapons systems are small compared to the parent ship, making them tiny on common modelling scales, so Takom’s 1/35 weapons range is a clever idea.

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A NEW CLASS OF SHIP

Zvezda’s excellent HMS Dreadnought returns in Revell packaging and is unchanged from the initial release, with six styrene runners and a two-piece ‘seabed-type’ stand.

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BUILD-AND-PLAY FUN

The variety of subjects available as beginners’ kits is incredible, even compared to just a few years ago, with Airfix’s Bugatti Chiron a prime example.

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FARE TO THE FRONT

ICM regularly pairs its automotive kits with figure sets, but this example is slightly unusual, combining the firm’s 1/35 Renault Type AG taxi with a driver and three French infantrymen.

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CLASSIC BUS

Having started with the VW T1 Samba and subsequently released cargo and Kombi versions, Revell has come full circle with the original T1 Microbus, recognisable via its 11-window configuration.

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KATYUSHA CREW

While intended to accompany the firm’s own Katyusha multiple rocket launchers, this four-man crew is depicted in the process of loading the next batch of ready-to-fire missiles (although none are included).