The company’s eye-popping 1/72 polar exploration aircraft has been re-released as a Vintage Classics boxing, after an almost 20-year absence. CHRIS CLIFFORD inspects the contents.
Anyone who has built Airfix’s 1979-era Auster AOP.6 observation aircraft may not have realised that it was based on the firm’s Auster Antarctic kit, first issued 21 years before. Originally moulded in bright yellow styrene, the model was provided on four runners (including a clear frame) and emulated WE600, one of two airframes converted from T.7s to equip the 1956 Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition.
The kit has now been reissued as item A01023V in the growing and popular Vintage Classics series, but is now moulded in Airfix’s harder, grey plastic… but the detail remains the same and is what you’d expect for 1958. Raised and engraved lines are present but it’s mostly a case of the former being prevalent, employed to replicate rib detail on the mainplanes, horizontal stabiliser/elevators and rudder. The raised lines are finely moulded and would work fairly well untouched, but gentle sanding would make them look more convincing.
Above: Airfix’s fuselage halves are simple, echoing the real aircraft, with basic engraved lines around the engine cowling.
Above: Floats are included if you wish to pose your model on water, using any one of the various scenic products currently available.
