This fascinating jet-powered flying boat has never been produced in styrene until now… courtesy of Hannants’ own kit brand. CHRIS CLIFFORD offers a full review.
Jet-engined flying boats are rare beasts. For many modellers and aviation enthusiasts, besides the Convair Sea Dart, Saunders-Roe’s SRA-1 is the only other such type they can name. It’s this latter machine that Xtrakit has decided to replicate in 1/72 scale via its limited-run kit label.
Like jet flying boats, Xtrakit items are also rare – with years passing between releases. Anyone who’s tackled a model from this brand, though, will know that the limited-run format does place them more in the hands of experienced modellers, due to the sometimes challenging fit and lack of locating pins. Here, too, there are various ejector-pin marks to remove before certain parts can be mated. However, the engraved panel line detail is pleasing on this replica of the experimental waterborne fighter from 1947, which never achieved a service career; production was slow and its perceived need dissipated once the war ended.
Above: Xtrakit’s fuselage faithfully captures the shape of this ground-breaking flying boat.
Above: Engraved panel lines are employed throughout; they are fine and …
