Airfix A12011 Avro Vulcan B2 Aircraft

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Anyway, I don't want this to turn into any longer a review, congratulations if you got this far without glazing over, if you're interested, please read my article in AMW for more details. For those interested I'll probably write a post about building the kit, in detail, after it's officially released. Just before we get on with this review here’s a look at the finished model just to let you see how it all turned out. Occupying a significant position in the history of post war British aviation, the Avro Vulcan was without doubt one of the most distinctive aircraft ever to take to the skies, with its huge delta wing profile becoming almost as iconic as the elliptical wing of the Supermarine Spitfire. Built to satisfy an extremely demanding Air Ministry requirement for a fast, high altitude strategic bomber, capable of carrying a special payload of 10,000 imperial pounds in weight (a nuclear device), the new aircraft was intended to serve as an airborne deterrent to any future military threat against the UK, with the required specifications representing a 100% increase in the capabilities of any previous British bomber aircraft. When the Vulcan made its maiden flight in August 1952, the Avro team were well on the way to presenting the Royal Air Force with not only the worlds first delta bomber, but also one of the worlds most effective strike bombers. It remains to be seen whether Dave’s efforts will result in an Airfix kit version of his impressive carrier, but we certainly look forward to watching developments with interest. We will certainly bring readers details of how our request for opinions on the subject progresses.

As the Avro Vulcan entered squadron service with No.83 Squadron at RAF Waddington in July 1957, the Royal Air Force had one of the most advanced bomber aircraft in the world at their disposal, one which was at that time not only the first delta bomber in service, but also the fastest nuclear capable bomber in the world. The moulding looks good, details appear finely engraved or raised as appropriate and although there will undoubtedly be debates raging for months about the depth of the engraving it seems about right to me; not excessive but sufficient to take a panel line wash if that's your choice. As one of the most distinctive aircraft in the history of flight, the Avro Vulcan B.2 represents not only a proud achievement for the British aviation industry, but also an aircraft which helped to keep the world at peace during one of the most volatile periods in history. Following in the wake of such classic Avro bomber designs as the Manchester and Lancaster, the Vulcan introduced ground-breaking new aviation technologies when it made its first flight on 30th August 1952, becoming the world’s first delta bomber and the most advanced bomber ever to take to the skies. This is made all the more impressive when considering that this first flight took place just nine years after the 19 specially modified Avro Lancaster’s of RAF No.617 Squadron launched their famous raid against the great dams of the Ruhr Valley.With this increase in activity, it would surely have been an exciting time for the crews taking part, particularly as they could be confident of the secretive nature of their involvement in the coming British military response. That was until just days before their anticipated deployment, when news of the RAF Vulcan forces' involvement also found its way onto a news bulletin being watched by crews, as they relaxed between practice sorties. Not only would they be undertaking one of the most challenging missions the Royal Air Force had ever mounted, now they would be doing so against an enemy who knew they were coming. For a subject as popular as the Vulcan, we knew the modelling world would appreciate a new version of our 1/72nd scale kit, one which incorporated all the very latest advances in design and manufacturing technologies.

The well appointed weapons bay with three carriers supporting 21 1000lb bombs. A Blue Steel stand off bomb is also included along with the correct fairing.

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Following the Argentinean invasion of the Falkland Islands at the beginning of April 1982, Britain's response was swift and decisive. As a powerful Task Force was assembled under the full gaze of the world's media, aircrews assigned to the last three remaining RAF Avro Vulcan squadrons watched on with interest at their home base at RAF Waddington. With their aircraft scheduled to be retired later that year and the fact that the type had already been in service for thirty years at that point surely made their involvement in any military response highly unlikely. In any case, the Vulcan hadn’t been used in a conventional bombing role for some years, so they really weren't prepared for such an operation. With the stand prepared and everyone ready for action, Saturday morning presented the team with arguably the most challenging task of show weekend – smuggling the new Vulcan into the show and onto the display plinth without being discovered. Travelling en masse, our development manager carried a rather large box containing the prototype model past the hundreds of people waiting to get into the show, each one knowing we had something exciting in the box. Adding to the modelling subterfuge, was this large box protecting a big model, or were we attempting to throw everyone off the scent? They would not have long to wait. The aircraft chosen here was XM597 as she appeared at the 1974 Greenham Common Air Tattoo. I chose here due to the unusual combination of squared off fin cap, white tail cone and circular dielectric panel on the upper fuselage and early 'D' style markings.