Singles - Airfix

The Official Airfix Club Magazine...
Issue 5 2008
IN THIS ISSUE...
PLUS...
AIRFIX 2009
SNEAK PREVIEW
www.airfix.com
Contents
2008 Oct-Dec Release Programme
Pages 3 - 6
Sneak Preview of Airfix 2009
Page 6
Back in Time...The Airfix Magazine
Page 7
Airfix Model of the 1960's
Page 8
Classic British Kits Group
Page 9
Model Build - The Endeavour
Pages 10 & 11
Competition Time
Page 12
Editorial
With this issue, we celebrate the 1st Birthday of our
new Airfix Club. We hope you have enjoyed reading
the magazine – a publication that we have enjoyed
bringing to you – over the past twelve months and that
those of you who have been with us since last November
will re-subscribe for a further year.
In the current economic climate, you might decide to choose the download version of the
magazine, which is cheaper. However, if you prefer to pay a little extra, remember you will also qualify to receive the
free Airfix catalogue as part of your subscription, whereas email subscribers can view the catalogue on-line. The
choice is yours. For those of you whose subscription comes to an end shortly, a renewal form is enclosed on the
back of the address sheet with this issue. We look forward to welcoming you as a continuing member again in 2009.
We reveal the fantastic 2009
Exclusive Club Kit, FREE to members!
As subscribers to the Airfix
Club, you all receive – either
as a new or renewing member
– an exclusive Airfix kit,
absolutely free as part of your
annual entitlement. The model
is not available outside the Club and our specially commissioned
Spitfire this year is already proving collectable, with one or two
even being seen on eBay – such is the demand to get hold of it.
Looking forward to the New Year, we have commissioned a
real gem for Club members in 2009.
Available from December, new and renewing subscribers will
receive a highly detailed Airfix Triple Pack, comprising three
aircraft in 1:72 scale. One of these – the Seafire Mk IIC has
never been produced in 1:72 Scale, so we have scored a ‘first’.
This is accompanied by a Swordfish Mk II and a Wildcat Mk VI.
Neither has been part of the Airfix range for quite a while and
the Wildcat will prove particularly interesting in brand new
markings.
2
www.airfix.com
2008
OCTOBER-DECEMBER RELEASE PROGRAMME
We review the variety of Airfix kits being released between now and the end
of December
Military Aircraft
A10105 TSR-2
In January 1959, the Ministry of Supply announced that Vickers-Armstrong would
build the TSR-2, working with English Electric. The name TSR-2 came from the
title ‘Tactical Strike and Reconnaissance 2.’ The number 2 may have come from
the fact that many thought the Canberra was considered in some circles to be the
TSR Mark 1 or that the 2 signified a Mach 2 performance. No one knows for
certain. The aim of the consortium of Vickers/EE was to have an aircraft flying by
1963 but the Government issued no order. By 1960, the companies had become
part of the British Aircraft Corporation. After much design work, the TSR-2 prototype
XR219 made its maiden flight on 27th September 1964 piloted by the legendary
Roland Beaumont. Aerodynamically, the aircraft was perfect but there were some
teething problems with the engines and the undercarriage. The second prototype
– XR220 – incorporated modifications and the first supersonic test flight took place
at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment at Boscombe Down,
again piloted by Roland Beaumont. Subsequent test flights proved the plane
outstanding, according to the pilot although the production costs were escalating.
The TSR-2 developed by the British Aircraft Corporation in the 1960s for the RAF
proved to be one of the most ill-fated and politically controversial aircraft of the era.
TSR-2 was designed to penetrate a well-defended forward battle area at low
altitudes and very high speeds and then attack high-value targets in the rear with
close-in bomb runs and precision drops. The TSR-2 included a number of
advanced features that made it the highest performing aircraft in this role. It is
interesting to note that some of its features were subsequently used in the design
of Concorde some years later, notably instruments and re-vamped engines.
However, alongside the UK’s TSR-2, the USA on the other side of the Atlantic were
developing their General Dynamics swing-wing F-111 aircraft and in spite of the
TSR-2’s advanced development, it came as an enormous shock within the UK
aircraft industry to hear the Government announce in April 1965 that it was scrapping
the TSR-2 in favour of the US aircraft, giving the relative cost as the reason.
Prior to the development of the TSR-2, the RAF had used the English Electric
Canberra bomber but its shortcomings made it vulnerable to potential attack from
the highly developed Soviet interceptors. Even the Avro Vulcan or B-52 Stratofortress
were proving no match for the Soviet weapons, so a replacement had to be found.
The speed with which the TSR-2 tooling and partially completed aircraft were
destroyed is still the subject of much argument and discussion today. Two finished
but unflown aircraft survived, though with substantial internal damage inflicted.
Such extensive destruction made any subsequent attempt to reintroduce the
aircraft impossible as the design work would have required a completely new start
from scratch. XR220 is in the Museum at RAF Cosford and XR222 is in the Imperial
War Museum, Duxford. The Limited Edition Airfix model of the TSR-2 comes as
a single variant in 1:48 scale. It has 171 pieces and when completed has a length of
565mm and a wingspan of 235mm.
The specification for the replacement aircraft seemed very ambitious for the
technology of the day, requiring a supersonic all-weather aircraft that could deliver
nuclear weapons over a long range, operate at high level at Mach 2+ or low level
at Mach 1.2, with a short takeoff ability from less than perfect airstrips. The
specification also included an ability to deliver tactical nuclear weapons at low
level in all weathers by day and night – blind bombing if necessary; photoreconnaissance at medium and low levels both day and night; electronic
reconnaissance; and the ability to deliver conventional bombs and rockets.
RAF in Afghanistan the same year. It was formerly retired on 28th July 2006 at
a ceremony marking the closure of No. 39 (PRU) Squadron at RAF Marham,
which included a flypast by a Canberra PR9 on its last ever sortie.
A10101 English Electric Canberra
B.2/B20
A05038 English Electric Canberra B(I)8
The English Electric Canberra’s original role was that of a bomber aircraft.
Manufactured by EE, it took to the air for the first time on 13th May 1949 and
was introduced in mass numbers in 1951. Of the 901 built, 48 went to the
Royal Australian Air Force.
The aircraft was named Canberra because Australia was the first overseas
country to take the plane. In addition, the USA took just over 400, where it
flew as a Canberra variant as B.57 Martin. The B2 was the first production
version of the Canberra and featured wing tip teardrop shaped fuel tanks. The
B20, which had three crew members, also carried extra fuel tanks in its wings.
It equipped 35 RAF squadrons and was exported to a vast number of other
countries across the world. Despite the aircraft’s retirement from official duties
in 2006, three RAF Canberras are used by Delta Jets at Kemble. About ten
airworthy Canberrras are also in private hands and are seen at air displays.
The Airfix model comes with three variants and when finished has a wingspan
of 406 mm and a length of 416mm.
A05039 English Electric Canberra PR.9
This newly tooled Airfix model replicates in 1:48 scale the British aircraft
heralded as the first generation of jet-powered light bomber manufactured in
the 1950s. It was so adaptable in the air that it was used for a variety of tasks
including tactical bombing, photo-reconnaissance, electronics and
meteorological reconnaissance. It durability in service lasted for 57 years from
its inception – up to June 2006 when it was retired. Its last role was with the
Two other new Airfix Canberras are to join the fleet. Both in 1:72 scale, look out
for A05038 English Electric Canberra B(I)8 and A05039 English Electric Canberra
PR.9. It was an example of the PR.9 that flew over RAF Marham on 28th July
2006 in a final salute marking the closure of No. 39 (PRU) Squadron.
3
www.airfix.com
Military Aircraft (continued)
A03072 Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer S2B/S2-C-DS
Mk50
Designed as a low-level strike aircraft for the Fleet Air Arm, the Buccaneer was
transferred for use with the RAF after the cancellation of the ill-fated TSR.2 and
its subsequent rival the American F.111K.
The new 1:72 scale Airfix model has three kit variations and when complete
has a finished length of 267mm. Wingspan 185mm.
A03073 BAe Hawk 128/132
A03035 Alpha Jet
The Hawk 128 is the new Advanced Jet Trainer
(AJT) for the RAF and the Royal Navy. The Hawk
Mk 132 trainer is being produced for the Indian Air
Force, the first being delivered in 2007. The new
1:72 scale Airfix kit contains both kit variations. Length 172mm. Wingspan 138mm.
Number of pieces 100
Also a new introduction this year, the 1:72 scale
aircraft has 65 pieces with two possible variations.
Length 170mm.Wingspan 127mm.
A04022 Mirage F.1
This aircraft is the successor to the Mirage III and
Mirage 5 fighters. It has a brand new swept wing
configuration mounted high on the fuselage but
incorporates a conventional tail surface.
A02005 BAe Red Arrows Hawk
This famous aerobatic display team of nine Hawks
making up the Red Arrows has a presence at most
major air shows and national events where they
never fail to bring a lump to the throat in their
patriotic livery. This brand new Airfix tool in 1:72 scale features the new 2008
colour scheme of the Red Arrows. The kit comes with three variations and has a
finished length of 130mm and wingspan of 163mm.
The new Airfix model is in 1:72 scale and features three kit variations. With 72
pieces, its finished length is 210mm and wingspan 117mm.
A04033 Douglas Boston III
A new 2008 Airfix model in 1:72 scale replicates the
wartime Douglas Boston III that took part in the
attacks on German shipping including the
Scharnhorst. The kit comes as a single variant and
has 65 pieces. Its length when complete is 203mm and wingspan of 259mm.
A05037 Vickers Wellington Mk
IC/MkIII
New for 2008, this 1:72 scale model kit has a
length of 356mm and a width of 364mm. With
136 pieces, there are 2 variations included with it.
A05035 Chinook Helicopter
This modern helicopter enters the Airfix range this
year in 1:72 scale. The HC2 and HC2A are used
primarily for troop carrying and are seen in most
theatres of war. The Airfix model has 153 pieces
with two kit variations. Length 216mm. Width 254mm.
A05036 Horsa Glider
New to Airfix for 2008 in 1:72 scale, the Horsa
model has 106 pieces, 2 kit variations and when
completed is 287mm long and 372mm wide. The
glider in real life played a key role on D-Day in June
1944 and at Arnhem in September the same year.
A02065 Supermarine Spitfire
Mk IXc
A04005 North American B-25
Mitchell
In 1941 the Luftwaffe introduced the Focke Wulf
FW190, proving a formidable foe to the RAF
fighters. The Spitfire Mk IX was a significant
improvement on its predecessor the Mk V. With a top speed of 409 mph at
28,000 ft, it was also capable of a service ceiling of 43,000 ft. The Airfix model
in 1:72 scale is also a new introduction this year and comes with 2 kit variations.
Its length is 131mm and wingspan 155mm.
The first production B-25s flew in August 1940.
The 1:72 scale Airfix replica has 118 pieces, three
kit variations and when finished has a length of
224mm and a wingspan of 286mm.
Civil Aircraft
Electric Motor
A05003 Fokker F.27 Friendship
AF1004 1:24 Scale Electric Motor
Developed as a replacement for the DC-32, the
F.27 Fokker Friendship first flew in 1955.
If you collect and build the 1:24 scale Airfix series of
aircraft, you can inject real life into them by installing
this new 1:24 scale electric motor inside the model,
which activates the propellers.
It became the most widely built turbo-prop aircraft
in the western world.
This new 1:72 scale Airfix model has three kit
variations, 80 pieces and when finished has a length of 320mm and a
wingspan of 403mm.
4
www.airfix.com
Military Vehicles
A02325 Saladin MkII Armoured
Car
AO2327 M13 US Fire Support
Vehicle
The Saladin armoured car has a crew of three –
driver, gunner and commander, who doubles as a
gun loader. The 76mm gun fires HESH, HE, smoke and canister rounds.
Also in 1:76 scale and new for 2008, the
model represents a vehicle used in Vietnam by
the Australian Army, who experimented with fitting the turrets from obsolete
Saladin armoured cars to their M113s, which resulted in this version.
The 1:76 scale Airfix model comes as a single kit variant with 45 pieces. When
finished it has a length of 70mm and a width of 43mm. The model is new to
the 2008 range.
The Airfix vehicle has a single kit variant, and 37 pieces. Its length is 63mm
and width 35mm.
A02330 Vickers Light Tank
A02335 Matilda ‘Hedgehog’
Another new 2008 introduction in 1:76 scale, the
Airfix model represents the Mk VI tank that came
into production in 1936 and was the culmination of
a series of machine gun armed light tanks produced
during that decade. With 35 pieces and three kit variants, the finished length
is 52mm and width 27mm.
The new 1:76 Airfix kit replicates a tank that
was based on the British Matilda vehicle and
fitted with a 7-spigot ‘Hedgehog’ naval mortar.
This variant was developed by the
Australian Army.
Historic Ships and Marine Vessels
It was a far cry from the premises in Grape Lane – which for anyone interested in
naval history, is now a much-visited Memorial Museum devoted to Captain Cook.
Marton, near Middlesbrough, also has the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum in
Stewart Park, immortalising its local hero as well as a display of related seafaring
and local artefacts from the 18th Century.
A50047 The Endeavour
The Airfix kit in 1:120 scale replicates
the famous sailing ship that, in 1768,
sailed from Plymouth under the
command of the legendary navigator
and explorer Captain James Cook.
Captain Cook was to discover and chart much of the southern hemisphere, including
the East Coast of Australia and the unknown islands of the Pacific during his several
voyages. He chose the bark Endeavour for several reasons. A Whitby collier,
Endeavour was the type of vessel he knew to be sturdy and practical, solidly built
with a broad beam and a shallow draught making it less likely to run aground. Given
its moderate size, it could also be easily managed by a small crew.
Born in 1728 in the village of Marton,
North Yorkshire – now a suburb of
Middlesbrough, he was one of five
children born to a Scottish labourer and
a local wife. At the age of 16, James
was sent to a Mr Sanderson in the
seaside village of Staithes where he
worked in a general store. Two years
later in 1746, James moved to nearby
Whitby where he was apprenticed to
John and Henry Walker in Grape Lane
overlooking the harbour. The Walkers
owned coal ships that plied between the
North East and London. In those days, this fishing port opening up into the North
Sea was famous for its whaling ships, fishing fleets, general cargo shipping as
well as the less honourable smuggling trade! Its streets and ale-houses full of
sailors relating their tales of adventures on the high seas would be a fascinating
draw for anyone interested in going away to sea and James Cook’s passion was
exactly that. He eventually achieved his ambition when in 1755 he joined the Royal
Navy, working his way up from Ordinary Seaman to Master.
His Majesty’s Bark Endeavour was built by Thomas Fishburn of Whitby and launched
in June 1764. She was ship-rigged and sturdily built. As a collier, the flat-bottomed
hull enabled her to sail into shallow waters and she could be beached for loading,
unloading and repairs. Unfortunately, HM Bark Endeavour ended her days under the
name of ‘Lord Sandwich’ and was scuttled off Newport, Rhode Island in 1778. Her
wreckage has never been recovered. However, some of her dimensions exist and
those that don’t can be surmised from similar vessels of the day.
Her length was 106 ft (32.3 metres) and 97 ft 7 ins. on her lower deck with a beam
of 29ft 3 ins (8/9m). Surviving drawings of Endeavour do not show the mast plan
but we can ascertain that she was a fully rigged ship with main and foremasts of
129 and 110 ft respectively with a sails propulsion of 3.321 sq. yds. (897 square
metres). Her speed would have been 7 to 8 knots – 13 to 15 kilometres an hour.
Capable of a complement of 94, her crew would have comprised 85 including a
dozen or so Marines. Typical armaments would have been ten 4-pounders and 12
swivel guns. The Airfix kit comprises 106 pieces and when completed, it has a length
of 395 mm and a width of 355 mm.
The Golden Age of Steam
The discovery of steam and how to harness it to industrial use is attributed to James Watt, who watched the steaming kettle over the fire. The subsequent inventions
lead to the Industrial Revolution and the Golden Age of Steam Power across the world. These two Airfix kits in 1:32 scale take us back in time to those pioneering days.
A05870 Beam Engine
A05871 Steam Loco
The A05870 Beam Engine replicates the engine widely
The A05871 represents an 1804 Steam Locomotive.
used in British industry in the lead up to the Industrial
Cornishman, Richard Trevithick was the young
Revolution. These huge engines were employed –for
engineer responsible for the most of important of
example – in pumping water from the mines but were used in various situations in
all steam inventions – the locomotive. In 1795, at the age of 25, he was building
heavy industry.
working models of high-pressure steam engines. In 1804, his first steam locomotive,
Length: 185mm, Width: 150mm, Number of pieces: 70.
Penydarren, was unveiled and ran at the then earth-shattering speed of 5 mph.
5
w w w . a i r9f i x . c o m
Boxed Gift Sets
Dogfights of WWII...
Battle of Britian Memorial Flight Set...
A50043 McDonnell-Douglas
F-18A Hornet
This new Airfix model is 1:72 scale and comprises
94 pieces. Finished, it is 237 mm long, 172mm
wide and comes with a display stand. The one kit variation replicates the F-18A
Hornet used by the US Navy on its aircraft carriers.
A50068 Dogfight Double
Messerschmitt Me262A and
de Havilland Mosquito
A50055 BBMF Spitfire Mk Vb
New for 2008, this 1:72 scale set contains two of the iconic aircraft of WWII.
The only Luftwaffe interceptor that stood a chance of catching and destroying
the Mosquito was the first operational jet – the Me262A. The dogfight can be
displayed on the stand included with the Airfix set. With one kit variation, there
are 40/97 pieces to construct respectively with finished lengths of 147/171mm
and wingspan of 179/228mm. It also contains paints and glue.
This large-scale 1:24 piece set is a new 2008 introduction and features the
new electric motor creating a realistic spinning propeller option. It has 192
pieces with a length of 384mm, wingspan of 468mm and comes as a single
kit variation.
Science Museum UK Series
The London Science Museum is one of the most renowned and most visited in the world. Airfix, in collaboration with
the Museum, have introduced...
A50057 The Science of Flight
A50058 The Science of
Automobiles
The Science of Flight set comprises the
pieces to complete five aircraft and covers
the subject of 20th century flight. The set
uses Airfix to describe the amazing
evolvement of fixed-wing flight. The set includes a display stand plus an
explanatory booklet written by the Science Museum.
This new 1:32 scale Airfix set comprises
three automobiles of the 20th century
and uses them to explain the development of cars since the early days to the
modern efficient, safe and enjoyable motoring pastime.
STOP PRESS Sneak Preview of Airfix 2009
Without wanting to give too much away, your Airfix Club
team is privileged in having a sneak preview of some
of the highlights from the new 2009 Airfix range in
advance of the official launch in November. All are
confirmed introductions.
1978 and later entered service with the Royal Navy in 1982. With the break out
of The Falklands War the ‘fitting out’ period was sped up, yet the war was won
before she was completed. However, she did perform a useful service in the
aftermath and replaced her sister ship HMS Invincible who had been stationed
there for many months (HMS Invincible seen pictured below entering
Portsmouth Harbour).
Carrying a Naval crew of 685 and a further 366 service personnel from the
Fleet Air Arm, HMS Illustrious is an amazing 209 metres in length and has a
displacement of 20,600 tons. Aircrafts carried are currently; Harrier GR.7/9
(fighter/bomber), Sea King ASaC and Merlin HM Mk.1 helicopters.
Modellers specialising in 1:72 scale Military Aircraft will be especially pleased
to see a wealth of newly tooled models entering the range during the course of
the year. The Spitfire will appear as A02017 Spitfire PRXIX, as well as A02065
Supermarine Spitfire MK IXc. Look out too for the new Messerschmitt Bf 109G
(A02029). A02037 MiG 15 also joins the range, as do two Sea Harriers – the
FRS1 (A03078) and the FA2 (A03079).
We will have more in-depth news for you on what promises to be a very exciting
range for 2009 in the next issue of the Airfix magazine. In the meantime, we
hope we have given you sufficient information to whet your appetites – and to
extend your Christmas wish-lists!!
Re-releases in 1:72 scale see the return of the Grumman Widgeon Gosling
(A01073), Hannover CLIII (A01050), RE8 (A01076), Albatros D.Va (A01078),
Bristol Fighter F2B (A01080), Supermarine Walrus MkII (A02002), Blohm & Voss
Bv141 (A03014), Petlyakov Pe2 (A03034) and the Focke Wulf Fw189 (A03053).
HMS Illustrious sister ship HMS Invincible being welcomed home after the Falklands War.
Still on an Aviation theme, the popular Sea Vixen is being launched in 1:48
scale as a Limited Edition.
If your special interest is Warships, the newly tooled HMS Illustrious has been
confirmed as a newly tooled model for next year. It will appear in 1:350 scale
as model A12202.
HMS Illustrious or ‘Lusty’ to her crew is the second of three Invincible Class
Aircraft Carriers. She was laid down by Swan and Hunter on the river Tyne in
6
the
magazine
Fig.1
Chris Ellis, the well-known model journalist
and magazine editor - particularly on the
subject of aircraft and railways, was the
eventual Editor of the original Airfix Magazine
which was first published in 1960. Chris looks
back at its development in those early years.
Though Airfix had produced leaflets and kit catalogues to promote
the then relatively new kit range in the last half of the 1950s, the
company’s big and successful move into the consumer publicity
came with the publication of the Airfix Magazine. The first issue
appeared in June 1960, price 1/- (5 pence in today’s money).
The idea came from John Webb, whose publicity firm looked
after the Airfix public relations at that time. He formed a company,
Knightsbridge Publications, to produce the magazine under
contract to Airfix. For the first year or so, until the company was
reorganised, John also edited the magazine with well-known
modeller Alan Hall as associate editor.
Back in Time...
The inspiration for this venture may well have been the Meccano Magazine, which
had long been published by the Meccano company, also the makers of Hornby
trains in those days.
Airfix Magazine was relatively modest looking even by the standards of 1960 and
it was small format too, at 8 ½” deep and 4 ½” wide. The production budget was
always low but each issue was packed with informative articles and news about
new kits, models and the real thing.
The Meccano and Hornby ranges were well publicised in the Meccano Magazine
and Airfix products were similarly well covered in Airfix Magazine. Having a model
magazine on sale monthly with the product name in the title undoubtedly helped
these brand names to become so well known.
The magazine also reviewed new kits and models made by other firms. The readers
really appreciated this and the fact that Airfix acknowledged they were not the
only model company in the market place. However, articles relating to Airfix
models predominated and in most issues there were at least two or more
articles covering conversions possible with Airfix kits.
Fig.2
The ease of cutting, filing and altering the plastic parts of kits extended the
art of modelling quite considerably, as it still does today. An early article
showing how to alter the basic Hurricane to the tank-buster version with
40mm guns under the wings, published in the November 1960 issue is
shown here as a typical example.
Airfix Magazine was very well received. Issue No. 1 was a complete sell
out. Until November 1960 (Issue No. 6), the cover was in black and white
but from No. 7 – December 1960 – a more striking cover design with
colour illustration was introduced, which set the pattern for the next
three years.
It would be interesting to hear if any current Airfix Club subscribers still
treasure those early Airfix Magazines of the 1960s. They are undoubtedly
collectors’ pieces now.
Fig.1 - Early issues: the last issue – No. 6 – with black and white cover (left) with the next
issue No. 7, in colour for the first time featuring a Gloster Javelin.
Fig. 2 - A typical two-page conversion article of the early days, covering the making of
a tank-busting Hurricane from the Airfix 1:72 scale kit.
7
www.airfix.com
PAST & PRESENT
Jeremy Brooks remembers building his
Airfix model of the 1960s...
Airfix’s first real construction kit was a
small replica of the Golden Hind which
was released in 1952. It was a huge
success and prompted Airfix to produce
models of seven other sailing ships over
the next five years before deciding to
cease further development of this range.
Nicholas Kove, the founder of Airfix, had
initially only wanted to produce models
of sailing ships as he saw it as a
winning formula. However, his staff felt
that the range should be broadened to
include subjects such as cars and
aeroplanes and to this end models of a
Spitfire and 1930 Bentley were introduced in 1955. The greater
popularity of these ranges probably resulted in the decision to
terminate the sailing ships range with the Revenge in 1957.
Although Airfix would over the years go on to introduce many different subjects into its
ever expanding range of kits, sailing ships had not been forgotten because in 1963, a
large scale model of Captain Cook’s ship, the Endeavour Bark, 1768, was introduced.
It was the first kit to appear in Series 7 and was priced at 12s 6d (62.5p in today’s
money). I suspect that the Endeavour was chosen as the first kit in this new range as
many of the others in the small scale series were already being produced by other
manufacturers mainly in the United States and being a fairly small ship in comparison
to say the Victory, would be an ideal starting point for a new range. I don’t think anybody
else has produced a model of the Endeavour so it has the market to itself!
Endeavour’s sails were all furled, as they would be in harbour and were moulded with
the individual spars. I quite liked this as it enabled one to see more clearly the masts
and deck and anyway why would a ship want to have a full set of wind-filled sails when
it is mounted on a stand! Subsequent models had a large cream coloured vacuumformed sheet of sails which were individually cut out and glued to the bare spars. The
Endeavour would later receive this treatment but it might be possible in the future to
mould a separate runner with the furled sails on the spars to give modellers the option
of making the original kit.
Five very small crew figures were included and along with the cannons were my
favourite parts of the kit. Since the kits in this series were largely to different scales
(one of the few series where Airfix’s “Constant Scale” did not apply) the figures could
not easily be used on other ships in the series.
I was thirteen when it was first released and being a confirmed Airfixophile, who had
started a collection of anything to do with Airfix (I rarely made any other manufacturers’
kits largely because they weren’t Airfix), I just had to have one. So one of my Christmas
presents for 1963 was the Endeavour.
In the bottom of the box was a sheet of nylon ratlines which had to be carefully cut out
so that they could be stuck onto the masts to enable the crew figures to climb them.
The recent Humbrol re-releases often had a Heller-designed jig, instead of the nylon
sheet, to make the ratlines but this did look rather complicated compared to the old
sharp scissors and steady hand required for the original Airfix models.
The Airfix range was fairly extensive by 1963, numbering around 150 kits, the largest
and most complicated of which was the Sunderland flying boat in Series 6. The Endeavour
was a much more detailed and intricate kit than any of the earlier Airfix kits and was
definitely not one for the youngest modellers who probably could not have afforded it
out of their pocket money anyway.
Also included was a rigging diagram and so I had to ‘borrow’ one of my mum’s black
cotton reels to do the rest of the rigging. As I was using the polystyrene cement to
stick the cotton to the masts, etc, it required quite a lot of thought to work out how to
get as much rigging as possible out of one length of cotton before starting off with a
new piece. The coils of rope which were tied round the masts to prevent splitting also
had to be stuck on although subsequent kits had these moulded onto the masts.
So what was this ground-breaking kit like? It was first released in a landscape-mode
box with what is known as a Type 2 illustration with a central vertical stripe with all
the writing on the right hand side. The picture showed the ship tied up to a dock with
the sails furled (or “rolled up”). Later it would appear in Type 3 packaging with a new
illustration showing the ship at sea from the rear and finally with the excellent Brian
Knight painting which is being used for this year’s release.
I remember having to get the tension right to avoid bending the masts and spars. They
would become a dust trap and a nightmare to dust – don’t let your mum do it!
As I write this article I have that original kit in front of me, a little dusty but not badly
made and painted for a thirteen year old. I can still remember opening the box for the
first time and seeing the contents within. Most noticeable were the two large hull sides.
The colour of the plastic was a light brown, a sort of chocolate caramel colour which
was later changed to dark brown for future releases. It did mean that I did not have to
paint the upper hull sides, deck or masts if I didn’t want to, or didn’t have the paint.
As I look at my old sailing ship models I realise that the Endeavour is still probably
my favourite and is the ideal sailing ship kit for younger modellers to cut their teeth
(and fingertips) on. So I am very pleased that Airfix are re-releasing it this year so
that a whole new generation of modellers, whose parents were not even born in 1963,
can experience some of the pleasure and enjoyment I got out of this model-making
endeavour of 45 years ago.
Unlike the smaller ships which had billowing sails moulded onto the spars, the
8
www.airfix.com
Merlin Jones reports on:
The Classic British
Kits Special Interest
Group of the IPMS-UK
For the uninitiated, the IPMS –UK stands for International
Plastic Modelling Society – UK. For those of you who are
well into modelling, the Classic British Kits Special Interest
Group can also be abbreviated into a manageable CBK –
SIG, which is how I will refer to it throughout this article.
This year, it’s the turn of Matchbox and we’ll be featuring the contents of the 1978
Matchbox kit catalogue.
History...
In 2005, having introduced the concept of the Group Build to the former Airfix
Forum, the then owners Humbrol invited me to showcase the work of Forum
members alongside the Humbrol-Airfix stand at the Scalemodelworld show. The
exercise was a great success and as well as recruiting new members, visitors had
a chance to meet and discuss their hobby with the Airfix team present.
In the meantime, if you would like more information after reading this article,
visit the following website:
http://gregers.7.forumer.com
2006 saw the demise of the old official Airfix Forum but I was invited to join the
Unofficial Airfix Forum (UAF) where I established the Classic British Kits Special
Interest Group of the IPMS-UK. The forum became the Unofficial Airfix Modellers
Forum – as it is now – and the CBK SIG made its show debut at Scalemodelworld.
Again the stand was a great success and we managed to rekindle the interest of
the original Airfix Forum members. The stand displays showed off many of the
classic British kits from Airfix and Frog to Matchbox but I thought we as a group
could do even better.
Scalemodelworld 2008...
The 2008 Show is being held over the 15-16th November at the Telford Exhibition
Centre,Telford, Shropshire and as Merlin Jones has indicated, the CBK-SIG theme
will be the 1978 Matchbox kit catalogue.
In addition, Airfix will have a large presence with a stand at the show, so come
along and meet the ‘official’ Hornby Hobbies Airfix team. We particularly look
forward to meeting our Airfix Club members. See you there!
Scalemodelworld 2007...
Left to right: Tim Mansfield, Jack Bacon, Mike Williams, myself, Ted Taylor, Alan Bean and
Matt Bacon.
Last November at the SMW exhibition, the CBK-SIG showcased classic Airfix. I was
inspired to recreate in real life the cover of the 14th Edition catalogue from 1977,
which I thought would be a great display. Thirty years ago, Airfix was doing very
well, reflected in the variety and number of models in the range. Therefore to
recreate that display would not be easy as many models had been discontinued
or re-tooled. Some detective work and a great deal of effort were needed to track
down all 121 models of all types. Model shows usually abound in aircraft, AFVs
and the occasional warship but I wanted to include bullfinches, historical figures,
classic sailing ships and locomotives, many of which seldom get a look in.
Fortunately, the idea caught the imagination of worldwide Forum members of all
ages, who all took part in tracking down the originals. Not only did the building
and finishing require some coordination – and in some instances enthusiastic
encouragement (read that as ‘nagging’) but there was also the logistics of
gathering the models together for the show. Much thought and international
co-operation saw modellers giving kits away to those who could build them, kit
swapping and even modellers building models they wouldn’t normally touch with
a very long piece of stretched sprue!
It was also clear that the image on the front cover of the 1977 catalogue had been
the result of some very clever arrangement to enable all the models to appear to
be arranged in a neat A4-sized rectangle. The back row comprised large classic
sailing ships whilst the front row, seemingly taking up the same width of picture,
featured small HO/OO AFVs. The display space for our purposes comprised two
tables giving us a display space of 12’ x 4’. It took fellow enthusiast Matt Bacon
and I a whole Sunday to configure it but we managed it!
The display was a resounding success from modellers who remembered the
halcyon days of 1970s modelling to those who were inspired to go along to other
stalls to try to buy some of these varied and quality Airfix kits. And they were
pleasantly surprised to find some of them. The display featured a good range of
modelling skills and abilities from novice to experienced hobbyists and also provided
the backdrop for an exchange of tips, news and ideas from fellow enthusiasts.
Whilst we didn’t win any prizes, we had a great weekend and realised our
original goal.
9
www.airfix.com
There are five Classic Ships in the current Airfix Catalogue. They are the Endeavour, HMS Victory,
Wasa, HMS Bounty and the Cutty Sark. The Endeavour along with the Bounty is probably the
easiest to build. The other three are a little more difficult for different reasons. The Victory has
many small parts (like the gun doors) which need careful gluing, the Wasa has some intricate
detailing on the stern which requires a steady hand with painting and the Cutty Sark has many
sails and masts which need a lot of rigging.
1
2
3
10
4
www.airfix.com
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
1. So, on to the Endeavour build. This began as you would expect with the hull and deck sections.
The hull needed a little filler along the bottom seam before it all had a couple of coats of white primer.
At the same time all the other smaller parts were primed while still on their runners. (Picture 1)
2. Painting then began. The deck was given a light coat of H103 Cream brushed in the direction
that the planks lay. Don’t worry if it looks a little streaky as this adds to the overall effect. The
insides of the hull above the deck and handrail struts were painted a wood effect (more of this in
a moment) and the handrails were painted H33 Matt Black. It’s always easier to completely paint
the deck areas first as once you start adding the masts and rigging it will be very difficult to get
a brush in these areas. (Picture 2)
3. Most of the Endeavour is painted in a varnished wood effect. This was achieved by lightly stirring
a pot of H26 Khaki and lightly brushing in the same direction as the grain of the ‘wood’ on the
model. Don’t stir the paint too much as you don’t want the paint too thick to cover the primer
too much. Some of the primer should still show through and a streaky effect is what you’re
aiming for. Once this dried a single coat of H1322 Clear Orange was brushed over the top.
This makes the ‘wood’ slightly glossy and changes the colour to a varnished wood colour. The
windows were painted dark grey to contrast all the black detailing this model includes. (Pictures
3 and 4)
4. Details on the deck were added next and any parts that are ‘wood’were painted using the same
method. On the outside of the hull the shroud (ratlines) retainers were added and the lower hull
was painted H70 Brick Red. (Pictures 5 and 6)
5. Now for the rigging! I think this puts a lot of people off building Classic Ships but it really isn’t
that hard. Yes it can be fiddly and you must think methodically as you need to rig from the inside
out to enable access but it’s not hugely difficult. My example came with just one size of rigging
thread, 0.30mm but I decided I wanted some extra sizes for realism. I obtained a pack of Humbrol
rigging thread which includes three reels, 0.30mm, 0.60mm and 0.90mm.
6. Before you start rigging put the kettle on and make some tea! This is not to calm your nerves but
to dye the threads as out of the pack they are too light in colour. Get a fairly deep bowl and pour
boiling water onto three or four teabags and stir. While the tea is cooling unwind the thread off the
reel and rewind it onto something fairly wide –I used kitchen spatulas. I used these as the tea will
never properly dye the thread if left on the reel. Now dunk the spatulas in the tea and leave for a
couple of hours. Once the thread has dyed take out and leave to dry and then rewind it back
onto the reels. (Pictures 8, 9, 10)
7. The instructions tell you to add the steering mechanism and anchor threads towards the end of
construction. This is where you need to think a bit methodically. It will be hard to do this once the
masts, sails and rigging are fitted. So I did these first. I used the thinnest thread for the steering.
A small dot of superglue gel was placed on all four small bollards moulded on the decking. I then
ran a piece of thread from bollard to bollard and went around both the ship’s wheel and tiller. I used
the 0.90mm thread for the anchor ropes and left a length trailing out of the front of the ship for
fitting the anchors later. (Pictures 11 and 12)
8. Now onto the shrouds. Airfix Classic Ships come with a rigging tool to make these. Years ago Airfix
used to supply ready made shrouds that you would cut out and trim to size. These used to be made
of a rubbery thread that was quite hard to glue. Although making you own with the rigging tool
involves a bit more work it is a much better and more realistic way of making shrouds.
The instructions show diagrams of where the shrouds are fitted and a table of how to make them.
They also explain how to use the tool.
9. The shroud table is split into various sections; shroud – these are the actual shrouds you are
going to make; position – this is the position at which you clip the two piece tool together. ‘C’ is
used for all shrouds. Start – this is where you begin the thread. Position ‘Z’ is again used for all.
Number of Horizontal threads –self explanatory Horizontal notches –the actual numbered notches
you will wind the thread around.
The next two are printed in the instructions the wrong way around. Vertical notches should read
Number of vertical threads –self explanatory.
Number of vertical threads should read Vertical notches –the actual numbered notches you wind
the thread around. (Pictures 13, 14 and 15)
10. I’m going to start with the front mast upper shroud, ‘C1’. The table tells me to clip the tool together
at position ‘C’. Next I start the vertical threads by tying the 0.60mm thread through hole ‘Z’. Now
I run the thread down the tool and wind it through notch number ‘7’ at the bottom of the tool.
The thread is passed back up the rear side of the tool, through the retainer and back down through
the next notch to be used ‘11’. The same is repeated for the next two vertical threads (notches
‘14’ and ‘18’). The thread is now pulled taught and tied off.
Using the thinner 0.30mm thread I start the horizontal threads. I start at hole ‘Z’ and pull the thread
to the left of the tool and go through the first notch on the left hand side –notch number ‘2’ in this
case. Now wind the thread over to the right, through notch ‘2’ and back across to the left of the
tool and go back through notch ‘2’ once again. Now wind the thread around the left hand side and
go down one notch (number ‘3’). Continue going back and forward across the tool going down one
notch at a time until all the horizontal threads are completed -27 threads in total, notches ‘2’ to ‘29’.
Finally tie off the thread making sure the last horizontal thread is taught. (Pictures 16, 17 and 18)
11. Using liquid superglue with a brush I dab over the shrouds to stick them together. You might need
to do this two or three times to make sure there are no loose threads. Once dry the shrouds are
cut from the tool, roughly trimmed then more finely trimmed once you hold it against the final
fitting position. You will notice that each time you use the tool you get two shrouds. You will need
to watch the angle of the shroud threads to make sure they fit to the retainers on the masts. They
are glued to the mast with superglue gel and a little superglue accelerator applied with a brush.
(Pictures 19, 20, 21, and 22)
12. When all the shrouds are made and fitted you can continue with all the other rigging. The masts are
connected using 0.60mm thread and are fixed in place by tying a knot and wrapping around one
mast securing with superglue gel and accelerator then going to the next mast and doing the same.
Don’t pull the threads too tightly otherwise you could bend the masts out of shape. (Picture 23)
13. The horizontal masts are then rigged. Generally the ends of the masts are both rigged to the mast
behind and to the mast above. Again be careful to pull the thread enough to tighten the thread but
not too much to bend the mast –they are thin! (Picture 24)
14. The vac form sails were painted top to bottom with H103 Cream leaving them slightly streaky.
Small holes were made in the bottom corners and a short length of 0.30mm thread attached.
The sail is super glued (gel) at four equal points to the horizontal mast. Finally the short threads
are tied and glued to the mast below. (Pictures 25, 26 and 27)
15. The anchors are fitted. (Pictures 28, 29 and 30)
16. The model of the Endeavour is now almost finished. The cannons and flags are added. A nice
touch to this kit is it includes five crew figures which can be painted and positioned where desired.
(Pictures 31 and 32)
17. After checking over the model and touching up any painting it’s all finished. (Pictures 33 to 37)
11
www.airfix.com
JUNIOR COMPETITION TIME
COMPETITION TIME
Airfix have donated a fine example of the A10105 TSR-2 kit in 1:48 scale to go to
one lucky winner in our competition this time. To have a chance of winning what
could be a really fantastic Christmas present to yourself - all we want you to do
is answer the following questions, all related to this famous but ill-fated aircraft.
Calling all Junior Club members of 14 years or under. We have a fantastic 1:120
Scale Airfix replica of the bark Endeavour for one winner to get his or her hands
on in time for Christmas. To have a go at winning, we want you to answer these
easy questions. You will find all the answers in this issue of the Airfix magazine.
1. What do the initials TSR stand for?
2. How many examples of the TSR-2 survived and where can you see them
on display?
1. Who was the famous navigator/explorer associated with the bark Endeavour?
2. In which year was he born?
3. There was a Government attempt in the mid 1980s to try to resurrect the
TSR-2 but the cost proved too prohibitive. Who was the Prime Minister of
the day responsible for this final but unsuccessful effort?
3. In which seaside port was he apprenticed to a company who owned the
coal ships that fuelled his determination to go to sea?
Put your answers on a postcard and send with your name, address and Club
membership number to the Airfix Issue 5 Competition, Airfix Club, PO Box 25,
Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE13 1ZG. UK. The closing date of the competition
is 15th December 2008.
Put your answers on a postcard with your name, address, age and Club
membership number and send to Airfix Issue 5 Junior Competition, the Airfix Club,
PO Box 25, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. LE13 1ZG, UK to reach us no later
than 15th December 2008.
Rules of Entry.
1. The winner will be the first selected at random from the
all-correct entries received by the closing date of 15th
December 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
6 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.
Rules of Entry.
1. The winner will be the first selected at random from the
all-correct entries received by the closing date of 15th
December 2008.
2. The competition is limited to one entry per Airfix Club
member aged 14 years or under.
3. Duplicate entries will be disregarded.
4. The results of the competition will be announced in Issue
6 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.
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.
COMPETITION RESULTS
Congratulations Mstr Allen Brindley, Member 501992, aged 11, from Montrose,
Scotland. You are the winner of our Issue 4 Junior Competition to receive a
brand new A50064 D-Day Set. The prize is on it way, so have lots of fun putting
it all together. The answers to the competition were:
The winner of our Issue 4 Competition, receiving two superb models – the
A05115 Spitfire Mk I kit and the A05111 Red Arrows Hawk with special 19(F)
Squadron decals is Mr A. Ewington, member 501928 from Hertfordshire.
Congratulations Mr Ewington. Your models are being despatched directly from
the Airfix warehouse. We hope you enjoy building them.
And the answers to our three questions are:
1. RAF Valley, Anglesey. 2. 70th Anniversary. 3. Nine.
1. 6th June 1944.
2. Germany.
3. The US Army. Omaha Beach.
Airfix Club Spitfire MkXVIe Offer...
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.
UK members £13.99
(postage and packaging included).
To order your Airfix Club Spitfire MkXVIe please fill in your details below and return the
completed form with your selected method of payment to: Airfix Club Spitfire MkXVIe offer,
PO Box 25, Melton Mowbray, Leicester LE13 1ZG. Once payment has been received please
allow 28 days for delivery in the UK.
Title
Initials
Overseas members £15.99
I enclose cheque/postal order for £
Cheques should be made payable to Hornby
Hobbies Ltd. Overseas members, please note that cheques should be either in the form of
a Eurocheque, a cheque drawn on a London bank or an International Money Order.
OR
Please debit £
Surname
Visa
Address
Post code
Access
Switch/Maestro Issue No.
Club Membership No. (if applicable)
Start Date
x2
x3
Switch/Maestro
3-digit
security no.
Expiry date
(The last three numbers on the back of your card)
Other
Signature
Signature (of parent/guardian, if under 16 years)
Sterling to my
Mastercard
Card Number
Country
Telephone (daytime)
Airfix Club Spitfire MkXVIe - Quantity required x1
(postage and packaging included).
Date
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.
www.airfix.com