Airfix Club Magazine 05.pdf

T h e O f f i c i a l A i r f i x C l u b M a g a z i n e . . .

I s s u e 5 2 0 0 8

IN THIS ISSUE...

PLUS...

AIRFIX 2009

SNEAK PREVIEW

w w w . a i r f i x . c o m

Contents

2008 Oct-Dec Release Programme

Pages 3 - 6

Editorial

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

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.

w w w . a i r f i x . c o m

2008

OCTOBER-DECEMBER RELEASE PROGRAMME

2008

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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; photo-

reconnaissance 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.

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.

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.

A10101 English Electric Canberra

B.2/B20

A05038 English Electric Canberra B(I)8

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

w w w . a i r f i x . c o m

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

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

A03035 Alpha Jet

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

A04005 North American B-25

Mitchell

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

Developed as a replacement for the DC-32, the

F.27 Fokker Friendship first flew in 1955.

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.

AF1004 1:24 Scale Electric Motor

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.

w w w . a i r f i x . c o m

Military Vehicles

A02325 Saladin MkII Armoured

Car

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.

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.

AO2327 M13 US Fire Support

Vehicle

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 Airfix vehicle has a single kit variant, and 37 pieces. Its length is 63mm

and width 35mm.

A02330 Vickers Light Tank

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.

A02335 Matilda ‘Hedgehog’

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

A50047 The Endeavour

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

The A05870 Beam Engine replicates the engine widely

used in British industry in the lead up to the Industrial

Revolution. These huge engines were employed –for

example – in pumping water from the mines but were used in various situations in

heavy industry.

Length: 185mm, Width: 150mm, Number of pieces: 70.

A05871 Steam Loco

The A05871 represents an 1804 Steam Locomotive.

Cornishman, Richard Trevithick was the young

engineer responsible for the most of important of

all steam inventions – the locomotive. In 1795, at the age of 25, he was building