Well now, I consider myself a big fan of New tool Airfix kits. I've built a few, including their Valiant which was a breeze to build. So when the new tool Vulcan came along, I expected the same. Don't get me wrong, most new tool kits have there problems to deal with, nothing major, just little quirks.
However, I was soon disappointed. The infamous air intakes, still cause problems. Admittedly, this might be because the real ones are difficult to re-produce in sale. The forward fuselage has quite a gap to deal with. Then there's the landing gear, none of which actually fitted through the holes in the lower fuselage. These are either solid pieces, or pre moulded holes in the lower fuselage, so nothing I did could influence their fitting, I'm saying it wasn't my fault. The vertical stabilizer, just didn't fit. It only required fettling, and in it went, but new tool ? Then there was the ejection seats, fit them as instructed, and the canopy wont fit. Others have reported this problem as well.
Having said all the above. There are some nice touches. The bomb bay is very well detailed, although, you lose all the detail with a Blue Steel machine. All major seams (apart from the fin) line up well and quickly sand to a nice finish. Engine exhaust pipes are nicely done, with Airfix providing a 'jig' to align the pipes up. Out board pipes do actually point in the correct direction (which is not straight behind) Panel lines are recessed, they're maybe a little big, but this is Airfix, with their price to detail ratio in mind, are quite acceptable.
Anyway, here's what I managed to make, all OOB. Paints are by MRP, with Alclad for the satin coat. The real aircraft should be gloss, but I think gloss is a bit too much in this scale.
And there it is. Turned it nice in the end, it was just a bit of a journey getting there. Lots of proper old tool modeling, not quite what you expect with a new tool kit.
Comments and questions welcomed.
However, I was soon disappointed. The infamous air intakes, still cause problems. Admittedly, this might be because the real ones are difficult to re-produce in sale. The forward fuselage has quite a gap to deal with. Then there's the landing gear, none of which actually fitted through the holes in the lower fuselage. These are either solid pieces, or pre moulded holes in the lower fuselage, so nothing I did could influence their fitting, I'm saying it wasn't my fault. The vertical stabilizer, just didn't fit. It only required fettling, and in it went, but new tool ? Then there was the ejection seats, fit them as instructed, and the canopy wont fit. Others have reported this problem as well.
Having said all the above. There are some nice touches. The bomb bay is very well detailed, although, you lose all the detail with a Blue Steel machine. All major seams (apart from the fin) line up well and quickly sand to a nice finish. Engine exhaust pipes are nicely done, with Airfix providing a 'jig' to align the pipes up. Out board pipes do actually point in the correct direction (which is not straight behind) Panel lines are recessed, they're maybe a little big, but this is Airfix, with their price to detail ratio in mind, are quite acceptable.
Anyway, here's what I managed to make, all OOB. Paints are by MRP, with Alclad for the satin coat. The real aircraft should be gloss, but I think gloss is a bit too much in this scale.
And there it is. Turned it nice in the end, it was just a bit of a journey getting there. Lots of proper old tool modeling, not quite what you expect with a new tool kit.
Comments and questions welcomed.
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