Finding a Blenheim Mk.I?

[Guest]

Hi - Have a long-term plan to do a replica of my grandfather's Blenheim Mk.I (airframe L8411, 211 Sqn, Paramythia, Greece). Right now am 'skilling up', have loads of fun making my first couple of 1:72 fighters (Spit Mk II & Messerschmitt 109E of course...), collecting some equipment... Playing with getting decals applied correctly and weathering the paint... had no idea I'd need so many different fluids, paints, thinners, washes, setting solutions, varnishes and matt coats...! All good. Loving it.

But am worried that I'm on to a non-starter - don't want to do my grandfather's plane in 1:72, but can't find anything else. Local model shop bloke looked in a couple of catalogues for me, but no joy.

Oddly, I have managed to find the right decals for his sqn (Eagle Strike 48015 for a 1:48 scale Blenheim) so that side of things isn't going to be as tough as I'd feared, though I'll be doing some serious checking through the sqn archives to make sure they're right.

But if I don't have anywhere to put them, I'm kind of stuffed.

Any pointers?

[Guest]

The only 1/48 Blenheim I that I am aware of is the Classic Airframe Blenheim I.The kit is now out of production as are all Classic Airframe kits,the owner closed the business down a couple of years ago.The kits do turn up occasionally on e-bay but tend to go for premium prices there is one on there now for £75.I would just add Classic Airframe kits are short run and by there nature are not the easiest kits to put together. You never know Airfix might decide to release one next year fingers crossed.

Malcolm

[Guest]

Ah. Bugger. Thanks, though.

How realistic is it that Airfix would release one, next year or some other time?

[Guest]

I would say possible,how soon though your guess is as good as mine. It does fit a number of criteria that Airfix seem to use for subject selection. It's RAF, for a twin it's not too large in 1/48 (about the same size as a Mosquito),it was used by a large number of air forces and no other kit of the aircraft is available in 1/48.I would suggest that in 1/48 scale there is a quite a probability that Airfix will release in the near future (2014 onwards) kits for a Spitfire XIV, Tempest, Hunter possibly a late Meteor and perhaps a Typhoon.I would guess only after these have been released would a Blenheim stand a chance of being released,but who knows? Well Airfix does.

Malcolm

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

Hi, not sure what your buget is but this ia on eBay right now

CLASSIC AIRFRAMES BRISTOL BLENHEIM Mk I/IF 1:48 COMPLETE PLASTIC MODEL KIT NOS

Adrian

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

Oh and this one with a few bids on it

1/48 Classic Airframes Bristol Blenheim MkV | eBay

Adrian

[Guest]

Thanks Adrian - crikey, not cheap!

Right now I'm happy to wait for a while, I've really only got back into this in the past few weeks, and am very aware that I've got a lot to learn before I get cracking on this project. I'll just keep my eyes peeled and see what comes up - at least I know what I'm looking for now.

Cheers for the info, Malcolm - I'll keep my fingers crossed!