Description
- Part of the Airfix Classic Kit Range, the 1:72 scale is a smaller scale and is perfect for those models where you want a more simple and faster construction.
- Skill Level: 2
- Number of Parts: 130
- Painting and assembly required. Paints and glue need to be purchased separately.
- Humbrol paints needed to complete the plane liveries are listed on the outside of the box.
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Jose David Lazarus –
GREAT kit, GREAT price and GREAT fast shipping.
brcdive –
Ótimo kit desse famoso avião.
Gibster –
A beautiful little model. A lot of detail for a 72nd scale kit. Airfix have really come on with their new moulds.
DOMINGOS G. –
A great kit of this classic aircraft with some minor issues.
Nice detailing throughout. Two squadron colour schemes to choose from. The decals were in register and of a good quality.
Some filler required at the wing roots. The lights on the wing tips weren’t the best fit. The engine cowlings were a lousy fit. They attach around the engine in three sections but there are gaps. It is difficult to use filler on these gaps and keep everything looking tidy. I’ve recently made as Airfix Gloster Gladiator and had a similar problem, which is disappointing. The cockpit canopy needed a little sanding, but fit snuggly in the end.
Over all, this is a good kit, but I would be wary of trying this if I were new to model kits.
J. Winkelmann –
This the first kit I’ve bought from the new Airfix line. Its a great model: recessed lines, good detail, fairly detailed cockpit, color instructions, separate ailerons… Several options: open/closed gear doors, two different horizontal stabilizers, torpedo/rockets… (No Vokes dust filters tho). I’m waiting for the a new Blenheim Mk V (they already have new Mk I and Mk IV kits, and the construction suggests a future Mk V)
Decals:
No. 144 Sqn, RAF, Banff Wing, Oct 1944, F/O Exton DFC
No. 27 Sqn, RAF/SEAC, Burma, June 1945
Stephen Ohaver –
Kit went together very well, and has very good detail for 1:72. Has challenges here and there for even the veteran builder.
J. Winkelmann –
Muy buen producto
S. Kelly –
An excellent model to build with a few caveats. The interior detail is a little strange, for example, the fuselage has all the ribs but no stringers. Although that matters little because it isn’t at all visible once the model is finished. The diagram showing the assembly of the engines could be improved by showing, in close-up, exactly where the engine locates into the three part cowling. When cutting the antenna off the sprue use a small pair of cutters at the narrow end first – I almost snapped it by cutting the other end first. The rear wingtip lights frosted when I cut them from the sprue, which doesn’t look good. As is usual with a modern Airfix kit the parts fitted well but not perfectly. I had to use filler on the wing roots. The canopy, on the other hand, was the best fit I’ve ever had with hardly any sanding needed for a perfect snug fit. Like the Airfix Hurricane, the undercarriage looks flimsy but turns out to be remarkably robust once assembled. By the way, although the Beau could carry both the torpedo and the rockets simultaneously it was most unusual to do so.
DANO –
A fine kit, well thought out engineering, missing the obvious heater pipe that could be seen behind the pilots seat, easily added from plastic or metal tube. A real joy to build.
Stephen Ohaver –
Airfix, in general, makes great kits and this one is no exception. This was also one of the few kits I could not put down for long as it was a blast to build.
This is one of the kits that made airfix models a permanent part of my stash.
Angelina May –
From 1958 to 2008 Airfix had routinely produced a model kit of a Beaufighter TF.X but it was primitive, had serious accuracy issues and was primarily geared towards children that would play with them as toys after construction. This changed in 2015 when, under new management, Airfix produced new molds to produce a model kit intended for serious hobbyist model builders.
This kit was from the first run produced with the new molds. It includes wonderfully represented engraved panel lines, remarkable interior detail, lovely looking engines and convincing wheel well detail. It can be built both in a wheels up or wheels down configuration though if you want to mount it on a stand you will have to purchase that separately.
The kit comes with two decal options, both representing combat aircraft of the 2nd World War, each with different armaments.
The first is a Coastal Command No.144 Sqn aircraft, NE829, piloted by Flying Officer Maurice Exton on October 9th, 1944 with an aerial torpedo mounted below the fuselage. During a mission flown from RAF Banff in Scotland, this aircraft among others from the same unit, attacked a large supply convoy off the coast of Norway headed for Germany. Despite suffering catastrophic damage from heavy flak during the attack F/O Exton managed to wrestle his aircraft back under control to press his attack and return to safely to base. For this action he was rewarded with the DFC. (This is the aircraft depicted on the box art.)
The second is a relatively non-specific aircraft from South East Asia Command No.27 Sqn that saw combat in the Burmese (modern day Myanmar) theater of the conflict with the Japanese from June to August of 1945. With the attractive camouflage scheme and unique South East Asian Command markings the kit instructions direct the builder to mount under-wing rockets for air to surface attacks.
This kit is an absolute gem. Most serious hobbyist model builders turned to Hasegawa’s offerings in 1998 due to its improved accuracy, engraved panel lines and better detail than the old Airfix offerings. However as soon as this kit was released the crown as the undisputed best Beaufighter in this scale was passed back to Airfix.
The ONLY complaint I might have for this kit is the lack of separate flaps and elevators so that they might be positioned in a pre-flight/post-flight configuration. It does permit for the rudder and ailerons to be positioned plus it even provides guidance as to what degree the ailerons could be cranked. While it isn’t a huge demerit it is still disappointing.
Karen Silkstone –
as expected BUT NO PAINT INCLUDED.
Biggles –
Item arrived when stated and looked good. It was a Xmas present so didn’t open the box and check it.