I know there are a few forumites who are mad keen on modeling – We have just heard that Airfix have just released a 1:72nd kit based on our very own “Wings Museum” B5N2 Kate (53-305). The designers spent many hours taking measurements from our original B5N2 Kate remains on display in the museum. This will be the most accurate kit of a Kate currently on the market. Many details have been taken from the original airframe and have been accurately reproduced in the kit. For example the “sharks fin” under-carriage indicator which can just about be seen poking our on the starboard wing on the photo of the kit shown below, this detail was previously not common knowledge.
Here is a link for those interested – apparently sold out already but more being made available.
http://www.airfix.com/uk-en/catalog/product/view/id/8401/category/1209/
The kit includes two decal options for a Pearl Harbor version and our own 53-305 which saw action in the Kuril Islands in World War Two.
By: DazDaMan - 21st September 2015 at 10:32
I may have to add a Kate (and probably a Val. Oh hell, and another Zero!) to the stash at some point…!
By: Graham Boak - 21st September 2015 at 09:53
It’s good to see the reference to the source.
3D scanning is a superb step forward where applicable. It provides the information for a more accurate model, though there’s still some steps between that and the plastic in hand. However, it has to be done with other references, or it can introduce features present on the scanned example but absent on the subject presented. Scanning the Duxford Blenheim, which at that time retained features of the Bolingbroke it was, means that the kit includes features wrong for the Blenheim. Some of which are fortunately easily fixed – and also have been since changed on the Duxford aircraft.
By: Zac Yates - 21st September 2015 at 01:05
there should be a mention of the Museum somewhere in the instructions
There sure is! This isn’t my photo, but take a look at the lower right:
Also Hornby owns Airfix, hence their involvement.
By: Arabella-Cox - 19th September 2015 at 10:18
They didn’t use 3D scanning, maybe being a wreck it would create more problems than answers.
The only kit I have built in the last 15 years was a 1/72nd Knat, I visited Hornby World earlier this year with my boy and you could build a model aeroplane as part of your entrance fee, he is only 5 so I had the job of building it and it took at least an hour, the rest of the family were found in the cafe waiting for me and they had managed to have a nice cake and several cups of tea by the time I was done, I think it was a very low skill level maybe even a level 1, so I think I should keep well away from the large scale Typhoon, the money is better spent on the projects me’s thinks.
By: ian_ - 18th September 2015 at 20:24
Excellent news! Did they do the 3D scanning with your Kate? Seems to be the future, with guaranteed accuracy. I’ve nearly finished their F86. It almost fell together. Time to settle down with an Airfix kit and a vinyl record on the turntable. The past is the new future…
By: DazDaMan - 18th September 2015 at 19:18
I built the new-tool 1/72 Zero earlier this year, and it was rather nice. I also utterly love their newer 1/72 Mk.IX Spitfire – if my girlfriend can build one, it must be all right!
I’ve got no less than three 1/48th Spitfires in the stash (Mk.I, VB and XII) and I’ve heard they are all nice builds.
Not brave enough to try the big Typhoon or Mosquito, mind!
By: Arabella-Cox - 18th September 2015 at 18:55
Not yet, probably what we have and what the RAF museum have I am sure the end result would be well worth it though. Now a 1:32 Hampden would be something to behold. But I guess the poor old Hampden is not well known enough to most people.
Have they also measured the Hampden parts? A new kit is also long overdue.
Good to see Airfix doing what they are good at.
Kits, boxart etc. Really liked the 1/24 Typhoon, although I normally build 1/32.
Cees
By: Sage the Owl - 18th September 2015 at 17:45
Wouldn’t be this one would it?, very impressive to say the least!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lee_douglas_brown/sets/72157629773418450/
Yes, very impressive but no, it’s not this one.
It’s being produced by HK Models, the same company that have made the 1/32 B25’s, Do335’s, Mossie bomber version & B17.
Current rumours are saying it may be ready for Christmas but i would’nt bet on it myself.
By: CeBro - 18th September 2015 at 14:37
Have they also measured the Hampden parts? A new kit is also long overdue.
Good to see Airfix doing what they are good at.
Kits, boxart etc. Really liked the 1/24 Typhoon, although I normally build 1/32.
Cees
By: Arabella-Cox - 18th September 2015 at 13:02
Hi K505,
Yes I thought it was quite pro-active of them, there should be a mention of the Museum somewhere in the instructions, I have a kit on the way to me from Hornby who actually do some or all of the design work – all very confusing, but I think the two companies are linked.
I didn’t realise the new Kate was based on your museum’s example, that’s excellent! I’ve seen a few in-box previews/reviews of the kit and it looks like another winner.
Airfix really is something special nowadays! I’m building the new Lancaster as a 75 Sqn B.III and it is a real sweetheart of a kit – a friend is airbrushing it for me (I’m yet to learn that skill) and he’s so smitten with it he wants one of his own.
By: Zac Yates - 17th September 2015 at 21:53
I didn’t realise the new Kate was based on your museum’s example, that’s excellent! I’ve seen a few in-box previews/reviews of the kit and it looks like another winner.
Airfix really is something special nowadays! I’m building the new Lancaster as a 75 Sqn B.III and it is a real sweetheart of a kit – a friend is airbrushing it for me (I’m yet to learn that skill) and he’s so smitten with it he wants one of his own.
By: SADSACK - 17th September 2015 at 16:27
thats incredible!
By: HALCYONMAN - 17th September 2015 at 15:34
Wouldn’t be this one would it?, very impressive to say the least!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lee_douglas_brown/sets/72157629773418450/
By: SADSACK - 17th September 2015 at 15:09
re;
Of the new kits I have built;
2 Spitfire 1as
2 Hurricane IIc’s
Lancaster
P51D
The P51 was a treat to build. The Hurricane is nice, but comes with a ridiculous prop which has to replaced as it looks like somthing off a home build.
Lancaster has its problems but builds nicely. But if you gave it to a kid, it would put them of building.
By: TonyT - 17th September 2015 at 14:06
1/32 Lancaster is on the way and massive.
By: hampden98 - 17th September 2015 at 13:50
Would love a 1:24th scale Lancaster!
By: Arabella-Cox - 17th September 2015 at 13:42
Hi Hampden,
Yes probably too big for most. A friend recently showed me a 1:32 B-25, that was pretty big – and pricey too. I just find the larger scales work better in a museum environment otherwise 1:72nd is a bit small when displayed up against big sections of a/c.
By: hampden98 - 17th September 2015 at 13:16
Had no idea these were already released in 1:48 – sorry, the Stirling has got to be pretty darn big!
My mistake, didn’t notice the Scale. BTW a 1:48th Stirling is insane!
By: Arabella-Cox - 17th September 2015 at 13:06
Had no idea these were already released in 1:48 – sorry, the Stirling has got to be pretty darn big!
They will probably hold fire with the Stirling as Italeri have released both the Bomber and Towing versions recently.
Revell have released a Halifax. So that possibly rules out that one too. Not to mention Italeris excellent Sunderland.Have you seen Airfix’s new Whitley and Shakleton?
By: hampden98 - 17th September 2015 at 12:54
Would be nice to see a 1:48 Halifax II and dare I say it a Stirling!
They will probably hold fire with the Stirling as Italeri have released both the Bomber and Towing versions recently.
Revell have released a Halifax. So that possibly rules out that one too. Not to mention Italeris excellent Sunderland.
Have you seen Airfix’s new Whitley and Shakleton?
Sign In
September 17, 2015 at 10:04 am