andy s

Thanks for all the kind comments guys, this model was built for an eighty five year old ex RAF Tempest mechanic, I just hope he likes it. Cheers Drew

This is my first post in ages due to work and other distractions so here is my latest, the big Tiffy by Airfix. The kit is not the easiest to put together but looks absolutely stunning once built, my crappy photos really do not do it justice. Aftermarket goodies include eduard guns, wheels and photo etch, Masters brilliant rockets and Airdoc instruments, I also added quite a few scratchbuilt details including a new ignition harness with spark plugs, flap details and U/C uplocks which are missing on the kit.

I received this kit in the post this morning, a wedding anniversary present from my lovely wife, and had a quick look through the sprus. I bought the Royal class version of the kit knowing all about the issues not long after it was released and am quite willing to correct what I can. The one thing on the older kit that has not been mentioned much is the shape of the oil cooler panel directly behind the spinner, it is awful and ruins the nose profile. Thankfully this has been corrected on the new kit and overall Eduard has done a great job after being absolutely crucified after the last release, so respect to them for doing what a lot of manufacturers wouldn't.

I agree mr Shackleton himself really doesn't like Revell, I have an idea why, but he seems to forget one thing, the MR2 which Airfix used their box of tricks on is in fact a cut and shut AEW 2 is it not. Also the interrior which Airfix copied is an AEW2 interrior is it not, if we are going to keep on about accuracy maybe the Airfix effort isn,t as accurate as certain people like to make out. At the end of the day it is up to the modeller and for me the Revell Shack just looks better, kit sales will determine which kit people like best as most of us are not part of presavation groups.

Just to point out guys the Revell man did say that the sprues and presumably the built up model were from test shots and improvements have been made to the masters so accurassy issues may have already been addressed by Revell. Secondly I was disappointed at the Airfix staff's reticence to talk about a release date for their AEW version. Please don't get me wrong I am a massive Airfix fan I even joined their club on their stand yesterday. Ian

I will now post on my own behalf and having seen both in the flesh even with minor alleged inaccurices the Revell kit looks more impressive in every way.The Airfix effort just looks clunky and heavy handed in comparrison and I,as in most modellers would go for the Revell kit because it just looks better in every way, all you had to do is look around at the piles of discounted Airfix Shacks on sale at Telford and I think you have your awnser.

I am posting here on my brother's login sat in the hotel in Telford. Well I've spent a lot of time today examining both the Airfix and Revell Shack kits and to be honest Revell have played a blinder! Their AEW Mk.2 is OUTSTANDING, admittedly the sprues on show are the test shots and the Revell Bossman on the stand (purple jumper) ststed the following: A _ The reason for lack of gen and low profile on their Shack is that they have been heavily committed with the Star Wars kits and their Shacks molds are on the way to the manufacturer the kits should be back in Europe and ready to go on sale Jan/Feb 2016 and maybe a bit cheaper than the catalogue price. B. The fuselage has been done with the seperate nose so they can do other versions possibly a Mk1 and T Mk.4 or even a Mk.3! Clever. C. There is not a lot of rear compartment detal, just ribs by the rear door,the Airfix consoles are wasted anyway as yo cannot see them. D. The aircraft they measured up was the St. Mawgan gate guard. E. There is a gap on the transparencies sprue for nose glasing and turret glazing. F. The surface detail on the Revell kit has to be seen to be believed it is beautiful,well done Revell. G.The only snag I saw on the built model was that it was not shiny enough as they were high gloss in service but that is a matter of preference. H. The Airfix stall guys were very reticent about a release date for their AEW version saying quote "if ever", i wonder if he had seen the Revell offering. All this said well done to both firms for both doing a Shack, and thank you. Cheers Ian Shaw [email protected]

Sorry I did mean the 1/48 kit, looks like quickboost missed a trick as I wouldn,t buy a replacement cowl just to save a few minutes of assembly. I wonder why Eduard havn,t made a correct resin replacement?

Hi don't know if this has been asked before but does anyone know if the quickboost resin cowl corrects the nose shape of the Eduard kits? Cheers Drew

Looks like they have done the same as their older 1/48 mk1 Spit and moulded one inside the other, you can just see the bottom of the inner piece at the bottom of the pilots sliding canopy.

Hi Ian, nice start on the Shack I must admit I didn't,t know the Newark Shack had vipers in the outer nacelles, looks like a typical Raf after thought as it's very rough! Had a thought just now if you get one of the new tool Shacks and I get the other we could do a joint build like we did with the Skyraiders to make things interesting, let me know your thoughts. A question for Rich-w82, do you actually build any models as I haven't seen any of your work on any of the modellers forums? All the best Drew

Wow this has got quite heated over an aircraft that is not mainstream, in my original post I asked why have Airfix gone for the MR2 version, unless like their Valiant they are going to do an update set with the parts and decals to build an AEW2. Why they don't just do one boxing with both versions as an option and add a few quid onto the price I don't know, I can't see them selling thousands of these things. I think us modellers as a whole have been spoiled of late and even if the Revell people were rude to the preservation group, which there is no excuse for, I will still buy Revell kits as among there error infested offerings they have produced some gems (Tornado for one) and if either manufacturer does a kit I would like to build I will buy it. My point is if any kit manufacturer does a kit of something that has only been available as a vac form (for example the AIMs Hastings in my case, 6 months of sanding,filling and fettling to get a reasonable result) good luck to them, but please listen to the people who are going to buy these kits and do the version that they want. Cheers Drew

I can,t understand why Airfix would bring out the MR2 version before the AEW2 unless they have collaborated with Revell otherwise it just doesn't make sense!

Beautiful model mate and a great finish, I've got the two seater on the stocks at the minute but can't seem to get on with it due to the boring camo scheme of this aircraft, maybe after seeing how good yours turned out it might get finished! Cheers Drew

Hi Andy the outer engine does not follow the angle of the wing as the dihedral is more on this section of the wing, this results in the outer exhaust being lower so does not stain the wing upper surface, if you look at photos taken from above(I used Lancaster at war Vol I and II) it confirms this trait. Hope this helps to explain it. Cheers Drew