RAFBF 'Design-a-Hawk' Competition Winner - 1:72 Airfix

[Paul A H]

RAFBF 'Design-a-Hawk' Competition Winner

1:72 Airfix

When the RAF began the search for a new fast jet trainer to replace the Folland Gnat, it was originally intended that the role would be fulfilled by the SEPECAT Jaguar. However, the advanced capabilities demanded of the new Anglo-French aircraft meant that it became too complex for use as a trainer As a result, Hawker Siddley Aviation began work on a private venture known as the P.1182. The design team of Gordon Hudson, Gordon Hodson and Ralph Hooper produced a relatively simple, subsonic aircraft with a number of clever features. The fuselage is designed around a large, tandem cockpit, which features a significant difference in height between the seat for student in the front and that for the instructor in the back. This affords the instructor a much better view than in the Gnat. The wings featured double-slotted flaps which gives the Hawk excellent low-speed handling characteristics.

The first of the 176 Hawks ordered by the RAF entered service in 1976, designated the Hawk T.1. 88 T.1s were modified to T.1A standard, which allowed them to carry two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles for use in the emergency air defence role. The Hawks reputation as an excellent aeroplane has been confirmed by the considerable success it has enjoyed in the export market. Users include the air forces of Australia, Canada, Finland, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates amongst others. A highly modified carrier capable version is in service with the United States Navy, where it is known as the T-45 Goshawk. The most famous role occupied by the Hawk, however, is as the mount of the world-renowned Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team the Red Arrows.

This particular edition of Airfix's Hawk is the redesigned and improved tooling that was released a few years ago and which replaced a kit that was itself only a few years old. The colourful scheme depicted in the kit is the result of Airfix's 2013 Design a Hawk' competition which was conducted in support of the RAF Benevolent Fund. The winning design was created by 14-year-old Heather Morien from Northumberland.

Inside the brightly coloured box are four sprues of light grey plastic and a single clear sprue. Together these hold the 59 parts which make up the kit. You can tell this version of the Hawk from the slightly older tooling because of the different arrangement of the parts on the sprues, the finer panel lines, the wing fences which are moulded in place on the upper wings and the one-piece canopy. Also in the box is a set of acrylic paint, brushes and poly cement.

As far as the general breakdown of parts in concerned, there arent many significant changes. The cockpit is still comprised of a large tandem tub, instrument panels, control columns and bulkheads. The ejection seats are basic but not too bad in terms of overall shape. Airfix have provided decals to represent details on the instrument panels and side consoles, as the plastic parts lack any raised detail. The jet exhaust and engine intakes are pretty much as they were too. Construction of the aforementioned wings has been simplified by the inclusion of integral wing fences.

Just one pilot figure has been provided. Airfix have chosen to use a different figure to that provided in earlier versions of the kit as this one does not have separate parts for the arms. The cockpit canopy has also been moulded in one piece instead of two, and so will have to be cut if you wish to display it in the open position. The smaller parts such as the blade aerials are very fine indeed, and in contrast to the kits released by Airfix in the immediate wake of the Hornby takeover, the sprue attachment points are pretty fine. The undercarriage is much the same as before, although the moulded details look a little sharper. The airbrake can be posed in the open or closed position. The under-fuselage smoke pod is nicely moulded and sets this Hawk aside from other variants.

As you might have expected, the decal sheet allows you to build a couple of variations of the Benevolent Fund Hawk scheme. The decals are extremely clear and crisp. The decals for the instrument panels and side consoles are amongst the best I've seen.

Conclusion

The Hawk seems to be a perennial favourite of modellers of British subjects, so it should come as no surprise that Airfix have chosen to release another version of the little jet. If you want a colourful Hawk in your collection and you fancy something a bit different, then you can treat yourself to one of these knowing that you're doing your bit for charity too. Recommended.

Review sample courtesy of

[PhantomBigStu]

sorry to dig up an old review but is the stencils included applicable to a standard black hawk?

[raptormodeller]

i actually submitted to that competition but when I phoned the Post-Office they said it had been "lost" and had not "arrived to your designated destination". Oh the frustration. . What was Postman Pat doing?? .

On a more serious note, that is a good kit, but I stay clear of 1:72 Hawks because they're tiny. Same goes for the Spitfire. I do those in 1:48 for maximum enjoyment.