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Is this true? No "modern" injection kit of a single seater Venom available?


WildeSau75

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Hi guys,

 

I am a fan of the Vampire and Venom and therefore was glad to see Airfix to release the 1/72 T.11 Vampire. With some luck we might get some in 1/48 too - single and double seater.

 

If one wants to build a single seater Vampire in 1/72, there are at least some kits available which not require experience with resin or vac form kits. i.e. the Heller/Revell, the Amodel and Special Hobby/Azure.

 

But when it comes to the single seater Venom - i.e. a Mk. 1 or Mk. 4 - nothing available in 1/72 - at least not known to me. 

 

First, is this really true - there is no decent injection kit for a Venom in 1/72 existing? If so, is there anything announced? And does anybody know why there is so little interest in this subject from the different kit makers? There are many other subjects produced which are much less known. 

 

Thanks guys.

 

Cheers,

Michael

 

 

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Yes it's a sad travesty and damning indictment of our times that you can get many models of Luftwaffe paper subjects that never flew but you can't get a model of an aircraft which flew and did sterling service with many air forces for many years.

 

Perhaps a pitchfork and flaming torch wielding mob marching on various model manufacturers until they relent may help?  Which for some reason reminded me of this...

 

 

A single seat Venom is sorely needed and much overlooked, I hope Airfix will see sense, after all, they kitted the Supermarine Fat Knacker which only served with a few squadrons in the RAF.  The other hope is Special Hobby to the same standard as their recent Mirage F.1.

Edited by Wez
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On 02/01/2017 at 14:46, Wez said:

Yes it's a sad travesty and damning indictment of our times that you can get many models of Luftwaffe paper subjects that never flew but you can't get a model of an aircraft which flew and did sterling service with many air forces for many years.

 

Perhaps a pitchfork and flaming torch wielding mob marching on various model manufacturers until they relent may help?  Which for some reason reminded me of this...

 

 

A single seat Venom is sorely needed and much overlooked, I hope Airfix will see sense, after all, they kitted the Supermarine Fat Knacker which only served with a few squadrons in the RAF.  The other hope is Special Hobby to the same standard as their recent Mirage F.1.

 

 

Thanks Wez - at least there is no kit around that I missed. Although I would prefer this, thinking about it. Glad to see I am not alone with this opinion. Indeed, the Venom was a a bird used by many airforces and is one of the first operational used jets ever. Beside this, it's a great looking little plane. Cannot understand how this can be so overlooked by many vendors. Fully agree - let's organize a mob marching to all relevant vendors! ;-).

 

We just can hope that Airfix is releasing one - beside a single seater Vampire in 1/72 and 1/48. Don't think we will see one from Tamigawa. It's Airfix we need to hope for. A UK vendor must do this UK plane justice!  ;-).

 

Cheers,

Michael

 

 

Edited by Greg B
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The RAF followed by the Swiss were the biggest (and in the case of the Swiss longest), users of the type, so many colourful paint schemes.

 

Whilst I agree that it should be a subject for Airfix I've more hope of SH doing the decent thing.

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4 minutes ago, Wez said:

The RAF followed by the Swiss were the biggest (and in the case of the Swiss longest), users of the type, so many colourful paint schemes.

 

Whilst I agree that it should be a subject for Airfix I've more hope of SH doing the decent thing.

 

Indeed - I like the faded paint look of the Swiss Venoms after being in service so many years. And I especially like the Swiss Venoms with the modified "Pinnochio" nose - makes them look just "right".  But nothing against a "normal" FB1 or FB4 Venom version either. I bet they would sell easily as good as a Jet Provost.

 

And funnily the situation in 1/48 isn't much better for the Venom and also injection kits of the Vampire in 1/72 and 1/48 are under represented. Really not understand why.

 

Got the 1/48 Classic Airframe Venom - hope I can get hold of a "Pinnochio" nose to build it as a Swiss version.

 

Then let's continue hoping Wez that Airfix hears us!

 

Cheers,

Michael

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3 minutes ago, WildeSau75 said:

 

Indeed - I like the faded paint look of the Swiss Venoms after being in service so many years. And I especially like the Swiss Venoms with the modified "Pinnochio" nose - makes them look just "right".  But nothing against a "normal" FB1 or FB4 Venom version either. I bet they would sell easily as good as a Jet Provost.

 

And funnily the situation in 1/48 isn't much better for the Venom and also injection kits of the Vampire in 1/72 and 1/48 are under represented. Really not understand why.

 

Got the 1/48 Classic Airframe Venom - hope I can get hold of a "Pinnochio" nose to build it as a Swiss version.

 

Then let's continue hoping Wez that Airfix hears us!

 

Cheers,

Michael

 

You're preaching to the choir on the subject of Vampires Michael!

 

I cannot fathom how there is no mainstream kit in 1/48th of arguably one of the prettiest jets ever made and certainly one of the most colourful military aircraft ever to fly (must be up in the top 5).

 

Living in hope!

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Just now, Wez said:

 

You're preaching to the choir on the subject of Vampires Michael!

 

I cannot fathom how there is no mainstream kit in 1/48th of arguably one of the prettiest jets ever made and certainly one of the most colourful military aircraft ever to fly (must be up in the top 5).

 

Living in hope!

 

:-) Fully agree with all you have said. OK, maybe I am a bit biased due to being Swiss, but I really think that the following jets are the best looking ever:

 

- Vampire Mk. 6 /Venom FB.1/FB.4

- Hunter Mk. 6

- Mirage III

 

And funnily all these are planes which have not been "blessed" by model making companies. OK, some more, but when I think how many Messerspit /Fockestang models we have - of almost every Mark one can think of, it's difficult to understand how little of the above mentioned jets we have which all have been vastly in use by many airforces.

 

Cheers,

Michael

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1 minute ago, Don McIntyre said:

I agree with the need for good, affordable Vampires and Venom's in 1/48. Another series of kits that would seem to be a natural for the "new" Airfix.

 

Glad to have another supporter! We have to get all together and march towards Airfix HQ! ;-).

 

Cheers,

Michael

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I'm with you all on this. I also can't understand how much Luft46 stuff there is, some of which barely existed on paper and yet 1950's jets flown by the RAF are sadly missed. There is almost a feeling of a conspiracy against the RAF post war in so many respects, no modern kits of many frontline jets, but even worse with many types either not represented at all by mainstream manufacturers or positively ancient moulds (Lincoln, Canberra, almost any trainers -Varsity, transports) At least we've now got a decent Victor and maybe the Valiant and Vulcan might reappear/ remould.

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4 minutes ago, GordonM said:

I'm with you all on this. I also can't understand how much Luft46 stuff there is, some of which barely existed on paper and yet 1950's jets flown by the RAF are sadly missed. There is almost a feeling of a conspiracy against the RAF post war in so many respects, no modern kits of many frontline jets, but even worse with many types either not represented at all by mainstream manufacturers or positively ancient moulds (Lincoln, Canberra, almost any trainers -Varsity, transports) At least we've now got a decent Victor and maybe the Valiant and Vulcan might reappear/ remould.

 

Cannot say much more than: Fully agree! Even more not understandable when one thinks of how many other countries used these post war jets. So there should be enough potential customers around the globe who have interest in these birds.

 

Cheers,

Michael

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1 hour ago, WildeSau75 said:

 

:-) Fully agree with all you have said. OK, maybe I am a bit biased due to being Swiss, but I really think that the following jets are the best looking ever:

 

- Vampire Mk. 6 /Venom FB.1/FB.4

- Hunter Mk. 6

- Mirage III

 

And funnily all these are planes which have not been "blessed" by model making companies. OK, some more, but when I think how many Messerspit /Fockestang models we have - of almost every Mark one can think of, it's difficult to understand how little of the above mentioned jets we have which all have been vastly in use by many airforces.

 

Cheers,

Michael

 

Careful breakdown of any mould would yield all marks of Vampire and Venom.

 

In 1/72nd the Revell Hunters are quite nice although we could do with a F.1/4 and T.7 (admittedly, the same applies to 1/48th scale).

 

Don't get me started on Mirages, quite why there is no decent, modern, mainstream Mirage III/5 is beyond belief!  If we are going to get one it will be a IIIC but the more colourful options are IIIE based airframes!:angrysoapbox.sml:

 

49 minutes ago, GordonM said:

I'm with you all on this. I also can't understand how much Luft46 stuff there is, some of which barely existed on paper and yet 1950's jets flown by the RAF are sadly missed. There is almost a feeling of a conspiracy against the RAF post war in so many respects, no modern kits of many frontline jets, but even worse with many types either not represented at all by mainstream manufacturers or positively ancient moulds (Lincoln, Canberra, almost any trainers -Varsity, transports) At least we've now got a decent Victor and maybe the Valiant and Vulcan might reappear/ remould.

 

The trouble is with the Lincoln and Varsity, they really aren't mainstream enough to warrant a mainstream manufacturer taking them on, sorry, but that's the truth of it however, the lack of a goldfish bowl Canberra in 1/72nd also defies logic.  Again, many users world wide and many different colour schemes! :angrysoapbox.sml::angrysoapbox.sml:

 

44 minutes ago, MikeC said:

Iirc the Rareplanes vacform FB4 was a very good kit. Yes I know it's a vac ...

 

And also quite rare these days (as are the Aeroclub Venoms).

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Trouble is 'mainstream' nowadays seems to a bizarre thing. How many manufacturers churn out, say, Super Etendards, or IAI Kfirs, which seem to be the current flavours of the month, but no one wants to produce a Hunter, or Venom? Going back to Luft46 there are no variants, no alternative users, but it doesn't stop the stuff being produced. A Lincoln has potential sales from areas like Australia and Argentina, plus with Lancaster and Shackletons to base a kit on it wouldn't be too hard surely? I see AFV models coming out now, based on fitting larger and larger guns on hulls that either had one variant, or again design board projects, I really do despair at times!

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Guys, I saw a similar query on a different thread a couple of months ago. My reply now is the same then. Airfix, Special Hobby, etc. all have a "Contact Us" page. Just click on it and let them know what aircraft/military vehicles/ships, etc. that you want to see kitted(and the scale, too). On that thread(sorry, don't remember which one) another mentioned that he had done that(to Airfix) and hadn't heard from them. A reply to him from a third was that Airfix won't reveal what is in their future plans. My point was/is that while Airfix(and the others) won't reveal their future kits in a reply; they do read all these requests. If only 5 ask for "X"; then no one is likely(other than the specialists) to offer it. If 10,000 ask for "X"; that is a different matter. So, contact the manufacturers of your wants; as I wrote then; it cannot hurt.

Edited by JPuente54
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5 hours ago, WildeSau75 said:

 

 And I especially like the Swiss Venoms with the modified "Pinnochio" nose - makes them look just "right".  

 

Heresy! Burn the witch! Burn him!

 

(we need an emoticon holding a burning torch, Mike. You reading this?)

 

But I agree strongly, and would also be in the mob. The Venom fighter-bomber desperately needs a modern kit, as do several other British aircraft. But this is typical of British subjects, whether they be aircraft, AFVs, cars or ships. For years we have had German, US and Russian subjects until we are swimming in them, but it is only now that manufacturers have finally, finally realised it. Hence why we have had new kits of the Gnat, Vampire, Chieftain etc appearing over the last five years or so. I am optimistic that this trend will continue, particularly from our good friends in Eastern Europe, but there are still many, many examples of British industry that have yet to appear in plastic.

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+1 to all of the above.

 

As Wez remarked in passing, Aeroclub used to do a single-hole Venom, and a nice little number it was. Maybe John can tell us whether he still has any hanging around!

 

You can build a single-seat Venom in 1:72 by combining a Heller Vampire fuselage and a Frog/Frogspawn Sea Venom, but it takes a bit of work.

 

A new Venom kit, in both 1:72 and 1:48 scales and with single/two seat options, is surely a no-brainer. But then, we've been saying that about a new Hunter, too, and look how far THAT's got us!

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2 hours ago, JPuente54 said:

Guys, I saw a similar query on a different thread a couple of months ago. My reply now is the same then. Airfix, Special Hobby, etc. all have a "Contact Us" page. Just click on it and let them know what aircraft/military vehicles/ships, etc. that you want to see kitted(and the scale, too). On that thread(sorry, don't remember which one) another mentioned that he had done that(to Airfix) and hadn't heard from them. A reply to him from a third was that Airfix won't reveal what is in their future plans. My point was/is that while Airfix(and the others) won't reveal their future kits in a reply; they do read all these requests. If only 5 ask for "X"; then no one is likely(other than the specialists) to offer it. If 10,000 ask for "X"; that is a different matter. So, contact the manufacturers of your wants; as I wrote then; it cannot hurt.

 

Fully agree mate - you know what? I just did write Airfix a request via their webpage. They even have a respective section "product suggestion".

 

I hope you guys follow me! Lighten your torches and get to the march! ;-) no seriously it's a good idea that all of us write to Airfix and tell them what we want - Venoms, Vampires in 1/48 and 1/72!

 

Cheers,

Michael

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18 minutes ago, shatters said:

I was surprised that airfix produced a new tooled vampire t11 then didn't follow up with a single seater, maybe this year.

 

Phil

Agree - but there is at least hope that we see a single seated from Airfix soon - although I would prefer a Venom.

 

Cheers,

Michael

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1 hour ago, T7 Models said:

 

Heresy! Burn the witch! Burn him!

 

(we need an emoticon holding a burning torch, Mike. You reading this?)

 

But I agree strongly, and would also be in the mob. The Venom fighter-bomber desperately needs a modern kit, as do several other British aircraft. But this is typical of British subjects, whether they be aircraft, AFVs, cars or ships. For years we have had German, US and Russian subjects until we are swimming in them, but it is only now that manufacturers have finally, finally realised it. Hence why we have had new kits of the Gnat, Vampire, Chieftain etc appearing over the last five years or so. I am optimistic that this trend will continue, particularly from our good friends in Eastern Europe, but there are still many, many examples of British industry that have yet to appear in plastic.

 

Come on, you cannot deny that the Swiss Venoms/Vampires with the revised noses look good. Do I feel some jealousy? ;-)


But you are right - it gets better - looking at the last releases - when it comes to new tool British planes being given to us.

 

Cheers,

Michael

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As has been mentioned,  Aeroclub did a short run kit ca. 30 years ago, which may have been updated for later runs (if there were any, that is ). What has not been mentioned is there also was a long run IM kit by Frog, which was SOTA 60 years ago. The trouble is that this one is very rare, and the mould supposedly lost in NZ in the 60s. The scarcity of the Aeroclub may mean it didn't sell that well, so John didn't re-release it often. --- The reason for many RAF types not faring well with modern kits probably is simple : Many were done by Frog and Airfix 50+ years ago. Until quite recently, Airfix would not have replaced a mould capable of turning out recognisable parts no matter how old (e.g. Lightning, Hunter, the latter having been substantially retooled in 1982). They didn't have funds for most of the Humbrol era anyway, but in fairness, they invested in a Tucano, heavy retool of the Bucc, the EFA, and certainly forked out heaps of cash for the 1/48 Lightnings. Revell has done its  share too, but they also have to take heed of US and European tastes.

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Hmm like the idea of this it would need some exciting box art in order to appeal to younger or ad hoc modellers to get them to buy it.

Whether you like it or not Airfix is mass market not niche and it has to appeal to the wider market not just us ' geeks' that said they have produced some unusal kits so I know nuffin chief😕

Still think we need exciting box art some of the digital stuff lacks a certain something.Just my two pence worth 

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