Paul H

Didn't realise this kit was so detailed! That's not bad for a 1:32 scale model now, let alone when this one was tooled. Btw, for those who were hoping for a 420G (Mk10) instead of the smaller 420, the only kit I know of is the AirTrax resin one in 1:24 scale.

A pity though, since the Ghost would look great with a chauffeur! Thinking of their 1:35 / 24 stuff, I really wish they would scale their Packard up to 1:24...

I thought those taxi figures only came with the 1:35 version, rather than the 1:24?

My late grandfather served on Ark IV in the early '70s, so following this with great interest!

Have you also seen the figures which go with the Model T Speedster? Wondering if the two sets would combine together well for a full load of passengers!

Also, if you get the chance, please could you compare the width of the windscreen bases? Based on having seen more photos of built up versions of the new Revell FHC, plus the image that Revell have relseased of a built-up OTS model, I'm starting to wonder if the Revell may have a slightly wider body / glasshouse, which if so, would exacerbate the issue of the windscreen proportions. However on the OTS, it could be entirely due to camera angle - it's difficult to tell from one image!

Is it my imagination, or does the Revell gearbox appear to have an overdrive on the back? I always understood that the o/d box wouldn't fit the E, and that they were always only 4 speed (or possibly automatic).

Wow - I was really not expecting it to be this detailed! And as others have said, thank you for documenting this so comprehensively! (Now if only I can find their OE 30/98 for sensible money....)

Looking really good! The oxidation on the gearbox casing in particular is very convincing. Sump plug area looks a tad too clean though

Been after one of these for a while now, and bought this the other week - it finally arrived this morning:

I can't remember where I read it (& thus am unable to double check) however, there was something about Airfix using different colours on these early CAD renderings to denote different option / variant parts. On this, I note that the rolling chassis & also all the bodywork / panels from the scuttle forward are all one colour, but the ambulance body is in a different colour. I'm wondering if this means there are other variants of the Austin K2 planned?

Agreed! Also, Eduard should do one of their Royal Class special edition reboxes of this - if any kit deserves to come with a beer glass, this is it!

Liking this a lot! The engine will be nice to display separately too (the other year I was helping a friend set up and run in a modified Gipsy engine in his test cell), as mine will be getting a bigger engine and longer cowl.

Indeed! (Having seen that film loads of times as a child, I now finally know why they called the truck Katy!)

Not a fan of that series of films either, but this was the only car in it which made me think "wow...!!"* (so of course, the film makers trashed it...) & so will also be following with great interest! At the time, I much prefered the '68 & '69, but the full loop front bumper on these has grown on me since. The more aggressive look also suits the exposed blower more than on the earlier ones. This release has much cooler wheels than the factory stock version too! *helped by the fact that unlike the other cars used, it didn't look like it had been covered in contact adhesive and then ram-raided a car accessory shop...

I agree - not an easy kit to detail paint but well worth the effort, as you have shown here!

They do indeed! I don't think we'll go that far, but suspect some detail painting & suitable sharpie work may happen...

Thank you! I think they will, as they are currently working on some 1:72 Airfix starter sets, a Mustang IV and a Harrier Gr.1, which they are keen to finish. Both those are much slower projects though, but they are doing a good job as well as learning patience, especially with the need to apply two well thinned brushed coats of acrylic for a decent paint finish. Once lockdown is over, I also want to take them to the Tank Museum at Bovington, which means that the Academy Tiger 1 kit I have in my to build pile will no doubt be built with them to match the running one in the museum. I'd seen that Heller had re-released their 328 (I do like Heller's classic car kits and need to get around to building more of them) - it will make an interesting companion to the Z3.

Ah - that makes sense! I don't blame you for wanting to build one as just the chassis - they would look amazing displayed side by side.

That's fair enough! It seems a bit odd though that Tamiya didn't include one as they moulded the undertray on the clear sprue so that the spaceframe could be left visible.

That looks stunning! Given the level of detail hidden once the undertray goes on, is there also a floor to the boot in the kit, or is that not included?

I've been buying too many 1:72 predominantly WW2 aircraft model kits recently & nothing to report on the car models front (although there is one that is supposed to be in the post). However I spotted these in the central tat aisle of a certain supermarket yesterday when picking up some groceries on my way home from work: As they were £9.99 each, I couldn't really resist (the Ford was the last one & only a few Corvette's were left - usually I'm not this lucky!), and as things turned out later on that evening, they will make excellent projects to help entertain my 8 year old twins during the new lockdown.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to post all this information, it is really very appreciated!

Ah - I know the stuff you mean. Never tried using it for clear parts, as I've always been happy with with clearfix or PVA since I know that neither will damage the clear parts or paint and can be cleaned off easily - like the acrylic, with a cocktail stick if necessary! I'd have thought that on this kit, there is more than enough surface area for either of those to hold the clear parts securely, without having to use UV resin?

My primary aim is simply an easily and (relatively) quick to build model Lancaster for my display cabinet (to go with the other smaller sized 1:72 WW2 planes that I am building or which are waiting to be built - in diorama terms, think of it more as an air museum display) rather than for contests or anything like that, so some of the detail variations in accuracy and differences are not as critical to me (simply because I would not spot them) as they would rightly be to a dedicated Lancaster / Bomber Command enthusiast. I've been having a search through both on here & elsewhere online regarding the various options for a 1:72 Lancaster. In terms of easy availability at the moment in the UK, there seems to be three options, all of which are currrently available for sensible money: Airfix (recent tooling) Revell Airfix (late 1970s / early '80s tooling) It seems from in the box reviews that the new Airfix is the overall best buy, but lacks a bomb load (however I already have the RAF supply set, having picked one up recently for a very good price), whereas the Revell apparently has slight dihedral issues & crude main wheels. However, how noticiable actually is that wing issue? Also, are the included engines decent enough to have opened up (& displayed with the supply set's maintenance tower) or are they simply not worth bothering with at all? I appreciate that a resin conversion would be much superior but do they pass muster as a decent(ish) representation? I ask since I have not seen pics of one built with them shown. Finally, there is the previous Airfix which is much simpler inside and also has raised details. Whilst the new Airfix & Revell are clearly superior internally, how much of all that extra interior detailing is actually visible once assembled, especially if the crew figures are used? This older tooling one also looks like it could be a quicker build, provided it all goes together easily. One other thing - can the Dambusters versions of each still be built as a regular Lancaster, or are the relevant parts not included? These seem easier & less expensive at the moment than the 'normal' versions. Finally, whilst each seems to have their different merits (even the previous tooling Airfix one!) in terms of detail and / or accuracy and based on the threads on here, all can be built into very smart models. However what remains unclear is which is the easiest to build, and whilst I have built plenty of 1:24 cars, I am relatively new to aircraft kits*, so this is a very important consideration! *One of the current ones includes Airfix's elderly 1:72 Mosquito which is probably the furthest along, and stalled only due to my own mistakes with painting rather than any fault of the kit itself. I also have a Tamiya one to build at a later point but am still quite happy with the Airfix one. In light of all this, I would very much appreiciate your thoughts on each of these kits, & which would be the best for a novice aircraft modeller!