Albeback52

I dont think it's a mistake. I don't have this particular sheet but, from experience, if stencils are common to each option on a particular sheet you will only be able to complete one model & have to source stencils elsewhere for the other(s) option(s) Allan

I assume that Airfix will have used the nearest equivalents from their own range as suggested colours. Personally,I would go with the kit. I think your wife is right. I don't think that anybody but the real purist or accuracy nut is going to bother over much about interior colour accuracy. I certainly don't.

Both would be nice!! . Along with a C-133, C-124, C-74,C-54, C-46, Britannia, Argosy, Beverley, Belfast,VC-10, IL-76,AN-22,C-5A/B..........................................!!!!!!! No harm in fantasising I guess!! PS - I know about the Williams Bros C-46. Not easy to get hold of unfortunately!!

Ask 100 different people what they prefer & you'll get 100 different answers!! Agree with the comments about Revell Plasto. I also use ( if you can get hold of it!!) Gunze Sangyo Mr Surfacer 500 & 1000 grade and/or Mr Dissolved Putty. Only problem is shrinkage. Not much good for large areas but great for small gaps. Also, I use plumbers 2-part epoxy putty. It's very similar to Milliput & I usually buy it in B & Q or Home base.

: Reasonable point. I suppose it's all relative. I certainly wouldn't pay nearly £40 for what is still, in 1/48, going to be a very modest sized model. Even at £30, I'd personally consider it a bit over priced - you could buy 2 Revell Lancasters for that !! Ok, that's not really a valid comment but, I personally prefer (on my very limited budget!) to get more plastic for my ££s. I am sure that for fans of the type it will be worth it & I will not presume to debate that. It is after all a matter of choice. Actually, I paid a good bit less than £30 for my Sea Vixens!! I'm not a fan of helicopters but, I hope it does sell well - anything that keeps Airfix going gets my vote. Especially if it gets me a 1/72 VC-10!!!!! - OK folks! Just dreaming now!

Forgive my ignorance but are the Dragon/ Cyber Hobby Sea Vixen one & the same? If they are, I won't be buying any - not at nearly £37 a shot! I think that's way over priced for a modest sized 1/72 fighter!

This sort of small detail is not one that would bother me personally but, I think the RAF used a similar style "rounded" type lettering. Would RAF serials/letters/numerals of the appropriate size not be usable as an alternative? Fantasy Printshop Decals in the UK carries a good range of USAF/RAF lettering etc. They have an ebay shop Allan

That's a very fair point Keef and, you are of course quite correct that there really is no excuse for major errors in an expensive brand new kit. I don't know what went wrong. You may be correct in that it was simple shoddy research. I have also yet to sample the dubious pleasures of the Xtrakit Sea Vixen so, I can offer no comment on that one. On the other hand, they may take the view, possibly with some justification, that most interested modellers will buy the kit anyway regardless of any flaws. That is my own perspective. However, as I consider it grossly over priced for a modest size 1/72 model, I won't be buying this one anyway. Which rather renders my whole argument superfluous!!

With respect Giorgio, I beg to differ. With regard to the A400, I think that both you and Jennings are proceeding from a flawed perspective. The A400 is brand new but will shortly enter service in substantial numbers with 3 well known European air forces. Over time, I believe others will follow - especially as C-130 operators look to replace their fleets. The only real competitor to the A400 is the C-130J - a warmed over version of a near 60 year old design. It has not exactly been prolific in terms of sales. The C130, good though it is, has probably reached the end of its design potential AND, many of them are now seriously tired aeroplanes which will need replacing before long. The A400 is only just starting it career! I do not suggest that it will ever achieve anything like the sales /number of users that the C-130 did but, I suggest we should watch this space before writing it off. It could of course be argued, with some justification, that the A400 is a bit on the big side for most air forces. Probably true but, it's a good half way house between the Hercules & the C-17. My own personal take on this is that (using our own example) that the RAF will now have (with the C-130, A400 and, C-17) a mix of capabilities that will offer greater flexibility than ever before. Rather like the USAF wth its mix of C130, C17 & C5. The C-17 very nearly didn't make it into production either. The problems with the project are well known. This magnificent machine overcame those hurdles . The A400 faced its own problems. I believe, in time, it will also shake off that unwanted baggage. As for the C130 kit situation? Well, actually, I agree that a brand new, state of the art kit(s) would be awfully nice! I'd rather have a C-141 though or, a C-124 or, a C-133.......................................!!!!!

: : Fair point Giorgio. The new kit DOES look nice (despite the nose!!) and, as I said earlier I'd happily buy several if it weren't such an unreasonable ( for me) price. Actually, I rarely buy anything from the Far East these days - largely because they priced themselves right out of my market. From my perspective, it's not a question of wanting an inaccurate kit because it really isn't an issue for me. I've never built the Xtrakit or MPM Sea Vixens but, I 'd be willing to give them a bash!! Warts & all! Now, if Airfix were to scale down their lovely FAW 2.....................................!!!!!

:lol: Thanks Bill!! I think we're probably both on the same wavelength!! I genuinely respect and admire the dedication of those who DO strive for perfection - they are far better modellers than I! It just doesn't work for me though! At the age of 53, I'm hardly likely to change now!! At the risk of going off topic, I really do not think there are many models that are beyond saving. I've seen lots of moans on this site about ( for example) a lot of the old Airfix getting released again. Personally, I'm delighted. I recently added the Curtiss Helldiver & TBD-1 Devastator to my stash. Am currently working on a pair of Airfix Mirage III kits ( the Mirage was the second kit I built at the tender age of 10!!). I welcome a challenge!! I'll post pics when finished. These will be out of the box. No resin, no etched brass, just good old fashioned kit bashing! Back to the Sea Vixen - as I said earlier, even I can tell the nose is a bit off but, as I think you said yourself, that's what milliput & 240 grade are for!! The other "issues" are non issues as far as yours truly is concerned!. I can certainly live with them. Allan

Perhaps that's where we differ. I DON'T spend loads of time doing research and/or corrections. It's a waste of my time that could be put to better use concentrating on building and painting the kit. I like to work with what I have and try to get the best result I can just by using what comes out of the box. I rarely spend money on expensive accessories, preferring to use my own modest kit bashing skills. If this kit was at a more reasonable price, I'd happily buy at least half a dozen & just get on with them. In any case, nobody is forced to spend time doing loads of research and corrections. That's their choice. I respect that. My choice is to take the easy way out & live with the kit - regardless of any flaws it may have. Whatever anybody else may think, to me anyway, the kit still says "Sea Vixen"! I wonder perhaps just who is in the majority! The lazy, good for nothing kit bashers like yours truly or, the dedicated enthusiast who will strive for perfection every time! Allan

Interesting - The F22A Raptor is only being produced in limited numbers & will likely see service with only one airforce during its (horrendously) expensive lifetime. And yet, how many kits are there..........? Sorry Jennings. No offence but I really think the numbers/service argument you present is totally irrelevant in this context. Besides - 174 orders (as of July 2011) is more than just a few dozen!! Agree though, it DOES look lovely AND, a series of new C-130 kits would also be awfully nice as well!

Accuracy! Schmaccuracy! So what! I'm happy with any Sea Vixen & this one looks ok to me . If it fits together well, that's good enough for me. But then, I don't worry about minor issues like shape discrepancies. Nobody that walks into my flat & sees one is going to be any the wiser so why should I bother? I'll make the best job I can out of any kit - that's the fun of modelling. If others want to worry about accuracy - fair enough. I respect their dedication. It's just not me - largely because I'm fundamentally lazy!! Of course, this all may be a moot point! I've just seen a Cyber Hobby ( is this the same maker?) Sea Vixen FAW 1 on the Hannants website at £36.99. That being the case, I won't be buying it - £37 for a modest sized 1/72 kit is WAY overpriced (at least for me!!). Still, if it appears at a price I can afford, I'll give it a bash Allan ps - Yes, even I with my aging addled brain & failing eyesight can see the nose isn't quite right...........................!!! Other than that, the other discrepacies in shape mentioned are, I suggest not going to be obvious without spending/wasting valuable modelling time time by (shock ! horror! sharp intake of breath!) doing RESEARCH!!

Not really my cup of tea but, I'm always willing to try a little diversion. Looks very nice. It's also nice to see PROPER box art after so many years of bland,sanitised , politically correct, "mustn't show any explosions, gunfire,crashing aeroplanes or any other kind of "violence" type packaging!

The wings were a good fit I'll grant you that!!! Just a pity nothing else was!! Still, it's another one that's worth the effort.

Be that as it may Dave, how many people buying the kit will know, notice, or even care! It's still a Vulcan & that's what counts. Personally, I wouldn't waste modelling time fixing something that really isn't going to be noticed on the finished model. Still, that just me! I don't bother checking for accuracy or otherwise, I'm happy to try & just get the best out of what's in the box! Not having a go at you by the way! . I do respect & admire the patience & dedication of those who DO strive for (near) total acuracy!! Just not for me! I'm on broad agreement with most of the posts here regarding fit etc. I don't regard the Vulcan as being of poor quality. The fit issues will arise largely from the kit design/engineering but, given the complex shapes could it have been done differently within the limitations of 1982 moulding technology? I got round the wing fit issues on the ones I built by gluing the upper & lower wing sections to the upper/lower fuselage halves & then leaving for 24 hours before gluing the upper & lower halves together. I used tube cement for strength. Result - a very neat joint that required minimum sanding. The biggest problem I think is with the intakes!! Took a bit of doing but, I managed to get a near perfect joint. The Vulcan is certainly a challenge but, I prefer that to a "shake & bake" type of kit! Even after 40+ years of modelling, I don't regard myself as a "serious" modeller!! (whatever that is!!) Probably why, for me, the pleasure is out of the simple building & painting. I dont necessarily agree with the earlier post about Matchbox & Novo offerring better quality & fit over Airfix. My own personal experience was the opposite!! Funny creatures modellers!! I suppose it depends on what & when we were buying? Certainly, nobody could EVER say the Matchbox Victor fitted together well!! Of course I'd love to see the Vulcan ( and Victor) updated! . With modern CAD techniques, who knows what might be achieved. It will of course be down to Airfix. Certainly, they did a good job with their Lancaster in 1981 & have done equally fine jobs with their new BF-110, P40 & forthcoming Swordfish. More of the same please!! ps - a 1/72 VC-10 would be nice as well!! Allan Now, how about a Vulcan B1, Victor B1 & B2?.........................

:lol: A feeling I know only TOO well!!

I'm quite familiar with the Heralds. They were a regular sight at Edinburgh and, I think there was at least one (Channel Express) based here for a long time. Sadly missed - along with the Viscounts (and Vanguards!) It's a shame that this is the only I M kit of this fine aeroplane. The number of operators of the type certainly belies the small number built (50 I think?). I have tried numerous times to obtain this kit on evilbay but, I just refuse to pay the prices often beiNg asked/demanded!! I recall seeing one at a stall at Fairford some time ago. The vendor wanted £40 for it. I thought this was excessive but, I didn't tell him that!! We were chatting about modelling generally & he seemed totally shocked by my statement that I would actually BUILD this model as opposed to simply just letting it take up space & gather dust!! I'll never understand what motivates people to collect instead of build kits but, I suspect this one of those "If you have to ask the question, you'll never understand the answer" scenarios. In answer to his question "Why?", I simply said "That's what they are for!" Allan

You & me both!! Even if it were true, I couldn't afford it. If it were made by any of the Far Eastern manufacturers, the kit would probably cost as much as the real thing!

Thanks folks - will give it another bash later!!

:shithappens: Sorry!! It's not working!! I give up!! Photobucket is about to be consigned to the bucket!! USELESS !! Can somebody please let me know of a SIMPLE and FOOLPROOF method of actually attaching pictures here?? Other people seem to be able to post pictures!!

On the off chance that photobucket might actually work, I will attemp to attach a few pics which, I hope may be of interest! [url=http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g362/albeback52/309.jpg]http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g362/albeback52/309.jpg[/urlhttp://i1098.phothttp://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g362/albeback52/067.jpgobucket.com/albums/g362/albeback52/120.jpghttp://i1098.photobucket.com/albuhttp://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g362/albeback52/028.jpgms/g362/albeback52/121.jpg

There's a first time for everything. Who knows, if some people ( not referring specifically to the above post) on this site took off the blinkers and looked out at the real world, they might find there IS life after Hasejimicademiyatrumpeter!.

Maybe we can compare efforts once they're done!!