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This should be my third, and final, entry for the group build. Being a glutton for punishment I have decided to attempt a vacform kit and will attempt to build the Fairey Gannet AEW Mk.3 by Welsh Models. Mike

Good afternoon, there have been some Gannets in the RFI-section, so I have to show mine, I suppose... it's the well-known Revell Gannet T.5. I had as well some fitting problems due to non-existant clearance. Next problem were the clear parts, which were unusable. So I converted to the falcon vacuformed ones. But, they were meant for the Frog-Kit, the angle of the windscreen did not match the revell kit. I had to use the revell windscreen, which was the best clear part (uff...). Colour are from xtracolour, with a endless drying time, decals were the highlight. Went on easily. Just added some oil colour washing in the end. This was the worst kit so far, I contemplated several times if I should finish it or just write it off unfinished. Result is still ok. Best point - the prop is turning if blown! Thanks for watching! Alex

Fairey Gannet T.5 1:72 Revell The Fairey Gannet was designed to meet specification GR 17/54, which set out a requirement for a carrier-borne anti-submarine warfare aircraft for the post-war Fleet Air Arm. The Gannet was an innovative, if ungainly aircraft which managed to see off the competition in the shape of the Blackburn B-88 (a similar, if slightly more attractive, design) to enter service in 1953. During testing, the prototype became the first turboprop powered aircraft to land on a carrier deck. The Gannet was, in fact, powered by two Armstrong Siddeley Mamba engines coupled through a common gearbox to a contra-rotating propeller. The result was an aircraft with twin-engined reliability but which was able to shut down one engine for extended cruising a very useful feature in its chosen role. The Gannet was a reasonably successful design, with almost 350 examples completed by the end of the production run. Whilst the anti-submarine role was taken over by the Westland Whirlwind helicopter in the 1960s, Gannets soldiered on in the electronic warfare and carrier onboard delivery roles. The Gannet, in the form of the radically modified AEW.3, was also used in the Airborne Early Warning role. The AEW Gannets were the last to be retired, in 1978. The T.5 was a dual control trainer version of the AS.4, 11 of which were completed. As you might have guessed, this kit is based on Revells Gannet AS. Mk.1/4, which was first released in 2008. That kit was very well received and was considered an improvement on the Trumpeter effort, and a quantum leap over the medieval FROG offering. In fact the only difference between this kit and its predecessor is a small extra sprue containing a half dozen extra parts specific to the T.5 variant. Inside the box are four sprues of pale plastic and a single sprue of clear parts, half of which were loose in the bag by the time I received my example. The kit has a reasonably high part count of 105, which is a reflection of the level of detail that Revell have shoehorned into the box. A brief examination of the kit reveals that it includes a weapons bay and seperate control surfaces and flaps, although not a folding wing. Surface detail is comprised of clear engraved panel. There is plenty of detail in other areas too, including the cockpit and bomb bay. Construction starts with the aforementioned bomb bay. The internal structures are very nicely detailed, but sadly there are no weapons included. The roof of the bomb bay joins to the floor of the cockpit via two wing spars which help align the wings and give the model strength. Cockpit detail includes separate rudder pedals and control columns, seats, side consoles and instrument panels. These parts feature fine, raised details which should look excellent once painted, although decals are provided if you prefer them. Once the cockpit has been painted and installed, the fuselage halves can be closed up. As this is the T.5 variant, a blanking plate is provided on the small additional sprue in place of the retractable radome. The weapons bay is unchanged from the AS version, although youll have to cut the doors in order to display them in the open position. The flying surfaces are where this kit shines, as the ailerons and flaps are separate parts which can be posed in a range of positions. The rudder and elevators are also poseable, adding a depth of realism that simpler models lack. Sadly the complex wing fold of the Gannet seems to have been a bridge too far for Revell, but a resin version is available from Alley Cat. The exhausts for the Double Mamba are moulded as whole pieces, meaning that there are no awkward seams to clean up. Best of all, they can be installed after the fuselage halves have been fixed together, which is helpful for the painting stage. The complex, multi-part undercarriage is very nicely detailed and the nose and main landing gear bays feature adequate structural detail. They should look excellent once painted. Strangely enough though, the doors for the nose landing gear bay is moulded as a single part which will have to be cut into three prior to assembly. The clear parts look good and the canopy framework is crisp and clear, which should make masking nice and easy. They are somewhat delicate though, and some of mine were broken off of the sprue when I received my copy. Alternative parts are provided for you to use depending on whether you want to display the canopies open or closed, which is a nice touch from Revell. The periscope which sets this version apart from the AS variants is one of the parts provided on the extra sprue. Two schemes are provided for on the decal sheet, both depicting quite similar schemes. The first is XT752, the restored Fairey Gannet belonging to Shannan Hendricks and based at New Richmond Airport, Wisconsin, USA. The second is XG886 of 849 Naval Air Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, RNAS Culdrose, September 1964. Both aircraft are finished in overall aluminium with dayglo red areas. The decals are the usual Revell type and should go down ok provided you have a nice, glossy surface and use plenty of setting solution. Conclusion No kit is perfect, and whilst Revells Gannet is no exception, it is just about the best plastic kit of the type in this scale. It is superbly detailed and should be well within the capability of all modellers despite the relatively high part count. If Airfixs recent Vampire T.11 has stoked your interest in British training aircraft of the Cold War period, then this kit can be highly recommended. Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For further information visit

well as far as my modelling year goes anyway. Here in no particular order are the fruits of my 2012. Not as many as I would usually do, as spent a considerable part of the year constructing the man cave, getting married, honeymooning etc etc Anyway onto the models. Trumpeter 1/48 Sea Fury ...and another!!!!! still with the FAA, the Classic Airframes Gannet converted to a T2, just a nightmare build from start to finish Hasegawa 1/48 Hornet and finally, Hasegawa 1/48 Hurricane IIC not quite making it by the end of the year were the airfix 737, (actually may make it as it being painted at the moment) and another Has. Hornet and hurricane. To all and your families, A very Merry Xmas. A big thanks to those that helped me out with various things throughout 2012, heres to a productive 2013 for all Roll on, that Airfix 48 Javelin (and a gannet would be nice too!! Bruce

My first vacform kit, and it won't be my last- they're lots of fun to build! As far as fit went it was perfect- much better than the previous kit I made, an Airfix Buccaneer. It just took some black lines and a bit of care to get right. I did struggle a bit with the amount of parts that need to be scratch made though, but definately a good way to learn how to do it. WIP thread is here: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.p...topic=234912805 I still have a Vixen to add to the Hermes line up...

Pics thanks to Dannielle Long (venomvixen) & her Dad Steve Long. XA334 was manufactured by Fairey Aviation Co. Ltd., England, in June 1955 and delivered to the RAN. In March 1956 she was dispatched from England on HMAS Melbourne for service with the RAN Fleet Air Arm, being allotted to 817 Squadron in May 1956. While serving with 817 Squadron on HMAS Melbourne, she sustained damage when crashed on the flight deck in October 1957. After repairs she continued service with 817. In August 1960, XA334 was transferred to 816 Squadron, which has the distinction of being the Squadron with the longest, continuous service in the Fleet Air Arm. After overhaul at De Havilland, Bankstown in November 1964, she was returned to 816 Squadron in May 1966 and served until June 1967 when she was heavily damaged in a barrier landing on HMAS Melbourne. After a catapult launch on a routine exercise, the aircraft lost all of its power in one of its engines. The pilot declared an emergency and as the aircraft was carrying live rockets, the OK was given to fire them. Being still in the take-off configuration, the rocket blast blew off the outboard sections of both flaps. The arrestor hook caught the wire but failed under the load and the aircraft was finally arrested by the barrier net. Due to the considerable damage caused, the Gannet was retired from RAN active service in August 1967 and stored at Hawker De Havilland, Bankstown awaiting disposal. The Museum acquired the aircraft in October 1969. XA334 is currently on display at Harrington park NSW.