Matchbox 1/72 Fairey Seafox

[Truro Model Builder]

Well, after being encouraged by Enzo and Mozzy19, I have decided to throw caution to the wind and build Matchbox's 1/72 Fairey Seafox. I have something of a fondness for Matchbox kits, more so than Airfix to be honest (probably because they are more difficult to get hold of nowadays).

About the Seafox

The Seafox was built to a 1932 requirement for a light reconnaissance seaplane able to be catapulted from Royal Navy cruisers. Despite the name, it bears no family link with Fairey's earlier Fox light bomber. A biplane, it combined a metal monocoque fuselage with fabric covered wings, and was powered by a 395hp Napier Rapier MkVI. Two prototypes were built, the second with a land undercarriage, and the first flight took place at Hamble on 27 May 1936. A few minor issues were encountered during flight trials, the most notable of which was its comparatively high landing speed.

64 production Seafoxes were built for the Fleet Air Arm, all but one being delivered as seaplanes. The first unit to re-equip was No.718 (Catapult) Flight in August 1937, where it replaced Hawker Ospreys. By the outbreak of war a number of catapult reconnaissance flights were operating the Seafox, and its most well known action was during the battle of the River Plate on 13 December 1939, when it became the first aircraft to spot for ships' guns in a naval battle. One of two Seafoxes attached to HMS Ajax with No.718 Catapult Flight was the only Royal Navy aircraft able to get airborne and spot for the guns of her parent ship, as well as those of HMS Exeter and HMS Achilles, in the action against the Graf Spee. It performed daily reconnaissances for the next few days, confirming on 17 December that Graf Spee had been scuttled. The pilot, Lt. E. Lewin, was awarded the DSC (the first decoration for any Fleet Air Arm personnel in the second world war), while the observer, Lt. R. Kearney, was mentioned in despatches.

Seafoxes continued as catapult spotters until 1943, operating from passenger liners converted to Armed Merchant Cruisers. This role was overtaken by the use of escort carriers and the last flight disbanded in July of that year. Very little information is forthcoming about any further service after that date, though one or two may have persisted in service until the end of the war.

About the kit

Matchbox's Seafox (PK-36) was released in 1982, with fine raised panel lines and no hint of the legendary trench digger of earlier kits. It is moulded in two colours (dark green and silver), with a small clear sprue, and features markings for an all-silver Seafox of No.713 Flight (HMS Arethusa) in 1939, and a camouflaged aircraft attached to HMS Asturias in 1942. The fabric effect is good, if a little overdone, which is typical of many of Matchbox's kits, and interior detail consists of merely the two crew seats (with crew) and the rear mounted machine gun. The decals are not too bad, with a number of stencils included, though the red roundel centres are off centre. It does, naturally, include Matchbox's 'M'-shaped clear stand.

I believe it has been reboxed by Revell at some point, but I am happy to be corrected on that point.

I intend to build the kit as the camouflaged HMS Asturias aircraft, more or less from the box. There is no aftermarket (with the exception probably of straps), but I will be adding some interior detail, which in the lack of any references (and I have looked) I will base loosely on that of the Seafox's more well known stablemate, the Swordfish and of course it will be rigged. And just for the hell of it, as if there isn't work enough already, I will also display it on a small base with some kind of water effect.

Sprue shots will be put up tomorrow.

Edited July 9, 2013 by T7 Models

[SaintsPhil]

I too love the old matchbox kits, brings back memories of buying one from the corner shop by my grandparents house and building it on the kitchen table! Look forward to seeing the pics of that multi colour plastic!

[Seahawk]

Yes, it was reissued by Revell: better transfers - instrument panel, full stencils, etc, etc.

I think there were a few photos of the pilot's cockpit in Scale Models when the kit first came out. I'll see if I can pin down the date more precisely.

[Arniec]

That's a nice one. I will be following this one. I have one in my own stash.

I do love Matchbox I have just finished last week the Stranraer in the Floatplane/Sea plane GB. It was a joy to build.

Cheers,

[mick b]

I will be adding some interior detail, which in the lack of any references (and I have looked)

There is an issue of Scale Models back in the 70's, I think, that had plans and a section that showed the interior, I will dig it out later unless someone beats me to it.

There is also a contemporary cutaway by Aeroplane /Flight that has been reprinted recently in one of the Aeroplane Monthly specials but can't recall if it is in the Classic Flying Boat, WW2 Flying Boat or FAA one.

Mick

[Truro Model Builder]

So, as promised, the obligatory sprue shots:

I wasn't sure about the Revell reissue, and many thanks to those who may have info on the interior.

In the meantime, roll on Saturday.

[mick b]

I found the Scale Models mag' namely the September 75 issue with an article by Harry Woodman, including 72nd plans and interior details and Ian Huntley tackles the camouflage colours.

Mick

[czechnavy]

There are a couple of references to the Sea Fox in Scale Aircraft Modelling as well:

Issue 4/10 (July 1982) has a review (very favourable) of the then newly released kit by Alan Hall

Issue 1/16 (November 1993) has an article by Ian Huntley entitled 'The Fairey Sea Fox and the Graf Spee' - as well as profiles showing the official colour schemes and a discussion about the aircraft involved in the Graf Spee incident it also has a cutaway drawing Fairey issued as part of their publicity material.

If you need a scan of either of these just message me.

Mike

[bigbadbadge]

I remember this one as a child I think it was my first biplane (that I didn't screw up) , although did not add rigging. Good luck with your build.

All the best

Chris

[Richard B.]

I'm looking forward to see this one. 1/72 scale isn't my preference, but I recently built the new Airfix 1/72 Swordfish, a great kit by the way. I was surprised that I actually managed to rig it!

I almost exclusively build 1/48 scale biplanes and the occasional monoplane. Rigging in 1/48 though not easy but can be done with patience. The most difficult is double wires.

The wing ribs/tapes are a little too pronounced so taking them down a bit would be advisable.

Anyway, a great subject, good luck.

Edited August 10, 2013 by Richard B.

[Truro Model Builder]

Thanks, Richard.

I'm hoping to get cracking on the Seafox this coming week. With getting the shop up and running I've not had much opportunity to pick up a model for relaxation lately.

[convair36]

Come along now Martin,too much till ringing and not enough rigging me thinks.

Sean...............

[DAG058]

I'm building one of these at the moment, was there ever any update on this T7?

[Truro Model Builder]

'Fraid not; the build coincided with finally getting the shop lease sorted out, and consequently everything went out of the window to get it up and running. Much of my own modelling has taken a back seat since, but it's sitting on my 'waiting to be finished' shelf with a number of other projects and hopefully it will be done at some point. Maybe when I retire.

Good luck with the build.

[DAG058]

That's a pity! I hope you manage to find the time to get her finished.

I'm enjoying the build do far. It's my first bi-plane and first matchbox kit. I'm about 50% of the way there, it's nearly built and ready for priming. I'm not sure at which stage to do the rigging though, prior to painting or at the end?

It should be finished in the next few weeks so keep an eye out for a ready for inspection! My woeful attempts may inspire you back to yours and show us how it is really done!

[Procopius]

That's a pity! I hope you manage to find the time to get her finished.

I'm enjoying the build do far. It's my first bi-plane and first matchbox kit. I'm about 50% of the way there, it's nearly built and ready for priming. I'm not sure at which stage to do the rigging though, prior to painting or at the end?

It should be finished in the next few weeks so keep an eye out for a ready for inspection! My woeful attempts may inspire you back to yours and show us how it is really done!

I recommend beginning to rig after painting. I usually attach the top wing at this time as well.

[Truro Model Builder]

I would agree. On the handful of occasions I have built biplanes (they still scare me) I build as normal, leaving out the inter wing struts and the upper wing, then paint/decal/varnish etc, and then do the rigging. Depending on which model it is I trap the line between strut and lower wing and then cement it to the tip of the strut it leads to. Fitting the upper wing is the last job.

As I recall the Seafox has two sets of struts per wing, so it may be a bit more complicated, and of course it does depend on what you are using for rigging. I use lycra thread (available from the good folks at White Ensign), coloured with grey felt tip pen, which will help to avoid sagging wires. I do have the new Airfix Gladiator as one of my projects at the moment, and am just coming up to the point where I have to decide how to proceed with the rigging. It has the wire attachment points marked with a slight indentation so I might try something different. Not sure what yet.