Shar2 Posted March 21, 2014 Posted March 21, 2014 Avro Vulcan 1:72 Etch Sets It’s been a long time coming for someone to produce aftermarket sets for the Airfix 1:72 Avro Vulcan. But at long last White Ensign Models have picked up the baton and really run with it in producing three sets of relief etched brass. The sets are well up to the usual standard we’ve come to expect from this company having been designed by the indomitable Peter Hall they will really spice up the old kit. If you went to Telford last year and saw Peters build of the Vulcan using all the sets, then in pre-production you will understand why there is some excitement at having these available. Each set comes in its own envelope, well protected with addition cardboard.The interior set, (PE 7255A), comes on a single medium sized sheet gives the modeller a completely, and I mean completely, new cockpit which only requires five kit parts, which are the instrument panel, which is used as a back plate for the PE version, including an acetate sheet for the instruments, the two control joysticks and the pilots’ and co-pilots’ ejection seats. The rest of the flying cockpit, such as the front and rear bulkheads, ejection seat bases, rudder pedals assemblies, side consoles, centre console, throttle box, floor with additional details and even the additional jump seats are provided. The rear cockpit is also provided, and included the two swivelling outer seats with full mechanisms, the sliding centre seat, rear bulkhead, floor, fully instrumented NAV/ECM/Bomb panel, again with acetate sheets for the instruments and the chart table/shelf onto which the AEO’s Morse key is mounted. All the sub/side panels, navigators’ camera mount and even the anglepoise lamps are included. For access, a new three part crew ladder is also provided. Exterior set, (PE 7255B), is also on a single medium sized sheet and provides replacement, and very well detailed, through relief etching, nose and main wheel bays. The bays don’t just replace the sides of the kit parts, but also the roof of each bay, with additional parts such as various fuse type boxes and linkages. Naturally the kit will need some surgery before fitting these parts, and the same goes for the four extended air brakes, which are beautifully designed and will look superb when fitted. The main undercarriage legs also get extra detail in the form of scissor links, front and rear leg linkage and cooling grilles. Other finer detaile parts are also provided, these include new pitot probes, static ports, undercarriage door liners, various blade aerials, towel rail antenna, windscreen wipers and for some reason new ejector seat firing handles, which are not exactly external unless in use, but welcome all the same. Bomb bay set, (PE 7255C), comes on a much large sheet of etched brass and provides a complete bomb bay, including all the side walls, front and rear bulkheads, and all the structural bomb arch frames. Even with just this assembled and fitted would be a huge improvement over the kit. But Peter goes one step further and provides each of the bomb carrier unit location plates, the forward, mid and rear longitudinal braces. He then goes even further and describes how to cut and modify the kits bomb bay doors and where the PE mechanism attachments fit, along with the bomb door actuator panel, complete with actuators. Peter then goes even further in his quest for extra detail and has designed and etched three bomb carrier units, thus allowing a full bomb load of 21 1000lb bombs, which are also available from WEM, to be fitted. ConclusionAll I can say is WOW. These three sets are stunning and just go to show how madness lies in the detail. If these sets are anything to go by Mr Hall must be bonkers as they are so full of detail as to be mind boggling. The effect on the Airfix Vulcan, especially having seen Peters’ model is truly amazing and will drag it kicking and screaming into the 21st century. Since it would be a shame to lose all the cockpit detail under the canopy I would leave it off, or at least detachable. I can quite easily recommend these sets highly, but they sure aren’t for those of a nervous disposition or who haven’t had much experience with PE. There is also a super set, which includes all of the above at a discount. Review sample kindly provided be John at 2
HOUSTON Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 Dave, Another well written, objectively written article... Good review and worth reading it. Thank you for all your research etc into the review.
Recommended Posts