Popular Post general melchett Posted October 4, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted October 4, 2018 (edited) Hi all, here's another project I recently finished for Airfix Model World magazine and it's back to aircraft for a while, so I was asked to build an early test shot of Airfix's great new Victor K.2 tanker, another superb offering from the company. As you all know by now this one comes in two flavours, K.2 tanker and SR.2 reconnaissance aircraft. The editor specifically wanted this particular aircraft modelled to coincide with an article written for us by Mike Beer who was an AEO on 55 squadron posted to Ascension during the Falklands shindig, supporting several missions including Black Buck1. Interestingly Mike flew on Blue Steel BMk.2s, SR.2's and K.2s throughout his lengthy career so his knowledge and experience on the aircraft is most impressive. Any of you who've built the bomber version won't have any issues with this one, the only real differences here being the addition of the shorter wing tips, the centreline HDU and wing mounted Mk.20 pods. Just a couple of points about the info in the instruction sheet though, firstly the instrument panel should be painted medium grey, not coal Black as described and secondly XH669 had the tail mounted RWR fairings, front and back fitted during the Falklands campaign, (it also had all glass bomb aimers windows too though lost one which was duly replaced before the deployment as some aircraft were used for basic photo-reconnaissance duties). I also noticed that a few of the underside stencils, around the engine bays seemed to have the wrong orientation so take care when applying them. I used references from my collection to be doubly sure. With the SR.2 you get a well-detailed camera crate and two long-range fuel tanks to fit in the bomb bay, as well as 'air sniffer' nuclear test sampling nose cones to fit to the wing fuel tanks if required. All in all a very comprehensive package... Several aftermarket products were supplied for use with this build including Eduards PE Interior and Exterior, undercarriage and airbrake sets, while New Ware Expert provided the masks and finally the totally brilliant Brassin resin wheels were used to replace the basic kit wheels. The model was painted via an Iwata CM-C Plus V2 Custom Micron and a Mr Airbrush PS-770 in conjunction with MRP lacquer paints and Mr.Hobby acrylics. Weathered using AK Interactive washes, MIG pastels and Abteilung502 Oil paints. I've now accumulated quite a few Airfix Victors for our Bomber Command SIG table and the next up for me will be an early white Interim B2 'Yellow Sun' aircraft, a standard camouflaged Wittering Wing free-fall bomber followed by a 543 squadron recce bird...can't wait, the more the merrier, for anyone interested I'll post them up as soon as they are completed. For those of you who read the magazine, (and thanks for supporting it) I hope you also like the new Airfix Phantom FGR.2 I recently finished for this months issue, I'll post that up next month. Thanks for looking Melchie Edited October 7, 2018 by general melchett 110 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latinbear Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 Fantastic piece of work! AMW arrived yesterday and having had an initial browse I now need to sit down and read it properly, not least the build of the RAF F4. Out of interest and given the size of the completed kit where do you store the Victors you've made previously? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loloskymaster Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 Nice build and beautiful pictures ! Lolo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzby061 Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 Lovely job. I suppose I’ll have to get my hand in my pocket & fork out for the mag now. Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 Andy, (If I might call you that instead of using your rank.) Speechless! What a beautiful build! Now I'm afraid I'm going to have to shell out the BIG bucks to get one- not so much for the kit, but the shipping! You are not only a prolific modeler, but a highly skilled one, as well. The K2 has always been my favorite of the V bombers, and is one nasty-looking beast that you have done justice. Thanks for giving us mere mortals something to shoot for. As they say in the Ford truck TV ads over here, "It hasn't raised the bar- it IS the bar!" I almost soiled my lederhosen when I saw the RFI photos! Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted October 4, 2018 Author Share Posted October 4, 2018 Thanks Latinbear, appreciate that. At the moment all finished models are stored in large plastic storage boxes including extra large flat ones you can get from Ikea that are a perfect fit for a V-Bomber, it's the only way to ensure that they don't get covered in dust! I'm very lucky in that I have a lot of room to store and display models at home and I'm in the process of finishing 4 good sized built-in display areas in the attic room (mancave). These will be airtight as a precaution against the dreaded dust and sealed using rubber lined glass doors. It's an expensive process but I'm slowly getting there. Thanks Lolo, appreciate the comments. Quote I suppose I’ll have to get my hand in my pocket & fork out for the mag now. Well, it goes to a good cause Pete...the more people buy it, the more pages and articles can be added and the more interesting stuff can be included. It's already the best selling model magazine by quite some margin, (ABC figures, not mine) and hopefully the more it sells, the more can be included......and of course it keeps me in work! Quote I almost soiled my lederhosen when I saw the RFI photos! Now we don't want that Mike, hell of a dry cleaning bill! Thanks, that's really kind of you, honestly if you only get one Airfix kit, this should be it, it's superb...the shipping is definitely a pain but if it's a one-off it'll be worth it. Well, I try my best to provide a bit of inspiration for everyone, that's why I'm always happy to chat about anything at the shows I attend, anyone is capable of great results given the right encouragement and information. Thanks again folks... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Axe Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 Fantastic job! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan-o Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 Oh my! Absolutely brilliant. 👌 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince1159 Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 Lovely job on the best looking of the V Bombers.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redstaff Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 Wow, what can I say that hasn't already been said, superb 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted October 4, 2018 Author Share Posted October 4, 2018 Thanks guys, always appreciated. Unfortunately not easily seen, (well, unless you tip it on its side and peer intently through the open crew door with a pen torch) but nevertheless lurking in there is a detailed cockpit and rear cabin. These were detailed using Eduard's Interior set mentioned earlier. The kit seats have been totally reworked as they were a little undernourished. Seat padding and extra harnesses having been added along with ejection seat firing handles. As built the kit seats are inclined too far back and so the locating tabs beneath them were removed and the seats fitted at the correct angle. The sixth seat provided in the kit was not used in the K2, it being a throwback from the bomber days when the bomb aimer waited his turn or the crew chief parked himself there during Lone Ranger deployments. Also, during the Falklands conflict, the carousel INS system was located in the area. 11 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unfinished project Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 That’s absolutely stunning what a beauty 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinnie Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 Wow, Melchie, you have indeed excelled yourself yet again. My cap is doffed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev67 Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 Great looking model Andy as always, one of my favourite V bombers/tanker, I even bought the Rareplane HP Victor, when I was a novice and unfortunately only made one wing before it was scrapped lol. Are you bringing it to Telford 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
replicant Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 3 hours ago, 72modeler said: Andy, (If I might call you that instead of using your rank.) Speechless! What a beautiful build! Now I'm afraid I'm going to have to shell out the BIG bucks to get one- not so much for the kit, but the shipping! You are not only a prolific modeler, but a highly skilled one, as well. The K2 has always been my favorite of the V bombers, and is one nasty-looking beast that you have done justice. Thanks for giving us mere mortals something to shoot for. As they say in the Ford truck TV ads over here, "It hasn't raised the bar- it IS the bar!" I almost soiled my lederhosen when I saw the RFI photos! Mike And-y i completely agree with this Lederhosen-guy! BTW: Ozapft is! This is the Oktoberfest (Now in MUC) tank releasing signal for the following pressure refueling of all vict-ims there, it would take a lot of vict-ors there.... Prost! Tom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted October 4, 2018 Author Share Posted October 4, 2018 Well thanks chaps, this is exactly why I like this forum, such a bunch of decent folks... Quote one of my favourite V bombers/tanker, I even bought the Rareplane HP Victor, when I was a novice and unfortunately only made one wing before it was scrapped lol. Are you bringing it to Telford Hi Kev, hope you're well mate. Kudos to you, you're one of the few I've heard of that actually got beyond opening and quietly closing the lid on the old Rareplanes jobbie. One wing sounds like quite an achievement from what I understand, bit of a pig by all accounts. Have you got anything planned for this year? Regarding Telford I'm not sure if it'll be there yet. Simon Owen and the lads at Airfix have asked me to bring a few along for their stand so there's a possibility, (unfortunately, it doesn't fit into the Bomber Command timeline or theme this year...though I am going to try and cross-pollinate one with the Flightpath BMk.1 resin set to create a K1/K1A). Quote Ozapft is! This is the Oktoberfest (Now in MUC) tank releasing signal for the following pressure refueling of all vict-ims there, it would take a lot of vict-ors there.... 4 Tom, thanks...I'm going to chuck that lot through my Enigma code-breaking machine I have here in Melchett Towers and see what breaks loose... ....hang on, is it something to do with copious amounts of alcohol, loud music and having a really great time?...if so, I'm in! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 Magnificent beast Melchie,superb work again. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Riot Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 That is the standard of modelling I think most of us aspire to. Stunning, absolutely breathtaking. And because it's a Victor that makes things even better, such a beautiful and sinister aeroplane. It makes me want to start my B.2! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwitrogg Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 Oh bother ! I've already got Matchbox/Revell 57 Sqn K.2 on display that I can see from where I'm sitting. Until now I've been more than happy with it.......it looks like a Victor doesn't it ! Do I really need another ?? Well your first picture.......those intakes......100% Victor.......unlike the Matchbox abomination. Based on that picture alone it looks like my current one might meet an untimely end, and I'll be in the market for a decent one. Quality build as usual, with the bar set exceptionally high for the rest of us. Cheers Gaz 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempestwulf Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 She looks very perky & dressed to impress. Great to see V bombers given love by Airfix. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckwizard Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 This is bigger than 1/72, right? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMCS Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 Brilliant work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 3 hours ago, general melchett said: The sixth seat provided in the kit was not used in the K2, it being a throwback from the bomber days when the bomb aimer waited his turn or the crew chief parked himself there during Lone Ranger deployments. Also, during the Falklands conflict, the carousel INS system was located in the area. During my time working in MOD, I received an invitation to go up to RAF Marham and join a No 55 Sqn Victor on a tanking exercise up over the North Sea refueling Lightnings and Phantoms, during the flight I sat in the number six seat and was able to slide it up behind the Pilots seat to look out of the side windows to watch the fighters move alongside before they did a wing-over prior to plugging in. I must say that your Victor is once again up to your usual excellent level of work. Well done. Robin. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edge Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 Lovely result General. I almost bought one of these today but plumped for the cheaper Airfix Wellington instead. Based on your build, and my wish to build one of the kipper fleet, I'll have to head back to Mr Models pronto! Edge 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bedders Posted October 5, 2018 Share Posted October 5, 2018 Gorgeous. Looks like a great kit and you've made a fantastic job of it. Isn't that crescent-shaped wing beautiful. Justin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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