Airfix 1/72 Vickers Valiant Reissue

[Adam Poultney]

4 minutes ago, TEXANTOMCAT said:

Perhaps someone can correct me but the original boxing was a B1 and in AMW they suggest it’s that and the PR version so perhaps the extra sprue is being added as part of the main kit in this issue?

 

TT

afaik 818 was never a PR Valiant so wouldn't make sense, although I wouldn't complain if they did do a PR box

[TEXANTOMCAT]

“we welcome back the 1/72 Vickers Valiant B(PR)/K.I”. 
 

source: https://shop.keypublishing.com/product/View/productCode/SPECAFCAT21/Airfix 2021 Catalogue

 

thoughts Adam?

 

TT

 

 

[Adam Poultney]

30 minutes ago, TEXANTOMCAT said:

“we welcome back the 1/72 Vickers Valiant B(PR)/K.I”. 
 

source: https://shop.keypublishing.com/product/View/productCode/SPECAFCAT21/Airfix 2021 Catalogue

 

thoughts Adam?

 

TT

 

 

Looking at this image again, it does seem that WZ393 has the PR parts (square bits on the bomb bay). The link also implies that it's got a scheme for a tanker, and since 818 is a Bk.Mk.1 (converted 1961) that makes sense. 

So I think we can conclude that the extra parts will be included. 

Personally I would have chosen to do 818 in camo of it's a tanker, and included another as a white one. I have a lot of spare decals for v bombers of all types so I'll probably do whatever scheme I want, plus aftermarket sets that will appear will help

[Adam Poultney]

According to this site which I find to be fairly reliably correct, 11 B(PR).1 and 14 B.(PR)K.1 Valiants were built. 

https://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/valiant/history.php

Edited January 11, 2021 by Adam Poultney

[TEXANTOMCAT]

Thanks Adam looks like then that the new edition will be ‘extra value’ hooray👍 🙂

 

TT

[PhantomBigStu]

On 1/7/2021 at 12:18 PM, Rabbit Leader said:

I wonder if Airfix will be kind enough to throw in their Refuelling conversion kit within this box.... didn’t 90 Sqn. operate Tankers at some stage?

Now I missed this kit first time around , so ought to take advantage of this new re-release. 

Cheers..Dave 

I think its possible given how airfix reissues have worked recently, phantom FG1 RAF had both sprues from the RN and FGR2 boxings, 1/72 hurricane despite being series one had the extra sprue from the series 2 kit also. 

[AstroCanary]

As someone new back to the hobby and so missed out the first time, I will definitely get at least two (to do one in the all-metal and another in anti-flash white) and possibly three.  This with the new Vulcan tool will add nicely to my little stash of Victors already secured!

[Adam Poultney]

2 hours ago, Spartacus said:

As someone new back to the hobby and so missed out the first time, I will definitely get at least two (to do one in the all-metal and another in anti-flash white) and possibly three.  This with the new Vulcan tool will add nicely to my little stash of Victors already secured!

Good decision, two Valiants are always better than one. 

Also, only two Valiants were ever bare metal: WB210 and WB215. The rest of the silver ones were painted in high speed silver, a dull shade of silver. WB215 later was repainted in this colour, but WB210 crashed before it was ever applied. The surviving cockpit of XD816 is painted in silver, the only V Bomber in the scheme today, although the cockpit of XA893 should be. 

[Homebee]

Source: https://uk.airfix.com/community/blog-and-news/workbench/valiant-leads-britains-deterrent-force

Expected September 2021 https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/AX11001A

 

Quote

Britain Valiantly into the nuclear age

 

 

Feast your eyes on this … the latest box artwork reveal features this beautiful work which will adorn the box of the second release from our 1/72nd scale Vickers Valiant tooling

 

When researching details of the development of the majority of aircraft types, it has to be said that you can usually be certain of coming across something which makes that aircraft particularly interesting, noteworthy or even historic in its own right, which is possibly why the subject of aviation continues to hold such an enduring fascination for many. Fascinating facts are definitely in abundant supply when looking at the immediate post war period for Britain’s successful aviation industry, especially when the Vickers Valiant is your subject aircraft, the first of Britain’s trilogy of V-bombers and the one which is always overshadowed by the more famous Vulcan and Victor. Beating both of these aircraft into service, the Valiant was a triumph in modern design and manufacturing capabilities, acting as something of an aviation insurance policy for a Britain desperate for a seat at the nuclear table and to hold an autonomous deterrent threat of their own.

 

After an understandable period of military stagnation after the end of the Second World War, a thawing in East West relationships once again had the world worried about conflict and with both sides possessing nuclear technology, the very real possibility of an impending global catastrophe. With nations in Eastern Europe becoming increasingly wary of the West’s intentions, Europe and its respective allies settled on either side of an iron curtain, with the view over the top being one of fear and mistrust. This period also brough about a significant increase in military capability, a show of strength designed to prevent either side from attacking the other, whist at the same time increasing the risk of conflict through confusion and ever rising international tension. The battle lines were further drawn as the western allies formed the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, a joining together of nations for mutual protection, where if any member nation were attacked, the others would immediately react in their defence. Providing reassurance for those in NATO, the agreement only served to strengthen Soviet suspicions that the west were up to something and they would be in the firing line.

 

It was in such volatile times as these that specifications for a new high speed, high altitude British jet bomber were issued in 1947, an aircraft capable of carrying a 10,000lb bomb at speeds approaching the speed of sound and at an altitude of 50,000ft. It should also have the range to strike at the heart of the perceived enemy to the east and would be developed at the same time at Britain’s indigenous nuclear programme, serving as both deterrent and instrument of unimaginable destructive power. These were extremely demanding requirements considering the current four engined bombers of the day were still powered by piston engines and possessed nowhere near these performance levels, however, in order to deliver a nuclear free-fall weapon over enemy territory, whilst being able to avoid interception by either enemy fighters of surface to air missiles, a new breed of aircraft would be required.

 

Three of Britain’s most successful wartime bomber manufacturers would submit proposals, Avro, Handley Page, and Vickers, however, on paper, the Vickers aircraft failed to meet all of the demanding performance criteria set, so when the Ministry of Supply authorised development of the other two designs, it appeared as if the Vickers bomber had fallen at the first hurdle. With the two aircraft which would eventually become the Vulcan and Victor being rather ambitious and technically advanced designs, the team at Vickers implored the Ministry to reconsider - their design was much simpler, using existing manufacturing techniques and technologies. They were confident that their bomber could provide the RAF with what they needed in a timely and cost effective manner and should its rivals suffer protracted development and delayed service entry, their bomber could be in service, providing the deterrent threat the military were looking for.

 

 

The built model images used to illustrate this section of the blog were finished using scheme and decal options included with the initial release from this magnificent tooling and will NOT be included as an option with this latest release. The two options to feature with this second release will be detailed later in this section

 

 

 

The delegation from Vickers presented a good case and development of their new bomber was duly authorised, something which would actually place huge pressure on the company for the next few years. Playing on the fact that their design was more conventional than their competitors and therefore easier to produce, there was an expectation that a prototype aircraft would be available in no time and that delays and development issues would not plague the new Vickers jet bomber. In actual fact, as the world watched their every move, the first few Valiants were basically hand built examples, as the pace of its development had absolutely no leeway whatsoever and represented a monumental effort and significant achievement for everyone at Vickers. Making its maiden flight on 18th May 1951, it is interesting to note that the lead test pilot for this flight was Joseph ‘Mutt’ Summers, the man who had taken the first Spitfire into the air some fifteen years earlier - could two aircraft produced by the same manufacturer have looked more different?

 

When the prototype Valiant performed at the Farnborough Airshow only weeks later, this huge gleaming jet bomber was the undoubted star or the show and the pride of Britain’s aviation industry. With its high shoulder mounted wings and 4 Avon engines buried deep inside each wing root, the Valiant must have made for a wonderful sight, filling the sizeable crowd with an immense sense of pride and the reassurance of knowing that the RAF would soon have its first V-bomber and an aircraft to strike fear into the hearts of the Eastern Bloc. Showing a spritely turn of pace at lower altitudes, it was the high altitude performance of the aircraft which made the world sit up and take notice, as this aircraft would be the first one capable of carrying Britain’s nuclear free-fall bombs all the way to perceived targets in the east and provide the RAF with a potent means with which to keep an uneasy peace. Understandably, the Valiant was given a priority production status by the Ministry of Supply and the nation awaited the service entry of Britain’s first V-Bomber.

 

When the first Vickers Valiant B.1 bombers arrived with No.138 Squadron at Gaydon on New Years Day 1955, they had just become the operators of the most powerful, the most costly and the most complex aircraft in Royal Air Force history. Significantly, a single Valiant possessed more potential destructive power than that delivered by Bomber Command during the entire Second World War.

 

Again, these images show an Airfix Valiant kit built using one of the original kits released from this tooling, using one of the four decal options included with this kit 

 

Although arguably not commanding the same public affection as the other two aircraft in Britain’s famous V-bomber aviation trilogy, the Vickers Valiant is still an impressive looking aircraft and one which holds a unique place in the history of British aviation. The first of the three V-bombers to enter RAF service, the Valiant was also the only one of the three aircraft to actually release nuclear bombs, although thankfully this was just in a testing and evaluative capacity. 

 

From the perspective of Airfix modellers, the Vickers Valiant impressively joined our kit range as a new tooling project back in 2011 and was a kit many people feared they would never see in this scale. As can be seen from the built model images used to illustrate this feature, the Valiant builds into a stunning model and one which can now boast plays a similar role to the one it did when in RAF service. As both the Victor and now the Vulcan have been newly tooled in 1/72nd scale since 2011, the Valiant led the way in Airfix service for this scale V-bomber trio, especially in a modern new tooling sense. As this kit was last released ten years ago and knowing that our new Avro Vulcan was also scheduled for release this year, modellers will have been delighted to see the inclusion on the Valiant when inspecting the 2021 range at the beginning of the year and for some, this would have been their first opportunity to get their hands on this post war bomber classic. The original release came with instructions and decals to finish your kit in one of four schemes (with XD857 being one of them), so to mark this kit’s impending release and the first look at the impressive new artwork showcased above, let’s now also look at the two new scheme options which will be included with only this second release from our Vickers Valiant tooling.

 

Scheme A - Vickers Valiant B(PR)K.1 WZ393, RAF No.90 Squadron, Honington, Suffolk, England, 1957.

 

 

Having spent much of the war engaged in the night bombing campaign against Germany, flying such aircraft types as the Fortress I, Stirling and Lancaster, RAF No.90 Squadron continued to operate 4 engined bombers in the immediate post war years, first continuing their association with the Lancaster and then with its replacement, the Lincoln. In late 1953, the squadron would enter the jet age, when it took delivery of Canberra jet bombers, an aircraft it would operate for the next two and a half years. Reforming at RAF Honington on New Years Day 1957, the unit was later designated as one of the RAF’s V-bomber squadrons, operating the Vickers Valiant (the first of Britain’s four engined jet bombers to enter service) from March of that year. The first Valiants to enter RAF service wore a smart natural metal finish and must have looked absolutely magnificent as the pride of the Royal Air Force. Designed to deliver Britain’s nuclear munitions, the Valiant was not only at the forefront of the country’s defensive planning, but was also serving during the actual development of the nation’s autonomous nuclear capability, albeit at that stage, just free-fall delivery munitions.

 

There is not all that much information available regarding the service career of Vickers Valiant WZ393, other than the fact that she was one of the first aircraft delivered to RAF Honington following the reformation of No.90 Squadron at Honington in 1957, resplendent in her natural metal finish. As the pride of the Royal Air Force at that time, the aircraft attended several Airshows over the coming years, much to the delight of the huge crowds who flocked to see the RAF’s latest jets and she was certainly either photographed or logged at both Blackpool in 1957 and Horsham St. Faith the following year, doing her bit for Royal Air Force public relations.

 

Full details of the lead scheme for this second release from our Vickers Valiant tooling and the one which inspired the box artwork featured at the beginning of this feature 

 

Before joining No.90 Squadron, Valiant WZ393 was one of Britain’s most powerful aircraft to take part in actions to bring about an end to the Suez Crisis in 1956, where British aircraft took part in the bombing of Egyptian airfields during this short and rather politically damaging conflict. RAF Valiants were flown to Luqa in Malta, from where they would strike against their Egyptian targets, a mighty show of strength in a combined attempt to keep the Suez Canal open. WZ393 was one of five aircraft from No.214 Squadron to take part in this operation, out of a total assigned force of some 24 RAF Valiants.

 

After serving in a bombing role for 4 years, WZ393 and the rest of No.90 Squadron began their conversion to a dedicated in-flight refuelling unit, a task for which the Valiant was deemed eminently suitable. Unfortunately, advances in Soviet SAM technology would soon see the entire V-bomber force have to change their mission profile from high to low altitude operations, something for which none of the three aircraft were actually designed for. The remaining Valiant bombers were given an impressive camouflage scheme and joined the rest of the V force in training for low altitude strike penetration missions, until routine inspections revealed signs of metal fatigue in many airframes, resulting in the grounding of the entire Valiant fleet. Although these were still extremely useful aircraft, particularly in the flight refuelling role, officials decided not to proceed with a planned repair programme and the Valiant was permanently grounded at the beginning of 1965.

 

The Valiant would ultimately be judged as the shortest serving of Britain’s trio of V-bombers, with a production run of 104 aircraft, plus four sub versions, they would eventually equip 11 RAF squadrons in bombing, reconnaissance and in-flight refuelling roles. Vickers Valiant WZ393 made her maiden flight on 9th March 1956, but would be unceremoniously scrapped at RAF Marham only nine years later, a sad end for one of Britain’s first V-bombers.     

 

Scheme B - Vickers Valiant BK.Mk1 XD818, RAF No.49 Squadron, Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Pacific Ocean, ‘Operation Grapple’, 1957.

 

 

With the atomic bombs dropped at the end of the Second World War taking the world into a new era of unimaginable destructive potential, the post war years found Britain somewhat side-lined by America in attempted to secure a nuclear deterrent of their own, despite being heavily involved in the development of the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Desperate to secure this technology for themselves, Britain embarked on a programme of testing and detonations, with the aim of providing the RAF’s V-bomber force with a weapon which was powerful enough, whilst at the same time being stable and reliable. It is not known whether the actual intention was to force America to share data and to collaborate on future projects, or to actually go it alone, but whatever the plan, Britain would eventually get what she wanted, a viable nuclear deterrent.

 

Initial research and test detonations took place at Maralinga, a remote part of South Australia, but as the next phase of the programme required more powerful weapons to be tested, a new, even more remote location would be required. It was decided that Christmas Island (Kiritimati) in the Pacific Ocean would be the research base for this concerted period of testing, with the Island of Malden, some 250+ miles to the south, selected as the initial detonation zone. Known as ‘Operation Grapple’, the programme was effectively to provide scientists with the data to produce an effective Thermonuclear bomb - an H-bomb - which could be carried and delivered by Britain’s V-bomber force, providing the country with the destructive reassurance only nuclear power could now provide, in a world where two powers already held such fearsome weapons.

 

Central to these testing plans were eight Vickers Valiant bombers from No.49 Squadron, which had been modified by Vickers specifically for use during these vital tests. The many modifications over standard RAF Valiants ran into the hundreds and included the addition of scientific equipment, navigational and bombing improvements and additional equipment for crew protection. Perhaps the most visible of these changes was the adoption of a distinctive all-over white ‘anti-flash’ paint finish, designed to protect the aircraft and its crew from a nearby Thermonuclear blast. Valiant XD818 would be the first of the eight specially modified aircraft to arrive at RAF Wittering prior to Grapple deployment.

 

The aircraft left Wittering for Christmas Island on 3rd March 1957 and a place in history not just for Britain’s V-bomber force, but also for the future of the nation’s defence through strength strategy. Taking a route which saw landings at Aldergrove, Goose Bay, Namau, Travis AFB and Honolulu, XD818 arrived on Christmas Island on 12th March, where the crew saw the size of the operation behind this programme. With the island basically turned into a massive research station, the airfield would also be shared by RAF Shackletons and Canberras, all with specific tasks to perform over the coming months.

 

Full scheme details for the second option to be included in this latest Valiant release, markings applied to one of the most noteworthy aircraft in the history of British aviation

 

On the morning of 15th May 1957, Vickers Valiant XD818 was tasked with dropping Britain’s first live H-Bomb, off the coast of Malden Island in the Pacific Ocean. The device was code named ‘Green Granite’ and was contained within a Blue Danube ballistic casing, giving the device a combined weight of 10,000lb. XD818 would be joined by a second Valiant (XD824) acting as an observation, or ‘Grandstand’ aircraft for the detonation, again with the intention of yielding valuable data. Crews boarded their aircraft at 07.50 on Christmas Island, and embarked on a lengthy series of pre-flight checks. At exactly 09.00, Valiant XD818 and her shadow aircraft left the runway at Christmas and set course for Malden Island, with ships laden with scientists and servicemen waiting in the vicinity, aboard ships on the edge of the blast area, detailed to record the spectacle.

 

Having first made a navigational run to check the accuracy of their equipment and then a dummy run over the target, Valiant XD818 released her bomb off the coast of Malden Island at 10.38 at a speed of Mach 0.76 and from an altitude of exactly 45,000ft. This was extremely significant, as this was to be an air burst detonation and as a clockwork timer was being employed, to ensure the correct detonation altitude, the bomb had to be released from exactly 45,000ft. Once the bomb had been released, both of the Valiants had 40 seconds to make good their escape, executing a maximum rate 60 degree turn and putting as much distance between their aircraft’s tails and the blast as they could. The test was successful and both aircraft returned safely to Christmas Island just over an hour later.

 

Other Valiants would drop weapons during the remainder of the Grapple series of tests, however, Valiant XD818 would embark on her return journey to RAF Wittering on 21st June, even though this would not be the end of her Operation Grapple involvement. It is fascinating to note that this aircraft would actually make the journey from RAF Wittering to Christmas Island a further three times in support of the overall ‘Operation Grapple’ project, which would continue until late September 1958, only ending due to Britain’s inclusion in a testing moratorium pact agreed with the US and the Soviet Union. On the cancellation of the programme, XD818 would resume a busy career as an RAF V-bomber and not resting on her laurels as one of the nation’s most significant aircraft.

 

 

An exclusive first look at the packaging which will herald the arrival of this much anticipated second release from our Vickers Valiant tooling

This would not be the end of this particular Valiant’s achievements, as on 9th December 1964, she conducted the final sortie of a Valiant bomber in RAF service, lest than 48 hours before the official decision to ground all Valiants was made. The following year, with Valiants being scrapped at airfields up and down the country, XD818 was struck off charge at RAF Marham, but due to her unique history, was earmarked for ‘Exhibition Purposes’. As the only complete Vickers Valiant in the world, this incredible piece of Britain’s aviation heritage can be found on display in RAF Museum Cosford’s impressive National Cold War Exhibition building, where she is displayed next to preserved examples of the RAF’s other V-bombers, the Vulcan and Victor.

 

Our Vickers Valiant kit (https://uk.airfix.com/products/vickers-valiant-a11001a)  is already certain of being an incredibly popular addition to the 2021 Airfix range and taking its place at the head of our own 1/72 scale tribute to Britain’s mighty trio of Cold War V-bombers. With the models early September scheduled release now just around the corner, if you haven’t placed your order for one (or perhaps two) of these much sought after kits, now may be a good time to act. Although the Valiant was the first of Britain’s V-bombers to enter service, she is perhaps the least well know as far as the general public are concerned, but having said that, she was the only one of the three to actually deliver a nuclear munition, albeit in a test capacity. Hopefully, following the reissue of this kit, the historic role the Valiant played in keeping post war Britain safe during extremely dangerous times will lead more people to have a better appreciation of this fabulous and extremely good-looking aircraft.

 

V.P.

Edited September 6, 2021 by Homebee

[Adam Poultney]

First impression of that box art isn't great, it looks far too artificial, almost like it's been taken out of a flight sim game. The original box art is a lot better. Oh well, the plastic is still a decent 1/72 Valiant.

[Des]

The listing on the Airfix website for the A11001A re-release shows that the kit contains 142 parts.

 

Just pulled the box for the original A11001 release down from the shelf and that also contains 142 parts.

 

So barring a typo looks like it will not contain the additional 10 parts that were released as A65000 for the Vickers Valiant B(PR)K Mk.1/B(K)Mk.1 despite the box art although the PR windows were always included in the original kit but without spaces cut into the bombay doors for them.

[Adam Poultney]

Just now, Des said:

The listing on the Airfix via the link above for the A11001A re-release shows that the kit contains 142 parts , just pulled the box for the original A11001 release down from the shelf and that also contains 142 parts so barring a typo looks like it will not contain the additional 10 parts that were released as A65000 for the Vickers Valiant B(PR)K Mk.1/B(K)Mk.1 despite the box art although the PR windows were always included in the original kit but without spaces cut into the bombay doors for them.

I doubt Airfix would make such an oversight as to not include the PR bomb bay.

[PhantomBigStu]

2 minutes ago, Des said:

The listing on the Airfix website via for the A11001A re-release shows that the kit contains 142 parts.

 

Just pulled the box for the original A11001 release down from the shelf and that also contains 142 parts.

 

So barring a typo looks like it will not contain the additional 10 parts that were released as A65000 for the Vickers Valiant B(PR)K Mk.1/B(K)Mk.1 despite the box art although the PR windows were always included in the original kit but without spaces cut into the bombay doors for them.

Been a trend of airfix recent reissues including additional sprues , so chances of it being an error are good. 

[IT_Man]

On 24/07/2021 at 09:28, Beermonster1958 said:

Considerably lower price than the Vulcan(or Victor) but, I guess that's because its a reissue, not a new kit.

It's a Series 11 kit, the others are Series 12. Though I think S11 RRP was £34.99 when first released so a decent jump over the years!

[Homebee]

Released - ref. A11001A - Vickers Valiant B(PR)K.1

Sources:

https://uk.airfix.com/products/vickers-valiant-a11001a

https://www.facebook.com/officialairfix/photos/a.80699376270/10159368380211271

 

 

V.P.

[Violet Club]

I would be happy if Airfix could produce a "V Force" Set, similar to the one previously issued for WW2 RAF Bombers in 1/72, with Blue Danube and Yellow Sun nukes with trolleys, a small "Scarmble bus" as seen in the 60's, a refuelling truck and other small tools (including figures).

[Harry Lime]

On 1/11/2021 at 12:28 PM, Adam Poultney said:

So I think we can conclude that the extra parts will be included. 

 

An accurate conclusion. Both my pre-ordered kits arrived yesterday and I can confirm the parts for the tanker and PR versions are included.

 

Mark.

[PhantomBigStu]

E

1 hour ago, Harry Lime said:

 

An accurate conclusion. Both my pre-ordered kits arrived yesterday and I can confirm the parts for the tanker and PR versions are included.

 

Mark.

The trend continues, good reason for some to pick this up. I probably won’t, wrecked not one but two valiants before and I doubt I have the a skill and patience to make a third…..

[Dave Swindell]

On 24/07/2021 at 14:21, Des said:

The listing on the Airfix website for the A11001A re-release shows that the kit contains 142 parts.

 

Just pulled the box for the original A11001 release down from the shelf and that also contains 142 parts.

 

So barring a typo looks like it will not contain the additional 10 parts that were released as A65000 for the Vickers Valiant B(PR)K Mk.1/B(K)Mk.1 despite the box art although the PR windows were always included in the original kit but without spaces cut into the bombay doors for them.

 

On 24/07/2021 at 14:23, Adam Poultney said:

I doubt Airfix would make such an oversight as to not include the PR bomb bay.

 

You don't need the extra PR and K parts to build either of the colour schemes provided, there's a bit of "artistic licence " been taken on the box top illustration as WZ393 was configured as a bomber in 1957, as was XD818 when on Grapple.

B(PR)K.1 denotes fitted for Bomber. Photo Reconnaissance and Tanker  ie with the necessary wiring and plumbing for the appropriate role equipment.

Only B(PR).1's and B(PR)K.1's on strength with 543 sqn were ever fitted with PR role equipment, no other squadron operated them.

 

It's nice that Airfix have apparently included the extra PR and K parts, but a pity they've not included markings for a 543 sqn PR machine or an airframe fitted as a tanker to go with them.

 

[general melchett]

Quote

It's nice that Airfix have apparently included the extra PR and K parts, but a pity they've not included markings for a 543 sqn PR machine or an airframe fitted as a tanker to go with them.

 

Agreed Dave, I'm using this sheet, for my original issue kit with PR extras;

 

airdecal/Two Decal ADTS7222 Anti Flash Valiants as it includes B(PR)K1 WZ380 of 543 squadron, (there's another earlier version, airdecal 7214).

 

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/airdecal-7222-anti-flash-valiants--280660

 

 

 

[Dave Swindell]

29 minutes ago, general melchett said:

 

Agreed Dave, I'm using this sheet, for my original issue kit with PR extras;

 

airdecal/Two Decal ADTS7222 Anti Flash Valiants as it includes B(PR)K1 WZ380 of 543 squadron, (there's another earlier version, airdecal 7214).

 

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/airdecal-7222-anti-flash-valiants--280660

Hi Andy - does it have the crane badge for the fin and the tanks? I quite fancy that scheme.

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/abpic-media-eu-production/pictures/full_size_032/1049408-large.jpg

Maybe Ray @26Decals might be persuaded to do a reprint now the kit is being re-issued? 

[general melchett]

 

Quote

Hi Andy - does it have the crane badge for the fin and the tanks? I quite fancy that scheme.

Hi Dave, yes it does, two pairs of full colour storks but for some reason only three anti-flash pink ones. I'll have a word with Ray and see if he has any plans to reissue the set (with fourth pink stork!)

 

Cheers

 

Andy

 

 

[MikeC]

On 9/28/2021 at 5:06 PM, Dave Swindell said:

 

 

You don't need the extra PR and K parts to build either of the colour schemes provided, there's a bit of "artistic licence " been taken on the box top illustration as WZ393 was configured as a bomber in 1957, as was XD818 when on Grapple.

B(PR)K.1 denotes fitted for Bomber. Photo Reconnaissance and Tanker  ie with the necessary wiring and plumbing for the appropriate role equipment.

Only B(PR).1's and B(PR)K.1's on strength with 543 sqn were ever fitted with PR role equipment, no other squadron operated them.

 

It's nice that Airfix have apparently included the extra PR and K parts, but a pity they've not included markings for a 543 sqn PR machine or an airframe fitted as a tanker to go with them.

 

90 Sqn re-roled from Bomber to Tanker in early 1962, although whether the silver scheme is appropriate for that timeframe is moot.

[Adam Poultney]

Has anyone started a WIP thread on the new release yet?

[Dave Swindell]

21 minutes ago, MikeC said:

90 Sqn re-roled from Bomber to Tanker in early 1962, although whether the silver scheme is appropriate for that timeframe is moot.

Yes they did Mike, but as you say the colour scheme of overall silver would be inappropriate by then, and the PR fit parts as illustrated on the box top and instructions would also be inaccurate

You can use the kit decals to model an all silver bomber, and you might be able to use the squadron tail pennant decal and appropriate serials and stencils to model an all white bomber or tanker, further research would be needed to match up squadron, serial and role.