James K Posted June 13, 2022 Share Posted June 13, 2022 (edited) I've decided on the Post War FAA aircraft I wish to build in 1/72 scale and would like any recommendations about the best kits (and warnings about the worst) of each type. I've been fascinated by the Fleet Air Arm since I did a Look at Life course at RNAS Daedalus in 1979 and my RN Medical Assistant Phase II training at RNAS Yeovilton some year later. When I'm in the area I always drive past Ford Prison to take a look at the Hunter Gate Guard at the former RNAS Ford. Just love naval air stations! My father did a draft on HMS Implacable when he was in the RN. Supermarine Sea Fire (late model) Farey Firefly Hawker Sea Fury Westland Wyvern Blackburn Firebrand De Havilland Vampire Gloster Meteor F3/F8 and NF (Flight Requirements & Air Direction Unit) De Havilland Sea Venom Single Seat and NF Supermarine Attacker Hawker Seahawk Supermarine Scimitar Hawker Hunter GA11 & T8M De Havilland Sea Vixen FAW Blackburn Buccaneer Hawk T1 (RN 736 S)qn Sea Harrier FRS1 Sea Harrier FRS2 Sea Harrier T4N Harrier GR7 (Naval Strike Wing) F35B Lightning II (809 Squadron) Gannet British Aerospace BAe 125 Heron King Air Edited June 13, 2022 by James K 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba Posted June 13, 2022 Share Posted June 13, 2022 Don't forget the Phantom FG1. Either Fujimi (Italeri) or Airfix for that one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted June 13, 2022 Share Posted June 13, 2022 Canberra - T.4 and TT.18 Gannet - AS.1, AS.4, COD.4 and AEW.3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James K Posted June 13, 2022 Author Share Posted June 13, 2022 1 hour ago, Jabba said: Don't forget the Phantom FG1. Either Fujimi (Italeri) or Airfix for that one. I couldn't but did! Thanks for the reminder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James K Posted June 13, 2022 Author Share Posted June 13, 2022 1 hour ago, bootneck said: Canberra - T.4 and TT.18 Gannet - AS.1, AS.4, COD.4 and AEW.3 I forgot FRADU Canberra's which is odd as I used to pass them regularly by the fence at Yeovilton. I'd probably just build one Gannet (does anyone make a model? in 1/72) given the choice COD.4. Ex Royal? I served with 45, CHF and at RM Poole as a scablifter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted June 13, 2022 Share Posted June 13, 2022 32 minutes ago, James K said: I forgot FRADU Canberra's which is odd as I used to pass them regularly by the fence at Yeovilton. I'd probably just build one Gannet (does anyone make a model? in 1/72) given the choice COD.4. Ex Royal? I served with 45, CHF and at RM Poole as a scablifter Yep, 40, 41, 42, 848 NAS Culdrose, 845 NAS Yeovilton and 3BAS Yeovilton. Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selwyn Posted June 13, 2022 Share Posted June 13, 2022 5 hours ago, James K said: I've decided on the Post War FAA aircraft I wish to build in 1/72 scale and would like any recommendations about the best kits (and warnings about the worst) of each type. I've been fascinated by the Fleet Air Arm since I did a Look at Life course at RNAS Daedalus in 1979 and my RN Medical Assistant Phase II training at RNAS Yeovilton some year later. When I'm in the area I always drive past Ford Prison to take a look at the Hunter Gate Guard at the former RNAS Ford. Just love naval air stations! My father did a draft on HMS Implacable when he was in the RN. Supermarine Sea Fire (late model) Farey Firefly Hawker Sea Fury Westland Wyvern Blackburn Firebrand De Havilland Vampire Gloster Meteor F3/F8 and NF (Flight Requirements & Air Direction Unit) De Havilland Sea Venom Single Seat and NF Supermarine Attacker Hawker Seahawk Supermarine Scimitar Hawker Hunter GA11 & T8M De Havilland Sea Vixen FAW Blackburn Buccaneer Hawk T1 (RN 736 S)qn Sea Harrier FRS1 Sea Harrier FRS2 Sea Harrier T4N Harrier GR7 (Naval Strike Wing) F35B Lightning II (809 Squadron) Gannet British Aerospace BAe 125 Heron King Air You seem to have missed out all the rotary wing aircraft! Selwyn 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaudioN Posted June 13, 2022 Share Posted June 13, 2022 Avenger (Hobby 2000, it is the Hasegawa TBM-3 with post-war Suez decals) Skyraider AEW (Sword) Hunting Sea Prince (rumours Valom) Remember: both F.20 and T.22 (Airfix) for the Vampire 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James K Posted June 13, 2022 Author Share Posted June 13, 2022 55 minutes ago, ClaudioN said: Avenger (Hobby 2000, it is the Hasegawa TBM-3 with post-war Suez decals) Skyraider AEW (Sword) Hunting Sea Prince (rumours Valom) Remember: both F.20 and T.22 (Airfix) for the Vampire It the Avenger post war? True I missed the Skyraider but do they do an AEW model? The Sea Prince would be interesting but again is there a model of it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted June 13, 2022 Share Posted June 13, 2022 Sea Hornet Sea Devon (DH Dove) Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tripod Posted June 13, 2022 Share Posted June 13, 2022 4 hours ago, James K said: It the Avenger post war? According to Air-Britain's Fleet Air Arm Fixed-Wing Aircraft Since 1946, 100 Avengers were supplied under MDAP in 1953 (or maybe from 1953 - I didn't check the delivery dates for all 100) and serialled in the XB range. Most were converted to AS4, AS5 and ECM6. Sword do a kit of the ECM6, and yes, also the AEW Skyraider. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EwenS Posted June 14, 2022 Share Posted June 14, 2022 (edited) Exactly when post war is your starting point? Most wartime types, including lend lease, lingered on into 1946/47. Fairey Barracuda. 815 used the TR.III until 1950 for ASW training (it was aboard Implacable in 1950). TR.V was used by a number of second line units early postwar. Supermarine Walrus and Sea Otter. The last Sea Otter rescue was off Korea in 1950 before it was replaced by helicopters. Hellcat NF.II. 892 squadron had a 6 month tour on Ocean from Nov 1945 trialling the night carrier concept. Handley Page / Scottish Aviation Jetstream T.2 & British Aerospace Jetstream T.3 DH Mosquito TT.39 Edited June 14, 2022 by EwenS 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT7567 Posted June 14, 2022 Share Posted June 14, 2022 Since the OP asked for advice on 1/72 kits, here's some input on the more modern end of the list (happy to be corrected/amended if others know more): Hawker Hunter GA11 & T8M Best: Revell (conversions needed for your desired types) Avoid: Matchbox, Frog, Airfix, Plastyk Blackburn Buccaneer Best: CMK Resin if price and availability are no object; if they are, Airfix new tool Avoid: Airfix old tool, Matchbox (also reboxed by Revell), Frog Hawk T1 (RN 736 S)qn Best: Revell AG (non-Italeri rebox) https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235078937-hawk-t1-04970-172-revell/ Avoid: Matchbox, Fujimi, Airfix (old tooling) Sea Harrier FRS1 Best: ESCI (also reboxed by Italeri) Avoid: Matchbox, Hasegawa (beautiful kit but noticeably short), Fujimi (also reboxed by Revell AG and Testors) Sea Harrier FRS2 Best: does not yet exist Either Airfix kit or Xtrakit/Special Hobby (same tooling) tie for "least worst" but may be best used in combination with an ESCI FRS.1 as an FA.2 conversion Sea Harrier T4N Best: Sword Avoid: Heller/Bobkit Harrier GR7 (Naval Strike Wing) Best: Airfix new tool, Hasegawa (also reboxed by Revell) Avoid: Italeri, Airfix old tool F35B Lightning II (809 Squadron) Best: Hasegawa, Fujimi Avoid: Italeri X-35 (also reboxed by Revell) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
825 Posted June 14, 2022 Share Posted June 14, 2022 An unusual one that's easily missed is the Shorts Sturgeon which was designed initially as an anti submarine aircraft but evolved into a fairly useful Target tug. There's a Magna resin kit which is probably difficult to get hold of, and is a bit of a challenge. I know as I'm working my way through it at the moment. Quite slowly to be honest. Also: Sea Bailiol -Special Hobby DH Dragon Rapide - Airfix/Heller boxing has FAA markings DH Sea Mosquito - No kit in 1:72 but can be converted from existing kits FAA also flew Harvards, Miles Martinets, DH Tiger Moths and Avro Ansons for a period post war. In fact Tiger Moths were in use until the early 70s IIRC. Currently the FAA has some King Air 350 Avenger T1s. There is a resin kit from RVHP 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
825 Posted June 14, 2022 Share Posted June 14, 2022 I forgot the DHC Chipmunk. AZ Models boxing I think. And possibly new Airfix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James K Posted June 26, 2022 Author Share Posted June 26, 2022 On 14/06/2022 at 20:58, CT7567 said: Since the OP asked for advice on 1/72 kits, here's some input on the more modern end of the list (happy to be corrected/amended if others know more): Hawker Hunter GA11 & T8M Best: Revell (conversions needed for your desired types) Avoid: Matchbox, Frog, Airfix, Plastyk Blackburn Buccaneer Best: CMK Resin if price and availability are no object; if they are, Airfix new tool Avoid: Airfix old tool, Matchbox (also reboxed by Revell), Frog Hawk T1 (RN 736 S)qn Best: Revell AG (non-Italeri rebox) https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235078937-hawk-t1-04970-172-revell/ Avoid: Matchbox, Fujimi, Airfix (old tooling) Sea Harrier FRS1 Best: ESCI (also reboxed by Italeri) Avoid: Matchbox, Hasegawa (beautiful kit but noticeably short), Fujimi (also reboxed by Revell AG and Testors) Sea Harrier FRS2 Best: does not yet exist Either Airfix kit or Xtrakit/Special Hobby (same tooling) tie for "least worst" but may be best used in combination with an ESCI FRS.1 as an FA.2 conversion Sea Harrier T4N Best: Sword Avoid: Heller/Bobkit Harrier GR7 (Naval Strike Wing) Best: Airfix new tool, Hasegawa (also reboxed by Revell) Avoid: Italeri, Airfix old tool F35B Lightning II (809 Squadron) Best: Hasegawa, Fujimi Avoid: Italeri X-35 (also reboxed by Revell) Thanks for the advice, you don't seem to be a fan of Matchbox. With the F35B Lightning II what are the problems with the Italeri? as the Hasegawa, Fujimi are more expensive and difficult to get hold of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT7567 Posted June 26, 2022 Share Posted June 26, 2022 6 minutes ago, James K said: Thanks for the advice, you don't seem to be a fan of Matchbox. With the F35B Lightning II what are the problems with the Italeri? as the Hasegawa, Fujimi are more expensive and difficult to get hold of. Nothing against Matchbox as a brand in general, just that for the subjects in question their kits are among the lowest quality available (oversimplified, lacking pylons/weapons, and in the case of the two-seat option for the Hunter, particularly inaccurate shape). I should clarify that my "avoid" recommendation is for the X-35 prototype tooled by Italeri and reboxed by Revell. It resembles the F-35B STOVL variant but was designed before even the original prototype had been finalized, so seriously lacking accuracy and detail. There is a recent new tooling of the F-35B also by Italeri that I haven't seen or read any reviews of, so it may be a worthwhile budget alternative to Hasegawa or Fujimi. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James K Posted June 26, 2022 Author Share Posted June 26, 2022 6 minutes ago, CT7567 said: Nothing against Matchbox as a brand in general, just that for the subjects in question their kits are among the lowest quality available (oversimplified, lacking pylons/weapons, and in the case of the two-seat option for the Hunter, particularly inaccurate shape). I should clarify that my "avoid" recommendation is for the X-35 prototype tooled by Italeri and reboxed by Revell. It resembles the F-35B STOVL variant but was designed before even the original prototype had been finalized, so seriously lacking accuracy and detail. There is a recent new tooling of the F-35B also by Italeri that I haven't seen or read any reviews of, so it may be a worthwhile budget alternative to Hasegawa or Fujimi. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 No love for the Sea Hornet? Conversion work for a F.20 would be needed (wing fold lines & tailhook) but there's a good Hornet kit as starting point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawk Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 (edited) 2 hours ago, alt-92 said: No love for the Sea Hornet? Conversion work for a F.20 would be needed (wing fold lines & tailhook) but there's a good Hornet kit as starting point. Special Hobby did both the F.20 and the NF.21 a few years back. You may pick up either on the secondhand market. Not particularly wonderful kits (wrong shape to canopy, undersized spinners in relation to nacelle fronts) but I haven't gained the impression that the newer AZ Hornet kits are much better (haven't ever actually seen one). I'd add Airfix to the list of "avoid" (in fact "strenuously avoid") for the Sea Harrier FRS.1 (@CT7567 probably omitted from his list on grounds of taste). Airfix did not properly represent the raised cockpit of the SH so you just get something that looks plain wrong. And it's from Airfix's trenchline surface detail era. Same problems with the Sea Harrier F/A.2. For me the Italeri (ex ESCI) Sea Harrier FRS.1 is only show in town: good outlines, delicate surface detail despite its age. Still need a bit of work on the inside of the cockpit though (seat moved rearward) but nothing too daunting. Reportedly the canopy of the Special Hobby Balliol doesn't fit well: a reviewer resorted to using a spare one off the Alley Cat short-run Sea Balliol T.21. I have the latter aand am very happy with it. Probably difficult to find nowadays though. FAA also flew some straight Mosquito FB.VIs (811 Sq) from Ford just after the war: Tamiya kit without modification. They also had some late model Mosquito B. and PR. variants for which you could start out from the new Airfix Mosquito B.XVI. Edited June 27, 2022 by Seahawk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 Just now, Seahawk said: but I haven't gained the impression that the newer AZ Hornet kits are much better (haven't ever actually seen one). Prerequisite thread with useful Sea Hornet info interspersed And seeing as @David A Collins supplied info on that I'm inclined to say it is a better starting point. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawk Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 (edited) 11 hours ago, alt-92 said: Prerequisite thread with useful Sea Hornet info interspersed And seeing as @David A Collins supplied info on that I'm inclined to say it is a better starting point. Yes, I remember that excellent thread well: it contains practically all I know about the kit. As you say, probably a better starting point - but not as great an improvement as it should have been. Edited June 28, 2022 by Seahawk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 The Skyraider AEW.1 from Sword is a cracking kit and definitely worth getting, also their Avenger AS.3, 4 or 6 looks good, have it in the stash . SPECIAL Hobby Firefly mk4/5 is a nice kit, so is thier Firefly T2, Sea Fury T20 and the Admiral Airspeed Oxford used for radio training. Special Hobby Sea Hawk FGA.6 , not built that one. Cyberhobby do a Sea Vampire F.20 which is a nice kit if a bit basic and a Sea Vixen not built that one, but their Sea Venom can be made to look gorgeous and is a joy to build. Hope that helps with a few. I have built a few on my FAA thread and still have loads to do. Good luck on this noble quest Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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