Airfix 1/48th Irish Air Corps Anson I

[keithjs]

This is the latest addition to my IAC collection. When Airfix first announced the model a couple of years ago I knew then this would be a great addition to it. It really is a superb model. In my opinion probably one of Airfix's finest despite some reservations about the wing

fabric representation. Personally, I agree that the surface texture looks somewhat overdone, but, when it's lightly rubbed over and paint is applied it looks fine to me.

Anyway, detail throughout is amazing and because the glazing is crystal clear you're going to see everything. The only additions I made were some generic Eduard seatbelts and if you use the sloped canopy, you'll need some piping and cables to power the instruments as it's quite obvious through the glazing. With the later canopy the fuselage shroud hides them. And, also, some for the small set of 4 instruments on the radio operator's panel.

As I particularly wanted to do a very early IAC aircraft, I needed to modify the ailerons by lengthening them inboard by 3ft (about 20mm) by cutting away the wing and part of the flap. I had initially thought of using a spare set from a Classic Airframes kit which comes with the longer ones as additional parts. I even managed to obtain a set from a very nice chap on here as for some obscure reason I could only find one of mine.... Anyway, it wasn't to be because despite the length being OK and looking good from above, the underneath was a different angle and just looked odd. The only option therefore was to modify the length of the kit ones. Not a difficult job and I think the end result looks OK. 

The markings (well actually only the 21) came from Max Decals. They do supply the green/white/orange as decals, but I think it looks better if they can be sprayed on and it was simple enough to do. Also, the green is my own mix but it seems to be showing darker than it really is in the photos. I used a combination of Humbrol 78 and 120. The aluminum is Tamiya LP38 and the cowlings are LP48 Sparkling silver   

So, that's it. I'm certainly looking forward to building another one ASAP but using the other canopy and different engine cowlings. A godsend too will be when Eduard release a set of glazing and turret masks...😵   Thanks for looking.

My thanks to Joe Maxwell at Max Decals, Michael Whelan, Curator of the IAC Museum in Baldonnel and Luke Slaney at Airfix for providing extra 'information etc' and some photos that I hadn't got. Much appreciated.

 

 

IMG_3066 

 

IMG_3065 

 

 IMG_3067 

 

IMG_3068 

 

A5 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 27, 2022 by keithjs
Grammar

[Rabbit Leader]

Probably one of my favourite Anson schemes, that has just come out beautifully, very well done. 
 

I’m now interested in know more about your ‘larger aileron’ comments as I’m hoping to make an early RAAF Anson whenI finally get hold of one down here. 
 

Cheers.. Dave 

[dnl42]

Very nicely done and that scheme is excellent! 

[PLC1966]

Thats lovely.  Well done.

[Pete in a shed]

Absolutely gorgeous. Great build and what an attractive scheme!

Pete

[Stephen]

Stunning build.

[Autle]

Cracking Anson, although it's clean it looks appropriate and I really like the Irish markings. Well done 

[wellsprop]

Lovely looking Anson! 

[Mig88]

Beautifully finished!

 

Miguel

[bigbadbadge]

Lovely Anson, great job onbthis scheme  looks wonderful. 

Chris

[billn53]

The Anson isn’t a particularly attractive aircraft, but she does look appealing in that scheme. Well done!

[ForestFan]

Looks great in that scheme, nice job 

[czechnavy]

Lovely model of a lovely aircraft in a lovely scheme!!

[VG 33]

Very nice. I love these colours.

 

Patrick

[Eric Mc]

That looks absolutely gorgeous.

 

Many years ago I was able to get on board the Anson currently preserved at Baldonnel (141) which is a later version.

[TonyOD]

Beautiful build, that colour scheme is stunning 🇮🇪

[gunpowder17]

Fantastic job , looks great. I do prefere the sloping canopy to the more upright one.

[Maginot]

Very nice work. Colour scheme is excellent.

[noelh]

Airfix certainly outdid themselves with the Anson. Brilliant build too. I didn't  know about the longer ailerons on the early Anson. Would  that also apply to early RAF 

[georgeusa]

I've seen a couple of excellent builds of this kit here on this forum and I am slowly coming to terms with liking this aircraft.  Your choice of color scheme is a great one and really different.  I may even be forced to try and build one of these contraptions by all of this excellent modeling of the Airfix kit.  Thanks for sharing and the inspiration.

[keithjs]

6 hours ago, noelh said:

Airfix certainly outdid themselves with the Anson. Brilliant build too. I didn't  know about the longer ailerons on the early Anson. Would  that also apply to early RAF 

Thank you. Yes, certainly but when the shorter ones started to be fitted is anyones guess. I’m sure there’s someone out there somewhere that knows. I have photos in the Air Britain book showing K6320 of 269 squadron in 1937 that definitely has the long ones and another photo of K8723 of 10 FTS (no date on the photo) that has the shorter ones. So logic tells me it was somewhere between those serial numbers at least.
Whether it was by c/n or serial I don’t know. It’s very difficult to see unless it’s an aerial shot. 
The Air Britain book is excellent for telling you when and where and who with but that’s about it.

Sorry I can’t be more help.

If it’s any help the first 2 IAC ones were c/n 980 and 981 as they hadn’t yet been given RAF serial numbers when they were diverted off the production line.

The later IAC aircraft were ex RAF aircraft in the N serial range.

[BKirwan]

Great result Keith really nice looking and you built that really fast too!

regards 

Brian 

[basket]

Very nice indeed !

[Natter]

That really is superb. One of the nicest Anson builds I have seen.

[Farmerboy]

Looks even better in the flesh! Saw it at Salisbury Show today, really is superb!