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Hi All:
One of the newer companies that have emerged from Eastern Europe in
recent years is the Czech firm of Special Hobby. Their recent 1/32 scale
Dewoitine 520 was a beaut and now they are back to 1/48 with a kit that
should gladden the hearts of all fans of His Majesty's Royal Naval Air
Service.
It is a 1/48 scale kit for the Fairey Barracuda T.S.R. Mark II. Here to
fore there were only a couple of 1/72 scale kits and a 1/48 Sierra
vac-u-form for this rather significant Royal Navy aircraft. This kit
looks to be a nice effort. It's one of those limited run plastic kits
with resin for seats/interior/small airscoops and a set of foto etch for
seat belts, radar antennas and small parts. The quality of the moldings
looks first rate, the scribing is very restrained, I think the control
surfaces will benefit from some accenting with an Olfa P Cutter, the
rest will depend on the individual modeller's taste. The plastic is a
little soft and you will benefit by taking care when separating parts
from the sprues. There are decal markings for 829 Squadron on the
Tirpitz strikes and one set of Pacific Fleet markings for, I believe,
the air group commander's aircraft on an 814 Squadron bird off H.M.S.
Vengeance.
They make a point of the kit having an injection molded canopy, I
personally believe that vac-u-form canopies are quite acceptable. No big
thing I guess. What may be more of a downer for many is that this is a
clean airframe, no external ordnance. If you are into the "christmas
tree" look on your models you will have to go hunting for your things
under wings. If you have a Tamiya Swordfish around, you can rob the
torpedo or other ordnance from that. If not, maybe you can get some from
Belcher's Bits to make a suitably warlike looking bird. They make a
couple of sets of 1/48 scale RAF/RN ordnance in resin.
Now if someone would just do a 1/48 scale Fairey Fulmar!
Bill Shuey
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