Page 1 | 2
Review by: Geoff Coughlin
Read the Finished Now build review by Les Venus
Read the Finished Now build review by Graham Thompson
Our thanks to Airfix for supplying our review sample. Get this impressive kit here now at: www.airfix.com
A useful reference and something to get you in the mood!
A bit of background…
The F.XVII was the first of the Seafire variants to feature a cut-down rear fuselage and distinctive tear-drop style canopy, distinguishing it from previous marks of Seafire. Based closely on the preceding Seafire XV, the F.XVII also featured a reinforced main undercarriage that used longer oleos and a lower rebound ratio (very useful on pitching decks!).
This went some way towards taming the deck behaviour of the Mk.XV, which had resulted in a number of accidents on deck. These changes reduced the chances of the propeller tips striking the deck during landings.
Due to reinforcements in the wings, a heavier weapon load was also able to be carried, with both fuel tanks and rockets becoming an option for under the wings. A total of 232 of this variant were produced, with the majority being built by Westland. It remained on front line duty until the early 1950s, whereupon it was relegated to training duties before being retired.
Today a number still survive, including the SX336 that you can see departing Old Warden at a recent air show.
Introduction
“If you hadn’t seen the box, you’d think this was a Tamiya kit”, so said Ian, one of the guys at Tuesday’s model club meet who’d managed to secure this new Airfix kit.
People often say things like that, but just take a look and you’ll see that Ian is spot on in his assessment – this is a cracker!
“I want it! I want to build one…” said SMN‘s Les Venus, and you can read his detailed build of the Airfix Supermarine Seafire F.XVII in Finished Now.
That box again…
You’ll see that Airfix has hit the mark again with some evocative box art and the three sprues; two large light grey sprue trees containing all the parts and options, along with a small clear sprue with canopy and other small glazed items.
The best bit – the contents!
Click on Image to Enlarge/go back.
Probably the best thing I can do is just let you look at all the images (above) I’ve taken to give you the fullest coverage of the parts, but here are a few observations:
- Panel lines and other detail: These are hugely accurate and just about spot-on in this scale. Certainly on a par with Tamiya and Hasegawa, for example. You can see in the images what I mean, but even the lightening holes in the back of the spinner are moulded (a first?). I’m not sure what you’ll see of this, but this does indicate the depth of work Airfix engineers and designers have undertaken and then incorporated into the kit.
- The cockpit is impressive
- There are so many options – folded or extended wings is probably the most significant, with some beautiful, delicate detail moulded into the wing fold joins; bulged or un-bulged tyres; separate tailplane assembly so that you can align as desired as you can with the rudder. Flaps down or raised are available too, all increasing the possibilities.
- 2 canopies – A clever addition. One for use in the fully slid-back position or closed.
- Stores galore – well, 60lb rockets for sure and these look good, as they will under the wings of your Seafire if you decide to use them.
- Pilot – a decent pilot figure is included (Dave C take note!) and he will enhance the model no end if you display your completed project on a suitable base.
Ask a question or add feedback:
You must be logged in to post a comment.