Review by: Geoff Coughlin (June 2011)
Available for: Under £40 (UK)
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 Vickers-Armstrong Valiant was a British four-jet bomber, once part of the Royal Air Force’s V-bomber force. As the Valiant was an entirely new class of aircraft for the RAF, 232 Operational Conversion Unit was established at RAF Gaydon.
The first operational RAF unit to be equipped with the Valiant was 138 Squadron, also at RAF Gaydon, though it later moved to RAF Wittering. At its peak, the Valiant equipped at least seven RAF squadrons.
A Valiant B.1 (WZ366) of No 49 Squadron (captained by Squadron Leader E.J.G. Flavell AFC) was the first RAF aircraft to drop a British operational atomic bomb when it performed a test drop of a down-rated Blue Danube weapon on Maralinga, South Australia, on 11th October 1956.
It was the last time the V-bombers flew a war mission until Avro Vulcans bombed Port Stanley airfield in the Falkland Islands during the Falklands War in 1982.
Introduction
Well, here it is – the Vickers Valiant in 1:72 scale by Airfix. From the numerous conversations we had at the excellent West Norfolk model show (UK, England) recently, many of you will be building this kit in the near future and here you have the first in-depth review of this impressive looking new release.
Having recently completed the Airfix Avro Vulcan B.Mk.2, I have been keen to see this new release. Fear not, you will too and James V is about to start the build in Build Now later this week – keep your eyes peeled for that!
The Vickers Valiant is a big bird and the lines are very graceful. Airfix appear to have captured this well, because there are many complex curves, bends to the wing leading edge and fuselage. So all seems set for a decent build, with huge anticipation all-round.
That box again…
You’ll see that Airfix has hit the mark again with some evocative box art and the six sprues; five large light grey sprue trees containing all the parts and options, along with a small clear sprue with canopy (X 2 with different window arrangements) and other small glazed items.