Review by: Geoff Coughlin
Our thanks to Airfix for supplying our review sample. 
References
Do check out your own SMN’s Photo Reference Library (PRL), where there is a comprehensive walkaround of images for anyone building any of the current scale models of the TSR-2 or those produced in the past.
Also…
Look out for a full Feature Article featuring this kit plus some of the Aviation Workshop accessories starting in Build Now in the near future.
Gallery Grid
Click on an image to enlarge/return to screen.
Main Sprues
As many of you will remember, this is a kit that was seriously anticipated at its release a couple of years ago.
As is my policy here at SMN, I am steadily working backwards through many of the important releases – kits and accessories that were released prior to SMN launching (officially) back in February 2010. Clearly a 1:48 scale BAC TSR-2 is an important release by any standards.
In fact, a 1:72 scale version of this kit is also available and I will be adding that Here Now review very soon.
You’ll see from the gallery grid images above that this is a pretty nice tooling.
Ok, the panel lines are a bit deep but if they offend you then there’s always the option to fill them in and re-scribe. This isn’t something that I would bother with, especially if you are going to build one of the prototypes that were finished in Anti Flash White.
Detail is very good in places like the cockpit – some nice raised detail on those side consoles. Also the ejection seats are presentable and after you’ve added a seat harness the cockpit should look pretty busy. In addition, there’s the main gear bay and that’s very well detailed and this is welcome as this area is very exposed on the finished model.
Nuclear weapon is included for the bomb bay and the wheels are supplied with slightly weighted tyres; nice touch. The jet pipe area is impressive with fine, thin edges to the outer metallic area around the jet pipes. The flaps can be offset in the slightly drooped position and this will add a little to your finished model.
As I’ve mentioned above, there are a whole host of resin aftermarket accessories from the Aviation Workshop and you can check out all of these review in our Resin section within Here Now.
Clear Parts
These are well moulded, clear and reflect those of the real aircraft – split canopy/windscreen so that you can pose front and rear sections open. All these parts are bagged separately and are blemish-free.
Decals
Sound the trumpets and shout from the roof tops!
No I’ve not gone totally mad, but at last, Airfix have included a decent decal sheet. I, as have many others, have been critical of the quality of decals provided by Airfix in their past releases – they were awful. But this sheet looks to be a great improvement. Most of the stencils are there as are the major markings for three prototype aircraft.
Well done Airfix, you must keep this quality up with all further releases.
Instructions
These are good and clear and seem at this stage to offer unambiguous instructions on assembly. At all stages there are symbols to indicate what you need to do, so I can’t see any foreseeable problems.
Conclusion
This is and was one of the most anticipated kits in years and, yet again, we have a large hole filled with what looks to be a very promising kit. How lucky are we? We are really looking forward to bringing you this build and the inclusion of the accessories and decals provided by The Aviation Workshop.
Highly recommended.
Geoff C.
