The kit…
This is the Airfix kit and looks good in 1:72nd scale. The recessed panel lines are a bit overdone, but generally the look is right for a Hawk in this scale. The main thing to remember I think with this package is that it is a package and it’s about using the best of what’s available in the box, and there’s plenty here to get your juices flowing…. the cockpit tub us pretty basic, but you do get some replacement decals for the main instrument panels on the Model Alliance decal sheet included. The problem I can see is that in my sample you don’t get the side panels for front and rear cockpits. The side console decals are numbered in the main instruction booklet, but I suspect that this has been adapted from the Airfix kit instruction book, leading to the somewhat misleading impression that the side console decals are included when they’re not (well not in my box anyway!) So, I guess that you’ll have to source these yourself, maybe from another Airfix kit or the spares box. This is a pain and not really acceptable.
The kit is really a vehicle to display this awesome new scheme applied to the 2010 Display Aircraft (XX263). The wheel wells are too shallow, but the rest of the kit is ok and should go together well enough.
The clear canopy is just that and you will have the option to have yours open or closed. I will definitely build mine with the canopy closed to preserve those fantastic lines and show off that commemorative scheme to its full.
AIRFRAME Extra resin seats…
These are simply superb and you should be able to see this from the attached image – simply stunning and the best I have ever seen in this scale – great work! These will be highly visible in the cockpit tub and so it’ll be worth taking your time to really bring them to life with careful painting, washing and highlighting – can’t wait!
Model Alliance decal sheet…
If you’ve ever used this manufacturer’s sheets before they are simply top drawer – probably the best on the market and the artwork on those included is stunning. When you look at the scheme in detail it’s clear that you’d never get decals to fit easily around all the complex curves of the Hawk airframe and so they have given you masks to cut out and use to spray the main Signal Red and Roundel Blue colours before applying the white decals markings that will complete your project. An initial inspection suggests that this should work well, but obviously care will be needed to get an accurate outcome.
Overall then?
An impressive package for sure. I bought mine from RAF Waddington Air Show on the day for around £14.00 and when you see what you get, that’s impressive value for money in anyone’s terms. Highly recommended and I plan to give my finished model to Flt Lt Tom Saunders, the 2010 display pilot whom I had the pleasure of meeting at the show and enjoying his superb display.