Ok, so what’s in the box?
Plenty of parts make up this new release, designed to coincide with the 70th Anniversary of D-day, 6th June 1944. We’ve seen plenty of other manufacturers like Revell do the same, although most of their 70th Anniversary aircraft are re-releases like their 1:32 de Havilland Mosquito IV – all with D-Day black and white identification stripes.
Box art
Simply stunning! How moody is that? This is one of many beautiful box art images by Alan Tooby – so evocative and will undoubtedly sell many of these kits. Some of you may be wondering why I am commenting on the box? Well, the fact is great box art sells kits and I for one think the box is all part of the whole buying and ‘owning’ experience – it matters! Even better when the contents match the box in terms of quality, so let’s see what’s on offer here.
Innovative construction approach
I have been really impressed with the design and assembly – really clever sub-assemblies for the wings and wing roots; the latter are separate parts and I was sceptical about whether you’d be left with gaps and the need for filler, but none of it. The whole assembly has gone together flawlessly so far, including the wing roots. I did apply some filler along the wing to wing-root join but that was just personal taste, you could leave them as they turn out, I just wanted a slightly finer join line.
Cockpit
Detail in the cockpit is perfectly adequate for this scale, in fact better than adequate. Examples are the pilot’s seat, internal rib detail and navigator position – all have authentically produced detail; also the delicate control yoke. Right about now I start to take more detailed interest and inspect the remainder of the sprues for subtle detail; more of that in a moment. A decal is provided for the main instrument panel and this will be just fine in this scale with the dial detail being comprehensive and noteworthy.
It’s worth noting here that the cockpit glazing on the C-47 is small and you just won’t see anything bar the seat pans when you look inside, so I didn’t spend a lot of time going to town on this area as you’ll see when you look at the build article that will follow very soon.
You do get two pilot figures if you want to add them.
Undercarriage
The finesse of the undercarriage legs is impressively delicate. No flash, just fine, accurate crisp moulding. Also a nice set of slightly bulged tyres is supplied and when painted and weathered these will add to the final authentic look of your model.
Fuselage
Ok, let’s look at that surface detail. Well, to be honest, I think that the recessed panel lines are a bit overdone, a shame really, although I can live with then, especially as I will be finishing my C-47 in D-Day markings; the Olive Drab upper surfaces helping to ‘lose’ some of the patchwork quilt effect. The rudders and elevators are positionable to help you create more interesting options if you wish.
Impressively ribbed detail is included within the airframe as are the bulkheads and other sectioned off areas within. The ribbed detail, especially will be visible if you open the rear cargo doors, as I plan to do.
Propellers
Both pointed and paddle-bladed props are included. Spinner detail is good and the overall shape and look of both sets of blades looks pretty good.
Other features
Some nice options are included like the open or closed front port fuselage access door as well as two-part main cargo access doors in the port rear fuselage side. This will allow you to see inside to the folded or deployed seating arrays inside and along the internal fuselage sides.
Should you choose the interesting and varied alternative scheme featuring a MATS C-47D based in Canada you could add the skis supplied for attachment to the main undercarriage legs.
A loading ramp is included too and that’s a nice feature. If you haven’t already seen the assembled and painted ground equipment set, check out Dave C’s build of that as part of his Airfix Avro Lancaster B.II project in Finished Now.
Clear parts
Nice looking these – very clear without any flash. The canopy plastic is thin too adding to the quality of the package. The windows are designed to be added from outside the airframe and this looks good as it should minimise masking and the risk of popping a window during handling and it dropping inside – I’m sure none of us have done that, have we? (much!).
PICs 31-43 Gallery Grid
Instructions, decals and painting guide
The instructions are logical and well laid out. The usual exploded-stage diagram approach is used. The colour painting guides are provided as separate sheets at the end of the booklet.
The decal sheet is well printed with all markings/colours in register.
Summary
It’s just very good to see any new-tool model kit and Airfix has generally done well with this one. The recessed detail is tolerable but could be finer for sure. This is counterbalanced by the beautifully delicate and detailed undercarriage legs and bulged tyres, not to mention the options that are available – all positive, as is the choice of decals. It offers good value for money and all in all a nice new kit beautifully presented.
Recommended
Geoff C.
SMN Quick summary Star rating out of 5
| FEATURE | STAR RATING (out of five) |
|---|---|
| Quality of moulding | *** |
| Level of detail | **** |
| Accuracy | **** |
| Instructions | **** |
| Decals | **** |
| Subject choice | ***** |
| Overall | **** |