Reviewer’s Name: Geoff Coughlin / Les Venus (October 2009)
Kit / Product: Fairey Swordfish Mk.I
Initial assessment
Accuracy
Looking remarkably like the sprues from Tamiya’s 1:48th scale releases this new release from Trumpeter is pretty impressive. Overall shape and size appear to be accurate and capture the distinctive lines of the unique Fairey machine. The Swordfish is a large aircraft and so this model from Trumpeter is going to be a sizeable addition to your collection.
The option for folded wings look good, but sadly the spars included allowing this option look a bit flat and this is likely to cause the folded wings to sag too low to the ground?
The wing sections are substantial and this problem has been confirmed by Les who has had exactly this issue.
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The fabric effect on the fuselage is very realistic – being quite restrained and realistic. Sadly, the fabric effect on the main wings and tailplane looks too overdone but this is easily corrected with some gentle sanding across the raised detail.
The inclusion of rubber tyres is good because they look very effective when treated with pastels and an etched fret containing the steel bracing wires/straps for the rigging is helpful.
In addition to the more usual grey plastic fuselage parts, Trumpeter has also included clear fuselage sections. A large fuel tank that sits behind the engine is also there, but unless you are using the clear parts, it can’t be readily seen.
Fit
Dry fitting of the parts reveals no major or even minor snags, with the exception of the folding wing spars as described above.
Quality
Good tooling is demonstrated throughout, with the exception of the fabric effect on the wings and tailplanes. No flash is evident and all the parts look crisply moulded.
Instructions
A very clear instruction book is supplied with accurate labelling. The build sequence is logical and follows along traditional lines. This aircraft is quite straightforward in kit form, but you may want to leave off the more delicate items like the Vickers machine gun until nearer completion of your project to avoid damage.
Decals
On initial inspection these look to be ok. The red may be a bit bright, but overall quite usable. Alternative markings are available in the Extradecal range from Hannants (see Les’s model above finished as an aircraft from HMS Ark Royal at the start of WWII.
Other comments
A nice package overall. Mastercasters has already produced some resin replacement bulged wheels. The bulge is nice (if you pardon the expression) but the detail is a little shallow and overall arguably, only a marginal improvement over the kit parts.
