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We are giving away a full set of fantastic 1:72 scale action figures (10packs in all) to one lucky junior Club winner in our Issue 3 competition.

We are sure you all know of Robin Hood, not to mention the wily Sheriffof Nottingham. You can now buy them as Airfix kits and create your ownmedieval adventures. To test your knowledge of Robin Hood and thereforehave a chance to win our superb Airfix prize, we need you to answer thefollowing questions based on the legend of Robin Hood. The competitionis only open to junior Club members aged 14 or under.

1. Who was the King of England at the time of the Robin Hood?

2. When he died, the Robin Hood legend says he was buried underan oak tree in which famous English forest?

3. Which of these three people was NOT a friend of Robin Hood (a)Friar Tuck or (b) Little John or (c) Guy of Gisborne?

Put your answers on a postcard with your name, age, address andmembership number and send to Issue 3 Junior Airfix Competition, POBox 25, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE13 1ZG. Answers shouldreach us no later than 30th June 2008.

JUNIOR COMPETITION TIME

Airfix have donated a superb Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Canvaswhich will go to one outright winner in our competition this time. All wewant you to do is answer the following questions. You will find all theanswers in this edition of the magazine.

1. In which year was the Royal Horse Artillery founded?

2. Henschel, the designer of the German Hs 123 aircraft, was initiallybetter known as the manufacturer of what?

3. Which famous WWI flying ace first tested the Hs 123 in 1935?

Put your answers on a postcard and send with your name, address andClub membership number to Issue 3 Airfix Competition, PO Box 25,Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE13 1ZG, to reach us no later than30th June 2008.

COMPETITION TIME

1. The winner will be the first selected at random from theall-correct entries received by 30th June 2008.

2. The competition is limited to one entry per currentmember of the Airfix Club.

3. Duplicate entries will be disregarded.4. The results of the competition will be announced in Issue

4 of the Airfix magazine and the winner notified by post.5. The competition is not open to employees of Hornby

Hobbies, their agents or families.

6. No correspondence to be entered into in conjunctionwith the competition.

7. No cash equivalent is available.8. The Airfix Club accepts no responsibility for entries lost

or damaged in the post.9. Entries defaced or altered in any way will be deemed null

and void.10. The judges’ decision is final.

Rules of Entry.

1. The winner will be the first selected from the all-correctentries received on the closing date of 30th June 2008.

2. The competition is limited to one per Airfix Club member,aged 14 or under.

3. Duplicate entries will be disregarded.

4. The results of the competition will be announced in Issue4 of the Airfix magazine and the winner notified by post.

5. The competition is not open to employees of HornbyHobbies Ltd, their agents or families.

6. No correspondence to be entered into in conjunctionwith the competition.

7. No cash equivalent is available.

8. The Airfix Club accepts no responsibility for entries lostor damaged in the post.

9. Entries defaced or altered in any way will be deemed nulland void.

10. The judges’ decision is final.

Rules of Entry.

Airfix Club Spitfire MkXVIe Offer...The Airfix Club are offering the opportunity for all club members to purchase an additional SupermarineSpitfire MkXVIe kit. You will then be able to build both the TE199 (clipped wing) and TD248.

UK members £13.99 (postage and packaging included). Overseas members £15.99 (postage and packaging included).

COMPETITION RESULTSThe winner of our Issue 1 competition is Mr Gary Hill from Queensland, Australia. Congratulations, Gary. An example of thesuperb A10600 Battle of Britain Memorial Flight set is on its way to you. The answers to the questions were:

1. The Eder and Mohne Dams 2. Operation Chastise 3. The Heritage Museum, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada4. 100 Squadron on the port side and 550 Squadron on the starboard side.

The Issue 1 Junior Competition has been won by Mstr Connor Harrison from Leicestershire. Well done, Connor. You have wonan example of each of the new Airfix Dr Who kits. We asked you to tell us what TARDIS stands for.

The answer is Time And Relative Dimension in Space.

The Issue 2 Competition draws resulted in the adult competition prize of an example of the A50060 HMS Belfast being won byMr. Donald Logan from Belfast. The answer to the competition question was: Option C – A Maritime Museum moored onthe Thames.

The Shaun the Sheep competition, open to our junior Club members promised a Shaun the Sheep and Tractor set to the winner.And the first all-correct entry drawn was from Mstr. Ben Etheridge from Norfolk.

Congratulations! Your prize is on its way. Have fun!

And the correct answers were: 1. A Close Shave 2. Wallace and Gromit

To order your Airfix Club Spitfire MkXVIe please fill in your details below and return thecompleted form with your selected method of payment to: Airfix Club Spitfire MkXVIe offer,PO Box 25, Melton Mowbray, Leicester LE13 1ZG. Once payment has been received pleaseallow 28 days for delivery in the UK.

Title Initials Surname

Address

Post code Country

Telephone (daytime)

Club Membership No. (if applicable)

Signature (of parent/guardian, if under 16 years)

I enclose cheque/postal order for £ Cheques should be made payable toHornby Hobbies Ltd. Overseas members, please note that cheques should be either in theform of a Eurocheque, a cheque drawn on a London bank or an International Money Order.

OR

Please debit £ Sterling to my

Visa Access Mastercard Switch/Maestro

Card Number

Switch/Maestro Issue No.

Start Date Expiry date

Signature Date

If you wish to order but do not want to damage your magazine, please photocopy the order form and use that to place your order.

OFFERLIMITED TO ONEMODEL PER CLUB

MEMBER!

T h e O f f i c i a l A i r f i x C l u b M a g a z i n e . . . I s s u e 3 2 0 0 8

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ALSO WE FEATURE SOME OFTHE 1:72 ACTION FIGURESDUE FOR RELEASE DURING2008

ALSO WE FEATURE SOME OFTHE 1:72 ACTION FIGURESDUE FOR RELEASE DURING2008

Contents

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The 2008 Airfix release programme is well under way and in thisissue we review more of the superb range of new models comingyour way over the next few weeks.

With Spring in the air, the Airfix Roadshow is getting ready to taketo the road again for the summer season. Key attendances will beat some of the popular Air Shows across the UK, where the Airfixteam look forward to seeing you to talk about your Airfix hobby.In addition to lots of activities on the stand, you will also be ableto see at first hand an exhibition of some of the new 2008 Airfixmodels in finished form. See our Diary Dates in this issue forforthcoming Airfix appearances. Stop Press information is alsoavailable on our website www.airfix.com

EditorialEditorial2008 Spring Release Programme Pages 3, 4, 5 & 6

Members’ Mail Page 6

Classic British Bombers Page 7

Model Build Pages 8 & 9

BAC TSR-2 Pages 10 & 11

Competition Time Page 12

Issue 2 Competition Time Results Page 12

Consultant Editor: Susan Pownell Design & Production: DSP Limited Membership Organiser: Sarah Woodhouse.2008 Subscription Fees: UK POSTAL Version £22.99. UK DOWNLOADABLE Version £14.99. EU DOWNLOADABLE Version £18.99. Rest of the World DOWNLOADABLE Version £20.99.Cheques made payable to: Hornby Hobbies Limited. Visa, Access, Mastercard, Maestro & Switch accepted with valid expiry date and in the case of Switch & Maestro, either an issue number or a ‘validfrom’ date. Club Address: Airfix Collectors Club. PO Box 25, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, UK. LE13 IZG. Tel: 0870 062 4001. Fax: 01664 480 257. The Airfix Club Magazine is published on behalf ofHornby plc, Westwood, Margate, Kent CT9 4JX. The Club accepts no responsibility for errors or ommissions or for views and opinions expressed by contributors to the magazine.

DIARY DATESThroughout 2008 the Airfix team will be out and about, attending various shows

in the UK. If we are near you we hope you will come along to the Airfix

presence at the following shows. We’ll keep you updated on further venues

via our Club website www.Airfix.com

See you there!

1st June: ‘RAF Cosford Air Show’Cosford, Shropshire.

12th - 13th July: ‘Royal International Air Tattoo’(RIAT)RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire.

6th - 7th September: ‘Duxford 90th AnniversaryAir Show’Duxford, Cambridgeshire.

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A01002 Gloster GladiatorOne of the new Airfix models to be introduced in 2008 is the A01002 Gloster Gladiator. Modelled in 1:72 scale, with two kit variationsand comprising 25 pieces, the finished aircraft has a length of 147 mm and a wingspan of 173 mm.

This kit has two schemes which includes a Sea Gladiator ‘Faith, Hope and Charity’ which flew out of Malta in 1940-41.

The Gloster Gladiator was the last of the RAF’s bi-plane fighters and appeared at a time when the new generation of monoplane fighterswere in the advanced stages of development. The Gloster Gladiator evolved from the Gloster Gauntlet, designed by H P Folland’s team inthe mid-1930s.

It had a single seat and was the first fighter with an enclosed cockpit. Other design features included cantilever landing gear and a two-blade propeller driven by a Bristol Mercury engine. The Gladiator’s top speed was around 257 mph (414km/hr). It first flew on 12thSeptember 1934 and entered service in 1937. In the early days of the Second World War, the Gladiator was used extensively in Norwayand as far north as Narvik – to give air cover to British and Norwegian ground forces, often operating from frozen lakes.

The aircraft was also modified to operate from aircraft carriers as a Sea Gladiator, used by the Fleet Air Arm, where its slower speed made it more suitable for carrier operations and less likely tobe facing more modern fighter opposition. Despite reasonable success, seeing action in almost all theatres of WWII, the Gladiator was superseded by the much faster Spitfires, Hurricanes and theGerman Messerschmitt Bf 109 and withdrawn from military service.

A01031 Boulton Paul Defiant NF.1.This new Airfix model is based on the British fighter aircraft and bomber interceptor which the RAF used extensively in the early days of WWII.It was designed and built by Boulton Paul Aircraft as a turret fighter and served with the RAF. Unfortunately, it proved vulnerable to the newGerman single seat Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters.

However, it was used to great effect as a night fighter during the German Blitz on London, with a number of successful ‘kills’. The plane,known affectionately as ‘Daffy’ by the RAF pilots, ended its days in a training and support role.

The Airfix kit, modelled in 1:72 scale, comprises 33 pieces and comes in two variations. When built, it has a length of 149 mm and awingspan of 166 mm.

A02034 Douglas TBD-1 DevastatorModelled in 1:72 scale, this new Airfix kit replicates the first all-metal carrier-based monoplane used by the US Navy, attached to itstorpedo squadrons. It was considered revolutionary and the most advanced aircraft of the US Navy when it was introduced in 1937,although only 129 were built between then and the end of its production in 1939. A torpedo bomber, it was manufactured by the DouglasAircraft Company. Its design included hydraulically folding wings and a semi-retractable undercarriage to enable even a ‘no-wheels’ landing.However, by 1942 and considered very outdated, particularly against the Japanese might, the TBD Devastator was retired from active service.

The Airfix kit comprises 75 pieces across two variants. The finished aircraft has a length of 148 mm and a wingspan of 211 mm.

A01058 Cessna Bird DogThe Cessna 0-1 Bird Dog was an American liaison and observation aircraft introduced in 1950 and served right up to 1974. Orderedand used originally by the US Army, the Cessna Bird Dog saw notable service from 1962 in the Vietnam War where it was flown by USpersonnel and South Vietnamese pilots. Its main role was in artillery observation, reconnaissance and forward air control.

The Airfix kit has 37 pieces and three kit variations. Built in 1:72 scale, the finished length is 110 mm with a 152 mm wingspan.

A02051 Henschel Hs 123A-1.The Henschel 123 was a single-seat biplane dive-bomber and close-support attack aircraft flown by the German Luftwaffe during the SpanishCivil War and the early part of WWII. Although obsolete in design by this point, it was not withdrawn from frontline service until 1944. Its biplanewings were of a ‘sesquiplane’ configuration in which the lower wings were smaller than the top wings.

The aircraft took its name from a designer who had been better known for manufacturing locomotives but Henschel decided to start designingaircraft soon after Hitler’s rise to power. The Hs 123 was designed to meet the need for a single-seat biplane dive-bomber and was firsttested by World War I ace General Ernst Udet in 1935.

The Airfix Kit, modelled in 1:72 scale, comprises 38 pieces and comes in two Luftwaffe variations one of which is from the Spanish CivilWar. When built, it has a length of 116 mm and a wingspan of 146 mm.

There is a wonderful selection of Airfix kits coming your way over the next few weeks.Whether your interests lie in the air, at sea or on land, there is something for all of you.

20082008SPRING RELEASE PROGRAMME

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1:72 ACTION MI

This Airfix category of 1:72 scale kits enables you to bringyour models to life with a fantastic choice of figures anddioramas ranging from Ancient Britons to WWII actionscenes. First up are four new sets of WWI Military figures.

A01727 WW1 British Infantry SetA01727 replicates the WWI British Infantry wearing the uniform of the

early War period at the Western Front. The famous ‘Tommies’ in the 48-

piece set comprise signallers, a wiring party, a trench mortar and crew.

A01726 WW1 German Infantry SetA01726 WWI German Infantry set contains 40 pieces,

depicting the German Army at the beginning of the conflict.

Your finished diorama includes a field officer, two infantry officers and

a heavy machine gun with crew and riflemen.

A01730 Romans SetThe feared and well disciplined Roman Army is depicted in this brand

new set of Airfix figures.

Comprising 55 pieces, you can build your own Roman Legion with horse

drawn chariot and driver, a centurion, standard-bearer and legionaries

in various poses.

1:72 ACTION MIA01734 Ancient Britons SetThe ferocious warrior tribes of ancient of Britain were well known for

their aggressive high-speed tactics in battle.

This Airfix kit with 42 pieces enables you to re-enact their ferocious

activities with bloodthirsty figures, along with mobile chariots to further

terrorise their enemies.

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LITARY FIGURES

A01728 WW1 French Infantry SetA01728 adds the WWI French Infantry to your diorama. The French took

part in many of the largest and bloodiest battles of WWI in the effort to

defend their country.

The Airfix set contains a cross-section of key figures,

including cyclists, a signaller with pigeons, a bugler,

standard-bearer and infantrymen. There are 48 pieces

in all.

A01729 WW1 American Infantry SetThe American Army crossed the Atlantic to France where they took part

in the last great battles of the Great War.

Known as the Doughboys, their equipment in this 48-piece set includes

light machine guns and a remote controlled rifle.

A01731 WW1 Royal Horse Artillery SetThe Royal Horse Artillery is a Regiment in the British Army but its origins

go back to 1793 when troops of the RHA were raised by the 3rd Duke

of Richmond.

Today the RHA is operationally part of the Royal Regiment of Artillery

order of battle.

During WWI, the RHA was responsible for light mobile guns that provided

firepower in support of the cavalry. In 1914 the establishment provided

one battery to each Brigade of Cavalry.

Each battery comprised six 13-pounder field guns and included five

officers and 200 men, as well as 228 horses. The presence of the Royal

Horse Artillery, where all personnel were mounted, provided improved

mobility by pulling the field guns and other armaments.

The 16 pieces in this 1:72 Airfix set include two field

guns, a full team of horses, gun limber and full crew.

LITARY FIGURES

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MILITARY VEHICLESThe Airfix range of small scale military armouredfighting vehicles continues to be highly popular.

2008 sees a major expansion of the range, featuring not only WWII

models but well known and much asked for subjects from later eras

as well. One of the key 2008 introductions is the A02334 Sherman

Calliope Tank. Modelled in 1:76 scale, the Airfix kit includes 74 pieces.

This rocket-firing version of the Sherman tank was designed to lay

down a barrage of fire from its turret-mounted rocket tubes. The US

developed a wide array of special attachments for the basic M4

Sherman tank.

Few saw combat and most remained experimental but those that saw

action included the bulldozer blade for the Sherman Dozer tanks; Duplex

Drive for ‘swimming’ Sherman tanks; R3 flame thrower for Zippo flame

tanks; and the T34 60-tube, 4.5 inch Calliope rocket launcher for the

Sherman turret. The M4 Sherman tank was the primary tank produced

by the United States for its own use and that of its Allies, particularly

during WWII. However, many nations continued to use the tank in both

training and combat roles right up to the end of the 1990s. A remarkable

50,000 M4 medium tanks were produced and its chassis served as

the basis for numerous armoured vehicles such as tank destroyers,

tank retrievers and self-propelled artillery.

MILITARY VEHICLES

MEMBERS’ MAILHi, says new Club MemberMr Jonathan Davey from Hampshire...I have been an avid Airfix fan since I started making models many

years ago, at the age of nine.

My main interest lies in aircraft, particularly military examples. My

favourites – all of which I have constructed – are the Hawker Typhoon

1B, Curtis P-40E Kittyhawk, Supermarine Spitfire Mk 1A and the

Westland Lysander. Thank you Airfix, for a most enjoyable hobby.

Ed: Thanks for writing, Mr Davey. We look forward to letters

from Club members on all aspects of your Airfix hobby.

Write to The Editor, Airfix Club, PO Box 25, Melton Mowbray,

Leicestershire LE13 1ZG, UK.

CANBERRAJeremy Brook takes a look at the early AirfixCanberra and the Vickers Armstrong Wellington

The recent release of the first of the 1:48 Canberra kits and the impendingrelease of the smaller 1:72 versions are not the first Canberra kits to bereleased by Airfix. Way back in September 1974, Airfix released a lovely1:72 scale kit of a B.A.C. Canberra B(1).6. Markings and extra parts wereincluded to make a Canberra B.20 of the R.A.A.F. The boxtop paintingwas by Roy Cross and showed an R.A.F. machine flying over the coast.

The kit was typical of Airfix jet aircraft models of that period with veryfine raised panel lines and a minimum number of rivets. There were veryfew Canberra models available in the 1970’s so it was very popular.However, it had a major error. The shape of the glazed nose was not quiteright and this upset more advanced modellers who often had to resortto complicated ‘surgery’ to correct this fault; not an easy task as a newglazed nose had to be moulded! Help was at hand though, but perhapsnot what Canberra fans wanted.

In 1984, Palitoy the new American owners of Airfix, completely revisedthe mould so that a ‘glazed nose’ Canberra could no longer be made.

Instead a U.S.A.F. Martin B-57 Canberra was created. When Humbrolbought Airfix in 1986, it was found to be impossible to conver t themould back to a Canberra so it has only been available as a B-57 eversince. Until 2008, that is when Airfix are releasing a brand new 1:72Canberra tooling.

Another classic British bomber, but from an earlier era, is also shortly to

be released by Airfix, the Vickers Armstrong Wellington, or ‘Wimpey’ as

it was commonly known. This release is not in fact an Airfix mould. The

Wellington was one of the first large aircraft kits made by Airfix and was

probably released in late 1958 or early 1959, 50 years ago! Airfix had

to modify their moulding machines to cope with this much larger model.

For many years it was the only 1:72 Wellington kit available and nothing

was done to the mould for the next 40 odd years. In the 1970’s, new

decals were added and the stirring painting by Roy Cross was produced

which showed a stricken Wellington being chased by two Messerschmitts!

By 2001, the mould was becoming worn and so Airfix’s own ‘Wimpey’

was finally retired.

By Jeremy Brook – Editor of ‘Constant Scale’

To find out more about the Constant Scale and the history of Airfix visit

www.airfix.com then click on Clubs Directory and select – Airfix

Collectors’ Club

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CLASSIC BRITISH BOMBERS

CANBERRA

WELLINGTONWELLINGTON

PAST & PRESENT

Airfix 1:72 Martin B-57C/RB-57E (04001 released 1980’s) Airfix 1:48 English Electric Canberra PR.9 (2008)

Airfix 1:48 Martin B-57B Canberra (2008) Airfix 1:48 English Electric Canberra B.2/20 (2008)

Airfix 1:72 Vickers Wellington BIII

Airfix Autumn Brochure 1959

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SPITFIREMkXVIe

The subject of our Model Build in this issue comprises the two Supermarine SpitfireMk XVI models selected as part of your Airfix Club subscription package this year.

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The Airfix Club Special 1/48 Spitfire Mk.XVIe represents the "bubble-top" variant of this famous fighter with the"E" wing armament and pointed rudder. The Mk.XVI "bubble-top" went on to serve with the Royal Air Force andRoyal Auxiliary Air Force in the post-war period after WWII and was also operated by several other countriesincluding Belgium, France and Greece.

The kit includes lots of parts including spare upper wing halves, wing tips, intakes and other details that arenot applicable to the Mk.XVIe but these parts can be used on other Spitfire models so they can be saved tothe "spares box" for future projects.

1 The cockpit provides plenty of detail to work with or add to if you wish. The interior was painted Cockpit Green(Humbrol 78) with a wash of thinned black oil paint and, when dry, dry-brushed with a mix of white and greento highlight the raised details. Other details are picked out in black and silver with the bar on the entry doorpainted red.

2 A simple detail that can be added to the seat is the pilot’s harness. This can be made from strips of maskingtape with the adjustment holes punched from a sewing needle.

3 The instrument panel is painted black and details for the instrument bezel faces can be etched in using a sewingneedle and the bezels themselves given a drop of Clearfix to represent the "glass". The reflector site (part 14)can be painted black and added at this stage.

4 With the cockpit complete, the fuselage halves can be joined together. A test fit of the wing to fuselage joinshowed some slight gaps because the thinness of the fuselage halves makes the nose bow in a little morethan it should. This can be simply solved by adding a spacer made from the kit sprue to push the fuselagehalves out a little more so that they fit snugly with the wing roots.

5 Once you are happy with the fit the wings can be added. The Spitfire had six-degree dihedral and this can beset using masking tape to hold the wings in place while the glue dries.

6 The kit offers a choice of upper engine cowls. The Mk.XVIe used the US two-stage Packard Merlin engine assembledat the Castle Bromwich factory, which resulted in a bulged profile to the cowl. This drops into place very neatlyand follows the natural panel lines of the real aircraft so no filler or clean up is necessary.

7 The separate lower cowl can then be added. As the Mk.XVIe had the two-stage Merlin engine it featured alarger intake on the underside of the fuselage.

8 The tail-plane slots into place and needs just a touch of filler to blend them into the fuselage. The kit offerstwo types rudders. The Mk.XVIe used the "pointed" type and for an extra touch of realism this can be angledto one side.

9 The wheel wells and flap interior were painted Cockpit Green and given a black wash to bring out the detail.These can be masked off ready for the final colour scheme.

10/11 With basic construction now completed the fuselage is temporarily masked and the model given a coat of greyprimer to check for any seam join lines.A good tip for getting a smooth finish is to give the paint a rub down with a piece of plastic wool (similar toa kitchen scourer) that can be found in DIY shops.

12 Unlike their camouflaged contemporaries the two aircraft in the kit have rather unusual, colourful schemes.TD248 is overall silver with red markings and is a regular on the UK air show scene. This aircraft featured thenormal wing-tips. An old toothbrush makes a convenient handle when spraying the silver.

13 TE199 of No.21 Group was painted black with pale roundels (almost a precursor to the anti-flash and modern"low viz" markings). The model was sprayed gloss black as this helps the decals adhere to the surface without"silvering" (caused by trapped air between the surface and the varnish layer).A few basic tools can make applying the decals an easier task - a sharp pair of scissors, tweezers, paint brush,kitchen paper for blotting the decals and a dish of warm water with a drop of washing up liquid (this helps thedecal "slide" into place).

14 There are lots of decals that need accurate alignment so patience is needed for best results. Experiencedmodellers like to use decal setting solutions which help make the decal bed down onto the surface details better.

15 With the decalling done a sealing coat of varnish can be applied - Acrylic Satin Varnish (Humbrol 135) gives anice sheen. The final details can be added like the undercarriage, the flaps and canopy. The exhaust stackswere painted a mix of Gun Metal and Bronze (Humbrol 53 and 171), then given a light dry-brushing of Leather(Humbrol 62) to give them the look of hot, oxidised metal.

16 TE199 has its spinner and wing-tips painted Gold (Humbrol 16) and a grey/brown exhaust stain was airbrushedalong the fuselage. Satin Varnish was again used to seal the decals and give the model a more "to scale" sheen.

Both models make up into colourful, unusual variants of the Spitfire and could form the basis of a collectioncharting the development of the aircraft starting with the Spitfire Mk.I/IIa (A05115), Spitfire Vb/c and Seafire III(A04100 and A05110), Spitfire Mk.IXc/XVIe (A05113) through to the Griffon-engined Spitfire F.22/24 (A06101).

Airfix Club Spitfire MkXVIe Offer...The Airfix Club are offering the opportunity for all club members to purchase an additional SupermarineSpitfire MkXVIe kit. You will then be able to build both the TE199 (clipped wing) and TD248.

UK members £13.99 (postage and packaging included). Overseas members £15.99 (postage and packaging included).

OFFERLIMITED TO ONEMODEL PER CLUB

MEMBER!

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IPMS (UK) TSR-2 Special Interest GroupThe IPMS is the international plastic modeller’s society for those people

interested in the world of plastic model kits. There are many branches

locally where members meet up to chat and model, but a spin off is

the Special Interest Groups or SIGS where modellers group together to

focus on a special subject of special interest to them.

The TSR-2 SIG origins date back to 2003 when a few members of the

What-If SIG were displaying a variety of the resin TSR-2 models as part

of a British what-if theme for the year. We noticed a large number of

people were paying special interest to the TSR-2, asking questions,

discussing the fate of the aircraft and lamenting on there never being

an affordable plastic kit of the aircraft.

TSR-2The TSR-2 was intended to replace the very successful English Electric

Canberra in the Tactical strike Reconnaissance role. Unlike the rather

basic Canberra, the TSR-2 programme was to make

use of all the latest technology to

design an aircraft

capable of stable supersonic flight at very low

levels and in any weather to accurately strike targets deep behind

enemy lines through the toughest air defence network.

The British Aviation industry, despite strong Government controls which

greatly impeded the development process managed to design, build and

fly an aircraft capable of meeting these impossible criteria.

However, due to the ambitious nature of the requirement

and the massive bureaucracy, the

costs rocketed to such an

extent that the new Labour Government cancelled the programme and

ordered from the USA the General Dynamics F-111K as an alternative

(this too had major cost overruns and the order was later cancelled).

The strike bomber role was then passed onto the Buccaneer and later

Tornado neither of which could match the potential of the TSR-2.

What makes the TSR-2 so special?The reason why the TSR-2 remains a popular subject for many modellers

is that it was the best British Military Aircraft we never had.

It was the ultimate in design for British Aviation Industry showing the best

they could do; only Concorde has a similar appeal and that was a joint

effort with the French. All subsequent mainstream military aircraft have

either been compromises, joint ventures or even off the shelf designs

from other countries.

Given the hype from the period when hopes rested on its success, the

motives for the Government and its method of cancellation of the project

have been the subject for much speculation ever since. Most of the

development work was in an advanced stage with the promise of great

rewards, so why did the Government go to the extreme lengths, not only

of cancelling the TRS-2 development, but also ordering all relevant

material to be destroyed?

TSR-2TSR-2 SIG at Cosford Model Show 6th April 2008

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The BAC TSR-2 was the last solely British designed bomber aircraft of thepost war period. It was the only new manned aircraft project to come out ofthe Sandy Defence review of 1957 that cancelled most of the next generationof jet aircraft in favour of guided missile development.

This led to a new SIG being created for those interested in the TSR-2 in

conjunction with the campaign to persuade Airfix there was a genuine

demand for a TSR-2 kit. Due to the interest shown from the displays at

model shows, the campaign on-line through newsgroups and forums,

Airfix actually took the bold step and announced at Scale Model World

2004 their first own new 1/72 aircraft kit in many years of the TSR-2.

After the success and great demand of the TSR-2 in 1:72 scale, Airfix,

now under the ownership of Hornby Hobbies Limited will release a 1:48

scale version of the TSR-2 as a Limited Edition. The new kit is expected

to be available later this summer.

For more information on the TSR-2 and a special feature length article

on the Airfix 1:72 scale TSR-2 kit visit www.airfix.com then open the

‘Clubs Directory’ and select ‘BAC TSR-2 Special Interest Group’.

Article written by: Chris Payne and Geoff Bakerof the BAC TSR-2 Special Interest Group

Airfix 1:72 BAC TSR-2 07004 (released in 2006)

Both photographs: TSR-2 XR220 at RAF Cosford 2008