¹⁄72

Airfix has posted on Workbench blog further information and CAD images of the development of their 1/72 scale Avro Vulcan B.2

”As one of the most important events of its kind in the world, the annual Scale Modelworld show is an opportunity for the hobby to celebrate its continuing healthy state, in addition to allowing like-minded enthusiasts to spend some time admiring model displays of the very highest calibre. For kit manufacturers, the show allows us to garner the opinions of the largest modelling crowds of the year, as well as showcasing a selection of your latest products and hobby developments. In what is now becoming something of a Scale Modelworld tradition, the show is also the event where the Airfix team choose to announce our latest new model tooling projects, the culmination of many months of development work and meticulous planning.
Even though the announcement of any new Airfix tooling project is a time of great excitement for both the company and modellers alike, this latest unveiling would prove to be something extra special, as the subject of our latest model was unquestionably a modelling favourite. As readers may well imagine, the Airfix team receive thousands of suggestions from modellers all over the world on which subjects they would like to see benefit from the significant investment of a new model tooling project and with it, offer the prospect of an accurate and highly detailed scale kit representation of that subject at some point in the near future. Over the past few years, one aircraft type has consistently appeared at the head of this ‘wants’ list and our Scale Modelworld 2019 new tooling announcement was going to be that aircraft – we simply could not wait.
As one of the most distinctive aircraft in the history of flight, the Avro Vulcan B.2 represents not only a proud achievement for the British aviation industry, but also an aircraft which helped to keep the world at peace during one of the most volatile periods in history. Following in the wake of such classic Avro bomber designs as the Manchester and Lancaster, the Vulcan introduced ground-breaking new aviation technologies when it made its first flight on 30th August 1952, becoming the world’s first delta bomber and the most advanced bomber ever to take to the skies. This is made all the more impressive when considering that this first flight took place just nine years after the 19 specially modified Avro Lancaster’s of RAF No.617 Squadron launched their famous raid against the great dams of the Ruhr Valley.
An exclusive selection of computer rendered 3D images produced to announce the launch of our new 1/72nd scale Avro Vulcan B.2 project.
By the time the definitive B.2 variant of the Vulcan entered service, the aircraft’s wing area had increased significantly and although still classed as a delta, would look quite different from the first Vulcans. To cope with the increased power availability from subsequent engine upgrades and to cure the instability issues of the original straight wing design, the B.2 wing had two defined kinks in its leading edge, well forward of the profile of the original wing design. Rather than detract from the pleasing aesthetics of the early Vulcan’s delta wing, the B.2 actually enhanced the profile of the aircraft and even though these changes were obviously made for reasons of operational effectiveness, as opposed to appearance, the B.2 would go on to be considered the most famous (and most numerous) of all the RAF’s Vulcans.
The service introduction of the Vulcan B.2 in July 1960 coincided with the availability of more capable nuclear weapons for the V-bomber force, both in number and destructive potential. It would also bring about a change in thinking regarding the delivery of such weapons, as significant advances in Soviet anti-aircraft technology now threatened the success of a free-fall gravity bomb mission. A significant new weapon would have to be developed in order to maintain the deterrent threat of the Vulcan and its V-bomber partners – ‘Blue Steel’. An air-launched nuclear stand-off missile, ‘Blue Steel’ would allow V-bomber crews to launch their nuclear attacks 100 miles away from their intended target, out of the range of Soviet surface-to-air missile batteries and allowing valuable additional time for crews to avoid the resultant blast.
This next selection of images show how designer Chris has built inherent rigidity into the new Vulcan’s construction, as well as incorporating lots of detail. We also feature images of the two ordnance options to be included with the first release.”
Airfix

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