The Fairey Fulmar has previously only been available as a resin kit in 1/48 scale, so it's great to see MPM release one as an injected kit aimed at a wider market.
The kit arrives in what must rate as the most enormous box for a single-engined aircraft ever! You could almost fit two Fulmars in it - but it's a nice strong top-opening box and the kit arrived totally intact, so I guess it didn't rattle around too much in transit. The clear parts are bagged separately and attached to a card insert to ensure they arrive in good condition.
The kit consists of:
107 x medium grey styrene parts on 5 x sprues
13 x clear parts
Perhaps the biggest surprise looking at the parts count is that there are no resin or etched parts included. In a sure move away from their short-run past, the kit is totally injected and MPM have done a good job of it. There's no flash and only a few very minor sink marks and blemishes. The cockpit may not be as busy as you'd expect in resin, but it's still pretty complete and a good basis for extra details - the only surprising ommission is any form of seat-harness or a gunsight.
The kit features excellent surface detail, with a mixture of neatly scribed panel lines and well-depicted fabric control surfaces and a few raised details.
There are no "gimmicks" in the kit - no option for folded wings or even to pose the very clear injected canopies open.
MPM have included a small set of good quality Aviprint decals - thin and glossy with accurate colours and perfect registration for the following schemes:
A. N1892, 6K, 809 Sqn, HMS Victorious, December 1940
B. N2005, 7C, 803 Sqn, HMS Formidable, February 1941
C. N4032, 7R, 800 Sqn, early 1941
Although MPM may still, technically, rank as a short-run producer, anyone worried can take comfort in the fact that the company has made huge strides recently in both the quality and "buildability" of their kits and the Fulmar should prove suitable for most modellers with a little experience. MPM's Fulmar looks very promising, so watch out for Jean-Luc's full Review to follow soon.
Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.
SUMMARY
Highs: MPM have moved on a long way from their short-run origins. The kit is cleanly produced with good detail and general finish.Lows: A few minor surface blemishes, but nothing any experienced modeller can't take care of very quickly.Verdict:
About Rowan Baylis (Merlin) FROM: NO REGIONAL SELECTED, UNITED KINGDOM
I've been modelling for about 40 years, on and off. While I'm happy to build anything, my interests lie primarily in 1/48 scale aircraft. I mostly concentrate on WW2 subjects, although I'm also interested in WW1, Golden Age aviation and the early Jet Age - and have even been known to build the occas...
Nice Job Jean-Luc!
I have to disagree with your verdict on the paint chipping. I think it looks just right. These carrier based aircraft would have got a lot of attention from the elements. Look how battered Corsiars ended up!
Another build for me to aspire to.
Congratulations
Nige
Hi Nigel and Carlos!
Thanks again for your kind comments.
Nigel, after all you are right. While searching on the web for some reference pictures, I came across this one...
Maybe I must add even more weathering!
Jean-Luc
Perhaps you should, but beware,,long term exposure to salt water can have a very detrimental effect on a Fulmars airframe.
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Nigel... I don't think I will go that far!
Jean-Luc
Hi Jean-Luc
It looks absolutely superb! I was initially worried that the Dark Slate Grey was looking too green, but it's knocked back nicely with the weathering.
It's proving to be a great year for British naval aviation modellers - the Special Hobby Roc has just arrived at work and I've taken a break from my video edit to drool over the contents!
All the best
Rowan
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