This is not a build review, or an exhaustive run down of the kit. I received the parcel, opened the box, looked at the parts, photographed them and sat down to write this! I appologise for the quality of the photos, but my usual work area and home studion are currently occupied by a diorama that I'm working on!
Instructions: The usual Airfix format in the form of an A4 booklet with clear part placement diagrams. Humbrol paint numbers are used where painting is required during the assembly process.
Transfers (decals): Clearly printed and in good register. There appears to be minimal film visible around the markings so I cannot foresee any problems in this area
Parts: All of the parts appear cleanly moulded with restrained panel lines and no flash (as you would expect on a new mould!). All are moulded in white plastic which could be a problem if a 'what if' scheme is used, but a definite benefit if you are using the accurate 'anti-flash' white. The clear parts are also cleanly moulded, on the first quick look I didn't see any mould lines on the canopy parts. Frame lines are easily visible and should present no problems during masking.
Conclusion
I placed my order for this kit as soon as Hannants put it on their website, and cannot wait for it to reach it's place on the workbench. If it builds as good as it looks in the box, then I won't be disappointed. Look out for the finished model on here in a month or so!!
Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.
SUMMARY
Highs: All of it! From the box art to the plastic inside.Lows: Price?Verdict: A long awaited model of what could have become one of the foremost strike aircraft of the 20th century
About Dave Cox (DaveCox) FROM: ENGLAND - SOUTH EAST, UNITED KINGDOM
Hi, I'm a 58 year old, who like most of us hasn't really grown up! I started modelling when I was 7, with no peers or tutors - every week my pocket money was blown on a series 1 Airfix or Revell kit which took about an hour to put together. A couple of replays of the Biggles books and another one ne...
Hi Dave
I looked into ModelZone (Holborn) on my way home and... no sign of the TSR-2 - it seems their first batch has sold out already!
All the best
Rowan
i pre ordered one but since i believe the model shop has stopped trading and think that i have lost my money on that one, i have since ordered another one which should be here this week. think a phone call to the orginal modelshop is in order, is it possible to claim money back through paypal from the order in september? look forward to starting this one but must get my other planes finished first. the only problem then is where to put them
Addendum to my review:
I was checking through the instruction manual aginst the kit parts before starting the build this weekend and there appears to be an error (initially I thought it was the kit, but it's the instructions!). If you look at the pic below there is a hydraulic strut connecting the undercarriage leg to the 'bogie' that has the wheels attached. This is not mentioned in the kit's instructions, but does appear to be on the sprue. Or at least the parts that I've ringed on the photo of the sprue are not shown as used anywhere else and could be employed as the missing struts!
Hi Dave,
I think the struts were an early fix on the prototype to help cure u/c problems. It's good that Airfix have included them, just a shame they don't mention them in the instructions!
Got my TSR-2 yesterday and have cleared the decks! This big plane is crying out to be built NOW....!
By the way, has anybody got colour pics of the plane in the Weylands factory? Can only find the ones in the Aeroguide book.
Cheers
Kirk
Yep, the strut was added to prevent the bogie from locking in the 'tail down' position on the back wheels only as soon as weight was put on it! They will be needed for any 'plane after the first couple of flights.
I should be starting a build log in the next couple of days - a couple of sub assemblies started but I'll get some paint on them before posting as the white plastic is a lady (not the word I typed btw) to photograph.
First impressions:
1) All sprue gates are thick, but the plastic is soft and easy to work with.
2) The instructions are not that clear in some areas - notably parts 21c and 24c - airbrake interiors. Not much of a concern as they'll be closed on my aircraft.
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