Best Halifax model - 1/72?
Discussion
In 1/72 the following Halifax models are available -
Airfix
Matchbox (now boxed by Revell)
Revell (new tool - NOT another reboxing of the Matchbox kit).
The Airfix kit is now very old (1960) and very crude by modern injection moulding standards. However, it is still the only kit of the later Hercules powered variants of the Halifax.
The Matchbox (Revell) kit is also quite old, coming out in the late 1970s. It goes together better than the Airfix kit but suffers from deep panel lines , a sparse interior and a badly shaped cockpit canopy which lacks the deeper windscreen on the flight engineer's side - which was very distinctive of the Halifax. This kit depicts a variety of Merlin powered aircraft of both Bomber Command and Coastal Command.
The new Revell kit (2011) is obviously the best with much more subtle panel lines, a lot of internal detail, correctly shaped windscreens etc. However, the general consensus amongst modellers is that Revell missed a golden opportunity to make the best Halifax in that they got the shape of the Rolls Royce Merlins (particularly the intakes) badly wrong and they also got the propeller shapes wrong.
Most of these inaccuracies can be corrected - there are already resin and white metal accessories available to fix the engine and propeller shape issues.
This kit follows the older Matchbox kit in giving you alternatives for Merlin powered Bomber and Coastal Command variants.
Airfix Halifax in its current boxing
Matchbox kit in the original Matchbox packaging
Matchbox Revell in the recent Revell boxing
The new Revell kit which has nothing to do with the one shown above
Airfix
Matchbox (now boxed by Revell)
Revell (new tool - NOT another reboxing of the Matchbox kit).
The Airfix kit is now very old (1960) and very crude by modern injection moulding standards. However, it is still the only kit of the later Hercules powered variants of the Halifax.
The Matchbox (Revell) kit is also quite old, coming out in the late 1970s. It goes together better than the Airfix kit but suffers from deep panel lines , a sparse interior and a badly shaped cockpit canopy which lacks the deeper windscreen on the flight engineer's side - which was very distinctive of the Halifax. This kit depicts a variety of Merlin powered aircraft of both Bomber Command and Coastal Command.
The new Revell kit (2011) is obviously the best with much more subtle panel lines, a lot of internal detail, correctly shaped windscreens etc. However, the general consensus amongst modellers is that Revell missed a golden opportunity to make the best Halifax in that they got the shape of the Rolls Royce Merlins (particularly the intakes) badly wrong and they also got the propeller shapes wrong.
Most of these inaccuracies can be corrected - there are already resin and white metal accessories available to fix the engine and propeller shape issues.
This kit follows the older Matchbox kit in giving you alternatives for Merlin powered Bomber and Coastal Command variants.
Airfix Halifax in its current boxing
Matchbox kit in the original Matchbox packaging
Matchbox Revell in the recent Revell boxing
The new Revell kit which has nothing to do with the one shown above
Some good info here regarding the new Revell kit.
http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?showt...
http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?showt...
Looking at Hannants' site, they are now stocking White Ensign stuff. I didn't realise WEM had diversified into non-marine subjects. They list a number of photo etch / resin parts for the Airfix/Matchbox kits. Eduard have some items for the Revell kit due in stock in May. Looking at the amount of accurising parts available, you could spend a fortune and really go to town!
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