Airfix Vulcan model info
Discussion
If you have not built an aircraft model before I would not start with the Airfix Vulcan. Start with something simple, like a WW2 single engined fighter or a 1950s single engined jet. Suggestions would be -
WW2 fighter -
Spitfire
Hurricane
Mustang
Messerschmitt 109
1950s fighter -
MiG 15
F-86 Sabre
Hawker Hunter
In 1/72 these are all pretty cheap to buy (all under £10) and available from a number of different manufacturers. For a quick simple build, I would suggest you look at the Hobby Boss range. Revell also have some nice models of most of the types mentioned above (their Hunter is a gem).
Airfix models are readilly available but vary in quality. Many of the moulds are now very old and even if the models are simple and have a low parts count, by modern standards, they can be awkward to make fit correctly.
However, if time and effort is spent on an Airfix kit, it can still look good.
Regarding the Airfix Vulcan, it was originally released back in 1980 and is a large model when finished. It is crude in comparison to modern models but it is the only 1/72 scale injection moulded Vulcan released and therefore the only game in town if you really want one When completed, it can look really impressive.
None of the models shown above were built by me, I hasten to add. The last picture is a major conversion of the Airfix B2 into a B1 - which shows what a master modeller can do.
WW2 fighter -
Spitfire
Hurricane
Mustang
Messerschmitt 109
1950s fighter -
MiG 15
F-86 Sabre
Hawker Hunter
In 1/72 these are all pretty cheap to buy (all under £10) and available from a number of different manufacturers. For a quick simple build, I would suggest you look at the Hobby Boss range. Revell also have some nice models of most of the types mentioned above (their Hunter is a gem).
Airfix models are readilly available but vary in quality. Many of the moulds are now very old and even if the models are simple and have a low parts count, by modern standards, they can be awkward to make fit correctly.
However, if time and effort is spent on an Airfix kit, it can still look good.
Regarding the Airfix Vulcan, it was originally released back in 1980 and is a large model when finished. It is crude in comparison to modern models but it is the only 1/72 scale injection moulded Vulcan released and therefore the only game in town if you really want one When completed, it can look really impressive.
None of the models shown above were built by me, I hasten to add. The last picture is a major conversion of the Airfix B2 into a B1 - which shows what a master modeller can do.
Edited by Eric Mc on Sunday 4th October 09:18
To the OP, I've been building model aircraft on and off (more off recently) for over 30 years and I'm currently working on one of these.
It's big but does not consist of a huge number of parts and it looks 'right'. There are plenty of options but Airfix have not included the different tail pipes, OK they've not really included any tail pipes, for the different versions of the Olympus used so the XH558 option is actually incorrect.
The panel lines are raised which means that getting rid of seam lines (and there are plenty of those) will result in a lot of lost detail which will have to be added back in somehow.
Interior detail is practically non-existent which is fine if you're going to have the crew door shut but if it's open you've got a huge black hole. The same goes for the gear bays but there are plenty of photos on the internet to help with that.
There is plenty of flash on the mouldings and mine has a lot of sink marks in the engine intakes, wheels etc which have to be filled in and sanded. The biggest problem are those engine intakes as the seams and sink marks are so visible that I'm tempted to build some FOD covers for it - it depends how long it takes to sand down the filler I've put into the intakes. I must admit that I've adapted some of the build sequence so that I can add the moulded turbine blades after the intakes have been smoothed off and painted.
If you want an aircraft that looks like a Vulcan then you could just build it out of the box; if you're a bit of a perfectionist then you're looking at a lot of work.....
I agree with Eric, try something a bit simpler to start with, like a Spitfire or Mustang and then build up to the tin triangle.
It's big but does not consist of a huge number of parts and it looks 'right'. There are plenty of options but Airfix have not included the different tail pipes, OK they've not really included any tail pipes, for the different versions of the Olympus used so the XH558 option is actually incorrect.
The panel lines are raised which means that getting rid of seam lines (and there are plenty of those) will result in a lot of lost detail which will have to be added back in somehow.
Interior detail is practically non-existent which is fine if you're going to have the crew door shut but if it's open you've got a huge black hole. The same goes for the gear bays but there are plenty of photos on the internet to help with that.
There is plenty of flash on the mouldings and mine has a lot of sink marks in the engine intakes, wheels etc which have to be filled in and sanded. The biggest problem are those engine intakes as the seams and sink marks are so visible that I'm tempted to build some FOD covers for it - it depends how long it takes to sand down the filler I've put into the intakes. I must admit that I've adapted some of the build sequence so that I can add the moulded turbine blades after the intakes have been smoothed off and painted.
If you want an aircraft that looks like a Vulcan then you could just build it out of the box; if you're a bit of a perfectionist then you're looking at a lot of work.....
I agree with Eric, try something a bit simpler to start with, like a Spitfire or Mustang and then build up to the tin triangle.
For the record, there have been some other Vulcan model kits.
FROG and Lindberg both released models in 1/96 scale. The Lindberg model is actually of the straight wing leading edge prototype.
Rareplane released a 1/72 Vulcan B2 in vacform.
If you don't fancy building one, Corgi make one in 1/144 scale.
FROG and Lindberg both released models in 1/96 scale. The Lindberg model is actually of the straight wing leading edge prototype.
Rareplane released a 1/72 Vulcan B2 in vacform.
If you don't fancy building one, Corgi make one in 1/144 scale.
Edited by Eric Mc on Wednesday 7th October 08:26
Eric Mc said:
For the record, there have been some other Vulcan model kits.
FROG and Lindberg both released models in 1/96 scale. The Lindberg model is actually of the straight wing leading edge prototype.
Rareplane released a 1/72 Vulcan B2 in vacform.
If you don't fancy building one, Corgi make one in 1/144 scale.
There is also a white metal repro kit of the ultra-rare Dinky Toys Vulcan. Originally only about 500 were made, and they can fetch over £2000 in mint and boxed condition. It is a very elegant model apart from the undercarriage. I've considered one (EDIT: the repro version!) for my collection:FROG and Lindberg both released models in 1/96 scale. The Lindberg model is actually of the straight wing leading edge prototype.
Rareplane released a 1/72 Vulcan B2 in vacform.
If you don't fancy building one, Corgi make one in 1/144 scale.
Edited by Eric Mc on Wednesday 7th October 08:26
Edited by dr_gn on Wednesday 7th October 11:38
Eric Mc said:
Very nice. It has the straight leading edge wings too so must have been based on the prototype.
It was an experiment by Dinky Toys in about 1955 I think: they were looking at using Aluminium for large models instead of Mazak (Zinc alloy). It was a failure since there were big problems with the casting process. Early models had angled wing tips, later ones were rounded to try to solve the problems. Only about 500 made - mainly went to Canada, perhaps 100 known survivors. If you see one cheap at a car boot I suggest you buy it!Edited by dr_gn on Wednesday 7th October 11:39
Eric Mc said:
For the record, there have been some other Vulcan model kits.
FROG and Lindberg both released models in 1/96 scale. The Lindberg model is actually of the straight wing leading edge prototype.
Rareplane released a 1/72 Vulcan B2 in vacform.
If you don't fancy building one, Corgi make one in 1/144 scale.
http://www.wonderlandmodels.com/products/corgi-vulcan/FROG and Lindberg both released models in 1/96 scale. The Lindberg model is actually of the straight wing leading edge prototype.
Rareplane released a 1/72 Vulcan B2 in vacform.
If you don't fancy building one, Corgi make one in 1/144 scale.
Edited by Eric Mc on Wednesday 7th October 08:26
Is it any good considering its £4.99?
DubZeus said:
Eric Mc said:
For the record, there have been some other Vulcan model kits.
FROG and Lindberg both released models in 1/96 scale. The Lindberg model is actually of the straight wing leading edge prototype.
Rareplane released a 1/72 Vulcan B2 in vacform.
If you don't fancy building one, Corgi make one in 1/144 scale.
http://www.wonderlandmodels.com/products/corgi-vulcan/FROG and Lindberg both released models in 1/96 scale. The Lindberg model is actually of the straight wing leading edge prototype.
Rareplane released a 1/72 Vulcan B2 in vacform.
If you don't fancy building one, Corgi make one in 1/144 scale.
Edited by Eric Mc on Wednesday 7th October 08:26
Is it any good considering its £4.99?
vdubbin said:
Are these deltas tougher to fly than other planes? I'd imagine that the aero doesn't scale down so well?
(I'm about halfway through reading Vulcan 607 at the moment, so lots of love to the V-jets!
No problems at all. You'll probably find that the model wing geometry (section, planform, washout etc), is slightly different form full size, and optimised for the model. This, combined with the correct cg position should make it an easy model to fly. (I'm about halfway through reading Vulcan 607 at the moment, so lots of love to the V-jets!
If anything, deltas are easier to fly than conventional models IMO.
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