T h e O f f i c i a l A i r f i x C l u b M a g a z i n e . . . I s s u e 5 2 0 0 8

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IN THIS ISSUE...

AIRFIX 2009SNEAK PREVIEW

PLUS...

Contents

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Editorial2008 Oct-Dec Release Programme Pages 3 - 6

Sneak Preview of Airfix 2009 Page 6

Back in Time...The Airfix Magazine Page 7

Airfix Model of the 1960's Page 8

Classic British Kits Group Page 9

Model Build - The Endeavour Pages 10 & 11

Competition Time Page 12

With this issue, we celebrate the 1st Birthday of ournew Airfix Club. We hope you have enjoyed readingthe magazine – a publication that we have enjoyedbringing to you – over the past twelve months and thatthose of you who have been with us since last Novemberwill re-subscribe for a further year.

In the current economic climate, you might decide to choose the download version of themagazine, which is cheaper. However, if you prefer to pay a little extra, remember you will also qualify to receive thefree Airfix catalogue as part of your subscription, whereas email subscribers can view the catalogue on-line. Thechoice is yours. For those of you whose subscription comes to an end shortly, a renewal form is enclosed on theback of the address sheet with this issue. We look forward to welcoming you as a continuing member again in 2009.

We reveal the fantastic 2009Exclusive Club Kit, FREE to members!

As subscribers to the AirfixClub, you all receive – eitheras a new or renewing member– an exclusive Airfix kit,absolutely free as part of yourannual entitlement. The model

is not available outside the Club and our specially commissionedSpitfire this year is already proving collectable, with one or twoeven being seen on eBay – such is the demand to get hold of it.

Looking forward to the New Year, we have commissioned areal gem for Club members in 2009.

Available from December, new and renewing subscribers willreceive a highly detailed Airfix Triple Pack, comprising threeaircraft in 1:72 scale. One of these – the Seafire Mk IIC hasnever been produced in 1:72 Scale, so we have scored a ‘first’.This is accompanied by a Swordfish Mk II and a Wildcat Mk VI.

Neither has been part of the Airfix range for quite a while andthe Wildcat will prove particularly interesting in brand newmarkings.

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20082008OCTOBER-DECEMBER RELEASE PROGRAMME

Military Aircraft

We review the variety of Airfix kits being released between now and the endof December

RAF in Afghanistan the same year. It was formerly retired on 28th July 2006 ata ceremony marking the closure of No. 39 (PRU) Squadron at RAF Marham,which included a flypast by a Canberra PR9 on its last ever sortie.

The English Electric Canberra’s original role was that of a bomber aircraft.Manufactured by EE, it took to the air for the first time on 13th May 1949 andwas introduced in mass numbers in 1951. Of the 901 built, 48 went to theRoyal Australian Air Force.

The aircraft was named Canberra because Australia was the first overseascountry to take the plane. In addition, the USA took just over 400, where itflew as a Canberra variant as B.57 Martin. The B2 was the first productionversion of the Canberra and featured wing tip teardrop shaped fuel tanks. TheB20, which had three crew members, also carried extra fuel tanks in its wings.It equipped 35 RAF squadrons and was exported to a vast number of othercountries across the world. Despite the aircraft’s retirement from official dutiesin 2006, three RAF Canberras are used by Delta Jets at Kemble. About tenairworthy Canberrras are also in private hands and are seen at air displays.The Airfix model comes with three variants and when finished has a wingspanof 406 mm and a length of 416mm.

Two other new Airfix Canberras are to join the fleet. Both in 1:72 scale, look outfor A05038 English Electric Canberra B(I)8 and A05039 English Electric CanberraPR.9. It was an example of the PR.9 that flew over RAF Marham on 28th July2006 in a final salute marking the closure of No. 39 (PRU) Squadron.

A10101 English Electric CanberraB.2/B20

A05038 English Electric Canberra B(I)8 A05039 English Electric Canberra PR.9

The TSR-2 developed by the British Aircraft Corporation in the 1960s for the RAFproved to be one of the most ill-fated and politically controversial aircraft of the era.TSR-2 was designed to penetrate a well-defended forward battle area at lowaltitudes and very high speeds and then attack high-value targets in the rear withclose-in bomb runs and precision drops. The TSR-2 included a number ofadvanced features that made it the highest performing aircraft in this role. It isinteresting to note that some of its features were subsequently used in the designof Concorde some years later, notably instruments and re-vamped engines.

Prior to the development of the TSR-2, the RAF had used the English ElectricCanberra bomber but its shortcomings made it vulnerable to potential attack fromthe highly developed Soviet interceptors. Even the Avro Vulcan or B-52 Stratofortresswere proving no match for the Soviet weapons, so a replacement had to be found.

The specification for the replacement aircraft seemed very ambitious for thetechnology of the day, requiring a supersonic all-weather aircraft that could delivernuclear weapons over a long range, operate at high level at Mach 2+ or low levelat Mach 1.2, with a shor t takeoff ability from less than perfect airstrips. Thespecification also included an ability to deliver tactical nuclear weapons at lowlevel in all weathers by day and night – blind bombing if necessary; photo-reconnaissance at medium and low levels both day and night; electronicreconnaissance; and the ability to deliver conventional bombs and rockets.

In January 1959, the Ministry of Supply announced that Vickers-Armstrong wouldbuild the TSR-2, working with English Electric. The name TSR-2 came from thetitle ‘Tactical Strike and Reconnaissance 2.’ The number 2 may have come fromthe fact that many thought the Canberra was considered in some circles to be theTSR Mark 1 or that the 2 signified a Mach 2 performance. No one knows forcertain. The aim of the consortium of Vickers/EE was to have an aircraft flying by1963 but the Government issued no order. By 1960, the companies had becomepart of the British Aircraft Corporation. After much design work, the TSR-2 prototypeXR219 made its maiden flight on 27th September 1964 piloted by the legendaryRoland Beaumont. Aerodynamically, the aircraft was perfect but there were someteething problems with the engines and the undercarriage. The second prototype– XR220 – incorporated modifications and the first supersonic test flight took placeat the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment at Boscombe Down,again piloted by Roland Beaumont. Subsequent test flights proved the planeoutstanding, according to the pilot although the production costs were escalating.

However, alongside the UK’s TSR-2, the USA on the other side of the Atlantic weredeveloping their General Dynamics swing-wing F-111 aircraft and in spite of theTSR-2’s advanced development, it came as an enormous shock within the UKaircraft industry to hear the Government announce in April 1965 that it was scrappingthe TSR-2 in favour of the US aircraft, giving the relative cost as the reason.

The speed with which the TSR-2 tooling and partially completed aircraft weredestroyed is still the subject of much argument and discussion today. Two finishedbut unflown aircraft survived, though with substantial internal damage inflicted.Such extensive destruction made any subsequent attempt to reintroduce theaircraft impossible as the design work would have required a completely new startfrom scratch. XR220 is in the Museum at RAF Cosford and XR222 is in the ImperialWar Museum, Duxford. The Limited Edition Airfix model of the TSR-2 comes asa single variant in 1:48 scale. It has 171 pieces and when completed has a length of565mm and a wingspan of 235mm.

A10105 TSR-2

This newly tooled Airfix model replicates in 1:48 scale the British aircraftheralded as the first generation of jet-powered light bomber manufactured inthe 1950s. It was so adaptable in the air that it was used for a variety of tasksincluding tactical bombing, photo-reconnaissance, electronics andmeteorological reconnaissance. It durability in service lasted for 57 years fromits inception – up to June 2006 when it was retired. Its last role was with the

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A03072 Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer S2B/S2-C-DSMk50Designed as a low-level strike aircraft for the Fleet Air Arm, the Buccaneer wastransferred for use with the RAF after the cancellation of the ill-fated TSR.2 andits subsequent rival the American F.111K.

The new 1:72 scale Airfix model has three kit variations and when completehas a finished length of 267mm. Wingspan 185mm.

Military Aircraft (continued)

Civil Aircraft Electric Motor

A03035 Alpha JetAlso a new introduction this year, the 1:72 scaleaircraft has 65 pieces with two possible variations.Length 170mm.Wingspan 127mm.

A04022 Mirage F.1This aircraft is the successor to the Mirage III andMirage 5 fighters. It has a brand new swept wingconfiguration mounted high on the fuselage butincorporates a conventional tail surface.

The new Airfix model is in 1:72 scale and features three kit variations. With 72pieces, its finished length is 210mm and wingspan 117mm.

A04033 Douglas Boston IIIA new 2008 Airfix model in 1:72 scale replicates thewartime Douglas Boston III that took par t in theattacks on German shipping including theScharnhorst. The kit comes as a single variant and

has 65 pieces. Its length when complete is 203mm and wingspan of 259mm.

A05035 Chinook HelicopterThis modern helicopter enters the Airfix range thisyear in 1:72 scale. The HC2 and HC2A are usedprimarily for troop carrying and are seen in mosttheatres of war. The Airfix model has 153 pieces

with two kit variations. Length 216mm. Width 254mm.

A02065 Supermarine SpitfireMk IXcIn 1941 the Luftwaffe introduced the Focke WulfFW190, proving a formidable foe to the RAFfighters. The Spitfire Mk IX was a significant

improvement on its predecessor the Mk V. With a top speed of 409 mph at28,000 ft, it was also capable of a service ceiling of 43,000 ft. The Airfix modelin 1:72 scale is also a new introduction this year and comes with 2 kit variations.Its length is 131mm and wingspan 155mm.

A05003 Fokker F.27 FriendshipDeveloped as a replacement for the DC-32, theF.27 Fokker Friendship first flew in 1955.

It became the most widely built turbo-prop aircraftin the western world.

This new 1:72 scale Airfix model has three kitvariations, 80 pieces and when finished has a length of 320mm and awingspan of 403mm.

A05037 Vickers Wellington MkIC/MkIIINew for 2008, this 1:72 scale model kit has alength of 356mm and a width of 364mm. With136 pieces, there are 2 variations included with it.

A02005 BAe Red Arrows HawkThis famous aerobatic display team of nine Hawksmaking up the Red Arrows has a presence at mostmajor air shows and national events where theynever fail to bring a lump to the throat in their

patriotic livery. This brand new Airfix tool in 1:72 scale features the new 2008colour scheme of the Red Arrows. The kit comes with three variations and has afinished length of 130mm and wingspan of 163mm.

A03073 BAe Hawk 128/132The Hawk 128 is the new Advanced Jet Trainer(AJT) for the RAF and the Royal Navy. The HawkMk 132 trainer is being produced for the Indian AirForce, the first being delivered in 2007. The new

1:72 scale Airfix kit contains both kit variations. Length 172mm. Wingspan 138mm.Number of pieces 100

A05036 Horsa GliderNew to Airfix for 2008 in 1:72 scale, the Horsamodel has 106 pieces, 2 kit variations and whencompleted is 287mm long and 372mm wide. Theglider in real life played a key role on D-Day in June

1944 and at Arnhem in September the same year.

A04005 North American B-25MitchellThe first production B-25s flew in August 1940.The 1:72 scale Airfix replica has 118 pieces, threekit variations and when finished has a length of

224mm and a wingspan of 286mm.

AF1004 1:24 Scale Electric MotorIf you collect and build the 1:24 scale Airfix series ofaircraft, you can inject real life into them by installingthis new 1:24 scale electric motor inside the model,which activates the propellers.

The Golden Age of Steam

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Military Vehicles

Historic Ships and Marine Vessels

The discovery of steam and how to harness it to industrial use is attributed to James Watt, who watched the steaming kettle over the fire. The subsequent inventionslead to the Industrial Revolution and the Golden Age of Steam Power across the world. These two Airfix kits in 1:32 scale take us back in time to those pioneering days.

A50047 The Endeavour

A02325 Saladin MkII ArmouredCarThe Saladin armoured car has a crew of three –driver, gunner and commander, who doubles as a

gun loader. The 76mm gun fires HESH, HE, smoke and canister rounds.

The 1:76 scale Airfix model comes as a single kit variant with 45 pieces. Whenfinished it has a length of 70mm and a width of 43mm. The model is new tothe 2008 range.

A02330 Vickers Light TankAnother new 2008 introduction in 1:76 scale, theAirfix model represents the Mk VI tank that cameinto production in 1936 and was the culmination ofa series of machine gun armed light tanks produced

during that decade. With 35 pieces and three kit variants, the finished lengthis 52mm and width 27mm.

AO2327 M13 US Fire SupportVehicleAlso in 1:76 scale and new for 2008, themodel represents a vehicle used in Vietnam by

the Australian Army, who experimented with fitting the turrets from obsoleteSaladin armoured cars to their M113s, which resulted in this version.

The Airfix vehicle has a single kit variant, and 37 pieces. Its length is 63mmand width 35mm.

A02335 Matilda ‘Hedgehog’The new 1:76 Airfix kit replicates a tank thatwas based on the British Matilda vehicle andfitted with a 7-spigot ‘Hedgehog’ naval mortar.

This variant was developed by theAustralian Army.

The Airfix kit in 1:120 scale replicatesthe famous sailing ship that, in 1768,sailed from Plymouth under thecommand of the legendary navigatorand explorer Captain James Cook.

Born in 1728 in the village of Marton,North Yorkshire – now a suburb ofMiddlesbrough, he was one of fivechildren born to a Scottish labourer anda local wife. At the age of 16, Jameswas sent to a Mr Sanderson in theseaside village of Staithes where heworked in a general store. Two yearslater in 1746, James moved to nearbyWhitby where he was apprenticed toJohn and Henry Walker in Grape Laneoverlooking the harbour. The Walkersowned coal ships that plied between the

North East and London. In those days, this fishing port opening up into the NorthSea was famous for its whaling ships, fishing fleets, general cargo shipping aswell as the less honourable smuggling trade! Its streets and ale-houses full ofsailors relating their tales of adventures on the high seas would be a fascinatingdraw for anyone interested in going away to sea and James Cook’s passion wasexactly that. He eventually achieved his ambition when in 1755 he joined the RoyalNavy, working his way up from Ordinary Seaman to Master.

It was a far cry from the premises in Grape Lane – which for anyone interested innaval history, is now a much-visited Memorial Museum devoted to Captain Cook.Marton, near Middlesbrough, also has the Captain Cook Bir thplace Museum inStewart Park, immortalising its local hero as well as a display of related seafaringand local artefacts from the 18th Century.

Captain Cook was to discover and chart much of the southern hemisphere, includingthe East Coast of Australia and the unknown islands of the Pacific during his severalvoyages. He chose the bark Endeavour for several reasons. A Whitby collier,Endeavour was the type of vessel he knew to be sturdy and practical, solidly builtwith a broad beam and a shallow draught making it less likely to run aground. Givenits moderate size, it could also be easily managed by a small crew.

His Majesty’s Bark Endeavour was built by Thomas Fishburn of Whitby and launchedin June 1764. She was ship-rigged and sturdily built. As a collier, the flat-bottomedhull enabled her to sail into shallow waters and she could be beached for loading,unloading and repairs. Unfortunately, HM Bark Endeavour ended her days under thename of ‘Lord Sandwich’ and was scuttled off Newport, Rhode Island in 1778. Herwreckage has never been recovered. However, some of her dimensions exist andthose that don’t can be surmised from similar vessels of the day.

Her length was 106 ft (32.3 metres) and 97 ft 7 ins. on her lower deck with a beamof 29ft 3 ins (8/9m). Surviving drawings of Endeavour do not show the mast planbut we can ascertain that she was a fully rigged ship with main and foremasts of129 and 110 ft respectively with a sails propulsion of 3.321 sq. yds. (897 squaremetres). Her speed would have been 7 to 8 knots – 13 to 15 kilometres an hour.Capable of a complement of 94, her crew would have comprised 85 including adozen or so Marines. Typical armaments would have been ten 4-pounders and 12swivel guns. The Airfix kit comprises 106 pieces and when completed, it has a lengthof 395 mm and a width of 355 mm.

A05870 Beam EngineThe A05870 Beam Engine replicates the engine widely

used in British industry in the lead up to the Industrial

Revolution. These huge engines were employed –for

example – in pumping water from the mines but were used in various situations in

heavy industry.

Length: 185mm, Width: 150mm, Number of pieces: 70.

A05871 Steam LocoThe A05871 represents an 1804 Steam Locomotive.

Cornishman, Richard Trevithick was the young

engineer responsible for the most of important of

all steam inventions – the locomotive. In 1795, at the age of 25, he was building

working models of high-pressure steam engines. In 1804, his first steam locomotive,

Penydarren, was unveiled and ran at the then earth-shattering speed of 5 mph.

Boxed Gift Sets

Science Museum UK Series

Battle of Britian Memorial Flight Set... Dogfights of WWII...

The London Science Museum is one of the most renowned and most visited in the world. Airfix, in collaboration withthe Museum, have introduced...

STOP PRESS Sneak Preview of Airfix 2009Without wanting to give too much away, your Airfix Clubteam is privileged in having a sneak preview of someof the highlights from the new 2009 Airfix range inadvance of the official launch in November. All areconfirmed introductions.Modellers specialising in 1:72 scale Military Aircraft will be especially pleasedto see a wealth of newly tooled models entering the range during the course ofthe year. The Spitfire will appear as A02017 Spitfire PRXIX, as well as A02065Supermarine Spitfire MK IXc. Look out too for the new Messerschmitt Bf 109G(A02029). A02037 MiG 15 also joins the range, as do two Sea Harriers – theFRS1 (A03078) and the FA2 (A03079).

Re-releases in 1:72 scale see the return of the Grumman Widgeon Gosling(A01073), Hannover CLIII (A01050), RE8 (A01076), Albatros D.Va (A01078),Bristol Fighter F2B (A01080), Supermarine Walrus MkII (A02002), Blohm & VossBv141 (A03014), Petlyakov Pe2 (A03034) and the Focke Wulf Fw189 (A03053).

Still on an Aviation theme, the popular Sea Vixen is being launched in 1:48scale as a Limited Edition.

If your special interest is Warships, the newly tooled HMS Illustrious has beenconfirmed as a newly tooled model for next year. It will appear in 1:350 scaleas model A12202.

HMS Illustrious or ‘Lusty’ to her crew is the second of three Invincible ClassAircraft Carriers. She was laid down by Swan and Hunter on the river Tyne in

6

HMS Illustrious sister ship HMS Invincible being welcomed home after the Falklands War.

1978 and later entered service with the Royal Navy in 1982. With the break outof The Falklands War the ‘fitting out’ period was sped up, yet the war was wonbefore she was completed. However, she did perform a useful service in theaftermath and replaced her sister ship HMS Invincible who had been stationedthere for many months (HMS Invincible seen pictured below enteringPor tsmouth Harbour).

Carrying a Naval crew of 685 and a further 366 service personnel from theFleet Air Arm, HMS Illustrious is an amazing 209 metres in length and has adisplacement of 20,600 tons. Aircrafts carried are currently; Harrier GR.7/9(fighter/bomber), Sea King ASaC and Merlin HM Mk.1 helicopters.

We will have more in-depth news for you on what promises to be a very excitingrange for 2009 in the next issue of the Airfix magazine. In the meantime, wehope we have given you sufficient information to whet your appetites – and toextend your Christmas wish-lists!!

A50055 BBMF Spitfire Mk VbThis large-scale 1:24 piece set is a new 2008 introduction and features thenew electric motor creating a realistic spinning propeller option. It has 192pieces with a length of 384mm, wingspan of 468mm and comes as a singlekit variation.

A50043 McDonnell-DouglasF-18A HornetThis new Airfix model is 1:72 scale and comprises94 pieces. Finished, it is 237 mm long, 172mm

wide and comes with a display stand. The one kit variation replicates the F-18AHornet used by the US Navy on its aircraft carriers.

A50068 Dogfight DoubleMesserschmitt Me262A andde Havilland Mosquito

New for 2008, this 1:72 scale set contains two of the iconic aircraft of WWII.The only Luftwaffe interceptor that stood a chance of catching and destroyingthe Mosquito was the first operational jet – the Me262A. The dogfight can bedisplayed on the stand included with the Airfix set. With one kit variation, thereare 40/97 pieces to construct respectively with finished lengths of 147/171mmand wingspan of 179/228mm. It also contains paints and glue.

A50057 The Science of FlightThe Science of Flight set comprises thepieces to complete five aircraft and coversthe subject of 20th century flight. The setuses Airfix to describe the amazing

evolvement of fixed-wing flight. The set includes a display stand plus anexplanatory booklet written by the Science Museum.

A50058 The Science ofAutomobilesThis new 1:32 scale Airfix set comprisesthree automobiles of the 20th century

and uses them to explain the development of cars since the early days to themodern efficient, safe and enjoyable motoring pastime.

magazinethe

Back in Time...

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Chris Ellis, the well-known model journalistand magazine editor - particularly on thesubject of aircraft and railways, was theeventual Editor of the original Airfix Magazinewhich was first published in 1960. Chris looksback at its development in those early years.

Though Airfix had produced leaflets and kit catalogues to promote

the then relatively new kit range in the last half of the 1950s, the

company’s big and successful move into the consumer publicity

came with the publication of the Airfix Magazine. The first issue

appeared in June 1960, price 1/- (5 pence in today’s money).

The idea came from John Webb, whose publicity firm looked

after the Airfix public relations at that time. He formed a company,

Knightsbridge Publications, to produce the magazine under

contract to Airfix. For the first year or so, until the company was

reorganised, John also edited the magazine with well-known

modeller Alan Hall as associate editor.

Fig. 2 - A typical two-page conversion article of the early days, covering the making ofa tank-busting Hurricane from the Airfix 1:72 scale kit.

The inspiration for this venture may well have been the Meccano Magazine, which

had long been published by the Meccano company, also the makers of Hornby

trains in those days.

The Meccano and Hornby ranges were well publicised in the Meccano Magazine

and Airfix products were similarly well covered in Airfix Magazine. Having a model

magazine on sale monthly with the product name in the title undoubtedly helped

these brand names to become so well known.

Fig.2

Fig.1

Airfix Magazine was relatively modest looking even by the standards of 1960 and

it was small format too, at 8 ½” deep and 4 ½” wide. The production budget was

always low but each issue was packed with informative articles and news about

new kits, models and the real thing.

The magazine also reviewed new kits and models made by other firms. The readers

really appreciated this and the fact that Airfix acknowledged they were not the

only model company in the market place. However, articles relating to Airfix

models predominated and in most issues there were at least two or more

articles covering conversions possible with Airfix kits.

The ease of cutting, filing and altering the plastic parts of kits extended the

art of modelling quite considerably, as it still does today. An early article

showing how to alter the basic Hurricane to the tank-buster version with

40mm guns under the wings, published in the November 1960 issue is

shown here as a typical example.

Airfix Magazine was very well received. Issue No. 1 was a complete sell

out. Until November 1960 (Issue No. 6), the cover was in black and white

but from No. 7 – December 1960 – a more striking cover design with

colour illustration was introduced, which set the pattern for the next

three years.

It would be interesting to hear if any current Airfix Club subscribers still

treasure those early Airfix Magazines of the 1960s. They are undoubtedly

collectors’ pieces now.

Fig.1 - Early issues: the last issue – No. 6 – with black and white cover (left) with the nextissue No. 7, in colour for the first time featuring a Gloster Javelin.

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Jeremy Brooks remembers building his

Airfix model of the 1960s...

Airfix’s first real construction kit was asmall replica of the Golden Hind whichwas released in 1952. It was a hugesuccess and prompted Airfix to producemodels of seven other sailing ships overthe next five years before deciding tocease further development of this range.

Nicholas Kove, the founder of Airfix, hadinitially only wanted to produce modelsof sailing ships as he saw it as awinning formula. However, his staff feltthat the range should be broadened toinclude subjects such as cars andaeroplanes and to this end models of aSpitfire and 1930 Bentley were introduced in 1955. The greaterpopularity of these ranges probably resulted in the decision toterminate the sailing ships range with the Revenge in 1957.

Although Airfix would over the years go on to introduce many different subjects into itsever expanding range of kits, sailing ships had not been forgotten because in 1963, alarge scale model of Captain Cook’s ship, the Endeavour Bark, 1768, was introduced.It was the first kit to appear in Series 7 and was priced at 12s 6d (62.5p in today’smoney). I suspect that the Endeavour was chosen as the first kit in this new range asmany of the others in the small scale series were already being produced by othermanufacturers mainly in the United States and being a fairly small ship in comparisonto say the Victory, would be an ideal starting point for a new range. I don’t think anybodyelse has produced a model of the Endeavour so it has the market to itself!

I was thirteen when it was first released and being a confirmed Airfixophile, who hadstarted a collection of anything to do with Airfix (I rarely made any other manufacturers’kits largely because they weren’t Airfix), I just had to have one. So one of my Christmaspresents for 1963 was the Endeavour.

The Airfix range was fairly extensive by 1963, numbering around 150 kits, the largestand most complicated of which was the Sunderland flying boat in Series 6. The Endeavourwas a much more detailed and intricate kit than any of the earlier Airfix kits and wasdefinitely not one for the youngest modellers who probably could not have afforded itout of their pocket money anyway.

So what was this ground-breaking kit like? It was first released in a landscape-modebox with what is known as a Type 2 illustration with a central vertical stripe with allthe writing on the right hand side. The picture showed the ship tied up to a dock withthe sails furled (or “rolled up”). Later it would appear in Type 3 packaging with a newillustration showing the ship at sea from the rear and finally with the excellent BrianKnight painting which is being used for this year’s release.

As I write this article I have that original kit in front of me, a little dusty but not badlymade and painted for a thirteen year old. I can still remember opening the box for thefirst time and seeing the contents within. Most noticeable were the two large hull sides.The colour of the plastic was a light brown, a sort of chocolate caramel colour whichwas later changed to dark brown for future releases. It did mean that I did not have topaint the upper hull sides, deck or masts if I didn’t want to, or didn’t have the paint.

Unlike the smaller ships which had billowing sails moulded onto the spars, the

Endeavour’s sails were all furled, as they would be in harbour and were moulded withthe individual spars. I quite liked this as it enabled one to see more clearly the mastsand deck and anyway why would a ship want to have a full set of wind-filled sails whenit is mounted on a stand! Subsequent models had a large cream coloured vacuum-formed sheet of sails which were individually cut out and glued to the bare spars. TheEndeavour would later receive this treatment but it might be possible in the future tomould a separate runner with the furled sails on the spars to give modellers the optionof making the original kit.

Five very small crew figures were included and along with the cannons were myfavourite parts of the kit. Since the kits in this series were largely to different scales(one of the few series where Airfix’s “Constant Scale” did not apply) the figures couldnot easily be used on other ships in the series.

In the bottom of the box was a sheet of nylon ratlines which had to be carefully cut outso that they could be stuck onto the masts to enable the crew figures to climb them.The recent Humbrol re-releases often had a Heller-designed jig, instead of the nylonsheet, to make the ratlines but this did look rather complicated compared to the oldsharp scissors and steady hand required for the original Airfix models.

Also included was a rigging diagram and so I had to ‘borrow’ one of my mum’s blackcotton reels to do the rest of the rigging. As I was using the polystyrene cement tostick the cotton to the masts, etc, it required quite a lot of thought to work out how toget as much rigging as possible out of one length of cotton before starting off with anew piece. The coils of rope which were tied round the masts to prevent splitting alsohad to be stuck on although subsequent kits had these moulded onto the masts.

I remember having to get the tension right to avoid bending the masts and spars. Theywould become a dust trap and a nightmare to dust – don’t let your mum do it!

As I look at my old sailing ship models I realise that the Endeavour is still probablymy favourite and is the ideal sailing ship kit for younger modellers to cut their teeth(and fingertips) on. So I am very pleased that Airfix are re-releasing it this year sothat a whole new generation of modellers, whose parents were not even born in 1963,can experience some of the pleasure and enjoyment I got out of this model-makingendeavour of 45 years ago.

PAST & PRESENT

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Merlin Jones reports on:

The Classic BritishKits Special InterestGroup of the IPMS-UKFor the uninitiated, the IPMS –UK stands for InternationalPlastic Modelling Society – UK. For those of you who arewell into modelling, the Classic British Kits Special InterestGroup can also be abbreviated into a manageable CBK –SIG, which is how I will refer to it throughout this article.

History...In 2005, having introduced the concept of the Group Build to the former AirfixForum, the then owners Humbrol invited me to showcase the work of Forummembers alongside the Humbrol-Airfix stand at the Scalemodelworld show. Theexercise was a great success and as well as recruiting new members, visitors hada chance to meet and discuss their hobby with the Airfix team present.

2006 saw the demise of the old official Airfix Forum but I was invited to join theUnofficial Airfix Forum (UAF) where I established the Classic British Kits SpecialInterest Group of the IPMS-UK. The forum became the Unofficial Airfix ModellersForum – as it is now – and the CBK SIG made its show debut at Scalemodelworld.Again the stand was a great success and we managed to rekindle the interest ofthe original Airfix Forum members. The stand displays showed off many of theclassic British kits from Airfix and Frog to Matchbox but I thought we as a groupcould do even better.

Scalemodelworld 2007...Last November at the SMW exhibition, the CBK-SIG showcased classic Airfix. I wasinspired to recreate in real life the cover of the 14th Edition catalogue from 1977,which I thought would be a great display. Thirty years ago, Airfix was doing verywell, reflected in the variety and number of models in the range. Therefore torecreate that display would not be easy as many models had been discontinuedor re-tooled. Some detective work and a great deal of effort were needed to trackdown all 121 models of all types. Model shows usually abound in aircraft, AFVsand the occasional warship but I wanted to include bullfinches, historical figures,classic sailing ships and locomotives, many of which seldom get a look in.

Fortunately, the idea caught the imagination of worldwide Forum members of allages, who all took part in tracking down the originals. Not only did the buildingand finishing require some coordination – and in some instances enthusiasticencouragement (read that as ‘nagging’) but there was also the logistics ofgathering the models together for the show. Much thought and internationalco-operation saw modellers giving kits away to those who could build them, kitswapping and even modellers building models they wouldn’t normally touch witha very long piece of stretched sprue!

It was also clear that the image on the front cover of the 1977 catalogue had beenthe result of some very clever arrangement to enable all the models to appear tobe arranged in a neat A4-sized rectangle. The back row comprised large classicsailing ships whilst the front row, seemingly taking up the same width of picture,featured small HO/OO AFVs. The display space for our purposes comprised twotables giving us a display space of 12’ x 4’. It took fellow enthusiast Matt Baconand I a whole Sunday to configure it but we managed it!

The display was a resounding success from modellers who remembered thehalcyon days of 1970s modelling to those who were inspired to go along to otherstalls to try to buy some of these varied and quality Airfix kits. And they werepleasantly surprised to find some of them. The display featured a good range ofmodelling skills and abilities from novice to experienced hobbyists and also providedthe backdrop for an exchange of tips, news and ideas from fellow enthusiasts.Whilst we didn’t win any prizes, we had a great weekend and realised ouroriginal goal.

This year, it’s the turn of Matchbox and we’ll be featuring the contents of the 1978Matchbox kit catalogue.

In the meantime, if you would like more information after reading this article,visit the following website:

http://gregers.7.forumer.com

Scalemodelworld 2008...The 2008 Show is being held over the 15-16th November at the Telford ExhibitionCentre,Telford, Shropshire and as Merlin Jones has indicated, the CBK-SIG themewill be the 1978 Matchbox kit catalogue.

In addition, Airfix will have a large presence with a stand at the show, so comealong and meet the ‘official’ Hornby Hobbies Airfix team. We particularly lookforward to meeting our Airfix Club members. See you there!

Left to right: Tim Mansfield, Jack Bacon, Mike Williams, myself, Ted Taylor, Alan Bean andMatt Bacon.

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There are five Classic Ships in the current Airfix Catalogue. They are the Endeavour, HMS Victory,Wasa, HMS Bounty and the Cutty Sark. The Endeavour along with the Bounty is probably theeasiest to build. The other three are a little more difficult for different reasons. The Victory hasmany small parts (like the gun doors) which need careful gluing, the Wasa has some intricatedetailing on the stern which requires a steady hand with painting and the Cutty Sark has manysails and masts which need a lot of rigging.

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1. So, on to the Endeavour build. This began as you would expect with the hull and deck sections.The hull needed a little filler along the bottom seam before it all had a couple of coats of white primer.At the same time all the other smaller parts were primed while still on their runners. (Picture 1)

2. Painting then began. The deck was given a light coat of H103 Cream brushed in the directionthat the planks lay. Don’t worry if it looks a little streaky as this adds to the overall effect. Theinsides of the hull above the deck and handrail struts were painted a wood effect (more of this ina moment) and the handrails were painted H33 Matt Black. It’s always easier to completely paintthe deck areas first as once you start adding the masts and rigging it will be very difficult to geta brush in these areas. (Picture 2)

3. Most of the Endeavour is painted in a varnished wood effect. This was achieved by lightly stirringa pot of H26 Khaki and lightly brushing in the same direction as the grain of the ‘wood’ on themodel. Don’t stir the paint too much as you don’t want the paint too thick to cover the primertoo much. Some of the primer should still show through and a streaky effect is what you’reaiming for. Once this dried a single coat of H1322 Clear Orange was brushed over the top.This makes the ‘wood’ slightly glossy and changes the colour to a varnished wood colour. Thewindows were painted dark grey to contrast all the black detailing this model includes. (Pictures3 and 4)

4. Details on the deck were added next and any parts that are ‘wood’were painted using the samemethod. On the outside of the hull the shroud (ratlines) retainers were added and the lower hullwas painted H70 Brick Red. (Pictures 5 and 6)

5. Now for the rigging! I think this puts a lot of people off building Classic Ships but it really isn’tthat hard. Yes it can be fiddly and you must think methodically as you need to rig from the insideout to enable access but it’s not hugely difficult. My example came with just one size of riggingthread, 0.30mm but I decided I wanted some extra sizes for realism. I obtained a pack of Humbrolrigging thread which includes three reels, 0.30mm, 0.60mm and 0.90mm.

6. Before you start rigging put the kettle on and make some tea! This is not to calm your nerves butto dye the threads as out of the pack they are too light in colour. Get a fairly deep bowl and pourboiling water onto three or four teabags and stir. While the tea is cooling unwind the thread off thereel and rewind it onto something fairly wide –I used kitchen spatulas. I used these as the tea willnever properly dye the thread if left on the reel. Now dunk the spatulas in the tea and leave for acouple of hours. Once the thread has dyed take out and leave to dry and then rewind it backonto the reels. (Pictures 8, 9, 10)

7. The instructions tell you to add the steering mechanism and anchor threads towards the end ofconstruction. This is where you need to think a bit methodically. It will be hard to do this once themasts, sails and rigging are fitted. So I did these first. I used the thinnest thread for the steering.A small dot of superglue gel was placed on all four small bollards moulded on the decking. I thenran a piece of thread from bollard to bollard and went around both the ship’s wheel and tiller. I usedthe 0.90mm thread for the anchor ropes and left a length trailing out of the front of the ship forfitting the anchors later. (Pictures 11 and 12)

8. Now onto the shrouds. Airfix Classic Ships come with a rigging tool to make these. Years ago Airfixused to supply ready made shrouds that you would cut out and trim to size. These used to be madeof a rubbery thread that was quite hard to glue. Although making you own with the rigging toolinvolves a bit more work it is a much better and more realistic way of making shrouds.The instructions show diagrams of where the shrouds are fitted and a table of how to make them.They also explain how to use the tool.

9. The shroud table is split into various sections; shroud – these are the actual shrouds you aregoing to make; position – this is the position at which you clip the two piece tool together. ‘C’ isused for all shrouds. Start – this is where you begin the thread. Position ‘Z’ is again used for all.Number of Horizontal threads –self explanatory Horizontal notches –the actual numbered notchesyou will wind the thread around.The next two are printed in the instructions the wrong way around. Vertical notches should readNumber of vertical threads –self explanatory.Number of vertical threads should read Vertical notches –the actual numbered notches you windthe thread around. (Pictures 13, 14 and 15)

10. I’m going to start with the front mast upper shroud, ‘C1’. The table tells me to clip the tool togetherat position ‘C’. Next I start the vertical threads by tying the 0.60mm thread through hole ‘Z’. NowI run the thread down the tool and wind it through notch number ‘7’ at the bottom of the tool.The thread is passed back up the rear side of the tool, through the retainer and back down throughthe next notch to be used ‘11’. The same is repeated for the next two vertical threads (notches‘14’ and ‘18’). The thread is now pulled taught and tied off.Using the thinner 0.30mm thread I start the horizontal threads. I start at hole ‘Z’ and pull the threadto the left of the tool and go through the first notch on the left hand side –notch number ‘2’ in thiscase. Now wind the thread over to the right, through notch ‘2’ and back across to the left of thetool and go back through notch ‘2’ once again. Now wind the thread around the left hand side andgo down one notch (number ‘3’). Continue going back and forward across the tool going down onenotch at a time until all the horizontal threads are completed -27 threads in total, notches ‘2’ to ‘29’.Finally tie off the thread making sure the last horizontal thread is taught. (Pictures 16, 17 and 18)

11. Using liquid superglue with a brush I dab over the shrouds to stick them together. You might needto do this two or three times to make sure there are no loose threads. Once dry the shrouds arecut from the tool, roughly trimmed then more finely trimmed once you hold it against the finalfitting position. You will notice that each time you use the tool you get two shrouds. You will needto watch the angle of the shroud threads to make sure they fit to the retainers on the masts. Theyare glued to the mast with superglue gel and a little superglue accelerator applied with a brush.(Pictures 19, 20, 21, and 22)

12. When all the shrouds are made and fitted you can continue with all the other rigging. The masts areconnected using 0.60mm thread and are fixed in place by tying a knot and wrapping around onemast securing with superglue gel and accelerator then going to the next mast and doing the same.Don’t pull the threads too tightly otherwise you could bend the masts out of shape. (Picture 23)

13. The horizontal masts are then rigged. Generally the ends of the masts are both rigged to the mastbehind and to the mast above. Again be careful to pull the thread enough to tighten the thread butnot too much to bend the mast –they are thin! (Picture 24)

14. The vac form sails were painted top to bottom with H103 Cream leaving them slightly streaky.Small holes were made in the bottom corners and a short length of 0.30mm thread attached.The sail is super glued (gel) at four equal points to the horizontal mast. Finally the short threadsare tied and glued to the mast below. (Pictures 25, 26 and 27)

15. The anchors are fitted. (Pictures 28, 29 and 30)16. The model of the Endeavour is now almost finished. The cannons and flags are added. A nice

touch to this kit is it includes five crew figures which can be painted and positioned where desired.(Pictures 31 and 32)

17. After checking over the model and touching up any painting it’s all finished. (Pictures 33 to 37)

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Airfix Club Spitfire MkXVIe Offer...The Airfix Club are offering the opportunity for all club members to purchase an additional Supermarine Spitfire MkXVIe kit.You will then be able to build both the TE199 (clipped wing) and TD248.

UK members £13.99 (postage and packaging included). Overseas members £15.99 (postage and packaging included).

To order your Airfix Club Spitfire MkXVIe please fill in your details below and return thecompleted form with your selected method of payment to: Airfix Club Spitfire MkXVIe offer,PO Box 25, Melton Mowbray, Leicester LE13 1ZG. Once payment has been received pleaseallow 28 days for delivery in the UK.

Title Initials Surname

Address

Post code Country

Telephone (daytime)

Club Membership No. (if applicable)

Airfix Club Spitfire MkXVIe - Quantity required x1 x2 x3 Other

Signature (of parent/guardian, if under 16 years)

I enclose cheque/postal order for £ Cheques should be made payable to HornbyHobbies Ltd. Overseas members, please note that cheques should be either in the form ofa Eurocheque, a cheque drawn on a London bank or an International Money Order.

OR

Please debit £ Sterling to my

Visa Access Mastercard Switch/Maestro

Card Number

Switch/Maestro Issue No.

Start Date Expiry date

Signature Date

If you wish to order but do not want to damage your magazine, please photocopy the order form and use thatto place your order.

JUNIOR COMPETITION TIMECOMPETITION TIME

1. The winner will be the first selected at random from theall-correct entries received by the closing date of 15thDecember 2008.

2. The competition is limited to one entry per currentmember of the Airfix Club.

3. Duplicate entries will be disregarded.4. The results of the competition will be announced in Issue

6 of the Airfix magazine and the winner notified by post.5. The competition is not open to employees of Hornby

Hobbies, their agents or families.

6. No correspondence to be entered into in conjunctionwith the competition.

7. No cash equivalent is available.8. The Airfix Club accepts no responsibility for entries lost

or damaged in the post.9. Entries defaced or altered in any way will be deemed

null and void.10. The judges’ decision is final.

Rules of Entry.1. The winner will be the first selected at random from the

all-correct entries received by the closing date of 15thDecember 2008.

2. The competition is limited to one entry per Airfix Clubmember aged 14 years or under.

3. Duplicate entries will be disregarded.4. The results of the competition will be announced in Issue

6 of the Airfix magazine and the winner notified by post.5. The competition is not open to employees of Hornby

Hobbies Ltd., their agents or families.

6. No correspondence to be entered into in conjunctionwith the competition.

7. No cash equivalent is available.8. The Airfix Club accepts no responsibility for entries lost

or damaged in the post.9. Entries defaced or altered in any way will be deemed

null and void.10. The judges’ decision is final.

Rules of Entry.

COMPETITION RESULTSThe winner of our Issue 4 Competition, receiving two superb models – theA05115 Spitfire Mk I kit and the A05111 Red Arrows Hawk with special 19(F)Squadron decals is Mr A. Ewington, member 501928 from Hertfordshire.Congratulations Mr Ewington. Your models are being despatched directly fromthe Airfix warehouse. We hope you enjoy building them.And the answers to our three questions are:1. RAF Valley, Anglesey. 2. 70th Anniversary. 3. Nine.

Congratulations Mstr Allen Brindley, Member 501992, aged 11, from Montrose,Scotland. You are the winner of our Issue 4 Junior Competition to receive abrand new A50064 D-Day Set. The prize is on it way, so have lots of fun puttingit all together. The answers to the competition were:

1. 6th June 1944.2. Germany.3. The US Army. Omaha Beach.

3-digitsecurity no.(The last three numbers on the back of your card)

Airfix have donated a fine example of the A10105 TSR-2 kit in 1:48 scale to go toone lucky winner in our competition this time. To have a chance of winning whatcould be a really fantastic Christmas present to yourself - all we want you to dois answer the following questions, all related to this famous but ill-fated aircraft.

1. What do the initials TSR stand for?

2. How many examples of the TSR-2 survived and where can you see themon display?

3. There was a Government attempt in the mid 1980s to try to resurrect theTSR-2 but the cost proved too prohibitive. Who was the Prime Minister ofthe day responsible for this final but unsuccessful effort?

Put your answers on a postcard and send with your name, address and Clubmembership number to the Airfix Issue 5 Competition, Airfix Club, PO Box 25,Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE13 1ZG. UK. The closing date of the competitionis 15th December 2008.

Calling all Junior Club members of 14 years or under. We have a fantastic 1:120Scale Airfix replica of the bark Endeavour for one winner to get his or her handson in time for Christmas. To have a go at winning, we want you to answer theseeasy questions. You will find all the answers in this issue of the Airfix magazine.

1. Who was the famous navigator/explorer associated with the bark Endeavour?

2. In which year was he born?

3. In which seaside port was he apprenticed to a company who owned thecoal ships that fuelled his determination to go to sea?

Put your answers on a postcard with your name, address, age and Clubmembership number and send to Airfix Issue 5 Junior Competition, the Airfix Club,PO Box 25, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. LE13 1ZG, UK to reach us no laterthan 15th December 2008.