Classic Airfames good vs bad

[Dave Homewood]

I was talking to a very good mate who lives in Auckland, who is a modeller and one for the exacting detail in scale. He has discerning knowledge of what's right and what's not with kits, and he told me he'd recently viewed the two recent Classic Airframes kits, the Anson and the Canberra in 1/48th.

He says that up close the Canberra is a bit of a dog, he was sorely disappointed and says he'd rate it fairly poorly.

However, he says the Anson is absolutely gorgeous, he reckons the engineering is superb and he believes new moulding techniques have been developed for this kit as it's better than anything he' seen before. He stated the kit looks better in the fleash than in the photos (which look great anyway).

So, his recommendation is wait off on ordering a Canberra in case Airfix's is better, but definately purchase the Anson.

This is great to hear as far as the Anson goes at least. Does anyone else have first handopinions to share? I've not seen eitehr kit yet.

[trx850]

Hi to all. The two Classic Airframe kits were probably my two I took along to the IPMS Auckland meeting earlier in the month.

Comments are correct, the Canberra is not that great ( I also have the Aeroclub vac kit which I consider to be far superior in outline) but the Anson, oh boy, what a cracking good kit to quote Wallace and Gromit!
Well worth the price.

I now also have the Trump 1:48 'Welly' (as usual, it turned up the day after the meeting!) and other than the slightly overdone wing and tail plane structure (easily corrected with Mr. Surfacer and several coats of paint) , and the squadron codes in the wrong colour, the only bit I don't like is the rubber tyres!
This is not a problem, as a mate in the UK has just let me know that he's just completed a set of masters for a resin set that will be released very soon!

Cheers,
Pete M.

P.s. Anthony, I'll see if I can snaffle a second set from Jay for your 'Welly'!

[Dave Homewood]

Yes, now that I think about it, it was your kits that Kerry was mentioning Peter.

I'm seriously thinking about getting the Anson. How much is the cost of it and where's the cheapest place to get one?

[phil82]

It has occurred to me.........that I may well be the only one here who has actually flown in an Anson! It was a later Mark, just like this one

www.airteamimages.com/1289.html

...and in defence of what might be considered a story to rate alongside the Rhyme of The Ancient Mariner, I should point out that many Ansons remained in RAF service well into the 60s!

I was at the V-Bomber Base, RAF Cottesmore 1961-62, and the Station hack was an Anson and, ........and I'm almost afraid to mention this, the CO, and pilot on my flight, was one Gp Capt Johnny Johnson! All non-flying aircrew were required to maintain currency, so joy-rides were on!

Eat yer hearts out.

[Bruce]

I have the makings of a late model Anson - to represent the Mk12s operated by the RNZAF on behalf of the British High Commision. I have a very early and crude airmodel conversion kit (vacform fuselage only really) to make a mark 19 out of the airfix mark 1, and would just have to further kitbash it to make the interim mark 12! All very hard work and well down the list. compared to that the classic airframes Anson looks superb, almost (but not quite) worth changing over to 1/48th! (Maybe once the RNZAF Collection is complete)

[Calum]

I just can't get excited over an Anson, in fact I can't even understand why people do . Ugly and not really a effective in combat, good trainer though and perhaps thats the appeal. Still each to their own.

Same can be said for the Canberra. A rather uninspiring looking aircraft IMHO.

I understand the historical significance of the Anson (and Canberra) but I'd have thought a good model of the Harvard would be more in demand.

I'm eagerly awaiting the Wimpy and Beaufort however. Hopefully the Beaufort will be built to the same standard as the Anson appears to have been.

Still wishing for a good T-Bird

and I wouldn't pay this for this one

www.trademe.co.nz/Toys-models/Models/Aircraft/auction-67478750.htm

[Dave Homewood]

My major interest in the Anson, and its appeal for me, is the fact that in the RNZAf they were used to train the General Reconnaissance Squadron crews. It's a fascinating area. And seeing photos of it in service here, especially in Taranaki with Egmont as the backdrop, it just looks great in the air. Also I love the wonderfully restored example at Wigram, it's so evocative of the wartime days to me. Plus we'll soon have a genuine Mk 1 flying in New Zealand too which'll be great. Also the RNZAF ones had some great nose art - very rare for training aircraft - like Mickey Mouse in Fantasia, Clarabell Cow, Ferninand the Bull, and other Disney cartoons.

I do admit the later model Ansons with the round windows are as ugly as sin, but the Mk 1 has a great 1930's charm about it I reckon.

I agree that it's past high time a decent Harvard kitset was made - the Monogram/Revell 1/48th scale kit was good but imagine if Tamiya or Hasegawa did one. I mean, virtually ever country in the world used them, even Japan. It's sure to be a moneymaker. And so many are still around, why do they not consider it as a good move I wonder?

[phil82]

I don't know that I got 'excited' by any aircraft really, but from the time of my first ever posting to an operational station and the realisation that I could bludge rides in all sorts of aircraft, I've done just that. I was aware for example of the significance of the Anson but I was more interested in the flying. I once worked out that I had flown in well over forty different types during an air force career spanning twenty-five years. I've done aeros in Tiger Moth, Stearman, Skyhawk, and on one fabulous occasion in Singapore, 30 minutes in a 20 Sqn RAF Hunter T-bird, which is an interesting tale in itself, which I'll relate if anyone is bored enough to want to read it!

I've flown in the [RNZAF] Harvard, the Vampire T11, Devon, DC6 [in which we once made an approach onto a motorway in South Carolina], Hastings, Hercules, B170, Andover, and on it goes. Prior to that, I've done a bit of time in a Pembroke, Beverley, Valetta, Shackelton, and on it goes. A KC 135 from Ohakea to Mangere when it was opened, and a USAF C97 Globemaster on the return trip. All because I loved the air experience, and in the end true aviators recognise that. I've flown one or two 'hands-on', including once, incredibly, in a Devon across from Woodbourne to Wellington, while the pilot, the CO Woodbourne at the time, read the Dom! I don't think he was really that nonchalant!

[phil]

calum said:

Still wishing for a good T-Bird

and I wouldn't pay this for this one

www.trademe.co.nz/Toys-models/Models/Aircraft/auction-67478750.htm

I wonder if the bidders know it's really closer to 1/50th....

A shame, becuase Fujimis 1/72 offerings are really nice.

[Bruce]

theres an idea, a new harvard / Texan release.... Na cant see that heppening, why would want a boring old trainer - how about a new Focke Wulf 190 or Messerschmitt 109? (after all, we dont have enough of those)

[Dave Homewood]

Perhaps if someone tells the Jap model manufacters that Harvards were front line German fighters in Nazi Germany and then show them a selection of 1960's Hollywood war films to prove the point!

I'd really like to see a 1/32nd scale Harvard with Tamiya style detailing.

[Calum]

I see their is another Harvard/T-6

kits.kitreview.com/italeri2652reviewgp_1.htm

[Dave Homewood]

Yes, that's right. Recently re-released by Italeri, but an old moulding. i believe it's a better kit than Monogram's was but the Occidental brand used to be hard to find here. I guess it may be easier to get now under the Italari brand.

[smithy]

Haven't seen Classic Airframe Anson kit but talking of CA kits, the rag wing Hurricane is damn nice, and Calum you'll need that for Cobber's when you decide to do it

Their Vampire's a pig though apparently.

Tim.