AirfixAvro Lancaster B.II Model Kit (1:72 Scale)

A larger model, which is impressive when build. Everything you expect from Airfix.

ランカスターは昔から近年に至るまで複数の模型メーカーから製品化されていますが、ほとんどがMk.Ⅰ/Ⅲで、Mk.Ⅱのキットはほとんどなく貴重です。Mk.Ⅱはマーリンエンジンの不足に備えて、空冷のハーキュリーズエンジンを搭載した型式ですが、アメリカからマーリンエンジンが潤沢に供給された為にMk.Ⅱの存在意義は薄れ、Mk.Ⅱの生産は1000機が予定されましたが、300機まで削減されています。本製品はエンジンや主翼まわりをゴージャスに新規造形してMk.Ⅱを正確に再現しています。液冷エンジンのMk.ⅠやMk.Ⅲと作り比べるのも興味深いでしょう。

The only downside is the decals don't stick well! Instructions were the best. Parts fit good. Pleasure doing this model.

Airfix has updated their Lancasters several times.This is the latest, and is stunning.(To show how far the updates have come: the first one, which is OK, did not have openings for all the many side-windows, only raised oblongs. This new one has holes in the fuselage, and clear plastic windows to fill them. This is a bear if you are painting last, because you have to mask all those many windows. But it looks great.)It's the first B2 version ever. The main differences: (1) a belly gun-turret, with corresponding fattening of the bomb-bay doors, making the plane look pregnant; and (2) radial engines, with circular cowlings.These changes are very well done.But the whole kit is superb. The panel lines are all recessed, and the skin of the wings, fuselage, elevators and rudders is all subtly GRAINED. This is amazing.The cockpit interior is very fine. 3 decals are supplied to perk up the instrument panels.The elevators move, but the ailerons and flaps and rudders do not. I like these surfaces to move, so I installed hinges, which was easy because all surfaces except the ailerons are separate.The bomb-bay is very detailed and good-looking, but no bombs are supplied. (Airfix advises buying the ground-crew kit for bombs.) I had many many bombs left over from the Trumpeter 1/72 TU 16, so I used those.Apart from the lack of bombs, the kit has no downsides, but be warned. It is very detailed and tricky to build.(For example: the radial engines glue to the nacelles, but the cowlings are only held on by two TINY pins on the engine-cylinders and the very fragile inner-cowling crosspiece, which glues onto the engine nose. That engine nose also holds the propeller pin, so great care is needed not to get any glue on it or the prop won't turn. All in all, fragile and time consuming, but lovely when built.)The prop blades come in for special praise. Instead of the usual paddle shape, they are all sword-shaped and aggressive.Amazing kit, but not for the beginner.

Magnifique maquette produite par airfix. Cette version avec les moteurs en étoile sort de l'ordinaire. Une multitude de détail, de pièces en font un modèle agréable à construire.