1/144 de Havilland Vampire FB.9 ‘Tropical Fighter-Bomber’ (2in1 = 2 kits in 1 box) (RAF, RhAF) - Mark I

1/144 de Havilland Vampire FB.9 ‘Tropical Fighter-Bomber’ (2in1 = 2 kits in 1 box) (RAF, RhAF) - Mark I 

The de Havilland Vampire was a British jet fighter developed during WWII. It was the second jet, after the Gloster Meteor, operated by the RAF. It replaced wartime piston-engine fighters and was in front-line service until 1953.

The Vampire FB Mk.9 was a tropicalised fighter-bomber variant based on the Vampire Mk.5, which was in production from 1951 to 1953. It was a single-seat monoplane aircraft, of a combined wood-and-metal construction, powered by a DH Goblin turbojet. It featured twin-boom tail configuration with two wing-root intakes, bubble canopy and was fitted with a non-ejection seat. It was equipped with four Hispano cannons mounted in the fuselage nose. A Godfrey air-conditioning unit was installed in the starboard wing root of the FB.9. Two external fuel tanks or 500lb bombs could be carried under the wings, while eight 3" RPs could be attached inboard of the booms.

Almost 1,600 Vampires of Mk.I through to Mk.9 were manufactured (of which 347 were FB.9s), and another thousand of other Marks were built under licence in other countries.

The Vampire FB.9 equipped a number RAF squadrons in the Middle East and the Far East. Some FB.9s were also loaned by the RAF to the RAAF in Malta and to the RNZAF in Cyprus and Malaya. In 1953-54 the Rhodesian Air Force acquired 16 Vampire FB.9 fighters, fitted with a more powerful Goblin engine. A further batch of 13 FB.9s was obtained from South Africa in the late 1960s. After almost 30 years of service, they were the last Vampires used on operations anywhere.

Colour schemes included in the kit:
1) de Havilland DH.100 Vampire FB Mk.9, WX207, Yellow F, No.213 Sq., Royal Air Force, Deversoir Air Base (LG-209), Egypt, 1952
2) de Havilland DH.100 Vampire FB Mk.9, WR154, Black 54, No.8 Flying Training School, Royal Air Force, Swinderby Air Base, 1957
3) de Havilland DH.100 Vampire FB Mk.9, Black WR110, Nos.75 & 76 Sq., No.78 Fighter Wing, Royal Australian Air Force, Ta Kali Air Base, Malta, 1952-54;
de Havilland DH.100 Vampire FB Mk.9, Black WR110, No.78 Fighter Wing, Royal Australian Air Force, during ‘Exercise Coronet’ acting within ‘Fantasia’ enemy forces, Wahn Air Base, Germany, 23-31 July 1953
4) de Havilland DH.100 Vampire FB Mk.9, Black R100 (ex-WX236), No.1 Sq., Rhodesian Air Force, Thornhill Air Station, early 1960s

Two injection-moulded kits are supplied in this box and each kit contains 31 parts and three clear parts (the cockpit canopy and position lights). A comprehensive decal sheet is included.

https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MKM14498
Available: "Soon"
Price: £17.30

1/144 Westland Wessex HAS.1/HAS.31 (Royal Navy, A&AEE, Royal Australian Navy) - MARK I

MKM14403  Westland Wessex HAS.1/HAS.31 (Royal Navy, A&AEE, Royal Australian Navy)

                       

A British licence development of the Sikorsky S-58, the Westland Wessex was a multi-role all-metal helicopter produced by Westland Aircraft Ltd. The Wessex HAS.1, powered by a Napier Gazelle turboshaft engine, first flew in June 1958 and the type began performing anti-submarine duties three years later, operated by the Royal Navy. A more powerful version, the HAS.3, with improved avionics and a radome on the rear fuselage, was introduced in 1967. In total, 140 HAS.1 helicopters were built, while 45 HAS.3 machines existed (all but three were conversions from HAS.1s).

In 1963 the Royal Australian Navy acquired a total of 27 Wessex helicopters designated the HAS.31A, of which 23 were later upgraded to Mk.31B standard, similar to that of HAS.3.

The RN Wessex HAS.1 and HAS.3s continued in service until 1979 and 1983, respectively, while the RAN’s HAS.31Bs served in ASW, SAR, utility and ambulance role until the end of 1989.

Colour schemes included in the kit:

1)   Wessex HAS.1, White XM840/300-R, No.815 NAS, Royal Navy, HMS Ark Royal, mid-1960s

2)   Wessex HAS.1, White XM841/510-PO, No.771 NAS, Royal Navy, RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey), Dorset, 1973

3)   Wessex HAS.1, White XS863, Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE), Boscombe Down, Wiltshire, 1973

4)   Wessex HAS.31A, White WA215/825, No.723 Sq. Royal Australian Navy, RANAS Nowra (HMAS Albatross), New South Wales, Australia, 1963

  

This injection-moulded kit contains 38 parts and 6 clear parts (the cockpit canopy and the fuselage windows). A comprehensive instruction leaflet and a decal sheet are included.

Available for Pre-order at http://www.kits-shop.com/index.php  (run by Miniwing) and free worldwide shipping (late October 2013) 

A review of this kit will be available later this month.

1/144 Westland Wessex HAS.3/HAS.31B (Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy) - MARK I

MKM14404   Westland Wessex HAS.3/HAS.31B  (Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy)

                       

A British licence development of the Sikorsky S-58, the Westland Wessex was a multi-role all-metal helicopter produced by Westland Aircraft Ltd. The Wessex HAS.1, powered by a Napier Gazelle turboshaft engine, first flew in June 1958 and the type began performing anti-submarine duties three years later, operated by the Royal Navy. A more powerful version, the HAS.3, with improved avionics and a radome on the rear fuselage, was introduced in 1967. In total, 140 HAS.1 helicopters were built, while 45 HAS.3 machines existed (all but three were conversions from HAS.1s).

In 1963 the Royal Australian Navy acquired a total of 27 Wessex helicopters designated the HAS.31A, of which 23 were later upgraded to Mk.31B standard, similar to that of HAS.3.

The RN Wessex HAS.1 and HAS.3s continued in service until 1979 and 1983, respectively, while the RAN’s HAS.31Bs served in ASW, SAR, utility and ambulance role until the end of 1989.

Colour schemes included in the kit:

1)   Wessex HAS.3, White XP153/143-E, No.826 NAS, Royal Navy, HMS Eagle, late 1960s

2)   Wessex HAS.3, White XP143/650-PO, No.737 NAS, Royal Navy, RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey), Dorset, 1973

3)   Wessex HAS.3, Black XP142 ‘Humphrey’, No.737 NAS, Royal Navy, HMS Antrim, the Falklands War, South Atlantic, April - June 1982

4)   Wessex HAS.31B, White N7-220/830, No.816 Sq. Royal Australian Navy, RANAS Nowra (HMAS Albatross), New South Wales, Australia, 1985

This injection-moulded kit contains 44 parts and 6 clear parts (the cockpit canopy and the fuselage windows). A comprehensive instruction leaflet and a decal sheet are included.

Available for Pre-order at http://www.kits-shop.com/index.php  (run by Miniwing) and free worldwide shipping (late October 2013) 

A review of this kit will be available later this month.