Airfix Victor

[Willard Whyte]

Due late next year, available for pre-order (http://www.airfix.com/uk-en/handley-page-victor-b2-1-72.html). Might be of interest for any ex-Victor mates with an interest in scale modelling.

https://admin.hornby.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/ImageA.jpg

https://admin.hornby.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/ImageB.jpg

https://admin.hornby.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/ImageC.jpg

B.2, but surely won't be long before an aftermarket company comes up with a K.2 conversion package.

Airfix Exclusive 2016 news - Airfix at IPMS Telford / News | (http://www.airfix.com/uk-en/news/workbench/exclusive-new-2016-announcement-airfix-at-ipms-telford/)

[Tengah Type]

In 1983 Matchbox issued a 1/72 Victor K2 model (Ref PK551). You could build it with either 55, 57 Sqn or 232 OCU markings. One option was to have the Pod and HDU hoses trailed. One day I will get around to building it. It cost £4:50 rather than the Airfix offer of £ 54:99.

[Willard Whyte]

Wouldn't argue with the value comparison. Airfix have upped their game of late, bit better than MB of ~30 years ago. 'Tis only money, after all.

Quality costs.

[MAINJAFAD]

When Airfix did the Valiant, they released a IP conversion kit (with decals) a while later that allowed the PR and tanker versions to be built. I suspect Airfix will do the same of this one. Current rate for the Matchbox Victor which has just been re-released by Revell is around £18.50 (it is a pig of a kit to build, so I suspect the Airfix one is actually better value for money).

[reds & greens]

Chine and rear fuselage look a little 'boxy' to me.

[RedhillPhil]

"Chine and rear fuselage look a little "boxy" to me".


Agreed but given the way that Airfix have upped their game I suspect that it's a trick of the light. I wonder of we're going to see a Blue Steel 100/139 sqd one?

[MAINJAFAD]

Photo of the kit has a Blue Steel under it so 100 or 139 Sqn markings will be in the kit.

[Rhino power]

Chine and rear fuselage look a little 'boxy' to me.

The images are only cg 3D renders, the finished article will, I'm sure, be much more accurate looking...

-RP

[Tankertrashnav]

Nice, but shame its not a B1. I have a vague idea there was a Frog model of a B1, but I may be wrong. The original B1, in anti-flash white, before they started sticking bits on it (it didn't even even windscreen wipers to start with) was the most elegant post war jet IMOH.

[GOLF_BRAVO_ZULU]

The Frog kit was 1/96 scale. Odd but still effective. If it was like the Vulcan MK1 kit, it fitted where it touched. Still easier than carving one out of a block of wood, though. :ok:

[BEagle]

There was also the Lindberg 'Remote Control British Jet Bomber' model of the Victor - I had one as a Christmas present back in the early 1960s. I think it was 1/96 scale; the model sat on a ball and socket stand top and was connected to the 'remote control' joy stick by a couple of lengths of piano wire running in plastic tubes from the stick unit via the stand to connections under each wing. Moving the joystick caused the model to move on the stand, which caused the relevant control surfaces to move in sympathy via a 'suitable system of levers' made from polystyrene and fitted inside the fuselage.

The 'remote control' aspect was rather fragile though - the plastic tubing would often come away from the stand or the under wing studs.

[Haraka]

Anigrand do a Resin Victor K2 in 1:144 scale for around $88 ( to soften the blow they also include a Westland Wessex, Fairey Delta 1 and an Armstrong Whitworth AW 52).
The same firm does the other two "V"s in similar packages.
I did all three 1:144 Welsh Model Vacform "V"s years ago . No problems and don't take up a huge amount of shelf space.

Nerd switch to "Off".

P.S. If anybody does get the Anigrand product and doesn't wan't the "bonus" kits do drop me a P.M.

Re-select "Off"

[CoffmanStarter]

There are models and there are MODELS :eek:

I just wish I had both the skill to build and fly this 'little' beauty ;)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_dYlE4ic-f4

_dYlE4ic-f4

[Pontius Navigator]

Which wing will it have? B2 or K2?

[oxenos]

Surprised he didn't roll it.










Sorry, wrong thread

[LowObservable]

Nice, Beags... I did the B-58. Early FBW experience.

[pr00ne]

MAINJAFAD

"Photo of the kit has a Blue Steel under it so 100 or 139 Sqn markings will be in the kit."

That'll be rather odd, seeing as the Wittering wing was run on a centralised servicing basis for it's entire existence and the aircraft were never allotted to the two squadrons.

The Wittering Lion should be the only unit marking worn.

[ExAscoteer]

I saw the Airfix Victor at Telford today. It looks pretty bloody good to me!

[MAINJAFAD]

PrOOne.

We are both correct. You in case that the majority of the aircraft wore the Wittering wing lion, Me in the case that at least four aircraft at Wittering in anti flash wore Squadron markings (XM718 and XH675 in the case of 100 Sqn andXL158 and XL512 in the case of 139 Sqn (http://www.thevictorassociation.org.uk/?page_id=81)).

[glad rag]

Here ya go.....


OkKmfMYZ1sw

[Martin the Martian]

A few B.2Rs of No.139 Squadron wore the squadron badge initially, while they were still painted in anti-flash white. There is a photograph in volume 25 of the International Air Power Review of XL158 so marked, carrying a Blue Steel.

[polecat2]

There's a photo of a white B2 XL190 in 139 Sqn markings in "Bomber Squadrons of the RAF" by Philip Moyes.

Polecat

[MAINJAFAD]

A test shot (3d print) was on display at Telford this weekend and was in the Anti Flash scheme of XL512 in 139 Sqn markings. Rumour has it that the decal options will be that aircraft plus a camouflaged one in Wittering wing markings.

It's a Victor! - Page 6 - The Rumourmonger - Britmodeller.com (http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234991558-its-a-victor/page-6?hl=victor)

[Autobahnstormer]

The intakes on the Victor at Telford looked incorrect, dare I say, looked a bit 'Mark One-ish'. The development engineer refused to answer my questions regarding the Mk1, one of the few 1/72 Models that is lacking IMHO. I've built nearly every Victor model going - Frog, Lindberg 1/96, Revell 1/96, Matchbox 1/72 and I still have at least five in the stash.
Come-on Airfix, make a Mk1!
ABS

[Guzz]

I'm sure the aftermarket bods will come along with some very reasonably priced resin corrections for those intakes....

Having said that, it's good to see Airfix updating some of the Cold War British kit. I'm sure I'll be building some for my customers at some point. Just got to finish their pig of a TSR.2.... Joy!

Guzz.

[Chugalug2]

The sales spiel on their site is here:-

Airfix A12008 Handley Page Victor B.2 1:72 (http://www.airfix.com/uk-en/handley-page-victor-b2-1-72.html)

If you know the aircraft, I'm sure that the errors will grate. I remember the nose below the windscreens of the Hercules C Mk1 was wrong, being concave into the radome instead of the convex of the pressure hull. I would have gladly traded the Bloodhound missile complete with attendant Snow-Drop and his dog ("Stop, or I shall release my handler!") that came with it, if they had just got that bit right. All that despite the many 3D photos taken by them from all angles of a hangared aircraft at LYN.

[MAINJAFAD]

I would have gladly traded the Bloodhound missile complete with attendant Snow-Drop and his dog ("Stop, or I shall release my handler!") that came with it


Which was the biggest error in that Herc kit, seeing that RAF Bloodhound Mk 1 was gone before the RAF were even told that they were getting the aircraft. Had they put RAAF marking on the decal sheet and canned the Landrover and the guys in the battledress (plus the Snow-drop with the brain on the chain) it would have been a bit more accurate. Saying that the missile kit is full of errors as well.

[chevvron]

An ex OC Flying at Farnborough (Dave Bywater I think) told me once how he had 'inadvertantly' exceeded Mach 1 in a B2.

[Kitbag]

Don't know about the B2, but I seem to remember the prototype B1 is alleged to have done so in Robert Jacksons V-Bombers.
It certainly looked like a rocket ship from Flash Gordon.

[Tankertrashnav]

Not only the B1 but the K1 did it as well. Here's a link to Tony Cunnane's site where he recounts the story of going supersonic over Paris. I've provided this link in the past, but worth a read for those who haven't seen it before.

We go supersonic overhead Paris with 4 Lightnings in tow - Tony Cunnane's
Autobiography (http://tonycunnane.uk/page-337.html)

It certainly looked like a rocket ship from Flash Gordon

Agreed Kitbag - an opinion shared by Nikita Kruschev's son who said it was the best looking of the Vs (quoted on a BBC TV programme about cold war jets a few years back!) Certainly prettier than those big slabby tin triangle thingies ;)

[LowObservable]

Could anyone here ever figure out how to get the dog in the Bloodhound kit to stand up?

By the way, Mainjafad, the Bloodhound had been sold separately for several years before the C-130K came out, which is why it was the wrong variant.

[Haraka]

Could anyone here ever figure out how to get the dog in the Bloodhound kit to stand up

Glue it to a baseboard and cut and flex one rear leg out 45 deg?

[MAINJAFAD]

By the way, Mainjafad, the Bloodhound had been sold separately for several years before the C-130K came out, which is why it was the wrong variant. .

1959 actually, and the figures were based on photos of the SAGW trials wing at North Coates when they opened their gates to the Press in October 1958.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7YVdiw1jSw


The RAAF did carry theirs in Hercs as shown


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQpSEpL2R78


Airfix never did the Mk 2, which is a pity as that was in operational service from 1965 to 1991, while the Mk 1 was only actually operational from Nov 1960 to mid 1964. Plenty of Mk 2's moved by Hercs (and most of the 4 engine cargo aircraft, they even managed to get one into a Britannia once.)


The Airfix Herc I got in the late 1970s didn't have the Missile or the dog in it.

[LowObservable]

Further research indicates why the dog looks uncomfortable.

http://modelingmadness.com/review/viet/gb/ewaldbloodc.jpg

[Martin the Martian]

Indeed. You might say that the three crew figures seem quite heartless about it.

[BEagle]

The kit I had back in 1960 was in white and came in the usual 2/- polythene bag from Woolies.

The RAFP weren't quite so gay and I don't think that they all wore those awful French onion-johnnies' berets? The dog still fell over though.

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

Indeed. You might say that the three crew figures seem quite heartless about it.


Some would say that they had no capacity to worry about the dog because of the sheer effort of keeping in step...

[MAINJAFAD]

I don't think that they all wore those awful French onion-johnnies' berets?

They didn't. There were two figures with SD caps, one was the plod, the other was the pissed off Aircrew Officer who had been posted on to Bloodhound and was supervising the whole smash. The beret wearers should have been in green denims, except for the Senior / Chief Tech who would have been wearing the old beige dust coat.

[Kitbag]

The beret wearers should have been in green denims

I thought green denims were 1990's (supposedly the army had misplaced a few zeros on an order), the rest of the time they were blue/grey with rubber buttons giving way to velcro in the '70's.

[MAINJAFAD]

The RAF tradesman in the early 1960's wore green denims

http://media.iwm.org.uk/iwm/mediaLib/167/media-167611/large.jpg

The green ones returned in the mid 1980s, just around the time I started working on the mighty mutt.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7163/6531422381_1a4bc643ff_b.jpg

Airfix have done a WWII RAF bomber support set. May be worth doing a V-Force one as well.

[LowObservable]

The Blue Steel carrier vehicle would be a nice aftermarket add-on for the Victor.

[Pontius Navigator]

The blue one with the "smart" contrast collar and IIRC no pockets replaced the green. Why the contrast collar I have no idea.

[cngaero]

The Blue Steel carrier vehicle would be a nice aftermarket add-on for the Victor.

I think this is currently being developed in 1/72 scale by AIM72 (Aircraft In Miniature). I'm not aware of the release date though.

[Willard Whyte]

The 2018 Airfix range has been announced and will include a Victor K.2

https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/shop/new-for-2018/handley-page-victor-k-2-1-72.html

[NutLoose]

V-Bomber Support (http://www.aim72.co.uk/page116.html)

[RedhillPhil]

Got bought it for Christmas by number one son who thought I needed a hobby (I already go angling a lot).
I'm slowly plodding through it. I've decided to do the white 139 squadron version.

[4mastacker]

...And one for the Hunter aficionados.

Hawker Hunter F6 1:48 scale. (https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/shop/new-for-2018/hawker-hunter-f6-1-48.html)

[GlosMikeP]

Have a look here for models made to your specific requirements by scale, colour and markings - the lot. I've had several made for Shack, Sentry and others - all first class.

https://niceairplanes.com/RAF1.html

[Tankertrashnav]

Was watching a 1953 Air Ministry aircraft recognition film on the Victor today on You Tube. In it Sir Fred Handley Page was presenting a lovely sterling silver model of a Victor to the ATC unit which had won the aircraft recognition competition that year. I wonder where that model is now. I'm at an age where I'm not so much interested in acquiring "stuff" any more, but I would make an exception and seriously raid my piggy bank if a chance to buy something similar ever came up.

[smallonions]

Made a Victor from a kit in around 1985 on my ATCO cadet course. Was at White Waltham doing the PPL part as you did in those days.......left it hanging in the bar with a load more kits that were there. Seem to remember we had something refueling from it via a piece of string.

[NutLoose]

...And one for the Hunter aficionados.

Hawker Hunter F6 1:48 scale. (https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/shop/new-for-2018/hawker-hunter-f6-1-48.html)

Best Hunter kit to get is the old Revell 1/32 Hunter, it's superb.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=R-iiJKBrMWA

There is an F6 too.

Redhillphill,

That desk is far far to tidy.... You need to sort that out :}

[Tankertrashnav]

GlosMikeP - thanks for that link, I've had a look at their website and they really do look impressive, but it's good to have a personal recommendation. I hadn't realised they are in hardwood (made in the Phillipines apparently). I am going to order a Victor K1 in 214 squadron markings (just don't tell Mrs TTN!)

[Blacksheep]

The RAF tradesman in the early 1960's wore green denimsIn the 60's we only wore our green denims in the hangar. Out on the line we were mostly dressed in rags.

Hand-me-down cold weather gear. We even had "pre-loved" sea boot socks and 'Trog' Boots. Unless there was a demonstration scramble or something, when we were given white overalls and wore shoes. When we complained at one AOC's inspection, AOC 1 Group said we could wear our own warm clothes. Woolly hats and scarves in one's favourite football club colours became the order of the day.

There is a brief glimpse of a gloriously scruffy Ernie Leatherbarrow marshalling a Vulcan in the movie "Thunderball". Don't blink or you'll miss him.

[GlosMikeP]

GlosMikeP - thanks for that link, I've had a look at their website and they really do look impressive, but it's good to have a personal recommendation. I hadn't realised they are in hardwood (made in the Phillipines apparently). I am going to order a Victor K1 in 214 squadron markings (just don't tell Mrs TTN!)

They are truly excellent. Before completion they send photos of the raw wooden blank then again after painting to ensure nothing gets missed. Posted with great care UPS, packed to survive any disaster.

I asked for one of the models to be 'bespoke' smaller than the standard, to fit my desk. Thinking it would be more expensive, imagine my joy when it was in fact significantly cheaper! Great deal all round.

[Tankertrashnav]

Thanks Mike. Im getting off my order shortly. I'm going to specify a squadron aircraft which "belonged" to a mate who was its crew chief (they each had their own aircraft) and which appears many times in my logbook. 14 week estimate which isn't bad at all.

[langleybaston]

Oh! Oh!

Still, there is next Christmas I suppose .................... !

[papa_sierra]

[I]Thanks Mike. Im getting off my order shortly. I'm going to specify a squadron aircraft which "belonged" to a mate who was its crew chief (they each had their own aircraft) and which appears many times in my logbook. 14 week estimate which isn't bad at all.[I]

I wonder if they would do one of my old aircraft (allbeit 55)
https://image.ibb.co/gYQ3Z6/Victor_XH591.jpg

(Photo courtesy Air Britain)

[Tankertrashnav]

I'm sure they would - once they've got their hand in doing mine they should be able to do a good job on a 55 aircraft! That aircraft (XH 591) came across to 214 after 55 re-equipped with K2s. I see I flew in her twice in September 1976, working with Phantoms on both occasions

[GlosMikeP]

PS, TTN They will do any aircraft in any configuration as long as you can tell them what it is.

They even managed to do the A&AEE Comet (Canopus) for me in its colours and marking before DERA took the reins. All I had to do was send a couple of photos and they did the rest. Really impressive.

[treadigraph]

Looking at those models, I am seriously tempted to order a Spitfire XIV in the Spencer Flack scheme. I've got at least two 1/48 plastic kits somewhere in the loft (and several Sea Furies - I see they've done one) but the effort to paint one in that scheme defeats me...!

[RetiredBA/BY]

[I]Thanks Mike. Im getting off my order shortly. I'm going to specify a squadron aircraft which "belonged" to a mate who was its crew chief (they each had their own aircraft) and which appears many times in my logbook. 14 week estimate which isn't bad at all.[I]

I wonder if they would do one of my old aircraft (allbeit 55)
https://image.ibb.co/gYQ3Z6/Victor_XH591.jpg

(Photo courtesy Air Britain)
Yet I see XH 591 is in my log book, last flown in June 66 when I was on 57 !

We must have borrowed it!

[pontifex]

Seeing all those wonderful models I feel tempted to order a 543 Valiant (possibly 397), a 214 K1 (definitely not 667) and Canopus in A&AEE colours. Maybe even a 49Sqn modified B1 Valiant (823 ?). The only thing is do I have room for them and can I afford them all? Thinking sensibly I would never get them all past Mrs P!

[RedhillPhil]

I wonder if a Victor person could answer a couple of questions for me please?


As I stated in an earlier post I had the Airfix Victor presented to me for Christmas and I'm in the process of constructing it. (If anyone's considering it Airfix have really upped their game and it all fits together beautifully unlike their kits of yore).
I'm going to finish it in the all white scheme of a 139 machine. In the painting instructions it shows an area in front of the nosewheel doors - sort of the rear of the radome bulge - should be painted silver. I recall seeing Victors in my yoof as Pa was stationed at Gaydon for a while but I don't recall any silver nose undersides although Gaydon's were B1s which might have made a difference.
The other question - nothing to do with the kit really - concerns radome colours.
Vulcans had black ones.
Valiants had black ones with a grey bit behind.
Victors were white as per underside.
Why was that please?

[Wander00]

The father of a South African friend makes large radio controlled model aircraft. Each one is painted blue and yellow, so his wife cannot tell there is a new one in the fleet.....

[Pontius Navigator]

RHP, I don't know about the Victor but I was told the Vulcan radon (dielectric) was black, nit anti-flash white, as it better for the H2S signal transmission. At the same time the Doppler dielectric was natural finish, ie unpainted.

Later it was either better paint or greater experience allowing the Vulcan to have a painted Radome.

[langleybaston]

Come on Mods, close the thread, I am getting a third [or fourth?] childhood here.
Yes I can afford some but no, I ought to be capable of resisting temptation

and then again

oh blx!

[Dan Winterland]

The Airfix model was created from a laser scan of XL231 at Elvington. Airfix made one error on the B2 model by incorporating the rear underside flood lights which were fitted to the K2 only. Also, I wonder if they realised the B2 had a wingspan of 120ft which was reduced to 117ft for the K2? The B1's was 110ft for anyone thinking of modifying the kit.

[GlosMikeP]

Seeing all those wonderful models I feel tempted to order a 543 Valiant (possibly 397), a 214 K1 (definitely not 667) and Canopus in A&AEE colours. Maybe even a 49Sqn modified B1 Valiant (823 ?). The only thing is do I have room for them and can I afford them all? Thinking sensibly I would never get them all past Mrs P!

Here's Canopus to get your wallet fluttering.
3959

[Wander00]

Just to finally convince me I cannot afford a T17, what sort of prices are we talking about here?

[RedhillPhil]

The Airfix model was created from a laser scan of XL231 at Elvington. Airfix made one error on the B2 model by incorporating the rear underside flood lights which were fitted to the K2 only. Also, I wonder if they realised the B2 had a wingspan of 120ft which was reduced to 117ft for the K2? The B1's was 110ft for anyone thinking of modifying the kit.


I'm ahead of you there with the spotlights. The model - as you've stated - has them moulded as two bumps which I've sanded off. The model has a wingspan of 20" which at 1:72 is 120'.
They are releasing a K2 later this year. Presumably it will have the shorter wingspan.

[Tankertrashnav]

Wander00 if you click on GlosMike's link (post #48) you will get to their site and there is a button to click for pricing. Guessing your T17 would come under their "straightforward" category, which would cost you £150, inc postage to the UK, but they are very prompt with replying to emails so I am sure they would give you an exact quote straight away.

Pontifex - what's the connection with the Comet - did you do a tour at Boscombe? If you have the 543 Valiant I'm sure they would do you a model of a youthful Pontifex to stand beside it to replicate a certain recruiting ad ;)

[Wander00]

TTN - many thanks. W

[X767]

Can thoroughly endorse the comments about Nice Models.
They modelled my RAF flying career from 1960 to 1979
https://www.pprune.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=3962&stc=1&d=1515883378

[George K Lee]

Where can you order the 25 spare sets of wings, for full authenticity?

https://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/123324-handley-page-victor.html#post1236641

I am building the Entex (ex-Marusan) F-86D, which has a detachable radome and a tiny APG-37 radar. I'm thinking of completing it, except for the radar, and leaving it on the workbench for a couple of months.

[Wander00]

X767 - Were you a stude on Gnats at valley? If so which course? I was on 22 - Jan- Jun 66

[X767]

WanderOO - my Gnat course was no 2 I think, Sep63 - Feb 64

[dmanton300]

Airfix Victor - here's one I prepared earlier (actually it was built for Airfix themselves)
http://drewemanton.com/wp-content/uploads/Models/Aircraft/Cold_War/Victor/Vic_fin_03.jpg

http://drewemanton.com/wp-content/uploads/Models/Aircraft/Cold_War/Victor/Vic_fin_04.jpg

http://drewemanton.com/wp-content/uploads/Models/Aircraft/Cold_War/Victor/Vic_fin_05.jpg

http://drewemanton.com/wp-content/uploads/Models/Aircraft/Cold_War/Victor/Vic_fin_06.jpg

http://drewemanton.com/wp-content/uploads/Models/Aircraft/Cold_War/Victor/Vic_fin_07.jpg

http://drewemanton.com/wp-content/uploads/Models/Aircraft/Cold_War/Victor/Vic_fin_08.jpg

http://drewemanton.com/wp-content/uploads/Models/Aircraft/Cold_War/Victor/Vic_fin_09.jpg

http://drewemanton.com/wp-content/uploads/Models/Aircraft/Cold_War/Victor/Vic_fin_10.jpg

[Wander00]

X767, so you had just left The Towers when I arrived in January 63

[X767]

I received my Flying Badge from Sir Augustus Walker on 31 July 1963.

[Wander00]

83 Entry then.....Senior Entry to our Junior Entry (88), Sir

[pr00ne]

dmanton300,

That does look really nice.

[NutLoose]

Can thoroughly endorse the comments about Nice Models.
They modelled my RAF flying career from 1960 to 1979
https://www.pprune.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=3962&stc=1&d=1515883378


Nice, but shouldn't the Jag be bringing up the rear? :O

Incidently, you know those huge Jag models that used to be about in various offices in the RAF, the ones about 2 foot long.... I have a couple of them :)



...

[X767]

Nutloose - for a man who obviously abhors the Jaguar, I am surprised you can bear to have them in your house !

[NutLoose]

One needs to be reminded of the bad times as well as the good. 14 Sqn was a damned good squadron to be on.... But 20....