Scale Aircraft Modelling 2016-01.pdf

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The International Best for Modelling and Reference
January 2016 • £4.50
Volume 37 • Issue 11
www.scaleaircraftmodelling.com
Trumpeter’s Second Sitting
ASW Counterfactual in 1/72
The VVA-14 – How it was
meant to be…
A Taste of Bartini
Mirage 2000D in 1/48
Kinetic’s two-seater
Double Delta
A Ferry Flight Depicted
1/48 Spitfire Vc colour
scheme
Practical Applications
SEA
HORNET
Trumpeter’s Second Bite at
the Cherry
By
Rick Greenwood
De Havilland Sea Hornet NF.21
Kit No:
02895
Scale:
1/48
Type:
Injection Moulded Plastic
Manufacturer:
Trumpeter
Pocketbond/Stevens International
quick look through the Trumpeter
catalogue suggests that they have
The Fleet Air Arm very well covered
in both 1/72 and 1/48 with some very
attractive subjects available in both scales.
With each release the Internet is a hive of
activity, some applauded, others
bemoaned. When news filtered through of
the intended release of both the De
Havilland Hornet F.Mk 1 and NF.21 there
were modellers rejoicing at being able to
add this to their
collection without
resorting to the
often daunting
A
vac form or limited
run products that
have been the only options available to
date. The first release saw the Hornet F.1
become available and expectant modellers
soon found that the model was being
treated to a harsh reception in terms of
accuracy. I had my fingers crossed (or call it
wishful thinking) that Trumpeter would
take the criticism on board and resolve the
issues with their next release of the NF.21.
clear parts protected in their own foam
wrapping. The parts count is modest for
the price, the kit comprising six plastic
runners with an additional clear sprue for
the canopy and rear blister.
Moulding is first rate with no flaws
noticed on a quick pass but some of the
panel lines on the contour of the fuselage
were shallow in appearance compared to
the rest of the kit.
A separate small decal sheet is provided
for two airframes but no other information
is provided with regards to unit or time
period etc.
The nicely printed painting
and decal
What's in the Box?
One thing that Trumpeter excels at is
their presentation of the product. The box
top features some inspired artwork, and is
thick and sturdy enough to prevent
damage or loss during transit and useful
for keeping parts safe during the build.
Once the lid is removed the modeller is
faced with another nice approach
to the packaging
with the
4
W W W.
S C A L E
A I R C R A F T
M O D E L L I N G
. CO. U K
SEA
HORNET
placement guide is a welcome addition
and the instructions are up to the standard
we have now become accustomed to from
Trumpeter. Assembly is called out in eleven
stages and looks to be logical but
modellers will I'm sure have their own
preferences when it comes to the build
sequence.
together without fuss and the fit is near
perfect, needing nothing more than a
quick pass with a sponge sander to clean
up the joints.
The cannon insert under the nose is next
and again found wanting in detail as only
the ports for the cannons are provided
with no representation of the barrels
themselves. I added some small lengths of
brass tube to add a little finesse to this
area. The parts once more fitted well, along
with the characteristic nose radar.
The instructions suggest part B7, the
observers hatch, be added at this stage but
it is better left until the completion of the
build to save it from damage. It can be
posed in either the open or closed
positions.
Stages three and four take care of the
landing gear assembly and engine nacelles.
Pay attention as it is all too easy to get the
parts on the wrong side if like me you cut
all the items off the runners in advance.
Make sure you open the flashed over holes
in the nacelles to accommodate the
exhaust shields for the night fighter.
Be forewarned with the propeller
assembly. Trumpeter place the prop blades
on the sprue in a way that can lead the
unwary modeller into making a grave error
(Yes I remember – Editor). As the props on
the Hornet were handed two blades from
each sprue are needed to construct each
prop.
The undercarriage bays feature some
more generic detail of questionable
accuracy but the wheel hubs do feature
some good depth and detail to the front
face.
The wings can be placed in either the
extended or folded position and this is the
first real weak spot of the kit as if you
intend to display your model with wing
extended then the joint is really not quite
up to it and should be reinforced with
some plastic strip to aid its rigidity. The first
real indication that all is not well with the
flying surfaces is the way that Trumpeter
have moulded the ailerons. They don't
meet the wing tip and the wing tips look
odd. The ribbing for the inaccurate fabric
covering is overdone and the Hornet,
except very early aircraft, had metal
skinned parts anyway.
The same portrayal is depicted on the
vertical and horizontal tails surfaces as well
and really is quite out of place.
With everything now
assembled in good order -
and to be fair to Trumpeter
the build is straight forward
and a pleasure - it was time to
paint the classic Fleet Air Arm
colours of Extra Dark Sea
Grey over Sky.
I used
The Build
As expected construction commences
with the internals. The cockpit is adequate
and looks good with careful painting.
Trumpeter call out for British Grey/Green
for the interior, although some might
prefer to check references for this. The seat
is a little generic and I couldn't find any
reference to the type depicted in the kit,
and on the whole I fear that the whole of
the cockpit tub and rear observer's station
is a mere representation of the area with a
bit of artistic licence thrown in. However
the parts are well moulded and everything
fits together without fuss. Once painted
and weathered it adds to the appearance
of the model without causing undue
offence.
Once the tubs are
correctly located
inside the fuselage
the halves can be
joined
JANUARY 2016
•
VOLUME 37
•
ISSUE 11
5

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